Eimskip sells Chinese containership to Portugal’s Grupo Sousa | Container news

The Reykjavík-headquartered companyEimskip will divest one of its containerships to Grupo Sousa, located in Madeira Portugal.

The 875 teu vessel Lagarfoss, built in 2014 in China, and specifically designed for Eimskip’s shipping routes, will change hands and delivered to its new owner in Reykjavík, during the period of August to September.

The new buyer of Lagarfoss is the company Grupo Sousa, which is the owner of the shipping company GS Lines. GS Lines operates six vessels that provides regular service between mainland Portugal, the Azores, Madeira, Canry Islands, Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau.

The move to sell the vessel, which has served the company over a decade, comes as Eimskip assesses the market conditions for second hand tonnage and the potential adjustments of the sailing system.

“The decision to sell is partly based on favorable market conditions for second hand tonnage, and the potential adjustments of the sailing system, which has been under review in recent months,” the company said.

The sale is subject to standard conditions for vessel sale and purchase, according to Iceland-headquartered Eimskip.

“With the sale of Lagarfoss the company’s fleet will be reduced by one vessel, at least temporarily,” Eimskip pointed out.

Eimskip added that upon delivery of the vessel, changes will be made to the company’s specialized coastal sailing schedule in Iceland. However, the company has clarified that under current estimates the operational impact of these changes will be positive in the short term.