Singapore-based IMC Shipping has made yet another high-profile hire as Mingfa Liu joins its leadership team to head up its ship management services division.
Liu's appointment as managing director of IMC Ship Services is part of an ongoing restructuring process at IMC that involves integrating several previously separate, independent IMC Industrial Group companies into one entity under IMC Shipping.
A well-known veteran of the Asian ship management scene, Liu joined IMC from Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (China) where he was the managing director responsible for developing strategic objectives and ensuring efficiency and quality of BSM's ship management centres.
In his new role at IMC, Liu has been tasked with the development and implementation of business strategies to ensure sustainability and long-term growth in the areas of ship management, ship operations and technology centre services, as well as commercial business development.
IMC Ship Services was launched this year when wholly owned independent ship-management company MSI was combined with other marine technical service entities within the IMC Industrial Group.
The rebranded company provides technical management, newbuilding supervision services, and ESG advisory services to both IMC Shipping and third-party customers.
"We are warmly welcoming Mingfa on board," said IMC Shipping managing director Frederik Guttormsen. "His wide-ranging experience and deep expertise in key aspects of the shipping business, will play a pivotal role in IMC’s transformation into an asset-light business focused on offering integrated solutions and services to the industry."
Liu, who previously worked onboard IMC’s ships as a seafarer, said he is "excited to come back and start a new journey with IMC".
"In today's volatile economic and business environment, our industry has gone through many changes but has remained to be one of the most resilient industries. However, the only constant is change, we have to be proactive to handle changes and be agile to capture future opportunities," Liu added.
IMC Industrial Group began streamlining its shipping portfolio in 2018, refreshing its management team as it transformed from a traditional shipowner into an asset-light service operation.
Guttormsen, previously general manager of Stolt Asia Pacific, was the first new hire when he joined IMC Shipping in December 2018 that year.
Other industry veterans were subsequently brought on board.
Navig8 Group's Dexter Say joined as managing director of tanker arm Aurora Tankers in February 2020, while Keith Denholm — a well-known figure in the dry bulk sector — joined as one of two commercial directors in the company’s dry bulk division in July this year.
