Introducing Bulk Carrier Update

As I write this editorial, the bulk carrier market is booming with record rates for the owners and operators – according to a recent article in Tradewinds*, spot fixtures were concluded at some $ 90,000 per day for a 170,000 tonner from the Atlantic to the Far East. We are experiencing a market situation we have not seen for many years – if ever. How long this will last is anybody’s guess.
DNV is a classification society and as such we are not a player in the market when it comes to operating vessels, but we do our best to ensure safe and sound operations in co-operation with our customers. Out of the entire world fleet of ships which totals some 600 million grt, some 35% are bulk carriers in one shape or another. To effectively communicate with this important shipping segment, I am proud to introduce to you Bulk Carrier Update, which we intend to publish three to four times a year.
In Bulk Carrier Update we will present articles covering class matters, cargo handling, terminal issues, operational matters, market forecasts, customers and other items. Our sincere intention is that our readers will find our news and information of value, whether they represent shipowners, yards, terminals, brokers or other segments within the bulk carrier industry.
There have been too many incidents involving bulk carriers over time – after all this is a vulnerable ship type, subject to stress and requiring keen attention to design maintenance and operations. I believe that the countermeasures initiated by IMO and IACS as well as other parties will prove successful in the long run.
I trust you will find many topics of interest in this first issue of Bulk Carrier Update and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have suggestions for future improvement to our new publication.

Ulf Freudendahl
DNV Business Director, Bulk Carriers
(Ulf.Freudendahl@dnv.com)

Date: 12 February 2008