AWARDS 2024 | Best General Cargo Vessel – BBC Leer – BBC Chartering

German-owned, Dutch-designed and Chinese-built, this truly general-purpose cargo ship is a classic example of how "international" the shipbuilding market has become.

A real tramper, the ship can handle heavy-lift, breakbulk, container, dangerous goods and timber and just about anything else imaginable. It can carry such cargoes from just about anywhere to just about anywhere else on the planet.

Equipped with two substantial cranes and divided into two very versatile cargo holds, it is a very versatile ship.

"BBC Leer and her sister vessels—fifteen in total—offer an unprecedented cargo intake for their size and have already proven to be highly capable performers," BBC Chartering told Baird Maritime.

"These vessels are triple-deckers, but can accommodate additional levels when transporting low-height cargo units that cannot be stacked or overstowed. They can also operate with open hatches, adding to their versatility.

"Moreover, they consume significantly less fuel per ton of cargo carried, resulting in a 30 to 40 per cent reduction in emissions compared to similar-sized vessels."

BBC Chartering said that Briese Schiffahrt, the owner and manager of these vessels (and part of the same ownership group as BBC Chartering), has its own dedicated team at the shipyard overseeing the construction and commissioning process.

"So far, we’ve taken delivery of seven vessels in the series. The next two—BBC Sao Paolo and BBC Bremen—are scheduled for delivery in August and September. The entire process has been smooth and efficient."

According to BBC Chartering, new regulations—such as EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime, and CII—are being introduced at an accelerating pace.

"These not only impose financial costs, particularly related to emissions, but also bring a significant administrative burden," the company said. "The growing documentation requirements are increasingly tying up valuable workforce resources."

BBC Chartering said that it nonetheless had a strong year in 2024, as characterised by "healthy freight and charter rates", while 2025 is also showing promise despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.

"The project cargo sector tends to be more resilient to short-term fluctuations, as large-scale projects often span several years and involve long lead times.

"Our core cargo segments include renewable energy, mining, and oil and gas. Compared to the pre-Cperiod (pre-2020), current revenues are very encouraging. Both operators and owners are seeing solid returns."

The company has admitted that uncertainty around US tariffs is creating some hesitation among exporters trading with the US, who are waiting to see how the situation evolves.

"The outlook for our sector is cautiously optimistic," BBC Chartering told Baird Maritime when asked about the state of the shipping industry. "The orderbook for multipurpose vessels remains modest, while much of the existing fleet is ageing, with many vessels approaching the 20- to 25-year mark—making replacement increasingly necessary."

The company explained that at the same time, demand in the project and heavy-lift sector remains strong, suggesting a healthy supply-demand balance in the coming years.

"We, as an operator for the breakbulk, heavy lift and project sector, currently see a weak situation in European economies in general (not just the marine/maritime sector). On top of that, added costs caused by EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime play a role here, which may cause the one or the other exporter in Asia or elsewhere to consider twice whether to sell their goods to Europe, or elsewhere."

For a list of the 2024 "Best Of" award winners, please click here.