Liberian Registry strengthens Asia team to meet growing demand

The Liberian Registry has announced strategic new appointments in a number of key areas within the Asian regional offices operated by its US-based manager, the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR).

Ms. Wan Ching Chiang has been promoted to Registrations Manager for the Liberian Registry in Singapore. Ms. Chiang is embarking on her fifth year with the Liberian Registry, which she joined as Registrations and Corporate Co-ordinator. In her new role, Ms. Chiang will be overseeing vessel mortgage and corporate registrations for the Liberian Registry’s fast- growing number of South-East Asian clients. Ms. Chiang graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and has previous experience with working in the financial industry with both HSBC and Barclays Capital.

The Liberian Registry’s Greater China team has been bolstered by the additions of Mr. Pao Chi Hsu and Mr. Owen Fu as Technical Managers. Mr. Hsu, who holds a Master’s Degree in Ocean Engineering, has previously worked as a lead class surveyor in the Greater China region and as a vessel superintendent for a leading bulk carrier owner. Mr. Fu is taking on this new challenge following a successful career as a leading port state control officer and department head for China’s Maritime and Safety Administration in the port of Ningbo. Mr. Fu obtained his Master’s Degree in Naval Architecture from Shanghai Jiaotong University, and his Ph.D. in Engineering from Shanghai Maritime University. Mr. Hsu’s and Mr. Fu’s expertise with vessel compliance, audits and port state support has played a critical role in significantly reducing the number of detentions of Liberian-flagged vessels in the Tokyo MoU region.

LISCR CEO Scott Bergeron says, “The Liberian Registry has experienced tremendous growth in Asia over a number of years. Most recently, that growth has accelerated following the historic Agreement on Maritime Transport between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of Liberia, under which Liberian-flag vessels will be charged a preferential rate for tonnage dues when visiting any port in China.

“The Liberian Registry is committed to expanding its network of professionals to meet increasing demand, providing expertise and advice when and where it is needed, and adding to our core strength of offering timely, informed and innovative service to our continually expanding client base.

“Asia is a vibrant and vital hub in the worldwide shipping chain, and increasing numbers of owners from the region are putting their trust – and their ships – in the Liberian Registry. These recent executive appointments confirm our commitment to providing the best service available to shipowners, operators and managers anywhere in the market today.”

The Liberian Registry has long been considered the world’s most technologically advanced maritime administration. It has a long-established track record of combining the highest standards of safety for vessels and crews with the highest levels of responsive service to owners. Moreover, it has a well-deserved reputation for supporting international legislation designed to maintain and improve the safety and effectiveness of the shipping industry and protection of the marine environment.

www.liscr.com

Moore Stephens welcomes EC decision to maintain maritime state aid guidelines

International accountant and shipping adviser Moore Stephens has welcomed a decision by the European Commission to keep in place in their current form the guidelines relating to state aid to maritime transport, which include EU tonnage tax regimes. The decision follows an EC review of the guidelines and has been formally communicated to the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA).

Sue Bill, a tax partner with Moore Stephens, says, “This is extremely good news for the shipping industry, both in the UK and elsewhere in the EU, which is facing severe competition from countries such as Singapore. It means they can now rely on a stable tax regime for the foreseeable future.

“It is understood that there are some outstanding issues relating to the guidelines which are still to be clarified. But it is believed that these are relatively minor points, and should not dilute the satisfactory overall conclusion of the review, which had generated widespread interest and concern in the shipping industry.”

Moore Stephens LLP is noted for a number of industry specialisations and is widely acknowledged as a leading shipping and insurance adviser. Moore Stephens LLP is a member firm of Moore Stephens International Limited, one of the world's leading accounting and consulting associations, with 624 offices of independent member firms in over 100 countries, employing 21,224 people and generating revenues in 2012 of $2.3 billion. www.moorestephens.co.uk

For more information:
Sue Bill
Moore Stephens LLP
Tel: +44 (0)20 7334 9191
sue.bill@moorestephens.com

Lubmarine launches three new barges in Singapore

LEADING international marine lubricant supplier TOTAL Lubmarine has further strengthened its global service offering to the shipping industry with the introduction of three brand-new barges at the port of Singapore.

The 700 dwt double-hulled barges – Marine Champion, Marine Prospect, and Marine Talent - have a cargo load capacity of 860 cu m for bulk and packaged lubricants, and are fitted with state-of-the-art firefighting equipment. They will be operated by Lubmarine’s logistics partner, Singapore-based Ocean Tankers, which operates a diverse fleet of support vessels and is a specialist in ship-to-ship transfers.

           

Serge DAL FARRA, Head of Marketing at Lubmarine, says, “The investment made in these barges confirms Lubmarine’s commitment to the very highest standards of safety and excellence in the best interests of its customers. It also underlines our determination to provide the highest level of responsive service, and access to our innovative range of products, in one of the world’s busiest and most strategically located ports.

“We are delighted to be working in Singapore with Ocean Tankers, which shares our commitment to safety and excellence. Lubmarine has a very strong presence in Asia through its network of supply and service centres. This will become even stronger following the introduction of the new barges in Singapore.”

For photos of the Marine Champion and Marine Prospect, go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/Merlinclients/Lubmarine, or email chris@merlinco.com

l Lubmarine is the worldwide marine lubricants network of oil major Total. As a key industry player, Total is committed to achieving a level of excellence which meets its customers’ needs by providing the right product, in the right place, at the right time, backed by first-class support and expertise.

