Jump to content

BBC Chartering

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
BBC Chartering
BBC Chartering GmbH & Co. KG
IndustryInternational shipping
Founded1997 (1997) in Bremen, Germany
Headquarters
Leer
,
Germany
Number of locations
30 (2015)
Area served
Global
Key people
Wilke Briese,

Ulrich Ulrichs (CEO),

Enno Jelken (CFO)
ParentBriese Schiffahrt Group
Websitehttp://www.bbc-chartering.com

BBC Chartering GmbH, owned by the Briese Schiffahrt Group, is an international shipping company based in Leer, Germany. The company operates a fleet of over 160 vessels, including multipurpose ships, heavy-lift vessels, container ships, bulk carriers, and RoRos, making it the largest, multipurpose, chartering company on the Ems River.[1][2][3] BBC Chartering is recognised as one of the leading companies in the global market for heavy-lift and project shipping,[4] based on tonnage.

The company concentrates on specialised marine transport including bulk and neobulk cargo, steel products, and freight related to the energy sector, such as components for wind turbines. It also handles various types of freight, including hazardous materials, contatiners,[5] and military cargo within the project shipping sector. The company motto is "Anchored by Excellence".

The company has more than 400 employees in 30 offices worldwide.

History

[edit]

The family-owned company,[4] BBC Chartering (BBC), was established with its office in Bremen, Germany, in 1997. Two years later, the headquarters was moved to Leer, Germany. In the same year, the shipping company opened its first South American brance in Buenos Aires. Subsequent offices were opened in Argentina and Houston, Texas, and operations expanded into Europe, Asia and America.[6]

In October 2003, the company experienced an incident involving the sinking of a multi-purpose freighter BBC China off the coast of South Africa. The following year, the Singapore office was established when the company launched Asia Project Chartering (APC)- an alliance formed through a joint venture with Clipper Projects.[citation needed]

Expansion continued in 2008 with the establishment of an office in the United States and the introduction of regular connections to the Persian Gulf. In 2010, the company opened an office in Japan and added the BBC Bulk Division to its operations portfolio. It also merged with Teras Cargo Transport to form Teras BBC Chartering LLC.

In 2011, the company signficantly increased its fleet through the acquisition of ships previously managed by Beluga Shipping and opened additional offices in Asia and other regions to support the growth.[6]

By the end of 2013, one-third of the BBC Chartering fleet had a lifting capacity of 500 tonnes or more, solidifying the company's position in the heavy-lift sector. In 2015, BBC Chartering launched its apac (any port, any cargo) service to support its global operations.[6] By 2016, the company operated over 180 multipurpose and heavy-lift vessels, becoming the largest fleet of its type worldwide.[7]

The company has also developed its liner services and participates in alliances such as CaytransBBC and TerrasBBC. It currently manages 18 liner services through 26 branches across five continents.[8][9]

As of 2019, the company operates 30 global offices with main hubs in Leer, Houston, and Singapore.[10]

Cargo

[edit]

BBC Chartering operates with a cargo-oriented structure, divided into three interconnected areas:

  1. Tramp and Liner Shipping: This includes traditional shipping, liner services, and the hybrid apac service, which bridges the two.
  2. Contracts of Affreightment (COA): This area manages cargo shipments based on long-term contracts, organising transport for recurring freight needs.
  3. Special Projects: This division handles transport requirements that do not fit into the tramp or liner shipping categories, focusing on unique and complex logistics needs.

A significant portion of the cargo handled by BBC Chartering consists of project and heavy-lift cargo, including large and specialised items such as turbines and construction equipment. Additionally, a notable share of the total cargo volume includes bulk and containerised goods. The company is internally organised into various business and cargo divisions to manage these operations effectively:[11]

  • Project Division: Focused on heavy-lift cargo transported on global routes, considered the core of the company's operations[12][13]
  • Liner Services: Manages various liner service routes[14]
  • Oil and Gas: Handles cargo for the oil and gas industry, including pipeline systems, primarily from the Middle East, Siberia, and North America
  • Green Energy: Specialises in renewable energy cargo, particularly wind turbines,[15] with shipments from Europe to over 50 countries. The company claims to be the largest transporter of wind turbines globally[16]
  • Heavy Industry: Transports heavy equipment such as cranes and excavators worldwide[17]
  • Mining Industry: Focuses on the transport of mining equipment, including trucks and excavators[17]
  • Vehicles and Yachts: Manages the transport of various types of vehicles and yachts[17]
  • Bulk Cargo: Transports bulk cargo goods using bulk carriers and multipurpose freighters

