China Navigation launches Swire Projects with former Zeamarine staff

China Navigation is ramping its project cargo business by launching Swire Projects, a new business that will develop an “independent global strategy in the multipurpose & heavy-lift market”. The company has hired seasoned professionals from Zeamarine and Kuehne Nagel to lead the business.

Zeamarine’s former director for Asia and Oceania, Namir Khanbabi, will assume the role of general manager of Swire Projects. Matthias Kremser, who worked as chartering manager and regional director Europe at Zeamarine, has taken the position of Head of Chartering, while former Zeamarine COO Nicki Schumacher takes the helm at the company’s division in Europe. The Americas team will be based in Vancouver and Houston and is lead by Rufus Frere-Smith, who for the past five years worked as vice president of oil and gas projects at Kuehne Nagel.

Working closely with Swire Bulk, which operates 180 Handysize, Supramax, Ultramax and Panamax dry bulk vessels, Swire Projects will be offering global parcelling services global project parceling services for project cargo. The company aims to transport wind energy components and heavy civil infrastructure material in particular.

Swire Bulk’s global network will also enable the projects team to participate in early works infrastructure requirements, where bulk construction materials are required for civil and marine infrastructure projects, the company states.

In addition to utilising China Navigation’s large fleet of dry bulk vessels, Swire Projects will also operate specialised tonnage tailored to specific project requirements. For offshore projects, the new company can offer fully integrated ocean transportation solutions by working in close alliance with Swire Pacific Offshore.