Agency Network News

The America’s Marine Highways Program is one of several grant programs administered by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) to promote more effective use of the nation’s navigable waterways. This particular program was established by Congress in 2007 to provide grants for projects that would promote water-borne alternatives to available landside transportation services, especially for freight carried by trucks.Consistent with this specific goal, the program’s statutory authority…

Most cruise lines’ operations are now suspended but at the beginning of the year, BSM Cruise Services’ managed ships were deployed all around the world.Martin Springer, Managing Director BSM Cruise Services explains that, while all BSM’s managed vessels have advanced procedures and contingency plans in place for any crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic has been an extreme situation.But he continues; “BSM Cruise Services’ commitment to building long-lasting customer relationships and…

Transporting a 112MT transformer across the world is no simple task. The stakes are even higher when the sophisticated cargo is destined for an oil and gas plant and time is of utmost importance.Global Freight Forwarder Kintetsu World Express (KWE) and CG Holdings Belgium NV Systems Division chose Höegh Autoliners, with its direct RoRo service, global agency network and breakbulk competence, to transport its 112 MT Transformer trailer from Antwerp to Dammam."With the customer’s tight deadline, Höegh’s Europe to the Middle East service was the perfect solution to transport the breakbulk unit, ensuring a timely service with minimum transit time," claimed a press release from the shipping company.When handling special and sensitive cargo, experienced cargo handling is imperative.

Marking further consolidation in the breakbulk and project cargo sector, Rickmers Group said it has sold its business operations of Rickmers-Linie to ZEABORN. Rickmers-Linie GmbH & Cie. KG and MCC Marine Consulting & Contracting GmbH & Cie. KG, which are both fully-owned by Rickmers Holding AG, reached agreement to sell their respective operating businesses to ZEABORN Chartering GmbH & Co. KG on February 7, 2017. The planned sale, subject to the approval of the financing banks of the Rickmers Group and subject to anti-trust authorities…

Britain’s largest independent ship repairer and marine engineering services provider, Burgess Marine, has today completed the acquisition of the Superyacht centric procurement specialist Global Services and its sister company Global New Builds. The acquisition is Burgess Marine’s fifth to date and its second since RJD Partners’ private equity investment in February of last year. “Whilst on paper this is an acquisition the operational reality is far, far closer to that of a merger,” said Nicholas Warren, the Chief Executive Officer of Burgess Marine.

The recent catastrophe at the port of Tianjin in China resulted in the loss of at least 100 lives and many more people are still missing. It is far too early to speculate on the cause, but the explosions left extensive physical damage as well as the appalling loss of life. Accumulation risks – when a single event causes an exceptionally large group of related losses – such as this, are continuing to grow, according to the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI). IUMI President, Dieter Berg said, “This extremely sad and regrettable incident demonstrates the persistent growth of accumulation of values in port and storage areas, particularly in highly industrialized regions.

ASRY (Arab Shipbuilding & Repair Yard), a shipyard in the Arabian Gulf, has signed a representation agreement with Shiprepairers & Shipbuilders Ltd (SRS) to exclusively market ASRY’s products, services and facilities to the U.K. shipping market. The move comes as part of ASRY’s strategic realignment of its agent network that has seen several new agents sign with ASRY recently. Nils Kristian Berge, ASRY Chief Executive said of the new signing, “We are streamlining our agent network to remind our key markets, historically and going forward, of ASRY’s leading position in the Arabian Gulf shipyard scene. Like ASRY, SRS has a long and distinguished history. Founded in 1968 as the first independent U.K.

This week Atlantic Ro-Ro Carriers (ARRC) celebrates the maiden voyage of the Baltic Mercur II via the port of Antwerp as part of their regular transatlantic service to the US Gulf. After long deliberation and extensive analysis, the company has chosen to anchor the European extension of ARRC’s multipurpose service in Antwerp. ARRC has been operating as the only direct transatlantic MPP carrier between St Petersburg Russia and the USA for the past 20 years. With a mixed fleet of LORO and LOLO vessels the company is responsible for moving almost half a million tons of ferrous and non ferrous metals, thousands of units of specialized equipment for the oilwell…

French container line CMA CGM’s consolidated net profit soared to $406 million in the first quarter from $97 million a year ago as the French carrier capitalized on efficiency gains, cost cuts and sharply lower bunker prices. Net profit went up at CMA CGM by nearly 420% as the company optimized its network and began to reap benefits from the Ocean Three Alliance during the first quarter of 2015. The world’s third largest container line handled 3.1 million TEUs during the given period, and the rise was attributed to the increase in volumes on the East-West lines, particularly to and from the US, where volumes enjoyed sustained growth, and also from the launch of the Ocean Three Alliance.

Container shipping company CMA CGM’s board of directors met under the chairmanship of Jacques R. Saadé, chairman and chief executive officer, to review the financial statements for the first quarter of 2015. For the first quarter of 2015, CMA CGM reported a rise in volumes by 10.5 percent to 3.1 million TEU, chiefly resulting from the increase in volumes on the East-West lines, particularly to and from the U.S., where volumes enjoyed sustained growth, and also from the launch of the Ocean Three Alliance.

With Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas home-ported in Shanghai for 2015 and TUI Cruises launching its inaugural Asian season, eyes are on Asia’s expanding cruise market. However, while Asia may be unexplored territory for many cruise owners and ships service suppliers, Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) is established and already servicing numerous local and international cruise customers across the entire Asia Pacific region. Boasting an industry-leading cruise-specific ships agency network…

Gibraltar ship repair facility Gibdock say that it has been operating close to full capacity throughout 2013, with offshore sector business the main driver. "We have seen a number of high profile offshore vessel-operating customers returning. Repeat business from such demanding clients is a testament to our performance, with everyone from project planners and managers to yard craftsmen closely involved in ensuring we complete these complex jobs on schedule and to specification.

