SHIPWrite - Casper Shipping

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SHIPW
The Newsletter of Casper Shipping
Issue 2 January 2012
Adding more to Ships Agency
VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
A very warm welcome to this our second edition of ShipWrite.
As we look back at 2011 we can say that the markets in which we
operate remain extremely tough for our Principals. Although, clearly,
we are all moving in the right direction, there remain some difficult
times for the shipping industry and also the global economy.
In spite of the world-wide recession, 2010/2011 was a time of
development for Casper Shipping, which has seen our business move
from strength to strength, reconfirming our position as a market
leader in Port Agency. Over the last few years our mission statement,
'adding more to ships agency,' has remained true. The message we
are receiving more than ever is that our Principals and their
Customers demand a full, professional service. Our aspirations follow
these same expectations and our aim is to ensure that we provide
nothing less.
As part of that exemplary service, we have undertaken a major
upgrade of Casper ShipAgent, our online portal for agents. This has
seen us working in close partnership with Stage 3 Systems and Dial
Ltd to develop a fully-bespoke system dealing specifically with the
needs of our customers. We believe this ground-breaking software
puts us firmly ahead of the pack. Continuous training and development of our staff is a major part of the Casper ethos, enabling us to
look to the future with confidence.
Finally, we're about to celebrate a milestone anniversary - 2012
sees us able to trace our historical connections back a full 140 years
to the foundation of the original company.
We began the way we're determined to carry on - 'adding more to
ships agency'. Also we take this opportunity to congratulate our
sister company Camair Freight Solutions on a successful 2011.
Michael Shakesheff, Managing Director
SHIPWrite
STAFF PROFILE- Chris Geary, Trainee Shipping Agent
You could argue that shipping, for Chris Geary, is in the blood because it was his Grandfather, who used to work on the docks,
who sowed the seeds of a maritime career in the young Chris.
"The real heart of the job is always keeping our customers
up-to-date with what's happening with the ships, the crew and
the cargo, making sure they know everything is going smoothly.
At 24 years old, he had thought the chance to follow in the steps
of his Grandfather had passed him by. However, when Casper’s
offered him a positive career proposal, involving training,
personal development and progression in the shipping industry,
he was delighted to take up the challenge.
"At the end of every day I know I've done something rewarding
and I'd recommend this job to anyone - it's fantastic.
Any regrets? None at all.
"Grandad has always talked about working in shipping - he said
it was a tough world! - but I wasn't sure what path to take until
Casper came along.
"And it's turned out to be even better than I expected. I must
admit I was a bit naive when I started, but I'm learning every
single day - and learning a lot - and that's what keeps things
interesting."
As well as dealing with the office paperwork, Chris regularly
visits ships at Tees, Hartlepool and Tyne ports to deliver
customs clearance, cargo loading, bills of lading and more.
“My next training challenge will be to commence study for the
Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers exams, which is mandatory
for newcomers joining Casper, and that’s only part of the
continuous development which Casper expect of their
employees. In addition I have to master ISO 9001:2008 Quality
Standard and learn about Investors in People.”
When he's not at work, Chris spends a lot of time with his
partner Hayley and his two young sons Ollie and Jake - One and
Four years old. Sundays he devotes to soccer with the North
Ormesby Institute team!
John Mitchell, Director, Casper Shipping comments “Chris has
made excellent strides since joining us, and this again underpins
our belief in training and education which will lead to Casper
providing a career path for our next generation of staff.”
He finds it exciting that every job, every day, is different and
dealing with officers and crew from all over the world keeps
things interesting.
New Additions! Training for our future...
SHIPWrite
Introducing Caspers’ new High-performance Portal
We have just completed a major upgrade of Casper ShipAgent,
the online portal our agents use to manage port calls and
achieve the best turn-around time in port for our customers.
The system also contains functionality to manage performance
in key aspects, covering turn-around time, key 'to-do's' and
notes to file.
Having audited our services to fine tune and address the needs
of our customers directly, we are pleased to announce this major
upgrade to our ShipAgent software.
Alan Appleyard, Tees Manager explained, “We recognised that
technology was moving on at a pace, but not necessarily finding
the right answers for our customers and ourselves alike. This
system will provide new solutions and deliver essential statistics,
documentation and information. In undertaking the deployment
of this new system we are working with Stage 3 Systems Inc.”
Rob Bateman, Director, Casper Shipping explained, “We ruled
out choosing a simple off-the-shelf package and focused instead
on developing a solution which addresses the needs of our
customers and in our view, puts us in a bespoke field of our
own.”
