Pleiades to manage tankers from the US and UK
Pleiades Shipping Agents is to open two new offices - one in Stamford, Connecticut and the other in London, Tanker Operator reports.
Their specific task will be to commercially manage a fleet of purpose-built MRs, which will be further increased by the addition of two eco type MR newbuildings to be delivered early next year from STX South Korea.
This move follows the decision by Pleiades to withdraw its Panamax tankers from the Star Tankers pool, which the company co-founded with Heidmar in 1998, in order to develop its activities independently and expand the range of services it can offer.
“We reached this strategic decision in order to be able to further develop our business, strengthen our relationship and come in more direct contact with our customers and enhance the performance of our vessels” said Constantinos Peraticos, Pleiades Group chairman.
For nearly 15 years, Pleiades has enjoyed a close and productive relationship with Heidmar, through pooling, timecharters and joint ventures, the company said.
The US office will be headed by Mason Clark together with Alexey Dubrovin and Marianne Bo and will be operational by the beginning of June, while the UK office will be managed by Alessandro Vista and Takis Peraticos.
The first vessel will be commercially managed by the newly established Pleiades offices in early June and the balance of ships will follow in short intervals thereafter.