Van Meenen News

Rickmers Holding AG and E.R. Capital Holding have jointly decided not to pursue the merger of their ship management activities. For many years the companies have worked together in ship insurance and ship brokerage. These partnerships are to be intensified and extended to other ship management activities. Both companies keep the content of the merger discussions in confidence. Rickmers Holding AG will continue to pursue its strategy, particularly in respect of expanding the fleet under third-party management. Additionally, processes are to be optimised, structures streamlined and profitability increased. Ignace Van Meenen, CEO of the Rickmers Group, explained the objective: “We aim to continue establishing and expanding customer relationships in an ongoing and focused way.

Rickmers Group will migrate to multiband VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) from Marlink Maritime VSAT for its fleet of 90+ vessels including containerships, bulk carriers and heavy lift vessels, in a move  that aims to improve operational efficiency through better integration of ship and shore side networks in addition to providing internet connectivity for crew welfare. High bandwidth availability on Marlink’s Ku-band ‘Plus’ maritime VSAT services will enable Rickmers to significantly enhance on board IT opportunities while introducing the possibility of live monitoring…

The Rickmers Group informs it has taken delivery of the first two in a series of three 9,300 TEU newbuilds acquired by the group in April while already under construction. The containerships were built at the South Korean STX shipyard and are on long-term charter to CMA CGM. The first of the three ships is the seventh vessel to carry the name R.C. Rickmers, which can trace its heritage back to the founder of the Rickmers Shipyard, and is a reference to the history and shipping tradition of the Rickmers family. Rickmer Clasen Rickmers opened a shipbuilding workshop in Bremerhaven in 1834. Dr. Ignace Van Meenen, Rickmers Group CEO, said, “The seventh R.C. Rickmers, a newbuild that has just been delivered, is a modern, large and energy-efficient containership. The new R.C. The first R.C.

DNV GL inform that Torsten Schramm, COO Division Germany, Middle East & Asia at DNV GL presented the certificate to Björn Sprotte, Global Head of Maritime Services, Rickmers Shipmanagement, at the at the DNV GL booth during the current SMM 2014. “By meeting the 5 Star Excellence requirements Rickmers Ship Management demonstrates its strong commitment to maximising the sustainability, energy efficiency and safety of its ships. Sustained investment in state of the art technology and advanced management systems make the company one of the most reliable players in the industry today and give it a competitive edge. We look forward to continuing on our work with Rickmers Shipmanagement in the future”, said Torsten Schramm.

Funds advised by Oaktree Capital Management, LP and the global shipping major Rickmers Group are joining forces to invest in eight plus eight eco designed newbuild container vessels. Oaktree Capital Management LP is a leading global investment management firm focused on alternative markets with US$81 billion assets under management (as at 30 September 2012). Rickmers will contribute its highly respected expertise in ship building, ship management and asset management. The strategic partnership between the two firms is expected to broaden over time. Shipping companies are increasingly  demanding modern and energy efficient tonnage to reduce their operational expenses and importantly…

Dr Mark-Ken Erdmann will join Rickmers Holding in Hamburg as Deputy CFO as of 1 July 2012. In this position, he will be responsible for a broad range of corporate functions including Accounting & Controlling, Tax, IT, Human Resources, Legal Affairs, as well as Mergers & Acquisitions. He will report to Dr Ignace Van Meenen, who in addition to his role as CFO, was recently nominated Deputy CEO of the Rickmers Group. Dr Erdmann is joining Rickmers from Bertelsmann AG, where he has been CIO and Member of the Corporate Centre Board…

Ron Widdows to take over from Jan B Steffens as CEO of Rickmers Holding and Rickmers-Linie. After ten very successful years with the Rickmers Group and especially, with Rickmers-Linie, Jan B Steffens will by 31 March 2012 step down from the twin positions of CEO of Rickmers Holding and of Rickmers-Linie although he will continue to serve on the Rickmers Group advisory board. Ronald D Widdows, former CEO of NOL/APL, is to become the new Chief Executive Officer of Rickmers Holding and Rickmers-Linie as of 1 April 2012. Rickmers’ Chief Financial Officer Dr Ignace Van Meenen will act as his deputy. Announcing this change, Bertram R C Rickmers…

Dr Ignace Van Meenen has taken up the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Rickmers Group effective 1 October 2011. In this function, Dr Van Meenen will press ahead with the realignment of the group of companies to enable it to respond faster and more flexibly to the demands of changing shipping markets. Holding a doctorate in law, Dr Van Meenen began his professional career in the investment division of Deutsche Bank in the USA and Germany. There followed various…

Dr Ignace Van Meenen has taken up the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Rickmers Group effective 1 October 2011. In this function, Dr Van Meenen will press ahead with the realignment of the group of companies to enable it to respond faster and more flexibly to the demands of changing shipping markets. Holding a doctorate in law, Dr Van Meenen began his professional career in the investment division of Deutsche Bank in the USA and Germany. There followed various…