Singapore: Today sees the launch of another magazine from the Asia Shipping Media stable, the third in three days. Maritime CEO teamed up with Singapore firm UniMarine to debut a special marine lubricants title in time for the giant SMM shipping show fast approaching in Hamburg.
Inside the magazine readers can find out the challenges owners, operators and managers are facing when selecting a lube supplier as well as solutions on offer.
UniMarine is a spin-off from KPI Bridge Oil, becoming a distinct entity a couple of months ago with lube veteran Caroline Huot at the helm. KPI is itself a subsidiary of Danish giant United Shipping & Trading Company (USTC), which has annual turnovers in excess of $11bn.
“Our business and the drive to give a new focus on marine lubrication and not just on bunkers originated at KPI Bridge Oil, but being a full affiliate of USTC via Bunker Holding gives us a global reach like never before and places UniMarine at the core of shipping,” Huot says.
Having worked for a number of lube suppliers in the past, Huot reckons the sector these days is lacking a real focus on the needs of the shipping industry .
“It is not just necessary to have good products, but also to have them reliably distributed and delivered where and when vessels need them,” she says.
Working on leaner and shorter stocks, many suppliers, she claims, have made shipping a more difficult business by failing to offer worldwide solutions.
“Whole areas of the world are neglected in terms of supply and the impact on shipowners’ running costs, planning and vessels operations is serious,” she says.
Huot and UniMarine will be at SMM in September where, in addition to offering all the new information on the company’s marine lubricants supply solutions and technical services, it will hold technical talks every day and endeavour to bring some clarity on the current and future challenges in terms of marine lubrication.
“Of course our German team members will be present to receive our guests and offer a taste of our warmest UniMarine hospitality,” she adds. UniMarine’s stand is number 219 in hall A2 at SMM.
Readers can access Maritime CEO’s unique guide to marine lubricants which includes a survey with some 100 owners and managers polled by clicking here. [27/08/14]
