Singapore based shipowner and operator Azure Maritime Pt Ltd’s vessel MV Blue Cecil encountered a tragic incident while at sea, requiring urgent medical assistance from the Philippines Coast Guard. The 32,600-dwt handysize bulker, built in 2004, was off the Philippines when three of its crew members were found unconscious after entering a hold. Despite the captain’s request for medical help on Friday evening and the immediate response from other crew members, the three seafarers were later declared dead by the ship’s duty doctor. The incident took place near Bolinao in the northeastern Pangasinan province, with the Marshall Islands-flagged MV Blue Cecil being approximately 149 nautical miles (275 km) from shore, heading towards Singapore. At the time, the ship was en route from Portland in the US, having departed on November 13. Opal Ship Management, responsible for managing the vessel, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the crew members. They have since been in continuous communication with the families of the deceased. The company’s emergency response team had quickly initiated rescue procedures to recover the affected crew. Additionally, it was noted that the Singapore based shipowner and operator Azure Maritime Pt Ltd’s vessel MV Blue Cecil ‘s insurance is provided by the UK P&I Club. 12-December-2023
Singapore based shipowner and operator Azure Maritime took control of handy bulk carriers managed by Hong Kong-based Taylor Maritime. Azure Maritime is led by CEO Captain Vijay Pal. Azure Maritime is intending to expand its fleet in the handysize bulk segment. Singapore based Azure Maritime is partly controlled by the Singapore-based, Japanese-controlled entity AFO Pte Ltd. AFO Pte Ltd is also the principal shareholder in bulk carriers. Hong Kong-based Taylor Maritime is led by Ed Buttery. Currently, Azure Maritime controls the management of:
- MV Blue Balestier (ex MV Super Sarah, 32K DWT, built 2006)
- MV Feisty Karen (32K DWT, built 2002)
- MV Lovely Klara (28K DWT, built 2002)
- MV Princess Paula (ex MV Paola, 32K DWT, built 2004)
- MV Blue Alexandra (32K DWT, built 2005)
Singapore based shipowner and operator Azure Maritime was established in 2017 by CEO Takuya Aiba. CEO Takuya Aiba is head of financial leasing company Spring Liner and was previously managing director of Celeste Holding Pte Ltd.
Some of the Azure Maritime controlled bulk carriers technical management is assigned to Taymar and Apex Shipmanagement. Azure Maritime’s bulk carriers have been on short-term period charter to Pacific Basin Shipping, Cargill Ocean Transportation, and Louis Dreyfus. Singapore based shipowner and operator Azure Maritime have plans for direct chartering in the long-term. CEO Captain Vijay joined Azure Maritime in May 2019. 19-September-2019