May 20 - Long-established UK liner shipping agency Johnson Stevens Agencies has entered into administration with the administrators, accountancy firm PKF, already agreeing deals shipping industry entrepreneur, Andrew Thorne to acquire certain assets from

Thorne, who owns several shipping companies in the UK and overseas, will take on certain of the shipping lines which were previously represented by the Johnson Stevens business with immediate effect, under the name JSA Global Ltd.

The Johnson Stevens agency had experienced trading problems after it became subject to a European trade embargo through their representation of IRISL, the state-run Iranian shipping line. The administrators have said that the company had traded successfully for many years but had suffered badly after its bank account was frozen following the embargo on IRISL last year. Prior to this troubled period, Johnson Stevens had a rich and successful history and was the leading liner agent in UK. It was established in 1976.

IRISL has more than 110 vessels and handles break bulk and heavy lift cargoes. It has a number of multi-purpose vessels, equipped with very efficient heavy lift cranes ranging from 60 to 300 tonnes.

"This acquisition of Johnson Stevens assets and the lines it represents is good news for our company, the staff of Johnson Stevens and for all our principals."

A number of Johnson Stevens representations, which are either unprofitable or where the line concerned has not agreed to a transfer, remain in the hands of the administrators.

Topics