German Shipowners Get Back to Basics
The situation for the shipping companies based in Germany has been, much like the rest of the world in 2017, mostly tight. Currently, the German shipping companies are undergoing changes against this background. They are concentrating more and more on their core competences. Maritime Reporter & Engineering News' man in Germany, Peter Pospiech, recently talked to Alfred Hartmann, President of the VDR (Association of German Shipowners), for his exclusive insights on the size, shape and direction of German shipowners.Mr.
Alfred Hartmann: New Captain on the Bridge at VDR
Shipping owner Alfred Hartmann is the new President of the Association of German Shipowners (VDR). For the first time a mid-size company owner is at the helm of the VDR, and this 68 year-old wants to bring the German shipping industry back on course. He discussed his plan with MR. A few years ago, you said during an interview that with some luck the shipping industry could overcome its current crisis and begin an upward trend. But the industry has not recovered. What went wrong? The consequences of the financial crisis in 2008 have been heavy.
They said it ...
“While the dry cargo market was depressed in most of 2014, the year ended with sharply increasing rates in the tanker market, and our tanker department generated the best results since 2008. “People keep losing sight of the fact that about 90 percent of all goods are transported by sea – but only 4 percent of the emissions are related to vessels. However, ships must fulfill the strictest rules. Alfred Hartmann, ship owner and new President of the Association of German Shipowners (VDR). “No one saw this [price collapse] coming.
