The Hartmann Group, based in Germany, has recently undertaken a significant business transaction by selling the technical management division of Intership Navigation, part of its Cyprus operations. This sale was executed through a management buy-out led by Dieter Rohdenburg, who has been the long-serving chief executive of Intership Navigation. Intership Navigation, initially established in 1988 by Alfred Hartmann, began as a shipowning company. Over time, it expanded its operations to include third-party management, broadening its scope in the maritime industry. It’s important to note that the deal orchestrated by Dieter Rohdenburg did not include the Hartmann Group’s owned fleet but was specific to the managed tankers, bulkers, and gas carriers under Intership Navigation. This spin-off marks a significant shift in the structure and ownership of Intership Navigation, reflecting a strategic move by the Hartmann Group and an entrepreneurial step by Dieter Rohdenburg in his long-standing maritime career. 25-January-2024
Does a rapturous ovation suffice as recompense for twenty prolonged months of captivity in a Mexican prison? Most would surmise not. Nevertheless, the eminent Polish luminary, Andrzej Lasota, was palpably touched as he was showered with accolades from over a hundred maritime magnates and dignitaries at the Maritime Cyprus symposium in Limassol this past Wednesday. Merely moments prior, the revered captain of Intership Navigation recounted the harrowing ordeal he endured in 2019, a period during which Mexican officials accused him of smuggling and negligence, subsequent to the discovery of 240 kg of cocaine aboard the 32K DWT MV UBC Savannah (constructed in 2000). At the age of 64, it was Lasota himself who had summoned the authorities regarding the narcotics, and after an agonizing near-two-year confinement and a petition amassing close to 10,000 endorsements pleading for his emancipation, he was exonerated. “Those acquainted with me are well-aware of my unwavering commitment to abiding by regulations,” remarked Lasota, his voice quivering with fervor, compelling him to pause intermittently. He eschewed delving into the specifics of his tenure in the formidable Mexican prison, elucidating that the sheer brutality of his memories would be too disconcerting for the ladies present. Stephen Cotton, the esteemed general secretary of the International Transport Workers’ Federation, commented on the propensity of several nations to mishandle such predicaments, rendering the crew as inadvertent casualties. Cotton further opined that had Lasota’s reputation remained tarnished, it would have spelled the end of his illustrious career. “The predicament you encountered is, regrettably, not an isolated one,” he confided to Lasota. Cyprus, bearing the flag of the MV UBC Savannah, has pledged to champion this cause diplomatically. Vassilios Demetriades, the nation’s deputy minister overseeing maritime affairs, has vowed to elevate this grievance to the European Parliament’s purview. Cyprus is poised to advocate for a global resolution, urging nations to counteract such unwarranted criminal imputations, he professed. “The hour has arrived to dispatch a potent political missive.” Maritime tycoons proffered pragmatic proposals. Jan Meyering, the co-director of Marlow Navigation, postulated that an industry-spanning helpline might be efficacious. “Entities often grapple with these challenges in isolation,” Meyering observed. Such a centralized conduit could expedite collaborative efforts, ranging from linguistic interpretations to proffering legal counsel and support. In confronting the rigidity of certain jurisdictions, every iota of diligence is imperative, asseverated Lasota. Clad in his captain’s garb and on the brink of emotional overwhelm, he conveyed that their eventual triumph was attributable to the tenacity of his legal counsel, the intercessions of the ambassador, the unwavering support of his superior, the solidarity of many a compatriot, and the undying faith of his kin — culminating in the conclusion of his saga. 11-October-2022
