Thomas Wilhelmsen has predicted significant opportunities arising for the Norwegian shipping group in the coming year.
Wilh Wilhelmsen has enjoyed a busy 2016 with a reshaping of its car carrier arm, an IPO for a company holding its stake in Hyundai Glovis and the formation of a new vehicle seeking offshore investments.
In the latest issue of the company’s in-house magazine, Wilhelmsen described 2016 as a "milestone year" for the company.
He noted cost cuts in a number of business areas as part of a drive to become more efficient and smarter at a difficult time for the industry.
“By structuring ourselves with improved governance models and more agile postfolios, we can easier control our group and through this run our operations smoother, quicker and more cost efficient than in the past,” he said.
“It contributes what makes us the shaper of the maritime industry – our ability to endure tough times, adapt, and produce value for our customers no matter the situation.
“We have done it before, now we are doing it again. 2016 and 2017 will be years of considerable change, representing a challenge for many, but at the same time we will most likely see significant opportunities arising.
"This is a unique chance to prove what we are made of.”
As TradeWinds reported last week Wilhelmsen has become one of the largest investors in Western Bulk Chartering, just a few months after it looked at a takeover of the company.
Wilhelmsen told TradeWinds in an interview last month the company was seeing all sorts of deals from various sectors come across the table.
The group has what he called “hefty filters” on new opportunities, beyond the “buy low, sell high” mantra of shipping at large with any investments requiring a unique market position and to complement the existing platform.
“We are not standing by looking at the world moving past us,” wrote in the editorial. “We are aware, we are awake and we are committed to be a leader also in the future.”