Fleet

[edit]

As of 2017, BBC Chartering's fleet consists of approximately 170 chartered vessels, with an average age of 15 years,[18] including multipurpose vessels, heavy-lift ships, container ships, and bulk carriers, ranging in size from 3,500 to 37,000 dot. Depending on the class of ship, the crane capacity of the fleet extends up to a maximum unit weight of 800 tonnes,[19] with the Palabora featuring a capacity up to 900 tonnes.[20]

BBC Chartering does not own its vessles but charters them, primarily from its parent company, Briese Group, as well as other operators, such as W. Bockstiegel.[21] While the technical and operational aspects - such as management, manning, and inspections - are handled by the vessel owners - BBC Chartering is responsible for the commercial management of the fleet, including matching cargo with suitable vessels under appropriate terms.

The fleet has an average age of 8.5 years (as of 2017), with over 100 vessels built in the 2000s, 60 of them between 2007 and 2009, and a further 70 built in the 2010s, 66 of which were constructed between 2010 and 2012. The fleet is designed for flexibility: most vessels are equipped with cranes, eliminating dependence on port infrastructure, and many are rated with high ice classes, enabling operations in icy waters such as the Baltic Sea during winter.

Since 2010, BBC Chartering has added long-term charters of multipurpose heavy-lift carriers, including vessels from the BBC Everest class (700-tonne lifting capacity) and the BBC Amber class (800-tonne lifting capacity).[18]

In 2024, BBC Chartering began the expansion of its fleet with the introduction of 15 new LakerMax heavy-lift, 13,000dwt multipurpose vessels.[22][23][24] The first of the 15 new builds, MV BBC Leer, was received by Briese Group in May 2024.[25][23][26] The second, BBC Houston, was christened in September 2024.[27]

Operations

[edit]

BBC chartering has been involved in many areas of shipping, including:

Liner Services

[edit]

In addition to its traditional tramp shipping operations, which account for approximately two-thirds of its fleet, BBC Chartering also offers semi-liner services. Some of these services operate on regular schedules and are marketed as liner services, managed by dedicated line managers. Many routes connect industrialised countries with emerging and developing nations,[33] reflecting the high demand for large finished products such as generators, turbines, machinery, and power plant components. Most of these routes are serviced on a monthly[34] or bi-weekly basis.[35][36]

apac Service

[edit]

BBC Chartering's fleet covers all major global routes, which led to the introduction of the apac (any port, any cargo) service. This service operates as a hybrid between tramp and liner shipping, offering flexible transport for a wide variety of cargo to any destination.[37]

Under the apac concept, cargo is loaded onto a vessel already scheduled to travel to the required destination area. While this ensures faster delivery, the specific ship carrying the cargo cannot be predetermined. The service allows for flexible departure times and optimises vessel utilisation, reducing the environmental impact by minimising the number of ships operating on the same route.[7]

