Skills
⦿ Strong working knowledge of ship operations, both strategic and day-to-day from an owners viewpoint.
⦿ The positioning and long/short term deployment of ships of various types but in particular bulk carriers and product/chemical tankers with an understanding of their markets and trading areas.
⦿ A full understanding of GA, H&M, P&I and FD&D insurance, both their working and placing.
⦿ Wide experience in responding to problems arising during the course of trading and operations and in particular working with insurers, lawyers and experts from the owners perspective in the event of casualties (groundings etc), cargo loss or damage, sale & purchase, newbuildings and commercial FD&D disputes etc.
⦿ Many years of practical experience negotiating and implementing charterparties, MOAs and newbuilding contracts.
Professional Experience
PANOCEANIC BULK CARRIERS (UK) LIMITED
Managing Director – London 2003-2022
⦿ Reporting to the Owner / Chairman with responsibility for all day to day commercial, technical and financial operation of a fleet of bulk carriers and product / chemical carriers. Role included:
⦿ Oversight of all chartering and commercial activities for the company’s own vessels and also for the parent group’s fleet in India.
⦿ Negotiation of all newbuilding and S&P contracts, including contracts for the construction of vessels in Japan, South Korea and China with a value in excess of US$ 500m.
⦿ Monitoring of technical managers and all technical issues including budgetary control. This included periodic vessel inspections and attendance during major works such as drydockings.
⦿ Handling of all H&M and P&I insurance coverage for the fleet, including claims handling.
In 2020 the Owner / Chairman retired and I sold the remaining vessels. Since then I have been winding up loose ends, including outstanding P&I and FD&D claims ….. and home schooling two children during lockdowns.
ASP SHIP MANAGEMENT
Fleet Manager – Gladstone Queensland 2001-2003
A two year assignment for the group owner working on a major logistics project in conjunction with Rio Tinto.
During this time I was also responsible for managing the ASP office in Gladstone and overseeing all aspects of the operation of a fleet of Australian flag / crewed bulk carriers for major industrial clients such as Rio Tinto, Comalco and Queensland Alumina.
Director European Operations – London 1998-2001
Following the group’s acquisition of ASP Ship Management, the business of Seahorse was transferred to ASP. My previous responsibilities with Seahorse continued under ASP, but in addition the role included:
⦿ Acting as Chairman of the group’s crewing subsidiary based in Singapore.
⦿ Representing the Australian Shipowners Assoc. on the International Shipping Federation’s Labour Affairs Committee.
⦿ Representing the group on the International Maritime Employers Committee.
⦿ Coordinating group insurance coverage.
⦿ Developing group shipbroking activities.
SEAHORSE SHIP MANAGEMENT LIMITED
Managing Director – London 1988-1998
Initially joined the company as Operations Manager and progressed to Managing Director, reporting directly to the Owner on all aspects of the operation of a fleet of panamax and capesize bulk carriers in worldwide trades. Achievements during this period include:
⦿ Specification and contract finalisation for multiple Japanese newbuildings, including bareboat hire purchase finance with a major Japanese trading house.
⦿ Participation in a US$ 100m junk bond issue by the company to finance fleet expansion.
⦿ Implementation of successful cost saving and efficiency programme for the fleet which saw unscheduled downtime fall below 24 hours per vessel per annum.
⦿ Established system for recruitment and retention of a core group of experienced seafarers for use on the company’s vessels.
⦿ Oversight of preparation and implementation of the company’s SMS enabling compliance and certification to be achieved 17 months ahead of statutory implementation date.
THE BANK LINE LIMITED (ANDREW WEIR)
Operations Assistant / Assistant Line Manager – London 1980-1988
Began shipping career with Bank Line in their Chartering / Operations Dept where I obtained solid experience in shipbroking and tramp operations for a fleet of multipurpose tweendeckers, as well as breakbulk / container liner services. During this time I qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.
Education
LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (1982-1986)
