Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) has appointed long-serving executive Andreas Solomonides as its new boss in Cyprus.

The ship manager said his new managing director role is active immediately after predecessor Nikolaos Kretsis stepped down for personal reasons.

Solomonides has been with BSM for over 17 years. He began his career with BSM Hellas as technical officer in 2005.

The new boss was later promoted to technical superintendent and then fleet manager before he became deputy managing director of BSM Hellas and Cyprus.

During his time at BSM, Andreas Solomonides founded Hanseatic Maritime Advisory Services (HMAS), which provides customised services and specialist technical consultation.

He will continue to lead HMAS alongside his new job.

“Andreas Solomonides is highly regarded by clients and colleagues alike for his foresight, strategic thinking and rigorous attention to excellence. We are confident that his experience and expertise will enable him to keep continuity while at the same time leading BSM Cyprus to new heights,” said BSM chief executive Ian Beveridge.

“He takes over from Nikolaos Kretsis who has spent four and a half years in this role. Nikolaos has decided to step down from his position for personal reasons. We thank Nikolaos for his contribution to our company and wish him all the best in his future endeavours,” he added.

Kretsis had been with BSM for nearly eight years, after more than six years in executive roles at Lomar Shipping.

50 years celebrated

In 2022, BSM marked a half-century in third-party management with a big party in Cyprus.

More than 600 guests gathered at the marina in Limassol to celebrate 50 years since the establishment of predecessor Hanseatic Shipping in 1972.

One common factor during all that time is Heinrich Schulte, the founder and chairman.

In 2008, BSM was established by merging four ship management companies — Hanseatic Shipping, Dorchester Atlantic Marine, Eurasia Group and Vorsetzen Bereederungs und Schiffahrtskontor.