Ctrip Appoints WSS as Agent for Cruise Ship Venture
China travel services provider Ctrip has furthered its expansion into the cruise market with the appointment of Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) as its General Agent in China. The partnership, which was announced at the official Ctrip vessel naming ceremony last week, will see WSS China providing full ships agency services in Japan to Ctripâs brand new fleet, the M/S âSKYSEA GOLDEN ERAâ, cruise vessel operating across routes between China and Japan. This new relationship comes as the Chinese cruise market continues to expand at a rapid rate.
WSS Expands in Asia
Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) is increasing its offer to clients in the offshore vessel and energy production sectors in 2013, with a strong focus on opportunities in Singapore and Southeast Asia. WSS has been supplying the Offshore Supply Vessel (OSV) market for more than 30 years, but going forward will increase its focus on non-OSV markets, providing its safety services to customers working in seismic exploration, mobile drilling rigs/platforms/vessels, accommodation platforms, pipe layers and other speciality vessels as well as fixed installations and decommissioning sectors. WSSâs offshore capabilities cover safety systems (personal safetyâŚ
Streamlined Straits Solution for Gibraltar
Just a year since its launch, Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) reports positive uptake of the âYour Strait Solutionâ initiative â an integrated service solution for vessels passing through the Straits of Gibraltar. According to Nicholai Bado, Ships Agency Service Manager, 2012 was an âintensive yearâ, with the centralization of one dedicated team and coordination of services within the three Strait ports of Algeciras, Ceuta and Gibraltar. Bado said: âWe are on track to exceed all initial expectations of the projectâŚ
WSS Japan to manage Harmony Cruise port calls
Harmony Cruise, Koreaâs newest cruise operator, has chosen Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) to provide ships agency services at ports on its Japan itinerary. Harmony Cruise was launched in February 2012 by Seoul-based Polaris Shipping, offering a variety of three and four-day cruises in the South Korean, Chinese, Japanese and Russian markets. Its Japanese itinerary will include calls at Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe, Osaka, Hakata, Nagasaki and Kagoshima, representing shipâs agency services for WSS.
WSS Increases New Zealand Market Share
Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) has reported consistent growth and increased market awareness over the last few years for its world-leading portfolio of Marine Products in New Zealand, according to Nigel Smith, WSS General Manager for New Zealand and Pacific Islands. Recently relocated from central city offices to a new warehouse complex, WSS New Zealand is now able to concentrate on delivering a stronger mix of marine products, as well as new initiatives such as the innovative LRE (Liferaft Exchange Program).
WSS Introduces Threeâin-One Welding
World-leading maritime services provider Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) has launched a new, innovative welding machine that allows operation of three separate welding processes within one unit. The Unitor UWW-161 MP(Unitor Wire Welder- 161 Multi Process) allows users to carry out stick-electrode welding, wire welding (MIG/MAG) and TIG welding using a 230 volt single-phase 16 amp slow fuse. This represents a major step forward for welders in the constant drive to improve efficiency.
15,000 Exchanges for WSS LRE Program
Liferaft Exchange concept continues to expand globally. Wilhelmsen Ships Serviceâs (WSS) market-leading global Liferaft Exchange Programme (LRE) is set to hit 15,000 exchanges since its launch just over two years ago and continues to expand, according to Dave Evans, WSS product marketing manager for liferafts. The LRE concept, which exchanges service-due liferafts and life-saving appliances for operational ones, allows vessel operators to take better control of costs and reducesâŚ
Wilhelmsen Ships Service Strengthens Presence in Russia
Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) has consolidated its legal status in Russia which will enable the global ships services provider to supply all clients in the country, including internal ports and waterways. Wilhelmsen Ships Service has had offices in all main ports in Russia for the last 15 years, but until now has only been able to service foreign vessels calling at Russian ports. By establishing a legal entity within the Russian Federation, WSS is now able to supply marine products inside the country from warehouses in Vladivostok and St Petersburg.
