CNP moves from operator to owner

Encouraged by the upward trend of the bulk market, operator Consorcio Naviero Peruano has decided to diversify into bulker ownership, a move that has been warmly welcomed by a maritime community that has few owners

THE BOOMING bulk market has spurred diversification plans for one of Peru’s largest agents and maritime interests, Consorcio Naviero Peruano. CNP, partly owned by Chile’s giant CSAV maritime group, bought a 35,000dwt bulk ship through its offshore subsidiary and took delivery on November 12.

The ship, renamed the Callao, will be used to move cargoes for one of CNP’s related companies, Allicorp, as well as minerals concentrate from the west coast of South America to Europe and Asia. The company is now thinking of buying one or two more bulk vessels, says CNP general manager Alejandro Pedraza. Allicorp is owned by Chile’s Grupo Romero. Romero and CSAV, both controlled by Chilean businessman Ricardo Claro, each hold a 50% shareholding in CNP. “Our main business is as general agents for CSAV,” explains Pedraza. “Our secondary business is developing bulk cargoes as an operator, and now as an owner.” There are few Peruvian shipowners, so CNP’s move from operator to owner has been warmly welcomed within the maritime community

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