Page 33: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Jul/Aug 2019)

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BREAKBULK SHIPPING

MARKET DRIVERS: SIZE MATTERS

Great Volumes, Great Lakes

Because breakbulk cargo is industrial (rather than consum- er driven), there is a relationship element which centers on The breadth of breakbulk cargoes, and the interaction with careful scheduling and consideration of shoreside logistics- other cargo types, can be seen from a posting on the web- contrasted with a very transactional commodity like shipping site of Royal Wagenborg, a Netherlands based mainstay business (which characterizes certain portions of the drybulk in the sector with active presence in the Great Lakes and St. market and many container runs). Another participant in the

Lawrence. They describe the action as follows: trade, Ultrabulk (actually part of a larger Chile based orga-

Recently it was very busy on the St. Lawrence River in Can- nization- Ultramar) explains on its website: “Our partnership ada with Wagenborg vessels. Several Wagenborg vessels philosophy is based on long-term relationships, combining were calling the port of Baie Comeau at the same period. cargo contracts and tonnage procurement into the vital core of

M/V “Azoresborg” is loading paper for the Caribbean, the the Ultrabulk business model.” “Thamesborg” is preparing her holds to load aluminium,

The philosophy is further expounded in the online brochure the “Taagborg” is also loading aluminium and the “Amstel- of Paci? c Carriers Limited (PCL), part of the Kuok group. borg” at anchorage is waiting for a berth to discharge an-

Its ? eet includes high-speci? cation Japanese built handy sized odes from China. Besides these vessels, the “Alaskaborg” bulk carriers (mostly open-hatch types) which are used in the is also on her way to Baie Comeau to load paper for Brazil forest products and steel trades. PCL notes: “We have formed and the “Tiberborg” is on her way to Port-Alfred, a few joint venture whenever there are synergies. Strategic alliances miles ahead of Baie Comeau. Finally, the “Eeborg” and the with our customers are explored regularly as major cargo in- terests prefer to work with major shipowners in order to the “Fuldaborg” just left the St. Lawrence River for Europe. The “Eeborg” set direction to Ireland from Montreal and the minimize risks of contracting with single vessel or small own- “Fuldaborg” is heading to Tilbury from Quebec.

ers where the risks are larger. As a large ship owning entity, we offer cargo interests increased ? exibility.”

Barry Parker

The Author

Parker of bdp1 Consulting Ltd provides strategic and tactical support, including analytics and communica- tions, to businesses across the maritime spectrum. The company can be found online at www.conconnect.com

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