Cyprus, strategically poised as the Mediterranean’s third-largest island, has long served as an essential nexus for trade and cultural exchange. Today, its legacy endures as it emerges as an epicentre of the international maritime industry, with Limassol, also known as Lemesos in Greek, reigning as the heart of this maritime dynamism. Though it retains the quaintness of a town boasting just over 100,000 denizens, Limassol stands tall as Europe’s premier third-party shipmanagement centre and a global maritime beacon, brimming with complementary services. Additionally, it is the administrative seat of the EU’s third-largest shipping register, 11th on a global scale, and a harbour recently revitalized through privatization. Limassol’s contemporary maritime eminence traces back half a century when German maritime luminaries like Klaus Oldendorff, Bernhard Schulte, and Heinrich Scholler were enticed by Limassol’s alluring low-tax base to oversee their fleet. The juxtaposition of the island’s pristine Mediterranean shoreline and the proximity to ski-friendly central mountains offered a lifestyle of unparalleled allure. Later, the Norwegian tanker mogul John Fredriksen briefly anchored his operations there. The influx of these North European maritime connoisseurs invigorated the local shipping fraternity and spurred enhancements to the Cyprus flag, previously perceived as a budget sanctuary for aging Greek and Levantine vessels of questionable calibre. Cyprus’ 2004 induction into the European Union heralded enhanced flag standards. Concurrently, several Limassol-based shipmanagers evolved into shipowners, orchestrating ambitious newbuilding ventures, primarily in China, characterized by eco-friendly innovations. Presently, Limassol boasts one of the EU’s most vibrant national shipping administrations, closely collaborating with the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC) and the Cyprus Union of Shipowners (CUS), both of which are headquartered in the city. Collectively, these entities exert significant clout within EU and global maritime spheres, a testament to which is the prominent roles held by Limassol’s maritime professionals in international federations. Notable figures such as Philippos Philis of Lemissoler Navigation, Mark O’Neil of Columbia Shipmanagement, Themis Papadopoulos of Interorient, and Despina Panayiotou Theodosiuou of Tototheo Maritime have ascended to leadership roles in esteemed international maritime associations. Additionally, the Cyprus shipping ministry, despite the title constraints due to the Turkish occupation in the north, is led by Vassilios Demetriades, a former European Commission officer, further reinforcing Limassol’s prominence in EU shipping negotiations. Philou’s firm, Lemissoler, embodies the compassionate spirit of Limassol’s inhabitants, as articulated by its founder. Other stalwarts championing Cyprus’s maritime legacy include Polys Hajioannou of Safe Bulkers, and the legacy of Lucas Haji-Ioannou, once the brain behind the world’s most formidable tanker fleet, Troodos. Today, the Cyprus flag adorns over 2,200 ocean-faring vessels. However, the lingering political tension regarding northern Cyprus, epitomized by Turkey’s embargo, poses challenges. Nevertheless, as CSC president Themis Papadopoulos articulates, such constraints have not deterred Cyprus from ascending as a leading maritime power. Papadopoulos’s enterprise, Interorient, stands out as a dominant product carrier operator, collaborating closely with Denmark’s Norden. Moreover, it is one of the preeminent Cypriot-owned shipmanagers. Other notable entities like Intership Navigation and Donnelly, part of the Hartmann Group, manage a significant fleet. Dieter Rohdenburg, Intership CEO, envisions a continuing uptrend in shipowners/managers in Limassol, albeit with the emerging challenge of affordable housing. 9-October-2022
The eminent maritime authority of Cyprus expressed profound apprehension regarding the persistent criminalisation of sea captains, particularly evident in the prolonged incarceration of a Polish commander in Mexico amidst a prolonged narcotics investigation. Deputy Minister of Shipping, Vassilios Demetriades, vocalized these sentiments subsequent to the liberation of Captain Andrzej Lasota, aged 63. Captain Lasota, having spent an arduous 20 months incarcerated, had initially been apprehended in 2019. His detainment followed his proactive decision to notify officials of an alarming 240 kilograms of cocaine aboard the Cypriot-bannered, 32,000-dwt multi-functional bulk vessel, MV UBC Savannah, constructed in 2000. While he was indicted with drug trafficking accusations, it is purported that the case never materialized into a courtroom trial. In the aftermath, nineteen Filipinos alongside two Polish mariners were arrested, but all, excluding Lasota, were granted release merely two months subsequent to the