Athens-based shipowner and operator Empire Bulkers Ltd was fined over knowing and wilful pollution violations in the United States of America (USA). Department of Justice expresses Stamatis Molaris-led Empire Bulkers Ltd will pay $2 million for tampering with pollution prevention equipment on 2010 built handysize bulk carrier 33K DWT MV Joanna. 2010 built handysize bulk carrier 33K DWT MV Joanna is owned by Joanna Maritime which is affiliated to Stamatis Molaris-led Empire Bulkers Ltd. Joanna Maritime has been fined $2 million for committing knowing and wilful violations of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) and the Ports and Waterways Safety Act. Empire Bulkers Ltd and Joanna Maritime admitted tampering with pollution prevention equipment and failing to immediately report hazardous conditions on the Mississippi River in a case concerning 2010 built handysize bulk carrier 33K DWT MV Joanna. Currently, Empire Bulkers Ltd controls eleven (11) bulk carriers. Furthermore, Greek Stamatis Molaris-led Empire Navigation (Empire Group of Companies) controls twelve (12) tankers. 21-January-2023
Athens-based shipowner and operator Empire Bulkers Ltd sold 2006 built panamax bulk carrier 76K DWT MV Jasmine A for around $12 million. Greek Stamatis Molaris-led Empire Bulkers Ltd sold MV Jasmine A at a substantially higher price than what Empire Bulkers Ltd paid to buy it in 2017. In 2017, Greek shipowner and operator Empire Bulkers Ltd acquired MV Jasmine A for around $8 million from Japanese shipowner and operator Nissen Kaiun. Empire Bulkers Ltd has been selling vintage bulk carriers and renewing the fleet. Currently, Empire Bulkers Ltd controls nine (9) handysize bulk carriers and five (5) large bulk carriers. Furthermore, Greek Stamatis Molaris-led Empire Navigation (Empire Group of Companies) controls twenty (20) tankers. 16-March-2021
Athens-based shipowner and operator Empire Bulkers Ltd is establishing a strategic partnership with Dubai-based Gulf Navigation Holding PJSC. Greek Stamatis Molaris-led Empire Navigation and Empire Bulkers (Empire Group of Companies) controls 16 bulk carriers and 20 tankers. Gulf Navigation Holding will support Empire Navigation and Empire Bulkers to penetrate new markets and increase its customer base. Gulf Navigation announced this strategic partnership will be the commencement of a broader range of businesses with Empire Navigation and Empire Bulkers (Empire Group of Companies). Currently, Greek shipowner and operator Empire Navigation and Empire Bulkers (Empire Group of Companies) is already in different geographical regions and has a large charterer base. Gulf Navigation’s strategic partnership will also offer great opportunities through the transfer of expertise and producing distinct projects, as well as mutual benefits to Empire Navigation and Empire Bulkers (Empire Group of Companies). Dubai-based Gulf Navigation Holding PJSC has a fleet of chemical tankers, livestock carriers, offshore support vessels. In 2020, Greek shipowner and operator Empire Bulkers Ltd involved in at least five (5) S&P (Sale and Purchase). In October 2020, Empire Bulkers Ltd sold 2005 built supramax bulk carrier 55K DWT MV Neraida for around $8 million. In July 2020, Empire Bulkers Ltd acquired a 2011 built handy bulk carrier 32K DWT MV Vasilis (ex MV Maratha Paramount) and 2012 built handy bulk carrier 32K DWT Fuzeyya (ex MV Maratha Prudence) for around $8 million per ship. 21-February-2021
In July 2020, Athens based shipowner and operator Empire Bulkers Ltd. acquired 2011 built handysize bulk carrier 32K DWT MV Vasilis (ex MV Maratha Paramount) and 2012 built handysize bulk carrier 32K DWT MV Fuzeyya (ex MV Maratha Prudence) for around $8 million each from Chowgule Steamship. Greek shipowner and operator Empire Bulkers Ltd. allocated some funds to acquire MV Vasilis (ex MV Maratha Paramount) and MV Fuzeyya (ex MV Maratha Prudence) by selling MV Feyha and MV Diana. Empire Bulkers Ltd. sold 2010 built handysize bulk carrier 37K DWT MV Pacific 06 (ex MV Feyha) and 2009 built handysize bulk carrier 37K DWT MV Pacific 05 (ex MV Diana) for around $11.5 million en-block to Vietnamese shipowner. 13-August-2020
Athens based shipowner and operator Empire Bulkers Ltd. sold 2010 built panamax bulk carrier 93K DWT MV Dimitra for around $12.6 million to Greek shipowners. Stamatis Molaris led Empire Bulkers recorded loss on the sale of post-panamax bulk carrier MV Dimitra. In July 2013, Empire Bulkers acquired MV Dimitra for $20 million. According to market veterans, MV Dimitra is worth between $11.8 million and $13.4 million. In March 2019, Greek Empire Bulkers Ltd. sold 2005 built panamax bulk carrier 76K DWT MV Elnath (ex MV Rosali) to another Greek shipowner Niiris Shipping for around $10 million. In June 2016, Empire Bulkers Ltd. bought MV Elnath (ex MV Rosali) for around $7.5 million. 24-September-2019
Athens-based shipowner and operator Empire Bulkers Ltd was excused by the United Kingdom High Court from liability for damaged deck cargo due to the wording of a B/L (Bill of Lading). Empire Bulkers Ltd operated 2016 built handysize bulk carrier 34K DWT MV Elin was loaded steel cargo from Thailand to Algeria. Empire Bulkers Ltd operated MV Elin confronted troublesome seas and some of the steel cargo was lost or damaged. The important B/L (Bill of Lading) clause asserted that Empire Bulkers Ltd is not responsible for loss or damage to cargo loaded on deck and on-deck cargo is at the shipper’s risk. Cargo interests Globtainer, Algerian Qatari Steel, and AIG Europe. The cargo interests claimed that the cargo loss or damage was caused by the Empire Bulkers Ltd’s breach of duty. Cargo interests Globtainer, Algerian Qatari Steel, and AIG Europe claimed that the Empire Bulkers Ltd failed to exercise due diligence to make the ship seaworthy at the start of the voyage. However, the judge pronounced that as a matter of plain language and good commercial sense the shipowner’s interpretation of the clause should be preferred.
The judge explained the meaning of the phrase that Empire Bulkers Ltd is not liable for any loss or damage to deck cargo howsoever arising. On a valid format of the B/L (Bill of Lading), the shipowner is not liable for any loss of or damage to any cargo carried on deck, including loss of or damage to any cargo carried on deck caused by the unseaworthiness of the ship and/or the shipowner’s negligence. 23-May-2019
Athens based shipowner and operator Empire Bulkers Ltd. bought 2006 built panamax bulk carrier 76K DWT MV Red Jasmin for around $8 million. In December 2016, shipowner and operator Empire Bulkers Ltd. bought another 2010 built panamax bulk carrier 80K DWT MV Maverick Gunner at auction for around $13 million. Currently, Greek Empire Bulkers Ltd. manages a fleet of 15 bulk carriers. 26-January-2017