GL restructures services after surviving hostile bid

German classification society Germanischer Lloyd (GL) has announced that it has restructured its maritime services with immediate effect. Last month the Hamburg-based organisation survived a hostile takeover from its French rival Bureau Veritas when German entrepreneur Günter Herz launched a rival offer and became the majority shareholder. This ensured that GL remained German and that it retained independence.

In a statement, GL said that in order to respond better to client requests, the society has optimised its workflows. Maritime Services will be subdivided into the divisions 'Fleet in Service', 'Ship Newbuilding', 'Maritime Systems and Components' and 'Innovation and Strategic Research'. Consisting of a number of competence centres and departments, each division has been assigned to a client group - shipowners, shipyards and supply industry. The aim is to provide the customers with individual technical support.

New CEO of Lloyd's Register Group

In line with their statement in 2005, in which Executive Chairman David Moorhouse signalled his intent to relinquish executive responsibility for the Lloyd's Register (LR) Group by the end of June, LR has announced that Richard Sadler has been appointed as new Chief Executive Officer following a unanimous vote by the Board. The appointment takes effect next July 1 with transfer of day-to-day operational responsibilities to Sadler beginning immediately, so by July he will have full executive responsibility for the organisation. Moorhouse will remain with the LR Group as its Chairman.

Sadler, who currently holds the position of Director of Lloyd's Register EMEA, first joined Lloyd's Register in 1976, working in the marine, industrial and offshore sectors before moving on to a number of overseas postings. He returned to the UK in 1995. In 2004, Sadler moved to the Royal Bank of Scotland to become Director of Ship Asset Management, a role which he fulfilled for two years before returning to Lloyd's Register.

TSA predicts strong market

A statement from the Transpacific Stabilisation Agreement (TSA) has predicted strengthening market conditions in 2007 for ocean carriers in most major world trade lanes.

A contracting Asia-Europe trade in 2006 led a global downturn in rates, but a "significantly improved environment" in 2007 is set to enhance conditions.

The finding is a result of a consensus of member carriers following a review of market developments by TSA lines at meetings held in Hong Kong last week.

A communique from the association of 12 major shipping lines said, "Increasingly strong estimates of cargo demand and moderated estimates of capacity growth will result in a significantly more balanced supply and demand relationship for 2007 than many had forecast only a short time ago."

The survey noted continued double-digit world trade growth, driven by Asian exports with recent capacity growth estimates pointing to a more balanced supply and demand relationship for 2007-08.

It also said there had been a consistent recognition by carriers that they must take a holistic approach to adjust their capacity to reduce costs and better align themselves with overall market demand, and not just react in the slack season as before, but throughout the year.

TSA also said there was also a need for improved profitability if the shipping industry is to reinvest to anticipate container trade growth.

VT Group in warship pact with Oman

VT Group (VT), formerly Vosper Thorneycroft, the British Support Services and Shipbuilding Company, has signed a contract with the Government of Oman to supply three Ocean Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Royal Navy of Oman. Work will start immediately on the programme with the first of the ships, which are approximately 100 metres in length, scheduled for hand-over in early 2010 and the subsequent ships at six-month intervals. The programme is valued at around £400 million over a five-year period, including initial support.

Tanker seminar in Dubai

The Baltic and International Maritime Council (Bimco) will hold a seminar in Dubai on March 6 and 7, in collaboration with the Dubai Shipping Agents' Association. Bimco is the world's largest private international shipping organisation with 2,720 members and over the past 21 years 'Bimco courses' has staged numerous seminars, courses and events worldwide. Bimco says these events are an effective method of obtaining practical information on the latest developments, as well as on matters of local or specific interest.

The writer is a Dubai-based marine consultant.