Norway's OSM Maritime has launched a new technical ship-management business in Denmark to grow its fleet of high-end chemical tankers.
The company said OSM Chemical Tanker Management has been established in Copenhagen with the aim of amassing 30 vessels over the next three years.
OSM has seven tankers on board already and said an important initial client is Copenhagen-based Navig8 Chemical Tankers.
- Acquired John Fredriksen's in-house SeaTeam Management from Golden Ocean and Frontline
- Added GC Rieber's six offshore ships
- Took over 37 vessels from the fleet of Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Skipsrederi
In addition to an MR, the current vessels have capacity of 38,000 dwt, including the Navig8 Ammolite (built 2015). But all sizes are being targeted, the ship manager said.
OSM has more than 200 tankers under management, with an even split between technical and crew management.
A pure platform
"This will be a pure chemical IMO 2/IMO 3 tanker platform. We want to maintain focus on core competencies in high-end chemical tankers," Tommy Olofsen, OSM's chief commercial officer and president, said.
The executive told TradeWinds that some product tankers could be included in the new Copenhagen set-up.
"But they would need to be IMO 2 minimum, we are firm on that," he said, referring to International Maritime Organization type 2 chemical handling standards.
Olofsen said the growth plan is "ambitious" but linked to and based on "having best-in-class crewing on the ships".
"When you are in the chemical trade, most of the performance comes from what happens on board and having the right people on board," he added. "We don't want to compromise on having the best crew."
Olofsen said that for technical and crew management, OSM always employs its own crew on its ships.
"I think that's unique," he said.
Normal business development
The company president said the deal with Navig8 Chemical was "a mix of both" in terms of who approached who.
"We had good collaborations with each other. It's a normal business development," he added.
Olofsen said Copenhagen is a very important strategic location.
"We are creating jobs and supporting the competencies there," he added. "And we are next door to a lot of the large tanker owners in Copenhagen."
Olofsen said the establishing of the "strategic technical vehicle" in Copenhagen is an exciting new opportunity for owners of IMO 2 and 3 tonnage to choose a ship manager "with an owners’ approach" in the city.
Talks continue with other owners about bringing in more vessels.
"We look forward to growing our presence in Copenhagen and welcoming new customers to our platform," Olofsen said.
Experienced team in place
The new operation has started with five staff, including Steffen Tunge, who has been with OSM since 2014.
He was previously managing director in Singapore and the US, and has been in the Norway office for the past few years after stints at Stolt Tankers and B+H Equimar.
"He's a real industry veteran when it comes to chemical tankers," Olofsen said.
Tunge is also involved in Intertanko, where he is active on the chemical-tanker committee.
"Our Copenhagen office has already attracted excellent industry specialists and we look forward to welcoming more talent on board," Olofsen said.
The team also includes vessel managers Kasper Jensen, previously of Team Tankers, and Paul Michael Jorgensen, formerly of Torm and Maersk Tankers; ex-Nordic Tankers executive Rasmus Gruppe as marine manager; and Hakan Aagard, health and safety and vetting manager, also a former Team Tankers and Nordic Tankers man.
In Riga, Latvia, there is also a dedicated crew team headed by Olga Zelenkova, and her two colleagues Janis Daksa and Anna Iljinska.
Olofsen said the team is very much supported by and part of OSM's global organisation.
Natural step for Navig8
Navig8 Chemical Tankers chief executive Jens Gronning said: "With a 32 strong fleet, we felt it was natural to have a third ship-management provider.
"Being situated in Copenhagen ourselves, we of course welcome a new leading and global ship manager in town."
Gronning told TradeWinds his company knew OSM but they had not worked together previously.
"The agreement came about through a standard request for proposal process. The chemical tanker trade is very complex. You can carry so many cargoes on one ship," he said.
"Technical management is quite challenging. The vessels we are looking at to join our management in Copenhagen will be a young fleet."
