Ship Management News

Two Tankers Attacked in Gulf of Oman

Two oil tankers were attacked in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday, leaving one ablaze and both adrift, shipping firms said, driving oil prices as much as 4% higher over worries about Middle East supplies.The Front Altair, carrying petrochemical feedstock, was on fire in waters between Gulf Arab states and Iran after an explosion that a source blamed on a magnetic mine. The Norwegian owner said its crew were safe.A second Japanese-owned tanker was abandoned after being hit by a suspected torpedo, the firm that chartered the ship said.

NorSea Wind Appoints Pedersen CEO

NorSea Wind, part of the Wilhelmsen Ship Management (WSM) Group, has named Anders Peter Pedersen as its new chief executive officer (CEO). Pedersen  has extensive experience from the green energy sector. A lot has happened in the harbor since Anders Peter Pedersen as 17-year-old started his career on his first ship in Esbjerg, but now the circle is in many ways closed for the new CEO of NorSea Wind.He is practically back at the same harbor quay, where he boarded MS Stafford in the fall of 1982, but now it is as captain of NorSea Wind, and the view goes far from the bridge.

Wilhelmsen Acquires 50% of NorSea Wind

Norway-based global maritime industry group Wilhelmsen Ship Management (WSM) has announced the acquisition of a 50% stake of NorSea Wind and it’s subsidiaries to expand its offerings in the the renewable wind energy market.NorSea Wind, founded in 2016 as a subsidiary of  Norsea Group, provides project management and logistics planning throughout all stages for on and offshore wind farm projects.It is the focal element within Norsea Group where it integrates all service offerings for the wind energy segment as it’s go-to-market strategy.

OSM Maritime Launches OSM ON

Ship management company OSM Maritime has launched a portfolio of ‘industry first services’ with the introduction of OSM ON. The new product will be offered to a customer base that not only includes owners, but also insurance companies, financial institutions and brokers. It utilizes the company’s recently opened Maritime Operations Center in Singapore – which digitally connects all vessels under OSM management, and all activities with real-time visibility and transparency – to provide 24/7 response and risk management support services.

MOL Releases 'Fleet Viewer' Application

Japanese marine transport company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that MOL, Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding, and Weathernews Inc. jointly released "Fleet Viewer," as part I of MOL's "FOCUS" Project intended to enhance the collection and application of ship operation data.Ensuring safe vessel operation, and in turn safeguarding the transport of people and cargo is the foundation of the ocean shipping industry.For the most part, however, maintaining safety and addressing problems onboard have relied on the skills and experience of seafarers on the front lines…

Grool Named CEO at ZEABORN Ship Management

Rob Grool has taken over the leadership of ZEABORN Ship Management from Holger Strack, who has been acting as the company’s interim CEO since the beginning of the year.“With the appointment of Rob Grool, we are very excited to have found an internationally renowned executive for our company’s top management. Rob has an excellent industry network, possesses extensive know-how in all areas of ship management and operations, as well as international expertise and many years of leadership experience. He is renowned for managing clients’ vessels with an owner’s view.

Euronav Taps SQLearn for Training

SQLearn announced its collaboration with tEuronav, providing e-learning courses from its Dolphin Library and Dolphin System for the EURONAV Ship Management Hellas & SAS operating fleet of 52 vessels.SQLearn’s Dolphin Library is consisted of interactive e-learning courses that cover the training needs of the shipping companies. The e- learning courses are based on STCW topics that cover national, international and flag requirements.

Naming Ceremony for New LNG Carrier

On May 14, a naming ceremony was held at the Nagasaki shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. for a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier that NYK and JERA Co. will jointly own. The ceremony was attended by Satoshi Onoda, president of JERA Co. Inc.; Tadaaki Naito, president of NYK; and a number of related parties.At the ceremony, the ship was named “Bushu Maru” by Mr. Onoda, and the ceremonial rope holding the vessel in place was cut by his wife. The ship derives its name from Musashi province…

Schulte Launches VC Fund for Maritime

Germany’s Schulte Group has launched a venture capital unit - INNOPORT - to identify investment opportunities in the global maritime start-up eco-system.The INNOPORT team, based in Hamburg, Limassol and Singapore, is headed by Yiannis Sykas, Director of Strategy and Product Development at Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM).INNOPORT will support high-potential early-stage maritime and logistics startups predominantly in Europe and Asia, with the flexibility to collaborate with startups from all geographic areas.“At INNOPORT, we want to build bridges and open doors wherever possible.

