Graig Ship Management News

Marine and offshore vessel management and support services provider V.Group said it has acquired Graig Ship Management Ltd, part of Graig Shipping PLC, which has developed a reputation for new build supervision and ship management of dry bulk vessels. This reputation, which has its roots as part of Graig Shipping PLC’s 100 year history and is supported by a global maritime workforce, has grown steadily over the past 25 years. Graig Ship Management will continue to operate independently within the V.Group portfolio.

Amongst newbuilding orders in the past week U-Ming Marine Transport of Taiwan continue their Capesize ordering with a firm order for four more 186,000 dwt dry bulk carriers, according to the latest Clarkson Hellas Weekly S+P Report. Dry Bulk: U‐Ming Marine Transport of Taiwan (Far Eastern Group) have continued their Capesize ordering at SWS by declaring four further options to their original order of four firm 186,000 DWT Capes in February this year. Although pricing was undeclared, Clarkson Hellas understand delivery of the options is split between 2015 and 2016. Having been signed earlier this year, it has come to light this week that Cara Shipping (Rizhao Steel) has placed an order for two firm 82,000 DWT Kamsarmax at Jinling, with the vessels due for delivery in 2014 and 2015.

Cardiff-based Graig Group has taken delivery of the 35,000 dwt handysize bulk carrier Graig Cardiff, the first of two Seahorse 35 class vessels building for Graig and partners at Jiangdong Shipyard, Wu Hu, China. The Graig Cardiff is entered into the Lauritzen Bulkers pool and is currently on her maiden voyage from Shanghai to Argentina. Her sister vessel, the Graig Rotterdam, is due for delivery later this year. Both vessels have been constructed under the supervision of Graig China Limited and will be managed by Graig's ship management divisions in Cardiff and Shanghai.

Cardiff-based Graig Ship Management Limited has taken delivery of the 79,600 dwt bulk-carrier King Peace, for which it is providing full technical management and crewing on behalf of Shanghai-based Zhong An Shipping. The vessel was built at China’s Wu Jia Zui Shipyard under the supervision of Graig China Ltd. Managing ships for Chinese owners is a logical step for Graig, which began business in China in 1995, building ships there for itself, then building up expertise in newbuilding supervision and Chinese yard capabilities to help other Western owners to get the best out of China.

Cardiff-based Graig Ship Management has established a new company in Singapore. Graig Services (Singapore) Pte Ltd will provide ship management, crewing and other services across Asia. Geoff Hutcheon has been appointed General Manager. "Singapore is one of the world's leading maritime hubs and the ideal place for the Graig Group to expand its Asian footprint," said Hutcheon. Geoff Hutcheon has extensive experience as an engineer at sea and as a project manager, surveyor and newbuilding supervisor ashore.

Cardiff-based Graig Ship Management has appointed Matt Callender as Operations Director. He joined GSM as General Manager in March and is responsible for the day to day running of GSM's fleet. Callender has thirty-five years experience in shipping, beginning as a sea-going engineer, rising to Chief Engineer, then building a career in management, including a period as Joint Managing Director of Reederei NORD Klaus Oldendorff and General Manager - Technical for OSG Ship Management.

Cardiff-based Graig Ship Management appointed Ian Morgan as CEO. Ian takes over from current CEO John Arkell, who is retiring shortly following almost five years as the driving force behind GSM's growth. position of technical superintendent. In July 2006 Ian was appointed fleet technical manager and in July this year rose to the position of general manager and director of GSM. "We are confident Ian will rise to the challenge of his new key role with the Group, and his strong technical background will be especially beneficial as we continue to innovate our range of newbuilding vessels," said Hugh Williams, CEO of the Graig Group. Graig has successfully supervised the building of over 100 ships of different types at yards in Asia.

Graig Shipping Plc has opened a new facility in Shanghai, China, to provide a centre of excellence for ship design, newbuilding supervision, shiprepair and classification. "Chinese ship yards have enormous potential," says Hugh Williams, CEO of Graig. "This facility will help owners to get the very best from China. Under one roof we now have Graig Ship Management, which provides the highest quality newbuilding supervision services, Graig Carl Bro Ship Design, which will shortly be launching new designs for Chinese yards, and Graig Harris Pye, which offers competitive repair and vessel upgrading. We are also proud to share the complex with DNV, which is the leading classification society in the Chinese market."