On the 8th of May the successful launching of MV AEC Courage took place in Japan.
The drycargo vessel is approximate 38,000 deadweight with double-hull, wide hatches, semi box shaped holds and includes all modern feature and extras to trade efficiently in the worldwide market.
The ceremony was attended by a delegation led by Lars-Peter Madsen, CEO of AEC.
The fleet vessel, MV AEC Diligence 31,189 deadweight, built 2002, completed a successful dry-docking and special survey in April 2015.
AEC’s technical managers, SeaQuest attended the vessel whilst in dry-dock and supervised the high quality maintenance carried out.
Apart from the usual dry-dock works carried out, all cargo spaces were treated to maintain the usual, high standards, which AEC believes its customers and other stakeholders ought to expect.
Since the inception of AEC and SeaQuest managing the vessel, she has had no off-hire and it was pleasing to note that, at the first loading port subsequent to the dry-docking, a Port State Control inspection was carried out on board, which the vessel passed without any deficiencies.
AEC’s continues to pride itself of its ongoing commitment to provide its customers with quality transportation services.
Thomas P. Mayr – S & P and Peter J. Pecry – Head of Operations
Loading and discharging at the East Coast of South America or the U.S. East Coast at times require own equipment at ports that do not always have what is needed to load and discharge the bulk cargoes.
AEC has exclusive access to various sets of grabs strategically situated along the two coasts. In total AEC have access to four full sets of grabs and accessories making it possible to fit grabs at almost any vessel with cranes.
Furthermore AEC has alliances with local specialists who will take care of all the practicalities, perform the operations and do the maintenance of the equipment.
Grab discharging of Pig Iron into barges alongside AEC vessel
AEC’s goal is always to be able to provide it clients with reliable and flexible solutions for their cargo.
The fleet vessel, MV “AEC Belief” 33,540 deadweight, built 2004, underwent a successful dry-docking and special survey completed in February 2015.
AEC’s technical managers, SeaQuest, with whom AEC’s enjoys a close, strategic relationship, attended the vessel on-site to supervise and ensure maintenance was carried out to strict quality standards.
A subsequent condition survey of the vessel rated the hull, accommodation, deck areas, and cargo holds as being in very good condition (with “good” being the best criteria for inspection rating).
This sort of quality tonnage is a true testament to AEC’s ongoing commitment to provide its customers with quality transportation services.
Thomas P. Mayr – S & P and Peter J. Pecry – Head of Operations
AEC is constantly preparing for the future and is currently in stage 5 of the outlined company strategy plan. With great support from it’s investors, the Group is constantly being formed and aligned.
The Dry Cargo segment has reached a historical low where prudent management and proper long term views are important factors for success going forward. Quality vessels with high specifications and cargo access are the key elements for AEC.
AEC continue to be active supplying Brazil and have had six full inboard shipments so far this year.
Admittedly Brazil is facing political difficulties lately and many things should be changed for the country to prosper in a way it deserves. However, the country has been through many difficult phases over time and will always be an interesting country where AEC’s profound knowledge and intense local network will be highly valuable.
Brazil now has more than 200 million people and remains a country with amazing natural resources. As a consequence the need for maritime transport is constantly increasing and AEC will continue to build on the local expertise and find ways for interesting maritime transport solutions.
AEC has entered it’s new premises in the Bahamas with the establishment of ‘AEC House’. The building serves as the Group’s Head Quarters and offers modern office space and meetings facilities.
The address is:
Agriculture & Energy Carriers
AEC House
Building 6, Western Road
Mount Pleasant Village
P.O. Box N-7776-283
Nassau
Bahamas
On the 22nd of January 2015 a AEC delegation attended the launch of the second Naikai Zosen 38,165 dwt Bulk Carrier together with valuable clients from Latin America.
What started off as an overcast and windy day changed the moment Mrs. Samantha Carr cut the cord in traditional Japanese style and the vessel rolled into the Bay of Yugeseto under the first sunshine of the day.
“The shallow draft of the vessel with only 10 meter in salt water together with its new SSD design and surf-bulb at the rudder will provides a significant trading advantage over other Owners especially in the North and Latin America trades where short sea voyages and draft restricted ports are the norm” comments Claas Grafe, Chartering Manager of the Nassau office who was attending to the launching. He continues: ‘Apart from those features all AEC New Building all have the same high specification in terms of extras added to the standard designs not to mentioned that they are all double hull, semi box shaped with large hatches’.
The vessel was named MV AEC FAITH by its Godmother and is scheduled for final delivery in April 2015.
Shipping and Marine (www.shippingandmarine.co.uk) had an article called Best of Bulk concerning new regulations and the current market.
The CEO of Load Line, Mr. George Souravlas, is quoted for stating: ‘The only way forward during these difficult times is to forge strong relationships with first class charterers, such as Bunge, Norden, Ultrabulk, Oldendorff, AEC, Noble, based on mutual trust, professionalism and top quality service.’
Fresh out of the blogs in the New Year, AEC has already send four vessels to supply Brazil and its close clients.
‘Our relationships and ties to South America are very strong’ say CEO Lars-Peter Madsen. ‘We intend to expand our business in that area even further. We pursue the knowledge, network and many decades of vast experience in South America. Last but not least, we have Portuguese and Spanish speaking key commercial personal. We manage to make the greatest difference when the local economic environments seems more challenging than ever for outsiders.’