Stephenson Clarke Shipping

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Stephenson Clarke Shipping Limited
Type Private company limited by shares
Founded 1730[1]
Headquarters Newcastle Upon Tyne, England[2]
Industry Ship transport
Website http://www.scsbulk.com/home.htm[1]

Stephenson Clarke Shipping Limited, established in 1730, is Great Britain's oldest shipping company.[1] The company specializes in short sea bulk cargo such as aggregates, alumina, grain, coal, fertilizers and steel.[3][1]

Contents

[edit] History

Reverend Ralph Clarke, a vicar of Long Benton had two sons, Ralph and Robert Clarke.[3] The boys went to sea, working their way up to being master mariners.[3]

During their career at sea, they began to buy shares in ships, gradually making the transition from captain to owner.[3] The company that would become Stephenson Clarke was formed when the brothers bought shares in a 300-ton sailing vessel.[3] Thus, the company was established in 1730, during the early years of the reign of King George II.[3]

[edit] Fleet

As of 2008, the Stephenson Clarke fleet consists of 10 bulk carriers with a combined capacity of 68,238 metric tons of deadweight (DWT).[2] The ships have an average age of 21 years, with the oldest built in 1975, and the newest built in 2001.[2] The ships are small, having between one and four holds apiece.[2] They range in size from the MV Ardent with a capacity of only 1,180 DWT to the MV Dallington of 12,138 DWT.[2]

All of the ships are single deck bulk carriers with open hatches and open holds.[3] Several are small self load/unloading vessels of between 1180 DWT and 2800 DWT.[3] These smaller vessels are fully self-unloading and are equipped with excavators and small tractors.[3]

While the fleet is capable of worldwide operations, it is focused on operations in Northern Europe, including the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, West Africa, the Atlantic Islands, Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea.[3] The company states that keeping the ships in this area increases operational flexibility and efficiency.[3]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c d Stephenson Clarke 2006, Home Page.
  2. ^ a b c d e Stephenson Clarke 2006, Fleet List.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Stephenson Clarke 2006, About Us.

[edit] References

[edit] External links