Sergey Frank congratulates Novoship on its 50th anniversary
Sergey Frank, President and CEO of Sovcomflot, Chairman of Novoship BoD congratulates Novoship on its 50th anniversary. IAA PortNews is pleased to publish the greetings:
Dear colleagues and friends! Dear veterans!
On 20 January 2017 Novorossiysk Shipping Company celebrates its 50th anniversary. On behalf of Novoship BoD and Sovcomflot BoD I congratulate you on this landmark event, important for both our Group of Companies and for the entire maritime community of Russia!
Novorossiysk Shipping Company was founded on the age-old traditions of tanker fleet operation in the Black Sea Basin. Since the time when Russian tanker Svet left for the Black Sea voyage in 1885, the company has covered hundreds of nautical miles and has seen several generations of seafarers with knowledge, experience, love of the sea and seamanship transmitted from one to the other.
During the severe years of war Sovtanker vessels used to carry cargoes for the front needs, participated in legendary Arctic convoys. Having entered their peaceful life after the war, the seafarers were restoring the fleet operation and mastering more sophisticated vessels and new routes for transportation of crude oil and oil products.
In 1964, the tanker branch of the Black Sea Shipping Company was moved from Odessa to Novorossiysk where prompt arrangements were required as well as supply of qualified personnel and consolidation of maritime organizations in the region. This task was performed admirably by Orest Sychenikov. It was under his management that the shipping company took the lead both in terms of the fleet size and in terms of cargo turnover. Just four years after its foundation the company was awarded with the Order of the October Revolution.
The company maintained the momentum the following years. The soviet tanker fleet enhanced its global stature in the market of transport service, intense mastering of specialized large capacity fleet was underway.
That was an era of legendary people including Leonid Kryshtyn, Chief Engineer throughout a 30-year long period, and Hero of Socialist Labor Gennady Fedchenko, Head of Navigation Safety Service, famous flagship captains Korney Tretyakov, Aleksandr Kosilov, Peotr Usachov who represented a generation of the highest class professionals, seafarers who really loved their profession, who were true patriots of their Motherland.
Over its history Novoship has successfully overcome quite a number of ‘storms’. The most challenging were those in the 80-ies and 90-ies of the past century. That was the time when Novorossiysk Shipping Company was headed by Leonid Loza who was steering the company for almost 15 years. His responsible and professional actions let the company survive, expand its fleet and ensure efficient operation on the open competitive market. In the South of Russia appeared a unique and advanced professional school which provided the basis for Novoship leadership in the global tanker market.
We are proud of the best practices and expertise that continue working for the benefit of domestic transport industry. The consolidation of Sovcomflot and Novoship assets created the largest shipping company in Russia, one of the global leaders in maritime transportation of hydrocarbons, support of offshore exploration and oil &gas production complying with the standards of the most demanding consignors worldwide.
The consolidation was performed at the very appropriate time and let overcome one of the longest recessions in the recent history of tanker business while many of our competitors proved to be financially insolvent and had to restructure their businesses.
Having joined the group Novoship provided a powerful impetus for the development of Sovcomflot. Working as a team we have mastered the technology of liquefied gas transportation, started using shuttle tankers for oil shipping in the Arctic and icebreaking supply vessels for serving offshore platforms and for geophysical survey works, strengthened engagement in ambitious energy projects in Russia and beyond the country. The deadweight of our fleet has increased from 8.5 to 13 mln t.
On behalf of Novoship BoD I express gratitude to the clients and partners of the company for the high confidence and many years of mutually beneficial cooperation. I am sure, we will further meet your expectations and the highest standards in the industry.
The high reputation of Novoship is based on the accident-free operation of its fleet. This is the result of efforts made by our crews – captains and engineer officers, navigators and engineers, pumpmen, boatswains and seamen, as well as the entire ground crew that is a cohesive team focused on success. The management of the Group of Companies expresses its appreciation of the entire company team and our dear valued veterans for long service at sea and ashore for the benefit of Russian maritime fleet. Your expertise, energy and commitment contribute to its competitiveness in the international market.
Today, the Group of Companies is facing a challenge of ambitious strategic goals. It should strengthen its position in traditional segments of activities and continue its competence development in new areas. Definitely, the experience in operation of conventional tanker fleet accumulated in Novorossiysk – tanker capital of Russia, will help us ensure maximum efficiency of these efforts.
Sergey Frank, President and CEO of Sovcomflot, Chairman of Novoship BoD
