Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement Hellas σε μια σταθερή πορεία ανάπτυξης

Η Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement Hellas ( BSM ) ιδρύθηκε πριν από εννέα χρόνια , το Μάιο 2005, με σταθερή πάντα φιλοσοφία την ποιοτική διαχείριση του πλοίου και τις μακροπρόθεσμες επιχειρηματικές σχέσεις με την ελληνική ναυτιλιακή αγορά.

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement Hellas on a steady course of growth

Following the philosophy of the Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement Group, to achieve Customer Delight and meet the Greek shipping market needs, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement Hellas has managed to establish a third party management office with a clear understanding of the local environment.

Mr. Theophanis Theophanous, managing director of BSM Hellas explains “Since Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement Hellas (BSM) was founded nine years ago, in May 2005, our company has continued to offer crew, technical, quality and safety management services to the Greek Shipping Market. Steady development of our fleet and office resources over the years has allowed for a clear understanding of the local environment, whilst delivering management for a varied fleet of vessels has founded a proficient and experienced Shore Team. We closely follow the philosophy of the Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement Group, where we first and foremost strive to achieve “Customer Delight”, which in turn enables us to foster long-term business relationships.

Certainly the economic situation in Greece, as well as the revision of the local Tonnage Taxation charges has forced ourselves, as it will also other third party shipmanagers operating locally, to be more conservative. However, it is imperative as with all other commercial challenges, to establish steadfast solutions for endurance of such testing times and to maintain solid provision of services for the Owners whom have entrusted their vessels with us.

Alongside the provision of crew and technical management, BSM Hellas also utilises the comprehensive range of additional Group value-added services, in order to individually tailor and meet the exact requirements of each client. These include chartering and post-fixture, maritime catering and insurance services, newbuilding and conversion projects handling, port agencies, maritime and corporate travel services, liquefied gas consultancy, maritime communication services, technical consultancy as well as IT and software solutions. With the organically developed capability of such a wide scope of services, BSM has made its mark in the industry as a multifaceted ‘Maritime Solutions Provider’.

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement Hellas was fortunate to have expanded into the LNG market within 2013 and with predicted substantial growth in this sector and the development of our local expertise in this field, we are optimistic that we can also broaden our LNG fleet with the long term goal for us to become an expert LNG manager not only for Greece, but for all close geographical regions”.

Regarding more sophisticated vessels such as LNG ships, offshore units and DP shuttle tankers Mr. Theophanous confirms that BSM Hellas has entered with great success in this demanding sector “Absolutely, given the well-known fact that there is an all round shortage of Seafarers, further magnified for “specialised” vessels, planning even one to two years in advance is crucial to assemble and mobilise required crew.

One method of such future planning is through the careful development of qualified Junior Officers, which BSM achieves via our cadet sponsorship programme. Each cadet learns and progresses within our company giving them an in-depth understanding of our corporate culture and client demands, as well as a profound knowledge of our company procedures. Apart from the expected complete programme of trainee studies, each cadet receives extensive training onboard a diverse range of vessels, so that all may fulfil their full potential.

Training obviously plays a vital role in increasing the competence of personnel and allows the generation of pools of experienced and loyal crew. For LNG ships specifically, SIGGTO’s matrix is clearly the paradigm with regards to the training standards and experience levels of seafarers. The Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement Group also has a collection of in-house LNG experts, whom are part of the SIGGTO committee, available for bespoke training purposes, consultancy and advice”.

According to Mr. Theophanous on MLC 2006 “We fully support the notion that Seafarers welfare should always be considered with precedence. Onboard, crew are at the forefront of all activities and are the key to each vessel’s safe and smooth day-to-day operations. Ensuring a high standard of living and working conditions for these Seafarers and warranting that such circumstances are continually improved, with legislation such as the MLC, results in gratified crew and thus contributes to the safeguard of each ship and Owners’ interest.

BSM began the process of MLC adaptation as early as March 2012 through gap analysis, documentation review and sample audits of our ships and office. The findings of which, along with the specific flag requirements were internally collated and used to amend all aspects of our operational manuals, respective documentation and for corresponding familiarisation of all staff onboard and ashore.

The responsibilities imposed by MLC were and are not very difficult to achieve for Companies which diligently comply with ISM and other conventions. Resultant revision of the stipulations of each Seafarer’s employment agreement, secured more favourable terms and conditions relating to wages, repatriation, financial security and working hours as well as providing more transparency and clearer contractual accountability, giving added security to each crew member. In the wider industry, the MLC will definitely go a long way in protecting the interest of the seafarers and ensure that they are not exploited.

Recent steps taken by BSM to enhance our Seafarers’ welfare include the promotion and implementation of controlled crew internet access onboard as well as working towards a project of enriched ship board recreational and exercise facilities”.

Mr. Theophanous adds “We believe that it is our duty to make the most of economies of scale available to a large organisation, such as Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement and that it is imperative to focus on lessening costs, where practically possible, so that Owners can gain from the benefits third party management has to offer. BSM has a keenly focused Supply Chain Management team, working continuously to attain invaluable synergies with service providers and suppliers. Contracted partnerships allow us to access the best quality, at optimal cost, which brings down the operational budgets for our Owners but never at the expense of the safety and quality of our fleet”.

Mr. Theophanous explains how BSM Hellas can offer proactive crew management services for the interest of Greek shipowners. “It is true that a vessel is only as good as the crew who sail on her and given this, as Principals react to challenging markets as well as expanding their fleets and focusing on new vessel types, they will also strive to find experienced and expert crew to run their vessels. This is where a first class third party shipmanager really comes into play, helping to solve such problems using their know-how and vast resources to offer hassle free crewing services.

BSM has its own comprehensive Global network of Crew Service Centres located in fundamental recruitment countries. This structure permits us to stay close to the Seafarers, control the manning process and puts us in a position to meet a diverse range of crew requirements. BSM’s Seafarers’ network consists of about 18,000 crew of 40 nationalities, which is a strong workforce allowing provision of crew management for all varieties of vessels and specialised ships.

Dedication to human resources and enlisting high calibre Seafarers not only benefits BSM, but also guarantees its clients’ a portfolio of competent, ambitious and well-trained professionals who are able to meet the most demanding requirements. Locally our Fleet Personnel team relentlessly endeavour to build dedicated pools of crew, per Owner and vessel, as well as ensuring retention of quality staff and continuity, accomplished through careful relief planning.

BSM firmly believes that a structured integrated training program of life long learning is the optimum way forward in developing and retaining seafarers and maintaining their professional skills. Therefore, we continuously invest time and money in increasing the competence of our onboard staff, in line with evolving technology, National and International seamanship and engineering standards. We have dedicated Maritime Training Centres, strategically located for maximum utilisation, which are furnished with the latest equipment and modules to keep abreast of the ongoing technological and operational developments”.

Finally, he refers to the hot issues of crew management in the next few years and the future plans of the company “An ever increasing shortage of crew remains a major issue and can be expected not just for the next one to two years but for the foreseeable future. Those companies that invest in their human resources and develop strategic plans from now, of how to cover shortages, will however prosper.

BSM Hellas going forward will be focusing on cultivating our relations with the Greek market. Although we will be working towards expansion of the familiarity of BSM locally, it remains of the utmost importance to concentrate our efforts in providing first class services to our existing clients and further strengthen our partnerships, to cultivate the long-term business relationships we hold in such high esteem”.

source:elnavi