Saudi Tankers Among Those Hit off UAE Coast

Saudi Arabia said on Monday that two of its oil tankers were among those attacked off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and said it was an attempt to undermine the security of crude supplies amid tensions between the United States and Iran.The UAE said on Sunday that four commercial vessels were sabotaged near Fujairah emirate, one of the world's largest bunkering hubs lying just outside the Strait of Hormuz, but did not describe the nature of the attack or say who was behind it.The UAE had not given the nationalities or other details about the ownership of the four vessels.

Wilhelmsen Reduces Plastic Usage Onboard

Wilhelmsen Ship Management (WSM), a global maritime industry group, headquartered in Lysaker, Norway, is taking measures to reduce plastic waste from its ships enforcing new criteria for its vendors in its selection process,  as part of their commitment to make maritime trade sustainable."Vendors supplying spare parts, stores and consumables will be required to demonstrate that they have a viable plan to reduce plastic usage on the products delivered to us. This will apply to all existing and new vendors…

ShipMoney Crew Payment Solutions for Tsakos

Seafarers employed on Tsakos-owned vessels operated under its management arrangement with Columbia Shipmanagement will now be paid electronically as opposed to by ‘Cash-by-Master’, under an agreement signed with ShipMoney.The deal means crew members will have control and access to their wages while onboard ship, including the timing and currency of remittances sent home. It will  reduce the need for large amounts of cash to be delivered to ships and eliminate the need for Tsakos to administer individual crew wire payments sent to home bank accounts.

Konecranes Cranes for Winning Int'l Group

A fleet of specially-designed, durable and productive Konecranes Gottwald Mobile Harbor Cranes is enhancing supply chain efficiency for Winning International Group.The cranes play a critical role in Winning International Group’s supply chain, by loading 30,000 tonnes per day of bauxite from feeder barges onto a mother vessel, ready for shipment between China and West Africa.“Our Konecranes Gottwald Mobile Harbor Cranes have proven themselves in a rough open-sea environment. They have been custom-tailored to our bauxite handling application…

A Fish Out of Water

Over the past decade, the shipping industry has witnessed an increasing trend towards shore-based roles where many experienced personnel, particularly Chief Engineers, are looking to bring their technical skills from the ship to the office and become tomorrow’s Superintendents or Fleet Managers.However, Tony Browne, Course Director at Lloyd’s Maritime Academy, believes that caution is needed. Although prized with outstanding technical and analytical skills, these Engineers often lack the interpersonal skills needed in a client-facing environment.

Zier Joins Crowley Offshore Services

Crowley Maritime Corp. has appointed Jonathan Zier manager of business development in Houston.Zier will assist customers globally with marine transportation projects such as sealifts and beach-landings, as well as offshore and coastal towing and installation of rigs, spars and other structures. He will also be responsible for providing solutions for alternative energy projects such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, offshore wind power generation, and other projects requiring offshore or coastal equipment and expertise.Zier will report to Johan Sperling…

Westgarth to Lead V.Group

V.Group, a global provider of ship management and marine support services, has announced the appointment of Graham Westgarth as Chief Executive Officer. Graham has served on V.Group’s board since September 2018 and will take over from Ian El-Mokadem who has informed the Board of his desire to leave the company.Graham has a distinguished track-record in the maritime sector, having worked in the industry for almost 50 years. During his career, he has operated across almost all sectors and functions in the industry…

Zeaborn Acquires CPO Tankers

Zeaborn Group has signed an agreement to acquire 100 percent of the shares in Claus-Peter Offen Tankschiffreederei KG, the tanker management subsidiary of Offen Group.The transaction partners signed the relevant contracts on April 29. The completion of the transaction is subject to antitrust clearance. The parties have agreed to keep the key financial data confidential.With the takeover of CPO Tankers, Zeaborn stays on track concerning its strategy to further consolidate the shipping industry and expanding its services as an integrated and globally active shipping company.