incident. The Cypriot diplomatic channels unyieldingly supported the commander and his crew, synergizing with the ship’s proprietor, Intership Navigation, and Captain Lasota’s kin, in assiduous diplomatic endeavours, advocating for an equitable trial. Furthermore, Cyprus conscientiously engaged pertinent branches of the European Commission, beseeching their intervention and advocacy. Mr. Demetriades conveyed, with palpable relief, “It brings immense solace to know that Captain Andrzej Lasota can, at last, be reunited with his kin after enduring two harrowing years. It’s an affront to the fundamental human rights of our mariners when they endure prolonged detainment, especially when they haven’t willfully transgressed any law.” He further elucidated, “Mariners aboard ships should solely be held accountable for their misjudgments or deliberate acts that lead to or exacerbate an incident. They mustn’t be held culpable for circumstances that clearly transcend what could be rationally perceived as their purview.” Vassilios Demetriades stressed the imperative to perpetually acknowledge and address the injustices surrounding the criminalisation of mariners, as underscored by this case. This pressing issue garnered significant attention and was rigorously debated during the proceedings of the 107th session of the International Maritime Organization’s juridical committee. It subsequently earned a place on the biennial agendas for both 2020/2021 and 2022/2023 of the aforementioned committee. “Cyprus stands unwavering in its commitment to cooperate with the IMO and associated organizations, fervently striving for global advancements concerning this pressing matter,” Vassilios Demetriades affirmed. 23-March-2021
Divers from the Guatemalan navy unearthed concealed cocaine within an apparatus affixed to the hull of a Cypriot merchant vessel. This revelation pertained to the 31,800-dwt MV UBC Saiki (constructed in 2002), overseen by the German proprietor, Hartmann, and operated by the Cyprus-domiciled management entity, Intership Navigation. Maritime special operatives undertook a submerged survey in Puerto Santo Tomas subsequent to the vessel’s arrival from Santa Marta, Colombia on 17th April. These aquatic experts located 30 parcels of the illicit substance concealed within a metallic cylindrical receptacle, colloquially termed a “parasite”, anchored to a fin. This contraption was subsequently detached and conveyed to the mainland. The National Civil Police of Guatemala corroborated that these parcels indeed contained cocaine, as cited by Publinews Guatemala. The governing bodies have embarked on a meticulous inquiry to delineate the provenance and intended terminus of these narcotics. The vexing issue of cartels exploiting commercial sea vessels for narcotics distribution has persistently plagued shipowners, and this recent episode underscores the unaltered modus operandi of these syndicates amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. It should be underscored that there exists no insinuation regarding the crew’s complicity. Communication efforts with Intership for additional elucidation are underway. Regrettably, the corporation is no stranger to the precarious entanglements of narcotics trafficking. One of its Polish captains, Andrzej Lasota, continues to be incarcerated in Mexico, consequent to a prior year’s mishap. Mr. Lasota anticipated his legal deliberation earlier this month, hinging on the prosecutorial decision to either forsake or persist with charges. However, the judicial hiatus in Mexico, induced by the pandemic, has deferred the proceedings to the latter part of May or June. Lasota had been at the helm of the Cyprus-flagged, 32,000-dwt multirole ship, MV UBC Savannah (established in 2000), which was apprehended on 5th August of the preceding year following the discovery of 240 kg of cocaine in one of its compartments during an anchorage at Altamira, in eastern Mexico. Intership has been ardently advocating for the dismissal of charges, postulating that Mr. Lasota’s stringent adherence to maritime protocols might have inadvertently ensnared him in this quandary. 19-April-2020
