Swire Group News

Mining company K+S Aktiengesellschaft and shipping company Swire Bulk announced a formal partnership to develop decarbonization solutions in an effort to decarbonize their operations and drive reductions in greenhouse gases in the maritime supply chain.Patrick Lieberam, Senior Vice President Supply Chain Management of K+S, shared, “As a mining company, K+S is aware of its responsibility and in the area of logistics, will stand by the side of its long-term partner Swire in the implementation of zero emissions and provide support in all areas.

Swire Bulk announced it is voluntarily rerouting its vessels off southern Sri Lanka to avoid whale strikes in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.The move comes after researchers identified ship strikes as the leading cause of death for whales in the area, a feeding ground for many cetaceans.Swire Bulk, part of the Swire Group, said its vessels will now pass at least 15 nautical miles south of Dondra Head traffic separation scheme and avoid sailing through marked out as “no go areas”.

Sperry Marine received a fleet-wide order for its new SperrySphere Connected ECDIS, with a roll-out to 36 vessels operated by The China Navigation Company (CNCo), a member of the Swire Group. Connected ECDIS is the latest addition to Sperry Marine’s portfolio of smart bridge solutions, connected via the unique SperrySphere platform.China Navigation will upgrade 24 of its bulk carriers and 12 of its containerships with Connected ECDIS, simplifying and securing the transfer of chart data from back of bridge to the regulated navigation systems, Sperry Marine said.According to Sperry Marine, Connected ECDIS supports improved cyber risk management by removing the need to use USB memory devices when transferring electronic chart data.

German container shipping line Hamburg Süd and The China Navigation Company (CNCo) have completed the sale of Hamburg Süd’s dry bulk shipping business to CNCo after receiving regulatory approval.Earlier in January, Hamburg Süd announced that it is selling its bulk shipping business, which includes Rudolf A. Oetker (RAO) and the bulk activities in Furness Withy (London and Melbourne) and Aliança Navegação e Logística,  to Singapore’s CNCo, part of the Swire Group,  as it focusses on its liner business with its two container shipping brands, Hamburg Süd and Aliança.The RAO Tankers business unit is not included in the agreement and will remain part of the Hamburg Süd Group.The affected dry bulk shipping units with offices in Hamburg…

German shipping group Hamburg Süd announced that it is selling its bulk shipping business to Singapore’s China Navigation Company (CNCo), part of the Swire Group,  as it focusses on its liner business with its two container shipping brands, Hamburg Süd and Aliança.The agreement includes Hamburg Süd subsidiaries Rudolf A. Oetker (RAO), Furness Withy Chartering and the bulk activities in Aliança Navegação e Logística (Aliabulk).A.P. Møller – Maersk acquired the bulk shipping, tanker and container liner businesses of Hamburg Süd in November 2017.The bulk shipping business in Hamburg Süd operates from Hamburg, London, Melbourne and Rio de Janeiro with a chartered fleet of approximately 45 vessels in the segments: Handysize…

Swire Group’s shipping arm China Navigation Company establishes presence in Shanghai where it was founded 147 years ago!The China Navigation Company (CNCo) opened its China headquarters officially in Shanghai on 05 November 2018, marking a significant return to its birthplace 147 years ago, and a significant milestone in its history, said a press release from the company.CNCo started operations on the Yangtze River in 1872, operating a modest fleet of Mississippi-style paddle steamers.CNCo is a major global player in the shipping scene today, with operations spanning Australia, China, PNG, Fiji, India, New Zealand and the US. Headquartered in Singapore…

China Navigation Company (CNCo), part of the Swire Group, has expanded its presence in North America by establishing a branch office in Vancouver, Canada.The opening ceremony was graced by Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade & Technology, British Columbia, who unveiled a plaque in the CNCo office located at W Hastings Street.Minister Bruce Ralston said, “The Province recognises the significant contribution that The China Navigation Company makes to the shipping industry worldwide. We look forward to this new regional North American office in Vancouver contributing to increased trade between B.C. and the Asia Pacific. A strong shipping industry will create good jobs for people and increase opportunities for B.C.

Subsea operations specialist, Swire Seabed AS has taken delivery of its fourth subsea vessel, Seabed Constructor. Swire Seabed has secured a six-year contract for Seabed Constructor with UK based Ocean Infinity. The vessel will be carrying out AUV based survey and construction support operations on a global basis. The vessel is a multi-functional subsea support and construction vessel of MT6022 MK II design. 115 metres in length and with a beam of 22 metres, Seabed Constructor is equipped with a 250-tonne crane and a free deck space of 1,300 square metres. “The decision to invest in this high quality subsea vessel is part of Swire Seabed’s long-term growth strategy.

Swire Pacific Offshore (SPO) announces a change in leadership with the appointment of a new Managing Director in Singapore. Mr Ron Mathison has taken over the helm as the new Managing Director on Monday, 21st September 2015. Mr Mathison has also been appointed as Director of John Swire & Sons (S.E. Asia) Pte Ltd, with effect from 1st August 2015. Mr Mathison embarked on his career with John Swire & Sons Limited (“Swire”) when he joined Cathay Pacific Airways in 1984 and has more than 30 years of experience within various divisions of the Swire Group. Prior to his new appointment in SPO, he was the Group Managing Director of James Finlay Ltd in UK for the last seven years. Before that, from 2004 to 2008, he was the Director of Cargo in Cathay Pacific Airways.

