Barber-Smith Bell crewing launched

Norvegian Barber Ship Management has reached an out-of-court settlement with its former Philippine manning agent NDF International, which has enabled the company to secure its joint venture with Smith Bell group. The newly-merged Barber-Smith Bell Manning inaugurated its offices today. Under the agreement, BSBM has taken crewing responsibility for 135 vessels and a further 42 under construction, according to Capt Jarl Kristensen, Barber's vice president for global crewing. NFD International - which had prevented Barber terminating its agency agreement by filing a lawsuit in a Makati City court - has taken 40 vessels. BSBM has a deployment of 2,200 Filipino seafarers on car carriers, tankers, bulkers, container and seismic vessels, and others. Kristensen said BSBM is to introduce more long-term benefits for seafarers, such as medical care for families, and crew retention incentives as part of its long-term programme in the Philippines.