On the 5th of August, 2019, the stately bulk carrier MV UBC Savannah, built in 2000 with a capacity of 32K DWT, found itself embroiled in a grave incident at Altamira Port in Mexico. The vessel’s esteemed captain, Andrzej Lasota, was arrested following the discovery of 240 kilograms of cocaine on the vessel. He was consequently incarcerated in a Mexican prison, accused of involvement in the illicit drug trade within maritime transport. Advocates have filed a petition on behalf of Captain Lasota, who has languished behind bars for a distressing six months. The vessel’s administration falls under the jurisdiction of the Cyprus-based Intership Navigation. This predicament places the crew in jeopardy as malevolent drug syndicates exploit such vessels for their nefarious trafficking activities. Captain Lasota’s detention was predicated on the allegations of oversight, suggesting his obliviousness to the potential transportation of illicit substances onboard. Intership Navigation conjectures that Captain Lasota’s stringent adherence to maritime protocols might inadvertently have exacerbated his predicament. The Mexican authorities were primed after receiving intelligence suggesting the MV UBC Savannah’s potential entanglement in drug trafficking. In Barranquilla, Colombia, where the ship was loaded, rigorous inspections were conducted by both the local constabulary and port security officials. It was only during the unloading proceedings in Mexico that the vessel’s sailors discerned suspicious packages, later identified as 240 kilograms of cocaine. Ingeniously concealed beneath layers of petcoke coal, the drugs eluded detection during the loading phase. Captain Lasota, demonstrating his unwavering integrity, immediately ceased the unloading process and beckoned the Mexican officials. Regrettably, this noble act resulted in the arrest of the ship’s sailors. While Captain Lasota’s confinement persists, his crew was emancipated nearly two months post their arrest. The sinister undertow of drug trafficking in maritime shipping is surging. For drug cartels employing containers, the onus rests predominantly with the shipper as shipowners are typically denied access. Conversely, with bulk carriers transporting unenclosed cargo, the shipowners shoulder a more pronounced responsibility. Notably, this marks the second incident involving a vessel from the Cyprus-based Intership Navigation embroiled in drug-related controversies in Mexico. In September 2019, the Intership Navigation supervised MV UBC Tokyo, a 2005-built carrier with a 38K DWT, was apprehended with 50 kilograms of cocaine on its premises. Captain Lasota, now relocated to a federal penitentiary in Tepic, Mexico, according to Intership Navigation, faces incarceration devoid of due process or a formal trial. The firm staunchly posits Captain Lasota’s innocence, suggesting he has been inadvertently ensnared in the machinations of a ruthless drug cartel. The grim prospect looming ahead is that if adjudicated guilty, Captain Lasota could endure an extended imprisonment spanning anywhere from a decade to two. As per Intership Navigation’s testimonies, local Mexican authorities seem to have a proclivity for erroneously attributing culpability to the blameless. 26-January-2020
The quandary of Intership Navigation’s captain underscores the escalating peril of the narcotics trade. A fervent plea circulates, advocating for the liberation of a Polish skipper languishing in confinement for nearly half a year. Dieter Rohdenburg, the esteemed CEO of Intership Navigation, stands as a vocal proponent. The poignant tale of a Polish mariner, unjustly incarcerated in a Mexican penitentiary following the discovery of narcotics on his ship, has reached its zenith with an earnest petition for his emancipation. Andrzej Lasota’s predicament casts a discerning light upon the hazards confronting seafarers, as drug traffickers increasingly exploit their vessels for surreptitious consignments. 23-January-2020
In a remarkable revelation, authorities in Guatemala have uncovered a stash of cocaine concealed within an apparatus aptly termed a “parasite”, adjoined to the hull of a Singapore-flagged MR tanker. This startling discovery transpired aboard the MTM Potomac, a 51,000-dwt vessel crafted in 2004 and presently under the administration of the US-centric MTM Trading. Following its voyage from Santa Marta, Colombia, the vessel was meticulously inspected by the anti-narcotics division at Puerto Santo Tomas de Castilla. Reports suggest the retrieval of 56 parcels from the cylindrical metallic chamber, each allegedly housing 1 kg of the illicit substance. Furthermore, the National Civil Police have corroborated the presence of a GPS transmitter within the metal conduit, affording the perpetrators the luxury of monitoring the consignment’s progress. Intriguingly, this