Swire Shipping, specialised in MPP and feeder services, is implementing a new organisational structure, which will also have a direct impact on its project business. The reorganisation also includes the purchase of four multi-purpose vessels.
The shipping company, headquartered in Singapore and well known in this country through its branches and chartering activities, announced today that ‘Swire Projects’, the business unit specialising in project and heavy-lift cargo transport, is to be wound up. The move is due to take place in November, when the brand will be fully integrated into the Swire Shipping brand. According to a statement, this is intended to “bundle maritime transport services under a single, globally recognised identity and strengthen the commitment to customers in the areas of project and heavy-lift logistics”.
The world’s eighth-largest operator – in terms of vessels with a crane capacity of at least 100 tonnes – is also expanding its own fleet. There will be new additions to the fleet, although these are already ‘old acquaintances’ for the carrier. Four of the six multi-purpose heavy-lift vessels that Swire Projects currently operates under lease agreements with Nordic Project & Finance will be purchased. Furthermore, the company has committed to chartering the remaining two vessels for a further two years; this secures capacity and the continuity of customer service whilst ensuring the long-term stability of the fleet. No details were initially provided regarding the purchase price or the charter rate.
“A milestone on Swire’s growth trajectory”
The Swire Group, which includes China Navigation Co. amongst others andis known in this countrynot least for its acquisition of the shipping company August Oetker (RAO) – that is, the bulk operations of the Hamburg Süd Group – has its headquarters in Singapore. With a fleet of around 30 multi-purpose vessels, it operates liner services and logistics solutions in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as trans-Pacific routes between North Asia and the Pacific Northwest. It is also active in the global project logistics market, offering specialised transport services for project cargo and heavy-lift shipments.
“The integration of ‘Projects’ marks an important milestone on our growth trajectory,” said Namir Khanbabi, General Manager of Projects at Swire Shipping. “It strengthens our market offering and enables closer integration with our liner shipping and land logistics services.” The aim is to offer seamless end-to-end solutions in the Asia-Pacific region.
Chief Operating Officer Mark Celenk does not want the phasing out of the ‘Projects’ brand to be interpreted as a lack of confidence in the market for heavy-lift and MPP transport: “By acquiring four vessels and securing access to the two additional vessels, we are strengthening our operational flexibility.”