Ship Classes and Ships

[edit]
Name Ship type Year of construction Load capacity Length Width Draft Flag Number Crane capacity
BBC-Amber-Class Heavy goods freighter 2011–2013 14.360 dwt 153,44 m 23,20 m 9,10 m Antigua & Barbuda 14 ships 2 × 400 t + 1 × 80 t
BBC-Neptune-Class Bulker 2010–2010 37.300 dwt 189,99 m 28,50 m 10,40 m Liberia 2 ships 4 × 30 t
BBC-Leer-Class Multipurpose vessel 1998–2000 20.000 dwt 153,22 m 23,60 m 9,73 m Liberia 4 ships 2 × 60 t
Norderoog-Class Container ship 2004–2008 16.921 dwt 161,35 m 25,00 m 9,90 m Antigua & Barbuda, Gibraltar 6 ships 2 × 45 t
BBC-Everest-Class Heavy goods freighter 2011–2012 9.300 dwt 125,79 m 22,00 m 7,60 m Germany, Antigua & Barbuda 9 ships 2 × 350 t
BBC-Ems-Class Multipurpose heavy goods freighter 2006–2012 17.500 dwt 143,14 m 22,80 m 9,70 m Germany, Antigua & Barbuda 15 ships 3 × 80 t / 2 × 250 t + 1 × 80 t
BBC-Bergen-Class Multipurpose vessel 2011–2012 8.000 dwt 128,45 m 16,50 m 7,00 m Antigua & Barbuda 8 ships 2 × 80 t
BBC-Europe-Class Multipurpose heavy goods freighter 2003–2009 7.700 dwt 119,80 m 20,20 m 7,60 m Antigua & Barbuda, Germany, USA 9 ships 2 × 250 t
BBC-Campana-Class Multipurpose heavy goods freighter 2004–2011 12.780 dwt 138,50 m 21,00 m 8,00 m Gibraltar, Antigua & Barbuda, Cyprus, Liberia 31 ships 2 × 120 t / 2 × 150 t / 2 × 180 t
BBC-Winter-Class Multipurpose heavy goods freighter 2011–2012 19.800 dwt 166,25 m 22,90 m 9,80 m Liberia 2 ships 2 × 400 t + 1 × 120 t
BBC-Rhine-Class Multipurpose vessel 2008 17.300 dwt 142,81 m 21,50 m 9,69 m Liberia 2 ships 3 × 60 t
HR-Recognition-Class Multipurpose heavy goods freighter 2005 10.500 dwt 134,65 m 21,50 m 7,95 m Liberia 2 ships 2 × 250 t
BBC-England-Class Multipurpose vessel 2003–2004 10.250 dwt 136,74 m 28,25 m 7,33 m Antigua & Barbuda 3 ships 2 × 80 t
BBC-Kimberly-Class Multipurpose heavy goods freighter 2009 10.000 dwt 139,00 m 20,00 m 7,70 m Antigua & Barbuda 2 ships 2 × 250 t
BBC-K-Class Multipurpose RoRo heavy goods freighter 1998–2000 7.200 dwt 126,51 m 20,30 m 6,65 m Liberia 4 ships 2 × 100 t / 2 × 150 t
BBC-Atlantic-Class Multipurpose vessel 2005–2011 6.150 dwt 115,50 m 16,50 m 5,70 m Antigua & Barbuda, Gibraltar 11 ships 2 × 60 t

BBC China

[edit]

In October 2003, two months prior to Libya's announcement that it would cease the production of weapons of mass destruction, the United States intercepted the BBC China freighter, owned by BBC Chartering in Leer. This action was based on information provided by Urs Friedrich Tinner, a Swiss-born engineer and former CIA spy. The BBC China was believed to be transporting components for the construction of uranium ultracentrifuges (GUZ)[38] and nuclear bombs,[39] valued at over 10 million euros, with a scheduled arrival in Libya at the beginning of October 2003.[40] The interception was part of an intelligence operation conducted by British and American agencies, who had learned in late September 2003 that the freighter had loaded GUZ components in Dubai and was en route to Libya.[41]The intelligence agencies informed the German government and requested assistance in stopping and diverting the ship to Italy. The German government reached out to the ship's owner, who reportedly agreed to cooperate.