marks the second instance in a span of merely six months where narcotics, sheathed in a parallel manner, have been intercepted at Guatemala’s docks. The previous incident in late April 2020 ensnared the MV UBC Saiki, a 31,800-dwt ship constructed in 2002 and governed by the German proprietor Hartmann’s, and their Cyprus-situated management enterprise, Intership Navigation, at the very same port of Puerto Santo Tomas. Naval divers allegedly stumbled upon an akin “parasite” affixed to its hull, which held 30 packages of cocaine. The recurring exploitation of merchant vessels for the covert transportation of drugs delineates a persisting quandary for ship proprietors. Evidently, even the global upheaval precipitated by the coronavirus pandemic has left the machinations of these nefarious cartels undeterred. 6-August-2020
Currently, six sophisticated handysize bulkers are being paraded in the sale-and-purchase market by their illustrious Cyprus-based proprietors, as narrated by Greek intermediaries this week. The seafaring vessels in question are the 37,000 DWT MV Western Aida, MV Western Boheme, and MV Western Fedora (all christened in 2012), paired with the 37,400-dwt MV Western Carmen, MV Western Lucrezia, and MV Western Tosca (all inaugurated in 2013). Since their construction at South Korea’s esteemed Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, these ships have remained under the aegis of the same proprietors. Regrettably, the identity of these owners remains enigmatic. IHS Markit identifies MV Western Maritime, a Cyprus-based entity devoid of contact nuances, as their registered guardian, and all six vessels proudly bear the Cypriot insignia. The commercial stewardship of these vessels rests with Maritime Transport Logistik (MTL), which also prominently displays the ensemble on its digital portal. Their intricate stewardship has been bestowed upon Intership Navigation, a distinguished Cyprus-based division of Germany’s Hartmann Group. A prospective transaction and consequent extraction of this sextet from MTL’s esteemed armada would reduce their fleet to a mere 10 general cargo vessels accompanied by two 118,500-dwt baby capesize bulk carrier. The culmination of this sale might still be in the distant horizon. The US financial establishment, CarVal Investors, experienced a period spanning three to eight months to successfully divest four handysize vessels it previously introduced to the market last September. CarVal’s venture culminated in the segmentation of their prized assets. Initially, the 35,000-dwt MV Grand Marais and MV North Star (both unveiled in 2016) found their new sanctuary with the Dutch consortium, Alliance Maritime, for an impressive sum of $16.2m each. Post-acquisition, these ships have been christened the MV Maryam D and MV Merel D, respectively. Whispered tales suggest that Russia’s White Lake has taken stewardship of CarVal’s residual duo recently. The 37,300-dwt MV Alpine and its counterpart, MV Summit (both conceived in 2015) purportedly commanded a price of $14.7m each. 11-June-2019
Intership Navigation, an esteemed subsidiary of the Hartmann Group, holds its prestigious headquarters in Leer, Germany. While its primary forte remains in ship ownership, Intership Navigation has elegantly branched out into third-party management, catering to a select clientele from European, American, and Asian territories. The fleet under Intership Navigation’s proprietorship boasts a diverse array of vessels. These encompass bulk carriers ranging from 5,500 DWT to an impressive 180,000 DWT, General Cargo Ships spanning from 8,000 DWT to 27,000 DWT, Container Feeder Ships with a capacity of 700 TEU, in addition to Handy, MR, and LR1 tankers. Cumulatively, the fleet surpasses a count of 50 distinguished ships. Moreover, Intership Navigation has masterfully curated two avant-garde series of self-unloading Cement Carriers, weighing 8,000 DWT and 15,000 DWT respectively. Beyond its proprietary vessels, Intership Navigation adeptly manages 35 ships on behalf of third-party shipowners and oversees approximately 100 ships from a crew management perspective. Intership Navigation takes pride in employing upwards of 3,500 seafarers across its expansive fleet and boasts an exclusive training institution in Manila. Onshore, Intership Navigation is backed by a cadre of roughly 160 adept professionals. With an unwavering commitment to safety and excellence, Intership Navigation remains resolute in its mission. 30-June-2017