Belships to take on new supramax, focuses on dry bulk

The 61,000 dwt supramax is scheduled for delivery to Belships in the first quarter of 2017 and the vessel will be on long term lease of at least eight years plus three yearly options.

Belships revealed that the purchase option can be declared from the end of the fourth year onwards, starting at JPY2.91bn ($27.84m) and decreasingly annually by JPY110m.

“Through this new lease agreement Belships will have three identical supramax bulk carriers with eco-design from Imabari for delivery between the fourth quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of 2017,” Belships said in a statement.

It added that the new supramax was taken on as it will be returning its tanker Belaia to the owner Lauritzen Tankers around March 2014.

Meanwhile, Oslo-listed Belships said it has secured new six-year financing of $50m for its three bulk carriers in operation.

“Both the margin and the covenants will be an encouraging improvement compared to the terms for the existing financing. We have also received attractive quotes for long term financing of our newbuilding program, but have not yet accepted any offer,” it said.