October 4 - BBC Chartering is establishing a global project division "aiming at the exclusive delivery of high-profile heavy lift project tenders".
The heavy lift capabilities of BBC's fleet increased significantly earlier this year following an extensive fleet renewal and modernisation programme and the delivery of heavy lift vessels BBC Everest, BBC Fuji (pictured below) and BBC Amber.
Commenting on the development, Svend Andersen, managing director of BBC Chartering said: "We are aware of the fact that operating and marketing of vessel capacity is not sufficient if we strive for a leading role in this high-end cargo market. Many projects in this range follow a different sales cycle and delivery process if compared to our traditional business, especially regarding the required transport engineering.
"We can clearly see the benefits of a project-oriented organisation for these types of cargo. By the end of 2013 we plan to operate 22 vessels in this segment."
Roberto Frigeni will be responsible for the new BBC project division which is set up as a cross-functional service unit.
Frigeni, who brings more than 18 years experience in the project cargo and heavy lift sector, says: "We have installed a global team of experts that puts a distinct focus on project related activities. We are prepared and we will continue to strengthen the worldwide setup of our services supplying the required resources which will enable us to effectively manage and deliver on project tenders and their engineering requirements. The transport engineering represents a weighty line of action."
The company says it will use its three global service hubs - Leer, Singapore and Houston - for the set up of its project division activities.
