London-based containership charter owner Global Ship Lease has sealed a new time charter for 2004-built 8,063 teu containership GSL Ningbo, formerly OOCL Ningbo, with Maersk Line.
, formerly OOCL Ningbo, with Maersk Line.The vessel was redelivered by OOCL on September 17, and the new charter to Maersk commences today for a period of between two and 12 months. The charter rate for the initial three months is $11,500 per day rising to $12,100 per day. Maersk also has a 12-month extension option which is at a rate of $18,000 per day.
Additionally, CMA CGM has extended its charter of 2002-built 2,207 teu containership Julie Delmas, which has been renamed GSL Julie. The extension commences October 26 at the same rate as is currently being paid, $7,800 per day. The extension runs through to between January 20, 2019 to March 20, 2019.
Ian Webber, chief executive officer of Global Ship Lease, commented: “While ongoing trade tensions continue to impact sentiment in the sector, we are pleased to have secured full charter coverage for our fleet while incurring minimal vessel downtime. We are also delighted to have further diversified our counterparty portfolio with the addition of Maersk, the world’s largest container liner company.
“We remain confident in the strong long-term fundamentals for mid-sized and smaller containerships, driven by a limited orderbook and the continuing expansion of the non-mainlane trades that are heavily reliant upon these workhorse vessels. With the support of our substantial contracted cashflows, our strong balance sheet, and our recently announced $65 million growth facility, GSL is well positioned to seize attractive growth opportunities currently available in the market.”
CMA CGM has a 44% ownership stake in Global Ship Lease.