After navigating through the Suez Canal, the ship set course for the Italian port of Taranto for cargo inspection.[42] A U.S. warship trailed the freighter during this operation. It is reported that neither the crew nor the shipping company was aware that components for a gas ultracentrifuge (GUZ) had been loaded in Dubai. The cargo had been misrepresented in the shipping documents,[40] which, according to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, originated from a company based in Asia. Nuclear specialists from British and American authorities inspected the cargo and subsequently confiscated it. Investigative journalist Rainer Kahrs revealed that the ship was owned by Beluga Shipping and chartered to BBC Chartering. Prior to the voyage, it had been renamed from Beluga Superstition to BBC China. Shortly after the intelligence operation, the ship ran aground on a rock off the coast of South Africa near Port Grosvenor at 31.3851960°S 29.9076156°E and sank.[43]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "About BBC Chartering : BBC Chartering - The premier source for global project shipping services". web.archive.org. 2015-05-03. Archived from the original on 2019-03-29. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  2. ^ "Fleet - BBC Chartering". web.archive.org. 2008-08-20. Archived from the original on 2011-12-28. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  3. ^ "BBC Chartering questions Clipper multipurpose pool". ShippingWatch. May 8, 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Jumbo and BBC Chartering creating "Global Project Alliance"". The official website of the Port of Hamburg. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  5. ^ "BBC Chartering mit Container zusatzgeschaeft" [BBC Chartering with additional Container Business]. www.dvz.de (in German). 2022-05-13. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  6. ^ a b c "Company". BBC Chartering. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  7. ^ a b "Any port. Any cargo. That's our service motto". BBC Chartering. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  8. ^ "Dependancen (Memento vom 23. Januar 2016 im Internet Archive) (PDF; 4,6 MB), BBC Chartering" (PDF). BBC Chartering. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-01-23. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  9. ^ "BBC Chartering Strengthens Its Presence in Turkey". World Maritime News. 2012-10-28.
  10. ^ "History : BBC Chartering - The premier source for global project shipping services". www.bbc-chartering.com. Archived from the original on 2019-03-29. Retrieved 2019-10-06.
  11. ^ "Overview - BBC Chartering". web.archive.org. 2008-08-20. Archived from the original on 2011-12-25. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  12. ^ "BBC Chartering Project Division" (PDF). BBC Chartering. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-10-27. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  13. ^ "BBC Chartering enjoys liner success" (PDF). cisp.cachefly.net. BBC Chartering. 2011-09-05. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  14. ^ "BBC Liner Services" (PDF). BBC Chartering. 2008-11-19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  15. ^ Basic, Adnan (2024-05-15). "Revival of the heavy-lift segment". Project Cargo Journal. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  16. ^ "Green Energy - BBC Chartering". web.archive.org. 2011-12-25. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  17. ^ a b c "Success Story - BBC Chartering GmbH". www.consense-gmbh.com. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  18. ^ a b "Fleet : BBC Chartering - The premier source for global project shipping services". www.bbc-chartering.com.
  19. ^ "BBC Chartering - THB". www.thb.info. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  20. ^ "New Buildings - BBC Chartering". web.archive.org. 2011-12-28. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  21. ^ "BRIESE - FLEET". BRIESE - FLEET. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  22. ^ Bajic, Adnan (2024-03-11). "BBC Chartering leaps forward with LakerMax MPP fleet". Project Cargo Journal. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  23. ^ a b Maritime, Baird (2024-05-23). "Briese Group adds 13,000DWT vessel to fleet". Baird Maritime / Work Boat World. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  24. ^ Allen, Joshua (2024-08-28). "BBC Dubai passes sea trials". Heavy Lift & Project Forwarding International. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  25. ^ Bajic, Adnan (2024-05-22). "BBC Leer heavy-lift MPP ready to serve BBC Chartering". Project Cargo Journal. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  26. ^ "BBC Chartering takes delivery of first "LakerMax" new building, MV BBC LEER". www.ajot.com. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  27. ^ Bajic, Adnan (2024-09-25). "BBC Chartering christens second LakerMax, BBC Houston". Project Cargo Journal. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  28. ^ "Military Sealift Command completes annual resupply mission to Antarctica". February 18, 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-02-18.
  29. ^ "BC Shipping News". Issuu. McIvor Communications.
  30. ^ "Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm - United Kingdom". www.fluor.com.
  31. ^ "BBC England loads grain". duluthshippingnews.com. November 26, 2005.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  32. ^ "BBC Italy". duluthshippingnews.com.
  33. ^ HeavyLiftPFI (2016-12-14). "BBC begins new APAC service". Heavy Lift & Project Forwarding International. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  34. ^ "Liner Schedules". BBC Chartering. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  35. ^ "BBC Chartering Introduces Euro-Asia Service". Offshore Energy. 2012-02-20. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  36. ^ Presseservice, LOGISTIK express (2017-06-06). "BBC Chartering launches "BBC Euro-Gulf Express Line"". LOGISTIK express NEWS (in German). Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  37. ^ "BBC Chartering". Mining Technology. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  38. ^ ubl (2004-01-01). "USA stoppten deutschen Frachter mit Atom-Lieferung für Libyen" [US stopped German freighter with nuclear supply to Libya]. Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in Swiss High German). ISSN 0376-6829. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  39. ^ "German Ship Seized with Uranium-Making Parts for Libya – DW – 01/01/2004". dw.com. 2004-01-01. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  40. ^ a b Wright, Robin (2004-01-01). "Ship Incident May Have Swayed Libya". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  41. ^ "U.S. Seized Shipload of Nuclear Equipment for Libya in October". The New York Times. 2004-01-01. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  42. ^ ""Key U.S. Interdiction Initiative Claim Misrepresented"". Arms Control Association. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  43. ^ "Weather Pounds Shipwreck Against South Africa's Wild Coast". ens.newswire.com. 2004-10-29. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=BBC_Chartering&oldid=1257162849"