For more information:

Serge DAL-FARRA

Total Marketing and Analysis Department

+ 33(0)1 41 35 95 55

serge.dal-farra@total.com

Wikborg Rein expands capabilities with Brazil alliance

LEADING international law firm Wikborg Rein has concluded an alliance with one of Brazil’s leading law firms, Vieira, Rezende, Barbosa e Guerreiro Advogados (VRBG), which will have significant benefits for the international clients of both firms.

The best friend alliance agreement between the two firms will include co-operation on client referrals and joint assignments, and will also involve the exchange of lawyers and competence building.

Wikborg Rein Global Managing Partner, Susanne Munch Thore, says, “Brazil has developed into a high-priority market for many of our clients, and it is important that, as a leading provider of international legal services, we have the capacity to support our clients wherever business takes them.

“This is the first time one of the top international shipping and offshore oil & gas firms has made a commitment like this. It demonstrates our understanding of the commercial realities of the market, and where growth will come from for our clients.”

Partner Finn Bjørnstad, who will shortly be taking up the role of managing partner in Wikborg Rein's London office, has considerable experience in supporting clients in Brazil. He says, “VRBG is internationally recognised as one of Brazil’s leading law firms, with an excellent track record in the offshore oil and gas sector. It is ideally placed to work with international clients looking to develop opportunities in a market with such great potential.”

For a number of years, Wikborg Rein has supported its clients as they have developed their Brazilian business interests, specifically in the offshore oil & gas sector. However, with an increase in offshore oil & gas investment in Brazil, it recognised that there was a need to provide high-quality ‘on the ground’ legal support.

From June 2011, Wikborg Rein will have one senior lawyer working out of the VRBG office in Rio de Janeiro, and VRBG will have one lawyer working out of the Wikborg Rein office in Shanghai.

The alliance will have major benefits for the international clients of both firms. Geir Sviggum, the partner who heads up Wikborg Rein’s Shanghai office, sees significant advantages in this relationship as links between China and Brazil develop. He says, “The transfer of skills, knowledge, and people will provide both firms’ clients with access to advisers who have extensive offshore oil and gas experience, and who really understand the key issues in two of the world’s most significant developing markets - China and Brazil.

"Our Shanghai office already provides support to Chinese clients looking to develop their interests in Brazil. This agreement cements our position as global leaders in this area.”

Chris Grieveson, a partner in Wikborg Rein’s Singapore office, meanwhile notes, “I believe we are now in a position to provide an unrivalled service. If you are based in wider Asia and are looking to develop your business in Brazil, come and discuss it with us. We have a Brazilian expert sitting in our offices.”

This agreement secures Wikborg Rein’s clients access to the best legal resources in Brazil, and will be a platform for Wikborg Rein to continue to add value to its clients’ business interests.

Read more about Wikborg Rein's Brazil team at http://www.wr.no/ and about VRBG at http://www.vrbg.com.br/

About Wikborg Rein

Established in 1923 with large offices in Oslo and Bergen, and employing 215 lawyers worldwide, Wikborg Rein is one of Norway’s leading full service commercial law firms. It is a pre-eminent law firm in the shipping and offshore sector, and a major player on the international scene. Services to the maritime industry include ship, project and lease finance, corporate, contract negotiation, offshore and construction projects, sale and purchase, ship registration, insurance, casualty response, carriage of goods, ship arrest and international dispute resolution. More information on the firm and its partners can be found at www.wr.no

For further information:

Susanne Munch Thore
Managing Partner, Wikborg Rein (Norway)
Tel: (+47) 22 82 76 18
Mobile: (+47) 911 36 899 Email: smt@wr.no

Geir Sviggum
Partner (Shanghai)
Tel: (+86) 21 6339
Mobile: (+86) 13 9186 13473 Email: gsv@wrco.com.cn

Chris Grieveson
Partner (Singapore)
Tel: (+65) 6438 4498Mobile: (+65) 9112 8445 Email: cjg@wr.com.sg

IBIA team expands in Singapore

IBIA team expands in Singapore

THE International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) has appointed Kwok Fook Sing as the new full-time regional manager of its Asia branch in Singapore.

Kwok Fook Sing will be responsible for increasing technical support to members, both regionally and globally, as well as developing the IBIA training courses and the Asia membership.

Fook Sing has over twenty years’ experience in the maritime industry. Before joining IBIA, he was employed as Marine Engineering Manager at Wavelink Maritime Institute Pte Ltd, where he developed, implemented and managed the IBIA Bunker Surveyor Course as well as other courses for the Maritime Port Authority, Singapore.

This experience will now be used to manage the IBIA training course portfolio and to help IBIA offer technical advice and support to its members.

Fook Sing says, “Bunkering plays a vital role in the maritime industry. It has evolved into a specialised business, managed by suitably qualified and experienced people. I am passionate about training, and I am looking forward to using my experience, both as a seagoing marine engineer and in the shore-based sector, to improve still further the training and competence levels throughout IBIA”.

Ian Adams, chief executive of IBIA, says, “Over the last two years IBIA has experienced a big increase in its membership, and we have to ensure that our staffing levels are sufficient to meet the members’ expectations. I am very confident that we have found the right person in Kwok Fook Sing to help develop our Singapore branch and to increase the level of technical skills available to our members globally, and particularly in the Far East and Australasia.”

Note to editors
Founded in 1993, IBIA is the trade association of the global bunker industry. Its membership is drawn from bunker buyers, traders, brokers, suppliers and service companies worldwide. IBIA is dedicated to promoting quality and professionalism in international bunkering, and is engaged in a series of long-term initiatives designed to raise standards in the industry. http://www.ibia.net


For more information:
Ian Adams
IBIA
+44 (0) 2380 226 555
ian.adams@ibia.net