YCF Group expands management team in Germany

The YCF Group has appointed Carsten Gierga as managing director responsible for its activities in Germany. Suwarie Topaz, general manager, has also been promoted to vice-president, global marketing and business development with worldwide responsibilities.

The YCF Group of companies includes the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), the exclusive administrator of the world’s largest quality ship register, EuroFlag Services (EFS), a Luxembourg-resident company which performs ship registration and management services for shipowners seeking to register vessels under the Luxembourg flag, and EMA Manning Agency, a specialised provider of marine engineers and electricians.

Carsten Gierga was previously managing director of Hamburg-based shipmanagement specialist Interorient Marine Services (Germany). He has extensive executive experience of the shipping industry, having also served as fleet personnel manager for various shipmanagers, including Dobson Fleet Management, and E R Schiffahrt. In addition, he enjoyed a distinguished career in the German Navy.

In his newly created role, Carsten will oversee and direct YCF’s operations in Germany. He says, “I am excited at the prospect of working with the YCF Group, which has established itself as the leading name in both ship registry and engineering manning services.”

Suwarie Topaz, well-known in shipping circles, has been leading the ship registry operations in Germany for the past year as general manager of YCF’s dedicated office in Hamburg. She will now begin to focus her attention on overseeing the global marketing and business development activities of the group. Suwarie says, “I am pleased that the YCF Group was able to recruit someone with as much experience and passion for shipping as Carsten has demonstrated throughout his career. He is well-positioned to make our strong team even stronger. We provide a high level of service to the shipping industry and I am proud to take a leading role in spreading our message.”

Scott Bergeron, CEO says, “We are delighted to welcome Carsten into the YCF Group. His specific knowledge of the German maritime sector, and indeed of the international shipping industry, will strengthen still further YCF’s leading role as a provider of high-quality maritime services.”

Regarding Suwarie Topaz’s promotion, Bergeron says, “With Carsten’s appointment, Suwarie will be able to focus her unparalleled skills on her professional passion – developing synergetic relationships that lead to satisfied clients and growth in business.”

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