WSS Wins Contract with KOTC
Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) Kuwait has recently won a major contract to provide support to the Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC). KOTC is a subsidiary of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), which is the holding company integrating KOC, KNPC, KOTC and PIC under government control. It currently owns and operates 25 vessels which include crude, product, LPG and bunker carriers. Since KPC was established in 1980, KOTC assumed responsibility for transportation of its cargos between Europe, West Africa and Far East with Kuwait being the home port. The UAE ports of Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah are the major husbandry ports for KOTC and apart from spares delivery; their vessels perform repairs, crew change, take provisions and provide Cash to Master.
Wilhelmsen Increases Cargo Hold Cleaning Kit Sales in Asia
During attendance at this weekendâs Coaltrans Asia 2011, world-leading maritime services provider Wilhelmsen Ships Service has reported a significant increase in the sales of its Cargo Hold Cleaning (CHC) Kits in Asia. Wilhelmsen Ships Service offers a choice of kits, equipment and accessories for efficient cargo hold cleaning, which negate the use of scaffolding and other climbing or lifting equipment. They also offer a consultancy service run by highly trained marine professionals whom advise on safe cargo-hold cleaning operations.
Wilhelmsen Hosts Forum at Nor-Shipping
World-leading ships service company Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) will play a significant role in Nor-shipping 2011 this week, as Oslo welcomes the international maritime world to what looks set to be a record-breaking event, with over 1,100 exhibitors and 34,000 visitors expected. As a one of the main sponsors of Nor-shipping, Wilhelmsen Ships Service will use the four day event to spread its knowledge and expertise to visitors, customers and the media as it hosts a specialist industry forum for invited guests.
Wilhelmsen Ships Service Appointments in Russia
Wilhelmsen Ships Service has announced two key appointments in Russia as part of its ongoing programme of global expansion. Alexander Fomin has been appointed Account Manager West Russia and will be based in St.Petersburg, handling customer accounts in St.Petersburg, Moscow and the Volga River regions. Mr Fomin, who qualified at the Russian Far East Maritime Academy department of Engineering, steps up from his role as Port Sales Engineer for the company. His previous experience includes six years at sea as well as an appointment as technical manager for a shipping company.
WSS Rolls Out Single Payment System
Ship operators and managers are benefitting from the administrative efficiency of a single payment system for port calls launched by Wilhelmsen Ships Service. A Float Account scheme operated by the company enables the ship operator to deposit a fixed amount with them to cover a monthâs anticipated port calls. The sum is used to cover all the expenses of the operatorâs vessels, wherever they call in the world. Wilhelmsen Ships Serviceâs global network, plus its âShips Agency ReâŚ
Unitor Chemicals Now Wilhelmsen Chemicals
Unitor Chemicals AS, part of Wilhelmsen Ships Service, is changing its name to Wilhelmsen Chemicals AS. Wilhelmsen Ships Service acquired Nalfleet earlier this year. In future, Wilhelmsen Chemicals AS will supply both the Unitor range of chemicals, as well as the new Nalfleet marine chemicals portfolio. Existing company agreements will not be affected by the name change which took place on 1 April, and the company will continue to operate from its Norwegian office in Kjøpmannskjær.
Philips Joins Wilhelmsen In Canada
Wilhelmsen Ships Service has appointed a new General Manager for Canada. Brian Philip joins the leading worldwide ships service network. He will drive what is expected to be significant growth in Canada by developing and strengthening the companyâs ability to deliver a full range of Wilhelmsen Ships Serviceâs offers. Brian brings with him extensive experience from the logistics industry, where he has held several key commercial management positions, most recently as Business Development Manager and Sales Manager in Canada for a leading global logistics company.
Wilhelmsen Ships Service Acquires Eurokor Logistics
Wilhelmsen Ships Service has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Eurokor Logistics, a ships agency, logistics and forwarding company based in The Netherlands and Belgium. This acquisition will further strengthen Wilhelmsen Ships Serviceâs logistics and agency operations in Central Europe, specifically by adding freight forwarding and barging to the customer offer in this area. The deal is set to close by 1 April. âAcquiring Eurokor Logistics is another step towards fulfilling our growth ambitionsâ, says Bård Bjørløw, VP Europe at Wilhelmsen Ships Service. âAs a customer focused company, we are continuously adjusting our organisation to meet our customersâ needs.
