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Due to ongoing delays in completion and the resulting difficulties of safely securing charters for the vessels, E.R. Schiffahrt recently cancelled orders placed with the Korean shipyard Sekwang for four anchor handling tug supply vessels. However, the company is still planning a further expansion of its offshore fleet. ‘We are intensifying our offshore fleet operations in Brazil, a region in which better and longer charter conditions can be arranged’, says Albert Schumacher, Chief Executive Officer at E.R. Schiffahrt. Revenue pools effective in volatile markets ‘We expect that the situation on the marine market will remain volatile. This is why we are extremely happy that all our bulk carriers are currently chartered long-term and also that upon delivery all eight of our 13,100 TEU container vessels will be on a 15-year time charter to one of the industry’s top operators’, reports Schumacher. The future plans of E.R. Schiffahrt foresee more ships operating in revenue pools. ‘Our policy of integrating a part of our fleet into revenue pools has proved to have been a very effective strategy. Pools are particularly effective in safeguarding the revenue situations of individual vessels in times of uncertainty and volatile markets’, explains Schumacher. Today, a third of the company’s vessels operate in pools. Piracy becomes a growing threat for ship owners The increase in piracy in the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean and off the coast of West Africa is a serious cause of concern for the management of the shipping company. In the course of 2010, three container vessels operated by E.R. Schiffahrt were attacked by Somali pirates or chased by small boats known as skiffs. Fortunately, thanks to the size and speed of the container ships and the vigilance of their crews, the vessels were able to escape. ‘We welcome all the measures taken by the German government so far with a view to the protection of our crews and ships, but we cannot ignore the fact that the security situation remains a constant threat’, says Schumacher. Referring to the scheduled piracy summit conference planned by the government for 24 January and the discussions on further measures with ship owners and operators, he adds: ‘We, as ship owners, are of course prepared to make further contributions to the protection of our seamen.’ E.R. Schiffahrt brings more ships under the German flag E.R. Schiffahrt is committed to the maritime alliance with the government. In addition to the ten vessels already sailing under the German flag, a further five units will soon also be flying colours in black, red and gold. E.R. Schiffahrt will hereby once again fulfil the quota agreed with the government. Although the company had already fulfilled its quota until 2009, cost considerations during the shipping crisis prevented it from bringing further vessels under the German flag. ‘It is important that German shipping operators show solidarity by fulfilling commitments declared within the context of the maritime alliance.’ ‘It is, however,’ Schumacher emphasises, ‘also important that the conditions for sailing under the German flag are adapted to meet the competitive requirements of an international marketplace. We will play our role in ensuring that new suggestions are on the agenda in time for the National Maritime Conference in Wilhelmshaven.’ E.R. Schiffahrt intensifies training 53 technical and nautical officer cadets are currently in training on vessels operated by E.R. Schiffahrt. Parallel to the growth of the fleet, the company also intends to create 22 additional training opportunities on its vessels in the course of this year. ‘The people on board are instrumental in ensuring the quality and reliability of our vessels. In the words of Mr Schumacher, ‘The objective of training our young people is to ensure that E.R Schiffahrt can continue to employ highly qualified officers for our future onboard operations.’ E.R. Schiffahrt GmbH & Cie. |
E.R. Schiffahrt: fleet growth in 2010 reaches record levels