The German shipping company F. A. Vinnen & Co. is expanding its operations to include multi-purpose shipping. The “Merkur Bridge”, which sails under the charter name “Ocean7 Chablis”, is intended to provide a second source of revenue alongside container shipping.
The MPP vessel was taken over in China and chartered for two years to the international shipping company and chartering agency Ocean7, based in Fredericia. When asked by HANSA, Michael Vinnen explained that, in addition to business expansion, the decision to enter this market was driven by greater proximity to the market and to cargo in the MPP segment.
In doing so, the shipping company is drawing on existing expertise within the organisation. Christian Meyer, in particular, brings extensive experience at management level across all areas of the MPP market, according to Vinnen.
Further projects possible
The “Merkur Bridge” was built in 2012 and has a deadweight tonnage of 13,500 dwt. The intermediate deck is equipped with two cranes, each with a lifting capacity of 80 tonnes. According to the shipping company, the vessel is also “Lakes-fitted”, meaning it is equipped for voyages on the Great Lakes. Specific operating areas and planned cargoes have not yet been disclosed.
The addition to the fleet could mark the start of further expansion of the MPP business. As the segment is intended to become a second pillar of the business, further projects are possible, explains Vinnen. The shipping company has not yet announced any specific additional acquisitions.
The Bremen-based shipping company is a seventh-generation family-run container shipping line, established in 1819 and headquartered in the historic Vinnen House on the Altenwall. The company manages and operates a fleet of modern wide-beam container ships ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 TEU and also acts as a full-service ship manager and crewing service provider for third parties. With around 300 employees in Germany and its own crewing company in the Philippines, it counts.
