Evangelos Marinakis-led Capital Clean Energy Carriers (CCEC) has taken another step toward becoming a pure-gas carrier operator, following the profitable sale of a container vessel
The US-listed Greek owner announced on 20 November that it has signed a memorandum of agreement to sell 2023-built, 13,312-TEU Buenaventura Express, expected to be delivered to its new owners in Q1 2026.
This follows the earlier sale of 2022-built, 13,312-TEU Manzanillo Express, now under the ownership of Germany’s BF Shipmanagement.
With the latest transaction, CCEC will retain a single container vessel, 2023-built Itajai Express, which is on fixed employment with German liner Hapag-Lloyd through 2033, with options to extend up to 2039.
Notably, Mr Marinakis remains active in the container vessel market through his private entities, having signed multiple shipbuilding contracts this year.
Full-gas transformation strategy
CCEC estimates a total book gain of US$4.4M from the sale, with cash proceeds earmarked to pay down outstanding debt of US$84.4M and for general corporate purposes.
Since February 2024, CCEC has sold or agreed to sell 14 container vessels, generating expected gross proceeds of approximately US$814M.
“The divestment of this additional container vessel is consistent with the company’s stated strategy to shift our strategic focus toward the transport of various forms of gas to industrial customers, including LNG and emerging new commodities in connection with the energy transition,” said CCEC.
The owner’s current in-the-water fleet comprises 14 high-specification vessels, including 12 latest-generation LNG carriers and two legacy neo-Panamax container vessels (one of which is being sold).
CCEC’s under-construction fleet includes six additional latest-generation LNG carriers, six dual-fuel medium gas carriers, and four handy /multi-gas carriers, scheduled for delivery between Q1 2026 and Q3 2027.
