Hapag Lloyd Container Line (HLCL) and Van Oord Shipmanagement B.V. (VOACZ), principals of Jebsens Maritime Inc. (JMI), received the Ministerial Citation during the Second International Maritime Awards (SIMA) hosted by the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment last November 20, 2005 at the Manila Hotel.

DOLE Secretary Patricia A. Sto. Tomas conferred the prestigious awards to HLCL and VOACZ represented by Arnold Lipinski and Peter Bunschoten, respectively.

HLCL is a leader in trading containerships sector in terms of customer orientation, service and productivity . JMI and HLCL started their venture in 1996.

VOACZ specializes in dredging, marine construction, offshore and earthmoving projects worldwide and has a reputation of developing trainings and strengthen crew capabilities to serve its fleet. JMI entered into crew management with VOACZ in 1997.

Kudos to HLCL and VOACZ for being outstanding foreign employers contributing to the upliftment of the well-being of  Filipino seafarers with their generous support to JMI's crew welfare programs and value-added services.

The launch of MITSUI KINKAI KISEN TRAINING INSTITUTE on January 25, 2006 marked another milestone in the relationship between Aboitiz Jebsen (Abojeb) and MKK/Kyokuto whose partnership in the crew management business started in 2002. 

Ole B. Stene, Abojeb-Manila Acting Managing Director, and Takeshi Yamamoto, MKK President, graced the official opening ceremonies of the training institute.  Arleen Asuncion, Crewing Vice President, welcomed the guests and delivered the opening remarks during the momentous event.
 
With the establishment of MKK Training Institute, all joiners from the six manning agencies of Kyokuto will go through a uniform and standardized pre-boarding training and education where scheduled ship’s particulars and characteristics, Safety Management System (SMS) of the management company and other necessary information before joining a vessel are discussed. 

MKK Training Institute has been authorized by the MKK’s Designated Person to issue Pre-boarding Training Certificates as required by the International Safety Management (ISM) Code.  This new training institute aims to eliminate non-conformities or deficiencies resulting from inconsistencies in the actual observance of the company’s SMS and responses to Port State Control inspections.

For more than two decades now, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), through the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), has been conducting performance evaluation of licensed landbased and seabased agencies in recognition of their outstanding and exemplary performance in the field of overseas employment.  In the grant of these awards, the Philippine government also recognizes their vital role in uplifting the quality of life of millions of Filipinos by providing them gainful overseas employment.

For Jebsens Maritime, Inc. Mr. Ole Stene, acting Managing Director, received the prestigious Awards of Excellence and Ms. Arleen Asuncion, Vice President - Crewing received the POEA Special Commendation for Exemplary Welfare Programs and Allied Services.  Ms. Vivian N. Ongpin, Operations and Business Development Manager received the POEA Special Commendation for Pioneering Efforts in Developing Quality Labor Markets for Aboitiz Jebsen Manpower Solutions, Inc.

The awards embrace a renewed world of expectations utilizing the values of human resource development.  Awarding ceremonies were held at the Manila Pavilion Hotel last 31 January 2006.  Awards were given by DOLE's Secretary Patricia A. Sto. Tomas, Undersecretary Danilo P. Cruz and POEA Administrator, Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz.

The ABOJEB Group, consisting of all Business Units and Support Units, is now certified to be ISO 9001:2000 compliant. 

Auditors from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) flew in from Singapore to conduct a three-day external audit.  During the closing meeting on 10 May 2005, the lead auditor finally congratulated the whole ABOJEB team for successfully passing the audit. 

The road towards certification started in May 2004 requiring the commitment of the whole group to re-look into processes and create a Quality Management System.  Following the completion of the system, it is imperative that everyone continue their efforts to improve services through process improvements.  This gives a dynamic feature to the Quality Management System based (promoted) by the ISO 9001:2000.

The International Organization for Standardization enhanced(released) the standard to ISO 9001:2000 series to focus on quality, customer satisfaction and continual improvements in the workplace.  Because of it being synonymous to better processes and services, more and more enterprise are eyeing service providers or partners who are compliant to the ISO 9001:2000.  Further, this adds on as leverage for marketing the ABOITIZ JEBSEN brand in Crewing & Ship Management customers.

The a.g.m. of Kristian Jebsens Rederi AS took place in Bergen, Monday 23rd May.

The Shareholders elected two new members to the Board of Directors.
The KJR BoD now consists of:
 Atle Jebsen - Chairman
 Kjersti Kleven
 Olav Fjell
 Arne L. Jebsen

As per tradition in Norwegian companies, the Managing Director is not a member of the Board.
Bjørn Jebsen therefore resigned.