Our goal was to create a system that simplifies every stage of
the process for our agents, from the start of the nomination,
through the daily activity on the call and all the way through to
the documentation.
Most importantly, the system was designed to be used in real
time as the work is done, capturing important operational
information, reporting to clients and improving standards across
the company.
We will also give our principals, where requested, a secure
log-in so they can review everything about their port call,
including the latest ETA’s and all communications, files and
documentation.
Based in Vancouver and London, the company is led by Bill
Dobie who founded Navarik - a major international shipping
software company with energy and shipping clients globally.
Stage 3 was started to focus exclusively on agency software
using assets developed at Navarik.
Stage 3 worked with Neil Baker, the founder and Managing
Director of Dial Ltd. Dial is a major international telex and
messaging provider to the international trade industry with over
20,000 users globally (3,000 of which are agents).
Bill commented: "It's been great to be involved with this project
from the ground up. And it's always good to see the technology
we help to develop having an immediate, tangible effect in terms
of benefits for customers."
New Solutions! Delivering essential statistics...
SHIPWrite
OFFSHORE OPPORTUNITIES
The UK is increasing investments in renewable energy,
developing its port and shipping services to help
maximise substantial elements of a renewable energy
boom already under way in northwest Europe,
particularly in relation to the North Sea.
Casper Shipping currently provides Offshore Agency
Support to a varying number of sectors, including Rigs,
Deep Sea Tug Owners, Offshore Support Vessels and
Renewable Energy both in the UK and, through our close
affiliation with Vopak Agencies, throughout Europe.
We have a presence in dedicated port locations available
to service offshore installations, with shipping support
vessels to engage with large offshore renewable energy
developments.
Offshore wind is at the heart of the UK renewables
strategy and is one of the fastest growing.
The UK Government is focused on improving the local
supply chain with promises from the DECC to support
manufacturing sites at strategic port locations in the UK.
The Scottish Government has previously announced
support for site owners developing port and near-port
offshore wind manufacturing facilities.
Where there are opportunities, we at Casper will be
keen to seize the moment.
SHIPWrite
Douglas Couser, Grangemouth Manager
“With additional Chemical Tanker business handled at
Grangemouth, and varying opportunities in Dry Cargo at
surrounding ports, we have had a good year, so much so that
we have recruited Stewart Murdoch to the team.
“Our Principals have given us great support in recent times
and I can only thank them wholeheartedly. We aim to justify
their faith in us by delivering our very best service.”
AROUND THE PORTS... A RESUMÉ FROM OUR MANAGERS
Gavin Shann, Hull Manager
“Although planned and unplanned terminal shutdowns have had
an effect on our year as a whole, on a positive note there are
new terminal developments ongoing, which not only are we as a
company keen to be involved with, but it’s also really good news
for the local economy. This in turn with the companies new
Operational IT system, makes for an exciting future with and for
Casper Shipping.”
David Healey, Associate Director Immingham
“This last 12 months has been the busiest I can recall since
moving to Immingham more that ten years ago. What has been
interesting has been the diverse nature of the cargo and ships
handled on behalf of a wide range of customers. My thanks to
all for such excellent support and continued opportunities.
“We are pleased to welcome Scott Venney to the team as Trainee
Agency Operator. Last but not least we have also completed
new office modifications, integrating a more practical and
ergonomic layout.”
Alan Appleyard, Tees Manager
“Whilst the past 12 months have remained tough for the
shipping industry, here at the Tees office we have continued to
be successful.
“I’d like to thank the whole office for their hard work
throughout the year and also welcome our new team
members; Chris Geary into the Agency Department, Sarah
Cox and Victoria-Ellar Mitchell into the administration
department.
“On behalf of the team here on Teesside I would like to thank
all our Principals for supporting us.”
SHIPWrite
BRYAN, OUR CLIFF COLLECTOR!...
Bryan Tismond joined Casper from
ICI where he played an important
part in their Logistics section.
It didn’t take us long to recognise his
wealth of knowledge and he soon
became a Director.
Since his arrival his experience has added a new dimension to
the Casper organisation. He operates an important demurrage
claims section and plays a major part in the financial wellbeing
of the company.
Bryan insists he has a life outside Casper. His family play a
major part but he also enjoys watching his favourite football
team Middlesbrough FC.
His raison d’etre is Clarice Cliff, the famous ceramic artist, who
joined the pottery trade in 1912 at the age of thirteen, and
subsequently became one of the world's most famous and
collectable designers.
Bryan developed an eye for Cliff's work during the 1960’s and
started buying her pieces during the 1970’s.
