Neal De Roche News

Wilhelmsen Port Services has completed its acquisition of Vopak Agencies first announced in October 2022.Vopak Agencies, which has now become a Wilhelmsen group company, is a specialist within both hub services and port agency in the tanker segments in Europe and has extensive experience within their field. As part of the transaction, Wilhelmsen has also acquired 50% of diize, a Vopak developed digital software company aimed at the future of port orchestration.“This opportunity…

Wilhelmsen Port Services has entered into an agreement with Vopak to acquire 100% of maritime services provider Vopak Agencies and 50% of Diize. "Vopak Agencies and Diize are highly complementary and a perfect match for the global reach of Wilhelmsen Port Services’ maritime network of 2 200 ports," Wilhelmsen Port Services said.Wilhelmsen said that Vopak Agencies had a strong track record within both hub services and port agency within the tanker segments in Europe and extensive experience within their field.

Regional Vice President Asia Pacific, Neal De Roche says Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) remains focussed on providing innovative solutions to client needs. Speaking as he takes up his new role in Singapore, following five years in Shanghai, De Roche says the recent recovery of some shipping segments should not be taken as a sign of a return to a simple ‘business as usual’ scenario. “It has been struggle over the last few years. We are still in a challenging market and Asia is no exception. Despite perceptions to the contrary, China is a quality not a quantity market,” he says.

Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) has reported strong growth in the number of owners in Japan and North East Asia signing up for its Ships' Agency Re-Defined (SARD) offer. Neal De Roche, Area Director WSS North East Asia said: “Since launching SARD globally at the end of 2010 we have seen high levels of uptake from the North East Asian shipping community, with growth levels of around 15% throughout 2011. Japanese vessel operators and owners are extremely positive about the fact that SARD provides a unique ‘one point of contact’ system. In fact, SARD can save up to three hours per port call for our Japanese customers. This is crucial to guarantee efficient operations and fast turnaround”.

As it prepares for Sea Japan, Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) has reported strong growth in the number of owners in Japan and North East Asia signing up for its’ Ships Agency Re-Defined (SARD) offer. “Since launching SARD globally at the end of 2010,” we have seen high levels of uptake from the North East Asian shipping community, with growth levels of around 15 percent throughout 2011,” said Neal De Roche, Area Director WSS North East Asia. “Japanese vessel operators and owners are extremely positive about the fact that SARD provides a ‘one point of contact’ system. In fact, SARD can save up to three hours per port call for our Japanese customers.