Atle Jebsen (69) - Master in Economics from Queen's College, Cambridge.
He has been employed in Jebsens since 1963, became Chairman in KJR 1967.
Has also been Chairman in ao. Norges Skipshypotek Ltd., The Norwegian Shipowners’ Mutual War Risk Insurance Association, BIMCO, Norwegian Shipowners’ Association and Marintek.

Kjersti Kleven (38) - Master in Sociology from the University in Oslo.
She has previously worked a.o. as a Researcher at the institution Fafo, as well as HR Manager of Rolls-Royce Marine and is today Project Manager of Nordvest Forum (an education network situated in Western Norway). 
She is also Chairman of Kleven Maritime AS.
 
Olav Fjell (53) - Master of Economics and Business Administration (Siviløkonom) from NHH.
He has about 30 years experience from several management positions - previously CEO of Statoil 1999-2003 and Postbanken 1995-1999. He has been member of the top management in Den norske Bank and Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk.

Arne L. Jebsen (38) - Bachelor Degree from Washington University in St. Luis, and
Master at IESE, Barcelona. He has worked as Marketing Manager in Stolt Seafarm, and from 1997 he is the Marketing Director of Hunton Fiber AS. He is also a Board member of the company Skog Holding AS.

Our Norwegian Officers who have been working with Jebsens for up to 35 years, have been honoured with the Norwegian Shipowners Association's Gold Medal in appreciation of their good relationship and long and loyal service.

On Tuesday, 26 April, a celebration party took place in Bergen, where Mr. Atle Jebsen handed the Gold Medal to the following Officers:

 Captain               Rolf Engen
 Captain               Manan Mutalib
 Captain                Jarl Rasmussen
 Captain               Olav Tangedal
 Captain               Jan Juvik - Post Mortem (ex ROCKNES)
 Chief Officer        Per Didrichsen
 Chief Engineer      Jan Hansen

Ch. Engineer Steinar Mørk was absent at the arrangement and will receive the Gold Medal separately. 

Jebsens are pleased to announce that they have purchased M/V Iron Sturt from BHPT. The vessel is a 21,000dwt combination bulk and chemical tanker dedicated to the carriage of acid and metal concentrates on the Australian coast. The vessel has been refixed on timecharter to Zinifex to continue in the existing trade. Jebsens have undertaken the purchase as part of it's Industrial Shipping philosophy to the Australia coast and together with the self unloader M/V Enterprise provides a foundation for further opportunties.

The vessel is managed by ASP Ship Management who also provide the crew for the M/V Enterprise.

Jebsens Australia is committed to the movement of containerised cargoes and freight in a manner that meets and exceeds global standards of excellence and expertise.

Recognising a need to add value to our customers requirements we are well advanced to developing all the resources needed to have the capacity to manage our customers’ total supply chain logistics requirements
— whatever these requirements may be.

Jebsens overall goal is to develop strategic alliances with customers that will result in efficiencies and economies of scale to benefit all parties involved. Overlaid on the core business of bulk cargo shipping, Jebsens has identified managing container transport by road, rail and sea as a key business priority. 

See PDF File for more details. 

Recently full agreement has been reached between Shipowners, Charterers (Jebsens and Van Oord) and Insurers (Norwegian Hull) to repair the M.V. ‘ROCKNES’.

The M.V. ‘ROCKNES’ will be repaired at the Remontowa Shipyard in Gdansk, Poland.

Van Oord will be responsible for the repairs of the offshore equipment as well as the vessel during the estimated 250 days at the yard.

It is expected that the M.V. ‘ROCKNES’ will be fully operational in May 2005.

Van Oord, Dredging and Marine Contractors, The Netherlands
Norwegian Hull Club, Bergen, Norway

Further information
Mr. Bert Groothuizen, Manager Marketing & Public Relations, tel. +31 10 4478234, info@vanoord.com.

Text JEBSEN

Aboitiz Jebsen has availed of GlobeSolutions’ TXTHotline to make certificate requests and inquiries easier for their seafarers.  TXTHotline is a special Globe Handyphone service which allows two-way real time messaging between Aboitiz Jebsen and their pool of seafarers.

Operating for the past 20 years, Aboitiz Jebsen has a pool of about 4,000 seafarers, 2,716 of which are at sea at any given time. It is  extensively engaged in the supply of shipboard personnel and other skilled professionals  worldwide.

With its commitment to continuously improve its services, the company has launch TXTHotline  to enhance its communication channels to seafarers  & families.

By using GlobeSolutions’ TXTHotline, seafarers can text their requests to 2990JEBSEN anytime, anywhere.  There will be no more need for them to report to the office just to file their requests. Aboitiz Jebsen will be able to process it right away.

