Columbia Shipmanagement’s expansion continues as it opens a new Greek office
Columbia Shipmanagement is delighted to announce the official opening of its new office in Greece, in line with the company’s exciting expansion plans.
Situated in Southern Athens near Piraeus, one of Europe’s busiest ports, and close to the capital city, Columbia Shipmanagement Greece will provide ship management and maritime services to new and existing clients. Headed up by Gregory Spourdalakis, General Manager, it will also be able to promptly attend and provide services to all CSM managed vessels as well as other clients & partners requiring support in the area.
The new office officially opened on March 24th and will offer cost-effective and fully optimised support services expertly tailored to individual client’s needs, resulting in the delivery of top quality modular maritime solutions.
An additional benefit to the new office location is its proximity to other Greek commercial ports and access to the service provision of the local services of the CSM network, including the expertise of the Cyprus region and its management capabilities.
Welcoming the opening of the new office, Mark O’Neil, CSM President and CEO, said it was a natural development for CSM to position itself near to what is one of the world’s most important shipowning centres.
“Greece is a major maritime country and the importance of its shipowners and ports cannot be understated. We look forward to working with our existing and new clients to ensure they receive the necessary support they may need to drive forward their businesses and fleets,” he said.
HDI Global Specialty bolsters expansion plans in Canada with new strategic role
HDI Global Specialty SE, the specialty lines insurer has appointed Kelly Callachan as Strategic Relationship Manager. In the newly created role Kelly will be focused on growing single risk business across Canada, with a particular focus on professional lines, aviation, and expansion into new specialist commercial lines.
Kelly has over 18 years’ insurance experience and joins from Northbridge Insurance where she was most recently director of sales and business development. Previous roles include underwriting manager at broker Aon Reed Stenhouse and account manager at broker Waddell Group.
Kelly will report directly to Derek Spafford, General Manager, HDI Global Specialty SE – Canada.
Commenting on the appointment, Derek Spafford said: “I am delighted to welcome Kelly to the business at this important time in our development as we expand our current capabilities and extend into new segments over the next year. The creation of this new role and Kelly’s appointment underline our commitment to both enhancing and expanding our market presence and offering across Canada.”
“I am thrilled to be joining the team at HDI GlobalSpecialty at this exciting time in its development and am looking forwardto playing my part in growing the business in Canada, both in existinglines and as we enter new ones”, Kelly Callachan added.
Meeting of the PPA Management with the Attica Regional Governor G. Patoulis for the expansion of the cruise terminal at the port of Piraeus
The expansion of the Piraeus passenger terminal for the construction of 2 berthing positions for the “new generation” cruise ships over 280 meters long and with 2,500 passengers’ capacity, was the focus of the meeting between Attica Regional Governor G. Patoulis with representatives of the Piraeus Port Authority. The project amounts to € 120 million which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund through Priority Axis 7 of the Regional Operational Program Attica 2014-2020.
In the meeting participated Thanos Liagkos, Member of the PPA BoD representing the PPA S.A. Management, Ch. Gerakarakis, Project Manager of PPA S.A., the Head of the Managing Authority for Operational Programs Attica D. Drosis and other officials from the Attica Region.
It is estimated that the construction works will begin at the end of February 2020 with a 32-month timetable for completion.
On the occasion of the meeting, the Attika Regional Governor pointed out that he pays particular attention to projects that ensure the re-development in Attica and create new prospects in important pillars of the Greek economy such as the cruise sector.
What the project includes
The project of 120 million euro budget concerns the expansion of the Piraeus passenger port to the south, in order 2 berthing positions to be constructed for the “new generation” over 280 meters long cruise ships. The project includes the construction of 150,000 sqm total area expansion, as well as the necessary water drainage networks, fiber optic and power/ water supply networks.
Thessaloniki Port Authority S.A. Selects Consortium led by Hill International as Designer and Project Manager for Major Port Expansion Works
Hill International, the global leader in managing construction risk, announced that it has signed an agreement with the Thessaloniki Port Authority S.A. (THPA) as leader of a consortium including Rogan Associates SA, to provide design and project management services for the planned expansion of the marine works infrastructure of Pier 6.
The Port of Thessaloniki is the most important port of Northern Greece and a key transportation hub for Southeast Europe as a part of the Core Network of the Trans-European Transport Network. It occupies a total area of approximately 1.5 million square meters and hosts a variety of activities, including servicing of all types of cargo, ferry/passenger shipping, and cruises, as well as the Port of Thessaloniki free zone operating under applicable tax and customs legislation.
Following an international privatization process that was concluded in March 2018, the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund entered into a Shares Purchase Agreement with a group of international investors (South Europe Gateway Thessaloniki (SEGT) Limited) for the acquisition of 67% in the share capital of THPA. Pursuant to the terms of the relevant Concession Agreement, THPA is required to implement a minimum of €180M ($203M) capital expenditure program to upgrade the port. The main project relates to the expansion of the marine works infrastructure of Pier 6.
More specifically, the project involves the construction of one new additional quay wall with a minimum continuous length of 440 meters, out of which at least 400 meters provide a minimum draught of -17.60 meters MSL (Mean Sea Level); construction of additional yard area; construction of all complementary infrastructure works needed for the full operation of both the new quay wall and the corresponding yard, including dredging of navigation channel and ship maneuvering area at a minimum water depth of -17.60 m MSL; pavements at the yard area; and utilities networks. The overall duration of the project is 46 months and services to be provided by the consortium include the update and preparation of the detailed design, management of the construction procurement tender, and project management/supervision during construction.
“The upgrade of the Port of Thessaloniki is an investment of particular significance for the city, but also fostering cross-border synergies in Southeast Europe and promoting regional growth,” said Manolis Sigalas, Hill’s Vice President and Managing Director for Southern Europe. “This award augments our global port projects portfolio and is reflective of our distinct capabilities in the region. We are truly honored and, together with our partners, we look forward to working hard with all stakeholders involved for the project’s successful delivery”.