Big-George

Sohar Port and Freezone welcomed the inaugural call of the Evergreen container vessel ‘Messini’ this week, marking the start of a partnership between Evergreen and Simatech. The partnership between the two lines will regularly connect Sohar Port with other major ports in South Asia, with Messini the first container ship to operate the new service.

Sohar Port and Freezone welcomed the container ship Messini to the port on Friday, with the feeder vessel making its maiden call in Sohar as part of the new direct South Asia-Oman service launched by Evergreen and Simatech. The new cargo loop will be operated jointly by the two shipping companies, with Evergreen’s Messini the first ship to be deployed on the new route. It is hoped that the new service will offer Omani importers and exporters more choice in terms of shipping. The ship’s maiden call to Sohar and the launch of the new service was celebrated with a quayside ceremony attended by Sultan bin Salim Al Habsi, chairman of the Board of Sohar Industrial Port Company (SIPC), which operates the port and Said bin Hamdoon bin Saif Al Harthy, undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport. http://www.arabiansupplychain.com/article-11381-evergreen-cargo-ship-launches-new-oman-south-asia-loop/

Costamare buys the 1997-built, 2,458 TEU container vessel Messini (ex. Pembroke) for $6.8million. The vessel was delivered on August 2, 2012. The acquisition has been entirely financed with equity. The Company also agreed to charter the vessel with Evergreen for a period of approximately 18 months at a daily rate of $8,100. The vessel is expected to be delivered to her charterers by September 23, 2012.