Friday Shipbrokers fix Fremantle Highway transport onboard BOKA Vanguard
Friday & Co. Shipbrokers has brokered a deal between Boskalis and a Chinese charterer to transport the damaged car carrier Floor (formerly Fremantle Highway) to China for repairs. The vessel is being transported aboard Boskalis’ heavy-lift vessel, the BOKA Vanguard.
The Fremantle Highway, a car carrier damaged by fire in the North Sea last year, was acquired by a Chinese company following a constructive total loss declaration by insurers. After undergoing significant repairs and modifications in Rotterdam, the vessel is now being transported to China for further refitting.
Now renamed Floor, the car carrier is set for an extensive restoration in China, after which it will re-enter service under new ownership by mid-2025, offering a swift return to the global fleet amid a pressing demand for Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) vessels.
First for Friday
This is a first-of-a-kind project for S&P shipbrokers, Friday & Co. Shipbrokers. Justin Archard, Friday & Co.’s newest broker, has brought two decades of heavy-lift chartering experience to the team and played a key role in orchestrating the complex logistics and negotiations required to secure the ideal transport vessel for Floor.
“‘Brokering this fix with Boskalis, the Chinese charterers and HCS (Hamburg Chartering Services) was an engaging and challenging project,” said Archard. “From initial contact, we thoroughly assessed potential vessels and ultimately selected the BOKA Vanguard for its unrivaled capabilities. I was delighted to be able to advise and facilitate a mutually beneficial outcome for both parties.”
Friday & Co. Shipbrokers represented its client during the pre-loading preparations, ensuring the safe and efficient transportation of the Fremantle Highway. The broker worked closely with the Marine Warranty Surveyor to mitigate risks and optimize the transport process.
“Our efforts ensured that the transport arrangement was thoroughly vetted for safety, accounting for changes in the vessel’s structure post-fire,” Archard remarked. “What was particularly interesting about this shipment was how the bending and twisting characteristics of the ship changed following the heavy steel cutting. Engineers couldn’t know this before loading so this required some practical logic.”
The refit makes sense
Archard was present in Rotterdam to oversee the loading of the Fremantle Highway onto the BOKA Vanguard. The heavy-lift vessel submerged to a depth of 24 meters to facilitate the loading process, which involved carefully manoeuvring the damaged car carrier using tugboats and custom-built supports.
Despite extensive fire damage to the car decks, the vessel’s underlying structure remained intact. This allowed for a cost-effective repair strategy, involving the removal of the damaged decks and subsequent refitting in China.
The BOKA Vanguard departed Rotterdam for China, a journey expected to take approximately 55 days. Upon arrival, the vessel will undergo extensive renovations to restore it to operational condition and meet the high demand for car carriers in the Asian market.
Friday & Co. Shipbrokers collaborated with various partners, including Hamburg Chartering Services, Boskalis, Koole Contractors, ABL warranty surveyors, Oudkerk Agencies, and Boluda Towage, to successfully execute this complex operation.
