Van Weelde opens New Orleans office

Van Weelde opens New Orleans office    Rotterdam-based van Weelde Chartering recently launched a new company and office in New Orleans in an effort to build reefer, dry cargo and special projects business in the United States.
   The firm, van Weelde Chartering USA, LLC, is the first U.S. presence for the Dutch firm, a sister company to Orient Shipping Rotterdam, which manages a fleet of 25 bulk carriers with capacities between 10,000 and 65,000 tons.
   'Our goal is to get a better foothold in the United States for our dry cargo chartering,' said Robert Frederiks, president of van Weelde Chartering. 'This office means better service for our Orient Shipping fleet, as well. And we hope to have a more direct approach to charterers in the United States, both exporters and importers.'
   The new office is located at 201 St. Charles Avenue, Suite 2537 and is run by Ben Blanchard, the company's U.S. chartering and operations manager.