As his personal collection grew, and having developed an eye for
a bargain through buying and selling, he set up Octavia Antiques
in 1989 with his wife Jane. The couple specialise in 20th century
decorative art pottery. Bryan doesn't have a personal favourite
among the many Clarice Cliff patterns, but the hand painted,
brightly coloured pieces of the artist's prime period, 1929-1935,
certainly catch his eye.
His most sought after
design is May Avenue (see
right), dating from 1933.
Bryan was outbid for a
piece in this pattern
at auction a few years ago
but hasn't seen a suitable
item for sale since.
SHIPWrite
THE MATTHEW GOOD FOUNDATION
not-for-profit organisation based at the Neag School of
Education at the University of Connecticut which is looking into
EHS issues.
Matthew Good, Joint
Managing Director of John
Good & Sons Ltd, sadly
passed away on June 26th
2011, while running for
charity.
He was the sixth generation of his family to work for the
company, which has been in business for over 175 years.
The Matthew Good Foundation was launched in July 2011, and its
first project will be aimed at education and research surrounding
Matt's death - namely sudden death in sports, with a focus on
exertional heat stroke (EHS).
The Foundation has already been approached by the Korey
Stringer Institute with an offer of assistance. The KSI is a
LINK UP WITH LINKEDIN
We're expanding further into the digital age with a brand new
presence on Linkedin. In doing so, we're joining a community of
120 million people - because that's how many members the
world's largest professional network has.
It's an ideal platform for maintaining existing contacts, finding
new ones, exchanging information and ideas and uncovering
opportunities.
Have a look at our Linkedin page here:
http://www.linkedin.com/company/casper-shipping-ltd
or, if you're new to the concept, start at the beginning at:
http://www.linkedin.com
To raise awareness for the Foundation, Casper Shipping
Managing Director, Michael Shakesheff, joined others to run the
Hardmoors-60, a sixty-mile trail run along the Cleveland Way
from Saltburn to Filey.
Michael Shakesheff writes: Matt died while running the Humber
Half marathon for charity, a race I was running in myself. He was
not only a good friend of mine, but a true colleague too, both
through John Good & Sons and the Institute of Chartered
Shipbrokers. He will be sadly missed.
Matthew Good was 32 and leaves behind his wife Isabel.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to all his family.
To support or, better still, get involved with the Matthew Good
Foundation, please go to www.matthewgoodfoundation.org.
Once the Foundation has received its Gift Aid registration, it will
be registered with JustGiving.com and VirginMoneyGiving.com
BUT IT'S BON VOYAGE
Alas, we’ve said goodbye to
Kat Shakesheff who left us to
begin a new career in
Singapore with the position
of Trainee Sales and
Purchase Broker with Island
Ship Brokers.
Prior to leaving us, we were
delighted when Kat was
awarded the ARMAC Prize for
the highest marks in Port
Agency for the ICS Foundation
Diploma Examination.
It's good to see the Shakesheff name, which has had strong
links with the shipping industry for so many years, making its
presence felt in this important overseas market.
We wish her every success in this challenging new venture in
Sales and Purchase.
HUMBERSIDE IS GO GO GO....
The cream of Casper's motoring talent went a-karting recently
with colleagues and rivals from the industry.
Scott qualified last and came fifth; Richard qualified fourth and
came second (with a veil to be drawn over why the race was
stopped); and Rob qualified second but led the field for victory in
first place. In what was cheerfully described as 'a really good
laugh', the event has lit a little petrol-burning fire in the team
here.
Richard Shann - Agency Operator, Hull, Rob Stainton - Assistant
Manager, Immingham and Scott Venney - Trainee Agency
Operator, Immingham, (below) enjoyed a hard-fought battle with
all the tension, twists and turns of a Formula One Grand Prix.
Anybody out there up for a wheel-to-wheel war?
Let us know - and let the battle commence!
Only much, much slower.
Wedding Bells!
Our congratulations go to Tony Bodger who
has finally taken the plunge and married Lis
on 1st October 2011 in Hathersage, in the
Peak District.
NEW TO THE CREW
We're delighted to welcome some new
faces to Casper Shipping - part of a
recruitment drive which is still
continuing.
Chris Geary
Trainee Agency
Operator
Tees
Victoria Ellar-Mitchell
Administration
Assistant
Tees
Sarah Cox
Administration
Assistant
Tees
Scott Venney
Trainee Agency
Operator
Immingham
Stewart Murdoch
Trainee Agency
Operator
Grangemouth
CASPER Shipping Limited
Cleveland Business Centre
t +44 (0)1642 243662
1 Watson Street
Middlesbrough TS1 2RQ England
f +44 (0)1642 243936
e [email protected]
www.casperltd.com