V.Group: Proactive Approach to 2020 Needed

V.Group has urged shipowners and operators to take a proactive approach to 2020 compliance. With the global sulphur cap less than nine months away, V.Group is seeing growing numbers of shipowners and operators developing Ship Implementation Plans (SIPs) to mitigate risks and minimize disruption.It is predicted that most ships will burn ultra low sulphur fuel oils (ULSFOs) to comply with the suplhur cap legislation, switching from high sulphur fuel oil (HFO) to ULSFOs with a sulphur content at, or below, 0.50%, unless equipped with scrubbers.

Wallenius, SOL Join Forces to Launch New Firm

Two Swedish shipping companies - Wallenius and Swedish Orient Line (SOL) - have formed a shipowning joint venture that will sail from ports in Sweden and Finland.The company has five ships so far and plans to order four LNG-powered newbuilds to operate ice-class vessels for the forestry product trades in the Gulf of Bothnia and Baltic Sea area.The new Nordic joint venture, named WALLENIUS SOL,  is to strengthen the infrastructure for the needs of Finnish and Swedish industry.

Wilhelmsen in Jubilee Celebration

Wilhelmsen Ship Management  has recently hosted a jubilee celebration with loyal customers in Tokyo, where it all began.On 3 April 2019, more than 50 invited guests and media friends attended an exclusive celebration marking Wilhelmsen Ship Management's 25 years in the gas segment at Ascott Marunochi Tokyo.The guests consist of long-time customers, some who have been with us when we began our gas journey in 1994. They expressed their congratulations and were overjoyed to be part…

GasLog, GasLog Partners Name COO Designate

GasLog and GasLog Partners announced that Paolo Enoizi has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) Designate of GasLog and GasLog Partners.Paolo, who will be based in Piraeus, Greece, will take up his role in August 2019 and initially work alongside current COO Richard Sadler to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities.On joining GasLog in August 2017 and in addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, Richard indicated his desire to work with the rest of the senior leadership team to identify a long-term successor for the COO role.

Frank Coles Charts New Strategy for Wallem

The maritime solutions company with expertise in ship management Wallem said that it  has updated its corporate identity to mark the beginning of a shift in its service offering that will harness the latest technology to improve asset management transparency and efficiency in a program intended to transform the relationship between owners and their shipsHong Kong headquartered Wallem Group is changing itself and its brand to support the maritime industry as it undergoes a structural…

ShipMoney Rolls Out Crew Payment Solutions

Seafarers employed on Tsakos-owned vessels operated under its management arrangement with Columbia Shipmanagement will now be paid electronically as opposed to by ‘Cash-by-Master’, under an agreement signed with global maritime payments provider ShipMoney.The deal means crewmembers will have complete control and access to their wages while onboard ship, including the timing and currency of remittances sent home. It will also dramatically reduce the need for large amounts of cash…

Crowley Shipping Promotes Goranovic

Crowley Maritime Corp. has announced that Sandra Goranovic has been promoted to vice president of finance and accounting for its Crowley Shipping business unit.In her expanded role as part of the Crowley Shipping leadership team, Goranovic will direct the business unit’s finance and accounting strategies, practices and planning. She will continue reporting to Rob Grune, senior vice president and general manager.Her responsibilities include analysis of the business unit profits…

BSCS Wins Cruise Ship Management Deal

Bernhard Schulte Cruise Services (BSCS) was awarded technical management of Jalesh Cruises’ new vessel, MS Karnika. (formerly Pacific Jewel).The 70,285-ton, 2,000-passenger Crown Princess-class cruise ship is presently undergoing comprehensive refurbishment at Sembcorp Marine Admiralty Yard in Singapore prior to entering service from Mumbai, India in mid-April 2019. MS Karnika will operate cruises from India and Dubai for the duration of 2019.BSCS Managing Director Les Royle and Deputy Managing Director Martin Springer worked closely with Jalesh Cruises on the new partnership.

McQuilling ends tanker contracts with PDVSA

A second maritime firm has told Venezuela's state-run oil firm Petroleos de Venezuela it would end all charter contracts with the company as a result of U.S. sanctions, according to an internal document and a person familiar with the matter.U.S.-based McQuilling Partners Inc, which provided PDVSA with four contract tankers, joined German tanker operator Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) in withdrawing from providing oil-shipping services to Venezuela.The United States levied…