Crew Management News

Helm Operations, a provider of maritime operations and crew management software, announced a key leadership transition as James Wadsworth assumes the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Nolan Barclay, Helm’s first employee and most recent CEO, will continue to support the company as Chairman.Wadsworth brings more than two decades of maritime industry experience and visionary leadership to the role. He joined Helm a decade ago after nearly ten years with ClassNK in Japan, where…

Fairfield-Maxwell Ltd. (FML) is returning to the shipping industry in Japan and opening a new office in Tokyo aimed at participating in ship construction, ownership, investment and leasing.The new company will focus on being the tonnage provider of choice and offering a diverse range of vessel types, including chemical tankers, medium range (MR) tankers, gas carriers and newbuilds.The new company – to be named Fairfield Maritime Japan Ltd. – will be a part of a newly formed Fairfield Maritime Group.

Tilla, a Berlin-based maritime tech startup, announced the successful closing of a USD$2.3 million (€2 million) funding round designed to accelerate the global expansion and innovation of its crew logistics platform. The round is led by global maritime venture capital firm Motion Ventures, which recently launched a $100 million maritime tech fund, alongside a strategic investment from EXMAR, a Belgian shipping company with a long-standing reputation under the Saverys family. The…

Columbia Group has announced a series of senior leadership appointments to its executive team as part of its continued transformation into an integrated global maritime services platform.The move sees Demetris Chrysostomou appointed as CEO Asia Region, Norman Schmiedl as CEO of Columbia Blue and Simona Toma as Chief of Maritime HR.The appointments follow Columbia Group’s continued expansion with growth in new areas, reinforcing its long-term strategy to scale operations across core sectors including shipping…

Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) and Symmetry Group Inc. (SGI) have announced a strategic joint venture in Guyana, marking a significant milestone in the maritime and logistics sectors. This partnership aligns with Guyana's Local Content requirements, combining the strengths of both companies to offer an integrated suite of services tailored to the needs of the country's burgeoning oil and gas industry.Symmetry Group Inc. has acquired a 51% majority stake in ISS Guyana, combining SGI's local expertise with ISS's global reach and capabilities.

Tilla Technologies announced that Wilson, one of Europe’s largest short sea shipping companies, will use its software to manage all crew changes across 101 vessels in its fleet. The rollout is planned for May 2025.The decision was based on the successful use of Tilla Technologies’ solution at Stödig Ship Management, which handles crew for parts of Wilson’s fleet. The crew change platform delivered consistent results: double-digit cost savings, increased productivity, and high…

V., ship manager and marine services provider, has been awarded the full technical and crew management of six scrubber-fitted, dual-fuel (LNG) ready LR1 vessels by International Seaways, Inc. V., has been awarded the full technical and crew management of six LR1 vessels. Credit: V.The contract further strengthens V.'s partnership with INSW in which V.Ships UK manages 44 vessels in the INSW fleet, spanning VLCCs, Suezmax, Aframax, Panamax (LR1) and MR vessels.The six LR1 vessels, currently under construction at K Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.

Adonis, a specialist in global HR, payroll and crew management software under the Ripple Operations brand, has formed a strategic marketing alliance with Certus Online, a provider of maritime booking and operational solutions. This partnership aims to enhance their collective service offerings for the maritime industry.This collaboration represents a pivotal move toward delivering seamless, integrated solutions for maritime operators. By combining Certus Online’s advanced Booking Platform…

Columbia Group has revealed plans to transform its traditional crewing department into a fully-fledged Maritime HR Department, in a move that aims to enhance its approach to crew management and development.At the helm of this transformation is Capt Faouzi Fradi, Columbia Group’s Director of Crewing and Training, who will take on the new role of Managing Director of the Maritime HR Department.Capt Fradi, said, “The maritime industry is undergoing rapid changes, and it is imperative that we adapt our approach to crewing and crew management.

Maritime software company Ripple Operations has acquired AdonisHR, a Norwegian family-owned provider of crew management and payroll software solutions.The acquisition is supported by a substantial financial investment from New York-based software holding company Bleecker Street Group and significantly accelerates Ripple’s growth in the global maritime sector. By joining forces with AdonisHR, Ripple now serves more than 380,000 mariners on more than 2,000 vessels in nearly 100 countries around the world."This acquisition is a transformative moment for both of our companies.

