Ponath Takes Full Control of NSB
Helmut Ponath, founder and long-time managing director of the German shipping company NBS Group, has taken full control of the company.Since 2000, the shareholders of the Buxtehude-based NSB Group have consisted of four owners: Conti NSB Holding, Gebab Holding, Norddeutsche Reederei Holding and Buxriver. In December 2021, the four shareholders signed the contract to transfer their all shares to Ponath's Buxriver."In doing so, they are handing over the company to the one that has always been most involved in the operation of the shipping company.
Stricken Container Ship to Shelter in German Waters
UK & France maritime safety authorities to send team of experts to inspect German-flagged 'MSC Flaminia' prior to English Channel transit. A fire and subsequent explosion on July 14, 2012, occurred during MSC FLAMINIA’s passage from Charleston/USA to Bremerhaven (via Antwerp and Felixstowe), one seafarer died and one is still missing. A third seafarer remains in critical condition and is being treated for burns. The crew abandoned the burning vessel and were rescued by another merchant ship. Under the coordination of the German Central Command for Maritime Emergencies, MSC FLAMINIA will be towed to sheltered anchorage in German waters. Subsequently, the vessel will be transferred to a port.
Port of Refuge Still Denied MSC Flaminia
Ship operator's latest report says fire remains under control although hotspots still exist. The ship's geographical situation remains unchanged, some 200 miles off the nearest land. Without such a permission, which can only be given by European coastal states, the salvage of the vessel is not possible and the success of the operation is compromised. Currently, intense negotiations are being conducted with all littoral states. The ship managers also remains in constant contact with German authorities in order to make use of all possibilities for continuing the salvage operation. Thanks to stable weather conditions, salvage and firefighting operations can be continued. The vessel is listing by 10 degrees.
Container Ship Launched at HDW-Gaarden
Tomas Marutz and Dr. Walter Klausmann (both CEOs of HDW-Gaarden), the godmother Georgina H. Rodriguez and her husband Gustavo Rodriguez (CEO and president of the Maruba Group), Helmut Ponath (CEO and President of NSB Niederelbe Schiffahrtsgesellschaft mbH & Co. On September 8, the first of a series of five 2,700 TEU container ships was launched and christened Marupa Europa in Kiel at HDW-Gaarden – a company of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. The launch was performed by Georgina H. Rodriguez, CEO and president of the Maruba Group. mbH & Co. KG, Buxtehude. The ship had already been handed over to the shipping line the day before. Upon request of the shipping line, the ship was handed over earlier than scheduled. The remaining four ships will be delivered by the end of 2008.