Harbor Training Center Inc. (Cebu) was granted FULL ACCREDITATION by the Maritime Training Council (MTC) to conduct the IMO Model Courses of Crowd Management (1.28) and Crisis Management (1.29) for a period of  three years.

This full accreditation was due to ZERO DEFICIENCIES during the conduct of inspections by MTC in our training center and the practicum vessels, OLO Good Voyage and OLO Fatima, last 01 July 2004.

The MTC Inspection Team was composed of Capt. Gregorio Sialsa (MTC TWG Member), Josephine Marie San Pedro (MTC), Ichiro Kanda (MTC JICA Consultant), SCPO Victor Baba (PCG Cebu), CPO Dionisio Montejar (PCG Cebu), Romyl Cabillo (OWWA), and Suzette Sobrino (Marina 7).

HTCI-Cebu also offers other  training courses such as  Ship Security Officer, Ship Security Awareness, Safe Navigation & Collision Regulations, HIV/AIDS/PADAMS, ISM Code Familiarization, ISPS Code Awareness for Port Facilities Personnel, and Basic Computer Courses (Word/Excel/Lotus Notes).

The Maritime Training Council- Technical Working Group (MTC-TWG) inspected Harbor Training Center Inc., Manila on 26 July 2004 for the purpose of renewal of accreditation to conduct training courses on Crowd Management (IMO Model Course 1.28) and Crisis Management (IMO Model Course 1.29). Included in this inspection were the two Ro-Ro Passenger vessels Superferry 16 and Superferry 18 which are going to be used as practicum vessels.

The MTC Inspection Team was composed of Capt. Antonio Penarubia (FAME–TWG Team Leader), LTJG Ivan Roldan (PCG), Engr. Virvic Paul Erese (MARINA), Ronaldo Demabasa (MTC) and Noland Robles (MTC).

The inspection was successfully conducted with NO DEFICIENCIES noted both for the training center and the practicum vessels.

HARBOR TRAINING CENTER INC. is therefore re-accredited and authorized by the Maritime Training Council to conduct courses on Crowd Management and Crisis Management for another three years.

Aboitiz-Jebsen Manpower Solutions, Inc. (AJMAN), an agency providing skilled Filipino workers to companies worldwide, is now posed to answer demand for US-bound nurses.

A recent report from the US National Center for Health Workforce Analysis indicates that the current US market demand for registered nurses, especially for those trained in geriatric care and diseases, is indeed undersupplied. The report shows that a shortage of full time employed (FTE) registered nurses in the US, previously projected to begin around the year 2007, was already evident in 2000.

Factors driving the growth in US demand include an 18-percent increase in population, a larger proportion of elderly persons, and medical advances that heighten the need for nurses.

According to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), the Philippines sent 12,290 registered nurses to various countries worldwide last year. Only 350 nurses out of the total made it to the US. A factor cited by the POEA for the extremely small number was the long gestation period for US immigrant visa processing, which ranges from 12 to 24 months.

This is where AJMAN comes in—it offers the shortest turnaround time for US immigrant visa processing approval. “Our average period for US immigrant visa processing approval is 10 months only, which makes us well-positioned to fill the gap of supplying US nursing demand requirements,” said Arleen Asuncion, AJMAN vice president.

According to Asuncion, AJMAN ensures through its US employers that the registered nurses in AJMAN’s pool are offered the most generous and comprehensive compensation and benefits package in the industry—between $18 to $25 an hour.

More, AJMAN also promises to its successful nursing candidates that all required exams can be reimbursed, free review classes and test fees for the US nursing licensing board (NCLEX), free US airfare and subsidized housing and transport expenses for the first three months in the US. In addition, employment placement assistance is provided to accompanying spouses, and school admission assistance is provided to children. Financial planning advice is also provided for the couple.

“AJMAN helps Filipino nurses not only to prepare for their migration in the US but also to plan the future of their loved ones,” Asuncion said.

AJMAN is a subsidiary of the Aboitiz Bulk Transport System , a joint venture between the Aboitiz Group of the Philippines and the Jebsen Group of Norway.
 

Aboitiz Jebsen Bulk Transport Corp.– Ship Management Division (Abojeb-SM) has added a new fleet of vessels to manage.

The Aboitiz Transport System Corp. (ATSC) and Abojeb entered into an agreement for the full technical ship management of seven Cebu inter-island vessels last March 15, 2004.

Five of the vessels are passenger-type. These are MV Our Lady of Good Voyage, MV Our Lady of Rule, MV Our Lady of Guadalupe, MV Our Lady of Fatima, and MV Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.  The vessels’ supervision has also given birth to a new fleet group under Abojeb-SM.  Two domestic cargo ships are likewise added to the list of vessels managed by Abojeb-SM.  These are MV Our Lady of Holy Rosary and MV Brinknes. 

