OSG to Outsource Technical Ship Management

Overseas Shirley, a Marshall Islands-flagged OSG-owned Aframax tanker, image by Alf van Beem, republished under Creative Commons License

Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. (OTC:OSGIQ) has announced today that V.Ships will now take on the role of technical manager for their entire fleet of internationally-flagged tankers, an agreement which is subject to approval from Bankruptcy Court in early February.

OSG notes that their U.S. Flag business “will continue with its current strategy” and few, if any changes can be expected.

This decision was made to provide OSG with a more “competitive cost structure, consistent with industry best practice that will enable it to take advantage of future market opportunities.”

“The simplification of our International business will allow us to rely upon the economies of scale, systems, and expertise of leading third parties,” said OSG’s chief executive officer, Capt. Bob Johnston. “By outsourcing technical management and pursuing a pool strategy for all our international vessels, we will position our international business to emerge successfully from Chapter 11 with a smaller, more-concentrated fleet without the need for costly systems, multiple offices and the associated expense. Outsourcing will allow our international management team to focus on the strategic direction of the business as the market recovers by retaining key operational and commercial oversight.

“As we make this transition, we are committed to providing the same high level of service to our customers and maintaining our focus on safety, quality and environmental compliance. Customers will continue to be served by the same highly trained OSG crews as before, but under management by V.Ships, a larger organization with an established track record of incorporating industry best practices system-wide. For vendors, suppliers and others involved with our International Flag business, there will be a seamless transition as V.Ships assumes various functions. As we continue our restructuring process and emerge from Chapter 11 as a stronger, more-focused business, we are confident that we will be well positioned to succeed,” concluded Capt. Johnston.

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