Wilhelmsen Ships Service Provides Better Facilities For Customers In Varna, Bulgaria
Wilhelmsen Ships Service Bulgaria has relocated its Varna, Bulgaria office to upgraded premises, reflecting the growth of business for the company in the region. Wilhelmsen Ships Service Bulgaria was established in December 2008 as a 100% owned company of Barwil Agencies Oslo, successor of the previous joint-venture in Bulgaria, Barwil Unimasters Ltd, which had operated in Bulgaria since 1995. Bistra Georgieva, General Manager for Wilhelmsen Ships Service in Bulgaria, commented on the move. âWe are moving to larger office premises enabling us to grow together with our customers.
New Krishnapatnam, India Office for Wilhelmsen
Wilhelmsen Ships Service announced the opening of a branch office in Krishnapatnam on the east coast of India. Krishnapatnam is one of the fastest growing private ports in the region, serving primarily the coal market for imports and iron ore for exports. The office is located in Harbour Heights, Main Road, Muthacar. The expansion of the companyâs presence in India is responding to the increased business activities that it is undertaking in the Indian sub-continent. Since establishing the office, the Wilhelmsen Ships Service team has already handled a number of port calls for major coal and iron ore principals. Wilhelmsen Ships Service supplies Unitor marine products, technical services, ships agency services and maritime logistics.
Wilhelmsen Ships Moves Rig Half-way Across the World
Wilhelmsen Ships Service recently arranged transportation of an oil rig from Edmonton Canada, through the United States to Kuwait. The land based oil rig consisted of 3,675 cubic metres of cargo with the heaviest unit being 52 tons. The rig was transported on behalf of our customer, Burgan Company, which specializes in well drilling, trading and maintenance. Burgan is the leading company in Kuwait for oil well exploration, drilling and work-over. âThe challenge was crating and dispatching 45 truck-loads of cargo across 3,800 km from Canada to Houston Port, U.S.
Wilhelmsen Ships Service Handles Seatradeâs 200th Port Call
Wilhelmsen Ships Service was acting as ships agents for the MV 'River Phoenix when she docked in Gibraltar last month, the 200th vessel owned by Seatrade to do so this year. Wilhelmsen Ships Service, which is Seatradeâs exclusive agent in Gibraltar, was invited to join in the celebrations to greet the River Phoenix. As the ship arrived, it was greeted with fire-tugs spraying water and a small flotilla of vessels. Wilhelmsen Ships Service exchanged commemoration gifts with the captain.
Wilhelmsen Appoints Neilan Asia Pacific Sales Director
Wilhelmsen Ships Service appointed Sean Neilan Sales Director for its Asia Pacific region. Wilhelmsen Ships Service supplies Unitor marine products, technical services, ships agency services and maritime logistics.
WSS Expands US Ports Services with Jo Tankers
A new contract to supply ships services to one of the worldâs largest chemical transportation fleets, Jo Tankers, has strengthened Wilhelmsen Ships Serviceâs port coverage for the customer in the USA. Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) has been contracted to provide services in the ports of Houston, Freeport and New York by Jo Tankers, which is in addition to the current port calls handled in New Orleans and Philadelphia. The additional ports will bring Wilhelmsen Ships Service nearly 100 new port calls per year for the region. Jo Tankers is a leading provider of deep-sea transportation services, not just for chemicals, but also for other high-value liquids such as petroleum products and edible oils.
New Wilhelmsen Office in Russian Baltic Port
Wilhelmsen Ships Service has opened an office on the port of Primorsk on the Russian Baltic Sea. The company started providing its broad range of ships agency services there in December 2009, supplying first MT Atalandi, which sailed on Dec. 16, and then MT Atlas Voyager, which sailed on Dec. 20. Since then Wilhelmsen Ships Service has consistently provided to other vessels visiting the port. Primorsk Oil terminal is the final point of the Baltic Pipeline System operated by the state entity Transneft. At present, up to 65 million tons of crude oil are shipped out of the port annually, with oil delivered from the Timano-Pechorskoye oil field as well as from various fields of West Siberia and the Urals. (www.wilhelmsen.com/shipsservice)