Company Security Officer Erden Ferrer is the Designated Person ashore for all the above vessels.

In addition, the Group has 4 options for sisterships, for delivery in 2006.

The JEBSEN Group has previously built open hatch bulkcarriers in China.

These vessels will be built for Jebsens´ contract-trade in the Far East and in the Atlantic.

They are built according to Jebsens´ specifications, based on the Group´s long experience of carrying ´sensitive cargoes´, a.o. lumber - fertilizers of various types - coal products and concentrates.

When you think we had enough with the introduction of Superferry 15 & 16 in redefining sea travelling, well, watch out for the introduction of another “twin-ships” – Superferry 17 & Superferry 18.

Senior Superintendent Rolando Aguilar, the man who spearheads the conversion of SF15 & SF16, once again head off for Japan to oversee the 11 day – crew familiarization and conduction.  Together with him are the 12-man equally competent and technical savvy conduction crew. 

After the 11-day thorough inspection and technical familiarization of Superferry 17 (formerly known as MV New Harima), she had reached the waters of her new home and tied its ropes at Cebu port in the Philippines for her conversion.

Weeks after, her sister-ship followed, SF18 (ex MV New Seto) with Fleet Manager Gener Alonzo as team leader of another set of selectively chosen conduction crew to bring her home.  Superferry 18 is expected to reach the port of Cebu on the 29th of September 2003 for her usual conversion and upgrading projects.

Expect nothing but the best from these twins once their conversion has been completed – conforming to the International Standards of Safety and seaworthiness; and comforts and pleasure of sea travelling that is inherent to WG&A alone.

Superferry 17 is expected to sail by the 1st week of January 2004 while Superferry 18 will be on February 2004.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has granted the change of business name to ABOITIZ JEBSEN MANPOWER SOLUTIONS, INC., formerly known as NFL INTERNATIONAL last July 15, 2003. AJMan is the landbased - recruitment arm of Aboitiz Jebsen providing highly-qualified Filipino professionals worldwide.

Expansion of full recruitment activities in the fields of medical, allied health, information technology and engineering are expected this year as we finalize various job orders from foreign principals.

With the unquestionable reputation of the ABOITIZ JEBSEN group, we believe that we can make a niche in the industry in a short time.

In line with WG&A’s pursuit in providing quality sea transport services, the addition of Superferries 15 & 16 (SF 15 & 16) to its fleet of new breed of ferries will make sea travelling an experience to look forward to.

With safety and customer satisfaction in mind, SF 15 & 16 are reaching new heights in sea service by means of the latest technology, competent crew coupled with personalized services onboard.

Both are fully equipped with sophisticated and modern fire safety equipment in accordance with the international SOLAS requirements, newly installed cargo ramps with monitoring system and amenities such as first class dining saloon, tourist & economy dining, children’s playground, videoke bar and a whole lot more to ensure customer comfort, satisfaction and safety.

Formerly known as MV Ferry Kyoto and Ferry Fukuoka, SF 15 & 16 are the products of intense planning, hardwork and teamwork. Starting off from its acquisition at Osaka, Japan, Senior Superintendent Rolando Aguilar and the crew went through the tedious 14-day familiarization, turnover and conduction to bring them home one at a time.

They proceeded to Keppel Cebu Shipyard for dry-docking as requirement for class entry and conversion for modernization and increased capacity. Hardwork and teamwork among the crew really paid off when they reached Manila on January 16 and March 9, 2003 for their official launching and inauguration.

Superferry 15 (SF 15) is the first domestic passenger ship which passed the stringent standards of Det Norske Veritas (DNV) Classification Society by meeting its high standards of seaworthiness and adherence to codes of safety. Following on her wake is her sister-ship Superferry 16 (SF 16).

SF 15 calls the ports of Iloilo-Gensan-Davao, Cebu-Surigao-Nasipit and Zamboanga-Gensan-Davao

SF 16 will be calling Zamboanga-Gensan-Davao, Iloilo-Gensan and Cebu-Iligan.

In its effort to keep customers in touch with the exciting developments in shipping and logistics businesses, the management and staff of Jebsens Australia launched its first issue of Jebsens Australia News.

The newsletter is intended to introduce seafarer and land based employees, joint venture partners, transport contractors, suppliers and valued customers to each other by putting faces to names and keeping everyone updated about people, their jobs, new business ventures, expansion programs as well as current projects in order to continuously improve customer service.

The first issue was published in January 2003 which included a brief introduction to key joint venture partnerships such as Aboitiz Jebsens, Jebsens Orient Shipping Services, and Beltships.