Excellence, 7th Edition - BBC Chartering

EuropeanShort SeaServicesBringing heavy lift capacityto a regional marketClearly there are a few considerations when gearedproject carriers are employed for short distances and thevalue needs to be visible for clients if the decision is infavor of such a solution.The reasons that normally speak against the employmentof such vessels on local trades, especially in the NorthSea and Baltic are their higher charter rates compared tosmaller coaster tonnage and barge transports which arewidely available there.The higher rates for geared vessels seem justified asthese are more investment intense than their un-gearedcompetitors plus they often need to be mobilized fromtheir global trades to North European waters. Thequestion rather is: What for? Especially if offering sucha service for a single client would not work, as utilizationof the vessel may not be sufficient either. Normallythe operator may decide to leave such vessels in theirrespective international trades.page 22 | excellence