[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ module_class=”reverse-columns-mobile” _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”225px” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ text_font=”roboto-regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#003a7c” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||15px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]Credits: Hans Esveldt, Ann Grabysch, Architekten Frenz und Schwanewedel[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]When you have been operating in the shipping market as long as the Vinnen shipping company in Bremen, you tend to take global changes in your stride. After all, in its more than 200 years of history, the shipping company established in 1797 has experienced fundamental transformations every 50 years or so, which has only made the medium-sized company with 14 employees more resilient.<\/p>\n
Examples include the transition from wooden to steel ships and the evolution from sailing to steam and then motorised vessels. Post-war shipping resumed in 1955, launching an era in which ships were leased to large shipping lines. Since the 1980s, market leaders such as Maersk, CMA, MSC and Hapag-Lloyd have tended to lease container ships. But a new field of business arrived on the scene in 2011, with the operation of ships owned by third parties.<\/p>\n
Michael Vinnen has managed Bremen\u2019s oldest shipping company in the seventh generation since 2001 \u2013 and in partnership with Managing Director Bernd Hein since 2007. Besides business operations, navigation and technical aspects, nautical officer Hein is also in charge of insurance, shipping operations and human resources, whilst economist Vinnen is responsible for projects, general and time charters, and finances, always maintaining a clear overview of the latter. \u201cWe were more reserved as a limited partnership (Kommanditgesellschaft), which protected us during the shipping crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n
But even after those twelve years, during which the German fleet suffered significantly, there were more major challenges to come, including the trend towards consolidation among container shipping companies. However, this did not extend to shipowners. At that time, the shipping company owned or operated nine container ships between 2,600 and 5,000 TEU for a total capacity of 40,000 TEU, which was sufficient. \u201cThe conditions in ship management have always been complex,\u201d emphasises Vinnen. \u201cEveryone has to find their market niche.\u201d<\/p>\n
The shipping company, too, earned well from 2020 to 2022 and, in response to the enormous demand for capacities, had to choose between selling the ships at high prices or leasing them for several years at profitable freight rates. \u201cWe opted for the latter, which meant that many ships were leased into the next year and even beyond,\u201d explains Vinnen. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe rates collapsed in mid-2022 due to the drop in volume and fell even faster than they had risen,\u201d Vinnen recalls. In contrast, 2023 was a relatively normal year in terms of rates. Due to attacks in the Red Sea, merchant ships have had to take a detour through the Cape of Good Hope since December, increasing the demand for ship capacity and temporarily raising freight and charter rates.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”dtb-sticky” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_sidebar area=”et_pb_widget_area_7″ show_border=”off” admin_label=”Werbung Startseite \/ Artikel” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_sidebar][et_pb_sidebar area=”et_pb_widget_area_9″ show_border=”off” admin_label=”Werbung Artikel” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_sidebar][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/www.logistics-pilot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Story_800.jpg” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||600px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.6″ custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” bottom_divider_style=”waves2″ bottom_divider_color=”#DFE6EE” bottom_divider_height=”165px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
But Vinnen is sceptical about a further rise in charter rates. \u201cNew tonnage will increase existing container tonnage in TEU by another 25 per cent or so over the next three years. But the market is unlikely to grow all that much.\u201d He explains that this will trigger another cascade effect, ultimately resulting in new larger ships replacing smaller ones, which will have an impact on the market for medium-sized to smaller ships. <\/p>\n
Vinnen tends to be cautious when it comes to building the company\u2019s own container ships. But second-hand tonnage is something worth considering, at least once the prices here have normalised. However, \u201cmany shipping lines such as MSC now purchase their ships themselves. The percentage of charter shipping companies in the total fleet is dropping.\u201d As the charter shipping model requires a sufficiently large market, the bulk segment could be interesting in the future, as there is traditionally more movement there. <\/p>\n
Vinnen is generally optimistic about the future of container shipping. \u201cProduction locations are shifting, of course, with growth expected in Africa and South America as well as in South and Southeast Asia over the next 20 years.\u201d This is also reflected in all the investments streaming into the ports in these regions.<\/p>\n
Environmental requirements will be the next \u201cepochal step\u201d. \u201cDue to uncertainty concerning which fuel will ultimately win out and where it will be available in what quantities and at what prices, there is currently little incentive for a charter shipping company, which needs to be open to all shipping regions, to build new vessels. Maersk can conclude contracts for supplying its ships with fuel at its own ports. We cannot.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a result, Vinnen prefers to retrofit existing ships, for which he invests millions. Two ships that are already scheduled for time in the dry dock for class renewal at the end of 2024 will also be equipped with a more efficient propeller, a new bulbous bow and a small auxiliary boiler for operation at the port \u2013 all to reduce consumption and thus emissions. In addition, the output of the main engine will be restricted and a silicone-based anti-fouling paint applied to the hull that is designed to limit green cover and the associated frictional resistance. <\/p>\n
\u201cAll that can reduce fuel consumption by around 20 per cent. It\u2019s good for the environment and increases value in the charter market,\u201d explains Vinnen. Rather than size and tonnage, shipping lines now pay more attention to consumption and demand the corresponding certification. \u201cYou need to be able to adapt and read the market,\u201d says Vinnen. There is no secret formula. \u201cWe\u2019ve survived because we\u2019ve been moderate in good times and planned for the long term.\u201d(cb)<\/em>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.logistics-pilot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Story_1200.jpg” title_text=”Story_1200″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ text_font=”roboto-regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#003a7c” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||15px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]The company has been based at Kontorhaus Altenwall in Bremen since 1912.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”dtb-sticky” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.logistics-pilot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Michael-Vinnen_500px.png” alt=”Jan-Dirk Schuisdziara, gesch\u00e4ftsf\u00fchrender Gesellschafter bei der Hansa Meyer Global Holding” title_text=”Michael-Vinnen_500px” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”25px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ header_3_text_color=”#002e5b” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||40px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Michael Vinnen has been at the helm of the F.A. Vinnen & Co. shipping company since 2001 and its owner since 2016. He has also been the chairman of the Bremer Rhederverein (Bremen Shipowners\u2019 Association) since 2013.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Facts” _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font=”|||on|||||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||20px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”25px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_blurb_title=”display: inline-block!important;||background: #002754!important;||padding: 5px 13px 3px 13px!important;||position: relative!important;” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#002754″ global_colors_info=”{}” header_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” header_text_color__hover=”rgba(255,255,255,0.71)” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ custom_margin=”||50px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n\u201cYou need to be able to adapt and read the market.\u201d<\/h3>\n
The F.\u2009A.\u2009Vinnen & Co. shipping company<\/h2>\n