Expanding Scottish shipowner North Star is widening its reach by recruiting Bernhard Schulte Offshore chartering manager Bruno Bartel.
The former shipbroker has been appointed European renewables lead.
Stationed in Hamburg, Bartel will be instrumental in advancing the strategic growth objectives of the hybrid service operation vessel owner in the region, North Star said.
North Star has been moving beyond its North Sea base and Bartel will be the main contact for European clients.
The idea is to build the European team with more recruits.
Bartel was at Bernhard Schulte for five months, handling SOVs and commissioning service vessel operations.
Before that, he worked in sale-and-purchase operations at Peter Dohle Schiffahrts for a year, following stints as a charterer with HGK Gas Shipping and Imperial Gas Barging.
North Star said Bartel began his career at a Hamburg-based offshore wind brokerage.
North Star chief executive Matthew Gordon said: “We are thrilled to welcome Bruno to North Star as we continue to expand our presence in the European offshore wind market.
“His extensive maritime experience, energy and deep understanding of the chartering sector will be invaluable as we work towards our strategic goal of adding 40 hybrid SOVs to our fleet by 2040.”
First German contract
In February, North Star secured a newbuilding contract for its first SOV to be deployed off Germany.
An SOV will work at EnBW’s He Dreiht wind farm on a decade-long charter from the end of next year.
Bartel said many aspects of North Star’s operation attracted him, “including its rich 137-year legacy, hands-on personable approach, in-house cadet programme and SOV training”.
He said: “Overall, North Star’s expert ship and technical management skills and proven track record for reliability and safety sets the business leagues apart from the competition.”
North Star entered the SOV market in December 2021, ordering eight vessels.
In June, the owner clinched up to £425m ($539m) in new financing for expansion.
The group has UK bases in Aberdeen, Lowestoft and Newcastle, and also operates 41 multipurpose offshore ships in the North Sea.
