DANISH bulk carrier operator Lauritzen Bulkers has announced the acquisition of Canadian breakbulk company Alexander & Blake.

The Canadian company also operates parcel services and largely deals with clients in the North and South American markets.

Its services will continue under a new name, Lauritzen Bulkers Parcel Service.

The new venture’s vice-president (also vice-president of chartering at Lauritzen) Rasmus Francis Jensen said discussions with Alexander & Blake “have confirmed to us their excellent competencies and how they will add value to Lauritzen Bulkers’ global shipping services from day one”.

Jensen said Alexander & Blake is a team of dedicated breakbulk and parcel service professionals. Currently, its main activities are within parcelling services in the Americas, focusing on trade flows from South America to North America and the Caribbean.

Alexander & Blake’s current employees, operation and customer contracts will continue under the brand name Alexander & Blake — by Lauritzen Bulkers.

The Copenhagen-headquartered company operates a fleet of between 90-110 geared handysize and ultramax bulkers.

Alexander & Blake does not own any vessels itself but charters in tonnage as required.        

Last week Lauritzen announced its chief executive, Martin Evgang, had left his role due to unsustainable levels of stress. Lauritzen Bulkers said it had “no plans to change the organisation or the strategy” as a result of Evgang’s decision.