V.Group the world’s leading independent ship management company says, digitalisation, market changes and the sulphur cap are boosting the role of shipmanagers in the container sector.
V.Ships has a growing box ship fleet at a time the container market copes with greater requirements placed on operators, such as the 2020 sulphur cap, says an article published in Riviera Maritime Media.
V.Ships container fleet
V.Ships (Germany) container fleet is extensive, ranging from small feeder vessels to large post-panamax container ships.
V.Ships (Germany) managing director Nils Aden tells Container Shipping & Trade says, though these are managed globally through several different offices, there is a specific focus on container ships from Hamburg.
Key factors for Shipmanagers’ growth
He singles out key factors for shipmanagers’ growth within the container ship sector.
According to Mr. Aden, there are two key reasons the container market is undergoing changes and different structural changes.
Old KG market has collapse
One reason is local to Hamburg and Germany, where the old KG market has collapsed.
Therefore, some smaller owners and managers are leaving the market and new players are entering this market as owners.
Professional shipmanagers
We see a shift from smaller inhouse managed companies to professional shipmanagers.
It is a growing market and we also see a growing market for professional shipmanagement companies to enter this market on a larger scale.
Highly professional service delivery
He says besides such structural changes, a move towards a very professionalised approach to these markets is seen, which is just a smaller part of the global logistics chain.
The final clients, whether they are final clients of liner companies or the liner companies themselves, they require a highly professional service delivery.
“We are part of that service delivery. We see a growing market here because this is where we can enter as a service.”
Increase in service requirements
Mr Aden says service requirements from liner companies are increasing due to more regulations and requirements, including the 2020 sulphur cap.
“We constantly look at 2020 as there are a huge number of details that need to be taken care of. If we look at how many different requirements are placed on the manager of a small fleet, it is difficult to cope with, so it is better to use a large player like us with those capacities in-house. That is a global reason for a large ship manager to play a leading role in servicing liner companies.”
2020 impact on shipmanagers and container ship sector
Mr. Aden says that V.Ship has a dedicated team dealing with 2020 sulphur cap and its impact on shipmanagers and the container ship sector.
He says “We are a service provider and that means we give guidance to owners on specific vessels. We provide a key service, assisting owners installing scrubbers or making vessels ready for a new fuel. We serve both alternatives. Having many clients, we have vast experience of preparing for 2020 and we have a wide range of know-how available to service both options very well.”
Higher fuel prices challenges
Mr Aden said a fuel prices rise is expected, especially on ships without scrubbers come 2020.
He added that they deliver below services for the next few months and probably years:
- service to monitor,
- control and
- minimise fuel consumption so clients get what they expect from a ship when they charter it.
Digitalisation
He underlines another key trend as being digitalisation, which V.Ships is very focused on. “It is really on the agenda for shipowners and as shipmanagers we have invested quite heavily in this, as part of our ShipSure solution.”
This digital solution covers all services offered by V.Ships. Mr Aden says it has been upgraded significantly and can now interface with clients.
Transparency and consistency of service
“This is a huge step forward as is not just tailor-made for our needs but is consistent for all the ships we manage. It is a major step forward to get away from smaller, island-like solutions, and have one key tool. It covers the whole shipmanagement business in one system and allows the client to interface and look into the ship and service we deliver in real-time. We can tailor the system to specific client requirements.”
He added that it boosts transparency and consistency of service, especially as it covers both ship and shore.
Investments
He is keen to note that while this is a very important step within digitalisation, the investment is not a one-off but will continue. “ShipSure is a product that is never completed as digitalisation is developing fast. This is an ongoing journey, continually enhanced with new modules and interfaces.”
Did you subscribe to our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Riviera Maritime Media
