STENA RORO:

STENA RORO IS ASSISTING MARAD IN THE PURCHASE OF TWO VESSELS FOR THE READY RESERVE FORCE (RRF)

United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) has signed a contract for the purchase of two vessels. Crowley is serving as the vessel acquisition manager (responsible for contract execution), and Stena RoRo is included in Crowley’s project team in the shipping and logistics company’s undertaking for MARAD. Stena RoRo has participated as market experts and brokers, as well as providing support in contract drafting. 

MARAD is purchasing two vessels from the American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group (ARC). The vessels will be joining the RRF fleet. More vessel purchases are expected to follow as the fleet is in need of rejuvenation.

Stena RoRo is assisting in the process of finding and selecting new vessels, serving as a broker and supporting the parties in drawing up contracts in conjunction with the purchase of vessels. Stena RoRo has extensive experience in markets that are relevant to MARAD’s very specific requirements.

“We are delighted to be assisting MARAD in strengthening the RRF fleet, and looking forward to participating in more vessel purchases within the framework of this collaborative arrangement,” says Ambjörn Fröjd, Commercial Project Manager, Stena RoRo.

STENA POLARIS

The product tanker Stena Polaris has a deadweight of 65,200 tonnes. The ship is rated for ice class 1A, which entails that it is equipped to sail in ice-covered waters. The hull is reinforced for ice and the ship has increased engine capacity and technically adapted
rudders and propellers. 

The ship has been built according to the MAX concept, which was developed by Stena and the French gas and oil company Total.
Compared to conventional MRI vessels, the P-MAX vessels are considerably wider and have dual engine compartments, propellers and rudders. Their breadth allows them to transport up to 30 percent more cargo, with the same draft, than equivalent vessels of the same size class. 

CONCORDIA MARITIME:

STENA POLARIS CHARTERED TO US MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND

The tanker Stena Polaris is owned by Concordia Maritime and has been leased to Stena Bulk since 2021. The contract has been paused under the arrangement with Crowley, which as of January 2022 has had the ship on a bareboat charter basis. Crowley in turn, is leasing the ship with an American crew and sailing under the American flag to the US Military Sealift Command, part of the American armed forces. The vessel, which is rated for ice class 1A, will primarily transport fuel transport in the Mediterranean but also to American bases in Greenland and Antarctica.

The contract will be in effect for at least 12 months and a maximum of five years. The Stena Polaris was delivered to Crowley’s base in Jacksonville, Florida at the beginning of the year, where it has been modified to meet the special requirements of the American armed forces. Among other things, she has received equipment that allows bunkering while underway. 

“We are both proud and happy about this assignment,” says Erik Lewenhaupt, CEO of Concordia Maritime. “The contract with Crowley makes us suppliers to the US government and demonstrates the strength of the P-MAX concept in terms of safety and quality. It was also essential here that the ship can carry high cargo volumes in shallower waters.”