Briese, Auerbach Form Alliance
German shipping companies Briese Group and Auerbach Schiffahrt have formed a strategic alliance to cooperate more closely in the areas of project development and ship management.
The goal of the alliance is “to combine the advantages offered by the companies’ respective locations and to strengthen the two complementary corporate profiles,” the duo said in a joint statement.
“For me, this alliance is the obvious next step. We have worked with Auerbach from the start. We trust the people who work for the company and are convinced that they understand their business,” Roelf Briese, CEO of Briese Schiffahrts, said.
As from September 2016, Lucius Bunk, the founder and ongoing executive partner at Auerbach Schiffahrt, will be appointed COO of the board of management at Briese Schiffahrts.
At the same time, Rafal Mirski will be promoted to the senior management level at Auerbach Schiffahrt.
“1+1=3, since both shipping companies can benefit from the partnership despite - or rather precisely because of - their very different sizes,” Stefan Cremer, shareholder and member of the board of advisors to Auerbach Schiffahrt, said.
Back in 2013, Hamburg-based Auerbach Schiffahrt teamed up with Briese and Krey Schiffahrt on a newbuilding project. The project included four 12,500 dwt MPP vessels in the new F-500 series. Two newbuilding vessels are currently under construction in China and they are scheduled for delivery by the end of December this year.
Auerbach Schiffahrt was established in 2010. Its fleet currently consists of six multi-purpose freighters, which are mainly deployed in the project cargo sector.
Founded in 1983 and based in Leer, Briese Group’s shipping business focuses on multi-purpose and heavy-lift shipping. Its fleet is currently comprised of 150 vessels.
