GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Jan. 16, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Concordia Maritime has sold its two remaining VLCCs in the so-called Concordia Class, the Stena Congress and the Stena Constellation. They will be converted by the buyer for operation in offshore projects.
The vessels will be delivered later in 2004 and their sale is expected to result in a capital gain of approx. SEK 50 million.
Concordia's quality concept with robust tankers manned by large, highly qualified crews was first implemented in the six tankers in what came to be called the Concordia Class. The high quality of these vessels together with a unique market situation has made it possible for Concordia to dispose of four of these vessels for continued operation on oilfields at sea for many years beyond their 30th anniversary. At the same time, we have been able to invest in new, ultramodern vessels at reasonable prices -- the two V-MAX tankers delivered in 2001 and the six P-MAX tankers ordered in 2003.
When the last two vessels in the Concordia Class generation are delivered to the buyer, the construction of our new P-MAX fleet, incorporating the latest technology for the safe transportation of oil in sensitive waters, will be in progress. Concordia can now be regarded as a completely new company with a completely new fleet, but with long experience of safe oil transportation at sea.
The Report on the Final Accounts of 2003 will be published on Wednesday, 19 February.
Further information may be obtained from: Lars Carlsson, President +41 41 728 8125 or +46 704 85 50 03 Hans Noren, Executive Vice President +46 31 85 50 01 or +46 704 85 51 01
Concordia Maritime is an international tanker shipping company, which owns two 314,000 dwt VLCCs delivered in 2001. The Stena V-MAX vessels, in addition to having mandatory double hulls, were built according to a completely new concept for safer oil transportation with double main engines in two completely separate engine rooms, double rudders and steering gear, two propellers and double control systems. In 2003, a further six vessels, which will be built in accordance with the MAX concept, were ordered. These vessels, Stena P-MAX, are product tankers of about 49,900 dwt and will be delivered over a 12-month period from the end of 2005. All the vessels are built to very high specifications as regards both customer satisfaction and lifespan. The quality of the vessels and the management and manning organisations is documented by quality certificates from Det Norske Veritas and the American Bureau of Shipping.
INNOVATION AND PERFORMANCE
Our business concept is to generate a profit by providing our customers with safe, cost-effective tanker transportation based on innovation and performance
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