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Editorial:

Shipping is fantastic

Shipping is fantastic. Big money, international, and with opportunities like no other occupation both ashore and offshore. To work in shipping is international in the sense that you can speak English on every second telephone call. It involves a lot of travelling, meeting customers and ships in exotic ports all over the world. Commercial shipping is usually concentrated in certain areas, which become shipping communities. And the Scandinavians have done it for years.

Copenhagen has naturally been a centre for commercial shipping. A rather big community, at least if measured against the Danish population of 5,1 million people. Four hundred bulk carriers are controlled from the Danish capital, where shipping companies are scattered throughout the city and its surrounding areas.

400 units is a big chunk of the world’s total fleet of bulk carriers in certain segments. Not the biggest fleet, however. The Japanese controlled Capesize has a far larger capacity than the Danish, but when it comes to intelligent bulk business, the Danes are in front. When it comes to making deals as a real merchant in combination with the skills of the Port Captains sent out from Denmark, Danish operators are in the lead. Most of the sailing is given to countries in the Far East or Eastern Europe, their citizens earning very good money for their families at home. In fact, hiring e.g. a Filipino crew is the best way to send aid to developing countries. It goes to the right people, who can spend it in their own way. No consultants, no civil servants, no government. Directly to the people.

The present hectic bulk market – with the current summer down – has led many to use their imagination to find new ways of conducting business. From the Copenhagen shipping community a new patch has been taken by the old company Otto Danielsen, a solid family company founded in 1944. This April it was sold to Norwegian controlled Tschudi Shipping, linking Oslo with Copenhagen and Tallinn, in Estonia. In the future, Copenhagen is going to be the commercial cornerstone between these three cities, as the Danish capital for many years has held strong know-how on medium-size ships for project transport. Virtually all kinds of goods that do not fit into containers are handled by the Danes.

Shipping is not a line of occupation reserved for our youngest generations. High age is no impediment. Everyone remembers the Danish shipowner A. Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller, born in 1913. Denmark has an even older example, who just signed up for two new ships in co-operation with his partner for 45 years. Born 1912, Axel Nielsen is 93 years old and has had Poul Bresling, who was born in 1924 and is therefore “only” 81, as a partner since 1960. Together they signed up for two coasters of 3,900 dwt for delivery next year! As they say, we have a good company so why close it down! The two ships are going to replace two old units from 1974/75.

But the high activity in shipping is not only for the old, but also for the younger generations. As the business expands, the need for people in the offices is growing. This provides opportunities for those coming from business academies, and gives them the possibility to get an interesting and international life with a good salary; a real life outside the pop-star world.

By showing the right initiative and with a good share of luck, a young person could become king of the day in a shipping community!

//Bent Mikkelsen, Editor