Norway's Maritime Partner is set to reach a landmark in its history as it completes the construction of its 2000th vessel since founding in 1994. Maritime Partner CEO Peder Myklebust said the Aalesund based company is ‘immensely proud’ that its 2000th boat will be delivered to its long standing client and fellow Norwegian company the shipbuilder Kleven. The 2000th boat is part an order Kleven placed in December 2014 for six Seabear 23 MkIIIs and six Macgregor AC38 davits. The…

Leading shipping services group, Clarkson PLC, says that James Hughes-Hallett will join the Board as a Non-Executive Director with immediate effect and will take over as Chairman from 1 January 2015 when Bob Benton will retire from the Board. Clarksons explain that James Hughes-Hallett brings a wealth of experience in the world of shipping, transportation, offshore and global trade, having worked for the Swire group since 1976. He is currently chairman of John Swire & Sons Limited, a Non-Executive Director of Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, Swire Pacific Ltd and Swire Properties Ltd. He is a Director of Steamships Trading Co Ltd and is Chairman of United States Cold Storage Inc.

Guy Campbell of the China Navigation Company has been appointed by the Baltic Exchange Board of Directors as Chairman for a two year term of office. He replaces Quentin Soanes who served as Chairman from 2012. Guy Campbell, FIFC, MCIArb is aged 47 and began his shipping career at shipbroker JE Hyde & Co Ltd in 1990. A dry cargo specialist, he became a Baltic Exchange member in 1991, remained at JE Hyde for seven years before joining Koch Industries, where he spent 10 years as a chartering manager and eventual Director, Ocean Freight for Koch Carbon LLC. After six years as Dry Cargo Managing Director at shipbroker Clarksons, he now works for The China Navigation Company, the deep sea ship owning and operating arm of the Swire Group.

Swire Oilfield Services, global supplier of cargo carrying solutions, modular systems, offshore aviation services and fluid management says it plans to further invest in Southeast Asia with the development of three new operational yards and the arrival of new rental equipment to its fleet. The company, which established its first Southeast Asia base in Singapore in 2010 and has since opened further bases across the region, is the largest supplier of DNV certified cargo carrying units in the Southeast Asia market. To better meet increasing customer demand in the region, the company has invested more than $10 million USD by expanding its cargo carrying unit rental fleet and further developing operating bases in Myanmar, Malaysia and Thailand.

The China Navigation Company (CNCo), the deep sea shipping arm of the multinational Swire Group, has signed a conditional sale and purchase agreement to acquire Pacifica Shipping (Pacifica) from the Skeggs Group of companies in New Zealand. CNCo has been a long term participant in the New Zealand’s maritime and transport industry. The first Swire vessel called to New Zealand 130 years ago. Today Swire explains that it has extensive interests in agencies, stevedoring, logistics and multipurpose liner shipping services. Swire Shipping, CNCo’s liner shipping arm, currently operates five independent multi-purpose liner services from New Zealand to Asia, Australia, North America and the Pacific Islands.

China Navigation Co (“CNCo”), the deep sea shipping arm of the Swire group, having held a minority shareholding of 13% in Polynesia Line Ltd (“PLL”) since 1979, has purchased all the remaining shares in the line. CNCo has been an active and committed shareholder in PLL for the last 34 years and is fully committed to ensuring that the Line continues to serve the needs of its strong and loyal customer base in the South Pacific. “We have tremendous confidence in PLL’s position as…

China Navigation Company's (CNCo) four new Chief Class 22,000dwt multi-purpose vessels ordered from Zhejiang Ouhua Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. (Ouhua), on Zhoushan Island in China, will each feature three 60-ton variable frequency drive (VFD) MacGregor cranes and hydraulically-operated MacGregor hatch covers. The order was booked in the second quarter 2013 order intake. The vessels are scheduled for delivery in late 2014 and first quarter 2015 and the contract includes options for an additional 2+2 vessels. CNCo is the deep-sea ship-owning and operating arm of the Swire group of companies and is wholly-owned by the group's parent company, John Swire & Sons.

Northrop Grumman contracted by Chengxi Shipyard to supply navigation bridge equipment for a series of new 39,500-dwt dry bulk cargo ships. The contract is for the supply of navigation bridge equipment for a series of 39,500-dwt dry bulk cargo ships being built in China for the China Navigation Company Pte. Ltd., Singapore, the deep-sea shipping company of the Swire Group. Under the contract with Chengxi Shipyard Co., Ltd., Northrop Grumman's Sperry Marine business unit will deliver four shipsets to the company's shipyard in Jiangyin, China, for installation. Each shipset will include a complete integrated bridge system (IBS) with navigation sensors, a VisionMaster™ Total Watch™ radar and electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS).

Raymond Lim Siang Keat, Member of the Singaporean Parliament for East Coast GRC, officially opened Swire Oilfield Services Regional headquarters for Asia Pacific in Singapore on January 17, 2012. The establishment of the new regional office in this key strategic hub for the oil and gas industry is part of the company’s long term growth plan and will see Swire Oilfield Services develop an important presence in South-East Asia and beyond. The company, which is the leading global provider of offshore cargo carrying units…

As part of a Group re-organisation, V.Ships, the world's largest provider of ship management and related marine services, has appointed Richard Hext as Chief Executive Officer of the Groups' Marine Services Division. The move follows a restructuring of the Group into two operating divisions; Ship Management and Marine Services. The newly formed Marine Services Division will oversee all activities of the Group other than ship management, including commercial management, ship agency, consulting, travel, insurance, IT and various other support activities. Roberto Giorgi continues to head up the Ship Management Division, overseeing all cargo and leisure ship management activities within the group. Mr. Hext joins V.Ships from LevelSeas, where he was Chief Executive.