NovaAlgoma Short Sea Carriers takes delivery of new mini-bulker
NovaAlgoma Short Sea Carriers, a joint venture of Algoma Central Corporation and Nova Marine Holdings SA, have taken delivery of the Sider Buffalo, a 6,800 deadweight (“DWT”) mini-bulker from the Ningbo Xinle Shipyard in China, the company said in its release.
The Sider Buffalo is the first of six new-build mini-bulkers to be delivered by the Shipyard and is expected to begin service in May, 2020. The NASC new-build program will see three additional 6,800 dwt and two 8,800 dwt vessels added to the fleet with deliveries scheduled in 2020 and 2021 with the Company holding options for a further six plus six additional units.
Despite the economic uncertainty and challenges associated with COVID-19, NASC remains confident in its fleet expansion plan and with the long-term outlook of this business. NASC has committed financing in place to fund the delivery of the remaining firm orders.
To commemorate the anniversary of Algoma and Nova’s four year partnership and in anticipation of the delivery of the Sider Buffalo, Gregg Ruhl, President and CEO of Algoma Central Corporation presented Giovani Romeo, an Owner of Nova Marine Carriers, with a crystal buffalo during the Marine Club meetings in Toronto in January.
NASC was established in early 2017 and has interests in 15 short sea mini-bulkers ranging in size from 6,000 dwt to 14,700 dwt. Algoma and Nova also have two other joint ventures, NovaAlgoma Cement Carriers (“NACC”) and NovaAlgoma Bulk Holdings (“NABH”). The NACC fleet consists of 18 cement carriers, three of which operate domestically, and a combined vessel platform that services large global manufacturers supporting infrastructure projects. The NABH fleet comprises four deep sea bulkers operating internationally.
About Algoma
Algoma, headquartered in Ontario, Canada, owns and operates the largest fleet of dry and liquid bulk carriers trading on the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Waterway, including self-unloading dry-bulk carriers, gearless dry-bulk carriers and product tankers. Algoma also owns and operates ocean self-unloading dry-bulk vessels trading in international markets.
About Nova
Nova Marine Carriers SA, headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland, operates a varied fleet of modern bulk carriers and belt self-unloading vessels ranging from 5,000 dwt up to 57,000 dwt. With around one hundred ships under control, Nova specializes in bulk traffic in the Mediterranean, Atlantic and Middle East and in Italian/European cabotage.
