Asia Break Bulk, a shipping company belonging to the Hamburg-based Coli Group, is expanding its fleet with four new multipurpose vessels, each with a deadweight tonnage of 12,600 dwt. The vessels are due to be delivered from 2028.
Singapore-based Asia Break Bulk (ABB), part of the Hamburg-based Coli Group, has entered into long-term agreements with Schoeller Holdings for four new multipurpose vessels, each with a deadweight tonnage of 12,600 dwt, for the transport of heavy lift and project cargo. The “Octopus”-class vessels are being built to a design by the Chinese engineering firm CSSC-SDARI. Delivery of the first vessel is scheduled for October 2028, with the three sister ships to follow.
Each of the newbuilds is equipped with two on-board cranes with a lifting capacity of 250 t, which can lift loads of up to 500 t when operating in tandem. In addition, they feature a box-shaped cargo hold over 89 metres long. The bridge’s location in the fore section provides additional deck space for oversized cargo.
The vessels are designed for a service speed of 15 kn. With ice class 1A, they are intended to be deployed in ice-affected waters.
ABB plans global tramp shipping
With these newbuilds, Asia Break Bulk aims to respond to the growing demand for flexible transport solutions for heavy and oversized cargo. “We are seeing growing demand from our customers for shorter transit times and direct connections to ports and destinations with draught and infrastructure restrictions,” explains Maximilian Fischer, General Manager of Asia Break Bulk.
“Whilst it is not easy for smaller multipurpose vessels to compete with larger vessels in terms of economies of scale, they offer clear advantages in terms of flexibility, accessibility and operational efficiency,” Fischer continues. Transhipments would not only result in additional time and costs, but also entail further risks.
“These vessels have been specially designed to transport long, heavy and complex cargoes directly to destinations outside the usual liner ports,” explains Fischer.
Asia Break Bulk was founded in 2006 and has, amongst other things, operated a semi-regular service for general cargo, heavy lift and project cargo between Asia and Europe. With its new fleet, the company intends to increase its involvement in global tramp shipping in future. The range of cargoes includes, amongst other things, steel products, rail vehicles, components for power stations and wind turbines, offshore cables and harbour cranes.
Columbia takes over technical management
The newbuilds are being realised in collaboration with Schoeller Holdings and Columbia Shipmanagement. As a project partner, Schoeller Holdings is involved in particular in fleet development and financing.
Columbia Shipmanagement is overseeing the construction and, following delivery, will be responsible for both the technical management and crew management of the four vessels.
“Our colleagues at Asia Break Bulk have built up the trust of customers between Asia and Europe over more than twenty years. As a group, we want to support this team with modern vessels built specifically for this purpose,” says Felix Peinemann, Managing Director of the Coli Group. “This investment in our customers and our capabilities strengthens the Coli Group’s offering in complex general cargo transport and logistics solutions,” Peinemann continues.