Technology provider for the air transport industry, SITA, has launched its SmartSea IT system through an initial agreement with Columbia Shipmanagement (CSM).With 75 years of experience, SITA serves 95% of international destinations in the air travel industry, and over 2,500 airlines, airports, ground handlers and governments all working closely with the company. More than 70 governments and all G20 nations trust SITA solutions, and 85% of international air passengers globally…

Columbia Shipmanagement (CSM), member of Columbia Group, is stepping up its presence in the Middle East with the launch of a new office in Dubai.Building on its 45 years of shipmanagement expertise, the strategic expansion will complement CSM’s existing operations in Saudi Arabia, aimed at strengthening the shipping industry and fostering partnerships across the region.The new office will offer the full spectrum of the Columbia Group integrated maritime services with diverse support…

MariApps Marine Solutions has signed an agreement to enhance the digitalization of Intership Navigation's fleet of 100 vessels.By utilizing MariApps’ digital solutions suite, smartPAL, Intership hopes to offer its customers, ship owners and vendors state-of-the-art digital services.MariApps’ technical professionals offer expertise in ship maintenance, voyage management, crew management, safety compliance, financial operations, and business intelligence. With smartPAL, the Intership…

Longship Group entered a joint newbuilding project with Wagle Chartering AS for two "GS Eco-Freighter 3700" to be built by GS Yard BV in Waterhuizen, the Netherlands.The general cargo ships feature single open top box shaped holds of about 181,000 cbft intake. The vessels are equipped with two bulkheads that can be used as tweendecks. They are fitted for grain, timber, project cagos and are driven by a IMO Tier III compliant Mitsubishi S12R engine with an output of 749 kW.Wagle Chartering is assigned with the commercial operation…

Chartering, sale and purchase, and market intelligence brokerage Colebrook Offshore has changed its name to CSO Shipbrokers in a strategic rebrand.“We have achieved significant growth over the past two years, more than doubling the size of our team and consistently developing our client base and list of active projects” said Tony Colebrook, Chief Executive Officer of CSO Marine Group.“Colebrook Offshore has served us well up to this point, but with Sam Stout now taking the reins as Managing Director of the Brokerage…

OSM Maritime Group and Thome Group have received approvals from competition authorities to merge and create one of the world's largest ship management companies.The merged company, OSM Thome, says it will be a powerhouse in the international ship management market, represented in 22 countries and headquartered in Arendal, Norway.Finn Amund Nordbye CEO of OSM Thome said: "This is a big day for OSM Thome. Our merger is now formally and finally approved. The merged company combines proud traditions with high ambitions.

Royal Caribbean Group named Palle Laursen as executive vice president, head of marine, effective May 1, 2023. Laursen will report to Royal Caribbean Group’s President and CEO Jason Liberty and will join the company’s Executive Committee.With this newly created position, the company will centralize its global and brand marine operations functions under Laursen. He will oversee all marine operations for the company’s entire fleet, as well as strategic oversight of marine operations of its TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises…

OSM Maritime Group and Thome Group have agreed to a merger that will create one of the world's largest ship management companies.The combined company OSM Thome will be headquartered in Arendal, Norway, with technical management hubs maintained in Singapore and Europe. Today, the two companies manage 1,000 ships in different segments such as tank, bulk, container, car carriers, cruise ships and offshore vessels and units, whereof 450 ships on full technical management, and 550…

Argeo, a Norwegian autonomous underwater vehicle provider, has signed a 5-year bareboat contract for the vessel Argeo Searcher (former Ocean Pearl), with an option to purchase the vessel for $2 million after 12 months and $1 million after 27 months. The vessel is expected to be delivered to the company on December 10, 2022."The international expansion of Argeo means contracts are significantly larger, with longer duration, and therefore require predictability in our operational value chain.

CrewSmart, the end-to-end management system for maritime operations, has hired Commercial Director Anna Saunders to support the global rollout of its software platform to maritime businesses. Saunders joins from offshore energy support vessel (OESV) operator Seacat Services, where she led the company’s crew management team.Christian Adams, Founder & Technical Director, CrewSmart, said, “Crew and fleet managers need to be on the top of their game to mitigate the growing compliance risks associated with modern maritime operations.

The U.S. Army Corps’ Mobile District published a “Market Research and Sources Sought Notice” seeking information on contractors for dredging within the boundaries of Sand Island Beneficial Use Area (SIBUA) in Mobile County, Ala.Note the ACE’s phrase here: this is a “sources sought synopsis,” not yet a solicitation. ACE uses this initial query to check availability of “potential qualified small business firms who own dredges capable of performing the work.” Responses are used to make upcoming acquisition decisions.

KVH Industries, Inc. announced V.Ships Norway has signed up 12 oil tankers for KVH linkHUB, an onboard media player that provides a library of hundreds of hours of licensed premium digital entertainment content from KVH MOVIElink and TVlink services.V.Ships Norway initially trialed the service on one oil tanker and, following positive feedback from the crew, recently rolled it out to a total of 12 tankers.KVH MOVIElink services feature new Hollywood and Bollywood releases curated with seafarers in mind…

Keeping track of personnel on board (POB) “will be a requirement on all contracts” with offshore energy companies, predicted Tonny Sørdal, vice-president for quality, safety, health and environment of support vessel operator Olympic Subsea ASA.He was speaking just a year after one of its customers first asked for that capability and now, seven of the company’s 10 vessels have been fitted with a system that not only tracks crew and contractors while they are on board, but also as they transfer from the vessel to wind turbines and even within the turbine itself.