MPC scoops up up 6 more feeder ships

Olso, Norway-based feeder specialist MPC Container Ships has agreed to acquire five vessels from Simatech ranging in size from 1,201 TEUs to 1,440 TEUs and another 1,350-TEU vessel for a total purchase price of $48.5 million in cash.    Ocean vessel owner and operator MPC Container Ships has agreed to acquire six more vessels in two separate deals for a total purchase price of $48.5 million, according to statements from the company.
   The Olso, Norway-based feeder ship specialist will acquire five containerships from Simatech Shipping & Forwarding LLC ranging in capacity from 1,201 TEUs to 1,440 TEUs for a total consideration of $41.9 million in cash, according to a filing with the Olso Stock Exchange. Those vessels include the 1,201-TEU Sima Pride, built in 2004; 1,221-TEU Sima Perfect and Sima Prestige, both built in 2005; and the 1,440 TEU Sima Sapphire and Sima Sadaf, built in 2006 and 2007, respectively.
   Physical takeover of the vessels is expected to take place in the first half of 2018, following the establishment of wholly-owned subsidiaries to take over the vessels.
   In a separate deal, MPC earlier last week agreed to acquire the 1,350-TEU, 2005-built Francoise Gilot, which it will rename the AS Franziska, for $6.6 million, with the physical takeover expected to occur this week.
   Following completion of the two deals, MPC Container Ships’ fleet will stand at 64 feeder vessels, ranging in size from just 982 TEUs to 2,846 TEUs, according to the company.