Celebrations in Houston
Breakbulk Americas was a worthy venue for Chipolbrok America’s 20th anniversary. When China and Poland registered ever-more sailings from China and the Far East to the USA, the co-owners of Chipolbrok decided to establish a representative office in Houston. The success story began in October 2004.
After a successful start the number of staff employed by the Chinese-Polish Joint Stock Shipping Company, better known as Chipolbrok in the Americas, has grown continuously to ten people today.
This took place simultaneously with the branch office’s growing tasks, arising from more frequent calls by Chipolbrok vessels at US ports in the Gulf of Mexico and on the east coast. Destinations in Central and South America as well as on the Canadian west coast were added later.
Chipolbrok’s services connect major markets in Asia, America’s, Europe, Australia and Africa through liner services and as part or voyage charters worldwide.
Regular ports of call in the USA include Houston, New Orleans, Baltimore as well as Camden / Philadelphia. On top of this the line also makes frequent calls at Mexican ports. Calls at Central and South American hubs are reserved for Chipolbrok’s subsidiary HongFa, which is based in Shanghai and whose ships are integrated into the common fleet and timetables.
A broad range of cargo
Chipolbrok America manages vessel calls, port activities, communication with local authorities and – last but not least – looks for cargo in both directions.
The latter includes some spectacular shipments, including full loads of wind-power equipment, special containers covering full weather decks – as was the case recently on the Yong Xing, heavy units for the power, gas and chemical industries, plant equipment, yachts and other watercraft, different kinds of steel – structurals and modules, every form of road and rail vehicle and supplies for the shipbuilding industry, including complete drive units.
On return trips to Asia the ships are often loaded with bulk cargo such as minerals, rare earths, grains, semi-finished products from the metal industry or raw materials for Chinese steel producers.
The most important ports of call in Asia include Busan / Masan, Xingang, Shanghai and Singapore. Other ports of loading or discharge in the line’s geographical scope of activity can be offered on inducement, either through direct services or transhipment to the final destination.
Chipolbrok’s modern multipurpose fleet of 31 heavy-geared ships plus chartered tonnage is still growing. All vessels are suited to transport almost any kind of cargo – except for liquids and explosives.
The future is bright – despite challenges
Just after Chipolbrok America’s anniversary celebrations with 170 guests in the Petroleum Club of Houston on 15 October finished, the Breakbulk Americas 2024 trade fair started in the Texan metropolis. Chipolbrok America was naturally present there, accompanied by high-ranking shipping line delegates from China as well as from Poland. Their presence underlined the key importance of the global event for Chipolbrok America.
There was a strong flow of people visiting Chipolbrok’s booth Q40, where they learnt about the line’s six latest XXL newbuildings in the Yong-Xing class.
Despite the ongoing global economic discord, including wars in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and the forthcoming presidential as well as other elections in the USA, the mood at the trade fair was open and confident.
“The future is bright!” to use the words of one of our Chinese colleagues. This is particularly true for Chipolbrok, where dedicated concepts for sophisticated newbuildings are being considered by managers in the line’s Chinese headquarters in Shanghai and its Polish branch office in Gdynia. The first steps in this direction have already been taken.