The majority of the elite group of shipmanagers have continued to advance fleet profiles over the past 12 months, as shipowners increasingly look to the sector’s services and value proposition to run vessels on their behalf; meanwhile, the merger of OSM Maritime and Thome helps relative new player Seacon make its rankings debut
01 / Bjorn Hojgaard, Anglo-Eastern
The mid-year arrival of capesize-plus liquefied natural gas dual-fuel bulk carriers Ubuntu Empathy (IMO: 9957000) and Ubuntu Humanity (IMO: 9957012) marked a new direction for Anglo-Eastern.
The newbuildings, which were delivered by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding under the supervision of Anglo-Eastern Technical Services, reduce the capesize carbon footprint by 35% while offering more carrying capacity.
The company, led by chief executive Bjorn Hojgaard, completed the acquisition of Cruise Management International at the beginning of 2023 and rebranded it as Anglo-Eastern Cruise Management. The CMI fleet, already under the partial crew management of Anglo-Eastern, comprises 12 expedition class vessels of various sizes and three cruiseships.
Investment in enhanced connectivity via Starlink, with the 100th installation heralded in September, has had a positive impact on vessel operations and crew well-being.
02 / Kishore Rajvanshy, Fleet Management
Fleet Management, which manages 660 vessels for 130 shipowners, has launched a sustainability strategy, named Encompass. This encourages responsible navigation, environmental stewardship, safeguarding of people and working collaboratively.
The initiative is part of a refreshed approach to ethical and responsible business that includes energy resilience, and recruiting and retaining talent.
Under managing director Kishore Rajvanshy, Fleet has rolled out the NOVA data and analytics tool to more than 60 ships under technical management. It enables precise analysis of voyages and ship performance, including vessel speed, greenhouse gas emissions, fuel consumption and Energy Efficiency Operating Indicator.
A shipmanagement joint venture was agreed in July with Jebel Ali-based Transworld Group to enable Transworld to focus on shipownership, while using Fleet’s technical shipmanagement expertise.
03 / Rajesh Unni, Synergy Marine
In a strategic move to further develop alliances, technology and talent, Synergy Marine founder Rajesh Unni has stepped up to executive chairman and stood down as chief executive.
Daily management was transferred to Mathavan Subbiah, who took over as chief executive, and H Swaminathan and Ajay Chaudhary as co-chief executives of the shipmanagement business.
Unni retains his wider industry roles, including vice-chairman of the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network, director of the Global Maritime Forum Director, and advisory board member at UK-based tech pioneer Core Power.
The leadership changes reconfirm group policy and direction. Synergy is now the world’s third-largest shipmanager. It continues to champion initiatives in alternative fuels and holistic decarbonisation, and in safeguarding seafarer rights, promoting diversity, and prioritising mental well-being.
04 / René Kofod-Olsen, V.Group
V.Ships, the ship and crew management arm of the rebranded V.Group, maintains its push for growth, signing a strategic partnership with long-established Belships Management in Singapore. Belships manages its owned dry bulk vessels, as well as those from other owners, and has been integrated into V.
In mid-year, V. took the management of a second 18,000 cu m capacity LNG bunker vessel. Gas Agility (IMO: 9850680) is operating in Rotterdam, a sister to Gas Vitality (IMO: 9909285), which has operated in Marseille since 2021.
Speaking at London International Shipping Week, chief executive René Kofod-Olsen said shipping had to improve its appeal to both sea and shore employees. Critical to these efforts is creating structured career paths and adequate internet connectivity at sea.
Source article lloydslist
