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Narrow loss for Belships

Narrow loss for Belships
Belships has reported a loss of $157,000 in 2012, improving on 2012's $1.6m shortfall.

The company added to its fleet of three operating ships in June when it signed for two 61,000 dwt eco bulk carriers at Imabari for $28.2m each. Delivery is expected in late 2015 and early 2016.

A third identical supramax vessel will join Belship's fleet in 2017 under an eight-year lease with three extra year options and a JPY2.9bn purchase option at the end of year four.

Since the reporting period, Belships signed a six-year, $50m finance deal for its existing bulk carriers, with favourable rates to existing arrangements.

"The total seaborne trade of bulk commodities are expected to rise by 5.6% per annum in 2014-15, while growth in bulk fleet adjusted for scrapping is estimated to be around 3-4% per annum," the company said in its earnings statements.

"After many years of double-digit fleet growth. The capacity utilization will consequently improve, and a tightening of rates can be expected."

The company's fleet is currently chartered by Canadian potash company Canpotex, with a charter backlog of $115m.