Norway’s Klaveness Combination Carriers (KCC) expects lucrative contract rises for caustic soda trades after convincing sceptics of the value of its versatile vessels.

The Oslo-listed owner’s chief executive, Engebret Dahm, was asked on a conference call about the size of charter renewals for the Cabu caustic soda ships in stronger markets this year.

He said it is too early yet to say what increases can be secured, but added: “Last year when we negotiated the contracts, the spot market was below $10,000 per day and time charters for the next 12 months were around $12,000.