Global shipping services JJ Ugland Companies

GLOBAL SHIPPING SERVICES

The JJ Ugland Companies are global providers of shipping, ship management, offshore and industry services. Industry Europe looks at its activities and some of its latest news.

The JJ Ugland Companies make up one of Scandinavia’s most respected and successful shipping groups that is located in the historic town of Grimstad on Norway’s south-eastern coastline. The Ugland companies have a remarkable history dating back to the 17th century when the Ugland family were involved in forestry, farming and shipbuilding. Norway’s famous local shipbuilder, Halvor Olsen Ugland built the classic sailing ship ‘Fortuna’ in 1772 and this was the beginning of a long family tradition in shipping.

The companies’ key business areas are ship-owning, ship-management, offshore operations and offshore construction. The shipping arm of The JJ Ugland Companies consist of AS Uglands Rederi, Ugland Shipping AS, Ugland Bulk Transport AS and Ugland Marine Services AS.

These companies constitute a professionally managed and fully integrated ship management consortium where all service facilities are provided in-house via Ugland Marine Services.

The main JJ Ugland companies are located in Grimstad, and it is from there that Ugland Bulk Transport operates a pool of ‘Handymax’ bulk carriers. It is worth noting that recently Ugland Bulk Transport AS was rated as one of Norway’s best companies. Also based in Grimstad is AS Nymo, the group’s full-service engineering, procurement and construction company within the oil & gas industry, with a main yard in Grimstad and additional fabrication facilities in the neighbouring town of Arendal.

Continuous investment programme

The JJ Ugland Companies form a diverse shipping group that continues to expand both its bulk carrier fleet and its range of marine services. The bulk shipping fleet operates on long-term charters worldwide.

In line with the ongoing company strategy to renew its bulk carrier fleet it recently sold the oldest vessel in its bulker fleet, the LIVANITA. In late 2014 and early 2015 the bulker fleet will be further renewed with the delivery of two supramax newbulidings. Furthermore, in June this year (2014) Ugland Shipping AS signed a contract with Imabari Shipbuilding Co. Ltd in Japan for the construction of two 63,000 dwt bulk carriers for delivery in 2017.

A company spokesperson said, “When it comes to bulk carriers we are one of the biggest in Norway. We are continuing to renew and expand our bulk carrier and tanker fleets. However, what is most important is timing when it comes to making such large investments. Furthermore, we are an old fashioned company in the sense that we are a fully integrated shipping group that provides technical management and full crewing and are committed to maintaining

our high standards of safety and reliability. We are proud of our heritage, our philosophy, and the fact that 100 per cent of the companies’ shares remain privately owned by the original founding family.”

Customised solutions

The JJ Ugland Companies believes that operational flexibility is a core part of its culture in providing customised solutions for its customers. This philosophy applies to both bulk carriers and shuttle tankers. Ugland’s bulk carriers are modern Handymax dry cargo vessels that range in size from 45,000 tonnes to 58,000 tonnes deadweight. Each vessel is fitted with additional self-loading and unloading equipment including grabs, and the majority of these vessels are designed for the transportation of logs and lumber.

The JJ Ugland Companies’ forward planning expertise and operational flexibility provides its customers with a wide variety of options under both short-term and long-term period charters. This flexibility ensures that a customer’s transportation requirements can be optimised in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. All of Ugland’s fleet operations are controlled by Ugland Marine Services, in close cooperation with local port representatives in order to meet the special requirements of its clients and to maximise operational efficiency.

Furthermore, its tanker division operates modern crude oil tankers equipped with dynamic positioning systems, variable pitch propellers, as well as side thrusters in order to offer the most advanced manoeuvring capabilities. The group’s modern fleet of shuttle tankers have played an important role in the transportation of oil from installations in the North Sea, the East Coast of Canada and offshore Brazil and have been operating regular and efficient tanker operations in the North Sea since 1986.

The spokesperson added, “We will continue to develop the business segments in which we operate today and will also continue to invest in our bulk carrier and shuttle tanker fleets. However we are now looking at new shipping segments in which to apply our expertise as well as new geographical areas in which to operate. We are currently operating from oil fields with very sophisticated tankers and all these very expensive vessels are on long-term charter to the major oil companies.

“There is also strong competition in the shipping market, but we have good longterm relationships with our customers. Our commitment to safety and the environment is another reason why we are seen by many as the ‘shipping group of choice’.”

Expanding off-shore activities

In 1978 Ugland Construction was established and today operates a fleet of flat-top and semi-submersible barges in sizes ranging from 10,000 to 16,000 tonnes, some of which are equipped for the installation of offshore windmills. The company also provides its customers with the facility of a self-propelled 600-tonne, heavy lift crane vessel called the ‘Uglen’. This highly specialised Ugland division focuses on marine transportation and in-shore lifting operations for oil and gas companies, as well as providing services for off-shore contractors, fabrication yards, shipping and engineering companies. This growing sector offers further value-added services, such as the fabrication and installation of grillage and sea-fastening structures.

When it comes to health, safety and environmental protection, The JJ Ugland Companies group is pro-active. It lists its top health and safety priorities in the following order: (1) safety to life and health, (2) safety to the environment, (3) safety to vessels and cargo. The group is committed to the continuous improvement of its safety performance and has maintained an excellent track record with no serious accidents or negative environmental events occurring throughout its long and successful history. n