Tidemand family company Eastern Bulk Carriers has returned to Australia after over half a decade amid a growth effort which could see its fleet double in the coming years.
Bard Osland, a former Thoresen and Island View Shipping man who joined Eastern Bulk in 2016, is relocating from Dubai to head up the new office in Melbourne.
Osland grew up in the Australian port city and believes the office will aid both the company’s time zone coverage and market position.
Eastern Bulk has around 25 to 30 ships under control and wants to grow that figure to 50 to 60 vessels, Osland explained.
Presently the company operates ships in the 45,000-dwt to 65,000-dwt range. However, the growth efforts could also see it push into smaller asset classes.
The Tidemand family previously opened a dry bulk office in Australia back in the late 90s but closed that operation back in 2013.
“We face fierce competition and we must work hard for the margins. Still, our strength is delivering results and finding the best solutions,” Osland said in a statement.
The company has a positive view of the market and is waiting for the X-factor impact on fuel prices following the arrival of IMO 2020, he adds.
