Swedish shipowner and investor Wallenius Lines has emerged as the buyer of the Höegh Chiba from Norwegian car carrier player Höegh Autoliners.
The Erik Nøklebye-led outfit, part of the Soya Group, has snapped up the 6,000 ceu vessel for $61m with delivery in August.
A charter deal is already in place for the 2006-built vessel, which will be renamed Auto Way and managed by Wallenius Marine, the company said.
Stockholm-headquartered Wallenius Lines jointly owns the short-sea shipping line United European Car Carriers (UECC) with Japan’s Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) and together with Wilh. Wilhelmsen is the majority shareholder in Oslo-listed car carrier operator Wallenius Wilhelmsen. The duo combined owns and operates more than 60 vessels.
“The purchase from Höegh Autoliners is in line with the strategy of being actively engaged in this shipping segment through innovation, design, building, management of and investment in both used and new tonnage,” chief executive Nøklebye said.