Varamar DMCC, a leading liner and tramp carrier specializing in breakbulk, dry-bulk, oversized, and containerized cargo, has joined forces with ASL Shipping & Logistics Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of the COSCO Shipping group. This strategic commercial partnership aims to bolster the trading capabilities of both companies, leveraging their unique strengths in maritime logistics.
Varamar has a rich history of focusing on trade lanes connecting Europe with the Middle East, Asia, and the Far East, with additional routes extending to Africa and the Americas. The recent expansion of Varamar to 10 international branches, strategically located in key ports including Antwerp, Hamburg, Genoa, Athens, Odessa, Istanbul, Dubai, Shanghai, Houston, and Vancouver, has set the stage for ambitious new ventures. Operating mainly in the 3,000-30,000 dwt tonnage range, Varamar’s expertise lies in efficiently handling a diverse range of cargo types.
In contrast, the COSCO Shipping group boasts a fleet of larger vessels, ranging from 28,000 dwt to 60,000 dwt, equipped for bulk, multi-purpose, and semi-submersible operations. The company primarily focuses on routes in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas, complementing Varamar’s existing trade networks.
Beyond market share gains, the partnership between Varamar and ASL Shipping & Logistics will encompass various collaborative efforts. Both entities will actively promote each other’s schedules, embark on joint marketing initiatives, establish a streamlined process for sharing open tonnage information, and provide support for adjacent trades. Additionally, the fleets and schedules of COSCO and Varamar will be featured on Shipnext, a prominent shipping platform, facilitating seamless cooperation between their chartering teams.
Heading and spearheading teams for this transformative partnership will be Kaptan Singh (Malik), in the role of head representative. Collaborating closely with him will be Niraj Mehta, the managing director of Varamar DMCC, and Andy Zhuang, the managing director of Varamar Shanghai.
Andy Zhuang, the managing director of Varamar Shanghai, expressed optimism about the partnership, emphasizing the alignment of strengths between the two entities. He stated, “Both entities have different areas of operation and trade targets, so we believe this agreement plays to the strengths of each partner. We look forward to working together to strengthen the commercial and chartering activities of both COSCO and Varamar.”