Inchcape Shipping Services to expand customer base with office opening in Venezuela. Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), the world’s leading maritime services provider, is set to capitalise on local and global customer demand for services in Venezuela with the opening of its first office in the country. The new office is part of ISS’s South America expansion strategy which will see it open more offices in Venezuela and other parts of the subcontinent. ISS, which has worked in Venezuela for many years through qualified sub-agents, has opened the office in Puerto La Cruz to meet the country’s growing demand for shipping services, particularly in the tanker, offshore and liner sectors. The office will also enable ISS to take advantage of the growth in cruise business in the country.

Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) Finland last week announced a new Agency Network Agreement which will strengthen the company’s coverage of thirteen key ports around the country’s coastline. The announcement coincided with an Open House event which celebrated 150 years of the company. Invited customers from the Helsinki area were able to experience a demonstration of work within the welding workshop as well as an exhibition of the company’s newest products, including Gamazyme products…

Following 10 years with the Rickmers Group and after the successful conclusion of financing agreements for the Rickmers Group’s newbuilding programme consisting of container and multi-purpose vessels, Dr Moritz Mittelbach has stepped down as CFO and Managing Director of Rickmers Holding GmbH & Cie KG and Pacific Holdings International GmbH & Cie KG with effect from 31 January 2011 at his own request. With his expertise, Dr Mittelbach successfully guided the Rickmers Group through the difficult phase of the financial and shipping crisis; he will continue to bring his experience to bear by serving the company in an advisory role. The Executive Board thanks Dr Mittelbach for his important contribution.

The Board of Directors of France-based CMA CGM, the world’s third largest container shipping group, recently met under the chairmanship of M. Jacques R. Saadé to review the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2009. In a container shipping environment where every player was severely affected by the global crisis – the deepest the maritime shipping industry has ever experienced – the Group’s consolidated revenue declined by 30% to $10.5b in 2009, dragged down by a sharp reduction in freight rates and volumes. Overall, 7.9 million TEU* were carried by the Group during the year, a 9% decline that nevertheless outperformed the 12% drop in world container traffic.

With effect from 1 November 2009, the Norwegian freight forwarder AS Fellestransport will change its name to Greencarrier Norway and merge its activities with those of the existing company Greencarrier Norway. All of its staff will become Greencarrier employees so providing the company’s existing clients with the benefit of service continuity. Fellestransport was acquired by the Swedish company Greencarrier International in 2006 but retained its independence and continued its activities as a privately owned transport and forwarding company offering a wide range of services by road, sea and air. Meanwhile Greencarrier Norway, which has been an integral member of Greencarrier International since 2001…

Cory Brothers Shipping has been awarded a five year Hub Agency contract by BP Shipping covering the Baltic, Europe, and Mediterranean regions. This is the largest region awarded by BP Shipping within its global system and covers some 6,000 port calls per year. Cory Brothers will be responsible for managing the agency network for BP’s own fleet and voyage chartered vessels employed on BP business. The Hub Agency system ‘ShipTrak’ developed by Cory is linked to BP’s internal management system BPOSS providing a direct data link between the local port agent and BP. Apart from vessel reporting and port information, the hub team provides operational and financial control encompassing audit procedures through ‘ShipTrak’.

Canada Maritime has expanded its agency network in Eastern Europe to capitalize on an anticipated increase in trade between North America and the region over the next few years. Aseco Container Services has been appointed to represent Canada Maritime in three of the most dynamic markets in Eastern Europe, namely Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. years. Aseco is also currently the agent for Canada Maritime in Scandinavia with offices throughout the region. Forwarding in the Ukraine. Shipments to and from Eastern European markets are transhipped over Hamburg or Antwerp, both of which are served by a fixed-day weekly sailing of Canada Maritime’s three loop Northern Service. development,” said Terry Burrows, Senior Vice President CP Ships.

Maritime & Transport Services Ltd. of Jamaica. Titchener, in a message sent to all members of the port agency network. Clarke's son, Mr. since 1997. He is currently a director of the company. The funeral was held on November 18. flowers.

The Bolloré Maritime Division (BMD) is investing USD 5 million in a new software management system called iQ-Ship. As a group company OT Africa Line (OTAL) will benefit from this system, which is designed to enhance the quality of service provided to its customers worldwide. system. iQ-Ship will enable OTAL to simplify and automate several internal processes. This will reduce the time and costs required to execute OTAL?s commercial, logistics and financial functions and allow staff more time meeting customers' needs. OTAL's marketing manager, Rachel Bennett, said: "We were impressed by the product's depth as well as Qiva's history and proven expertise in providing state-of-the-art systems.

OT Africa Line (OTAL), the specialist West African carrier, has appointed several key figures to its UK and European based operations. Romain Berard has been appointed OTAL's African Sales Manager. Based in London, Mr. Berard will work as part of the commercial sales team. Traveling extensively throughout the African Sub-Continent, he will promote OTAL's services and build on existing relationships with the line's African agency network. Mr. Berard will be the African agents' first point of contact regarding sales strategy. Romain joins OTAL from Delmas (a subsidiary of the Bolloré Group, OTAL's parent company) where he was the U.K. Northbound Manager. Diane Mussault joins OTAL as Northbound Sales Manager. Ms. Mussault will be responsible for all northbound sales and pricing.

offshore activities of the division. acquisition. headed up by Rishi Trivedi, Managing Director of the offices in Dubai and Fujairah. service quality and competitive pricing. present". added Mr Devine.