Pratik Bijlani –
On February 18, Anglo-Eastern Ship Management (AESM) celebrated its 50-year milestone with their annual conference, held at Hotel Grand Hyatt in Mumbai. This event known for fostering collaboration and professional growth in the maritime sector, carried the theme Delivering Excellence – 50 years and beyond. It attracted a distinguished gathering of industry leaders, Anglo-Eastern executives, government officials, clients, partners, and maritime professionals.
The conference commenced with a poignant video highlighting Anglo-Eastern’s journey since its inception in 1974. From its humble beginnings in Hong Kong and India, the company has evolved into a global leader in ship management with a presence across 30 locations, 750 managed ships, and a workforce of over 39,000 seafarers and 2,200 shore employees. The video highlighted Anglo-Eastern’s core philosophy ‘It’s our ship,’ demonstrating its dedication to its vessels, crew, and environmental sustainability.
Anglo-Eastern CEO Capt Bjorn Hojgaard delivered a powerful keynote, celebrating the company’s half-century of achievements and emphasizing its pivotal role in global trade. “Shipping is not just vital; it is indispensable. Without us, without our ships and seafarers, the world would grind to a halt,” he said, underscoring the indispensable nature of maritime operations. Highlighting the company’s contributions to sustainability, he spotlighted initiatives such as Whale Conservancy – League of Whale Guardians and reaffirmed Anglo-Eastern’s commitment to decarbonization, innovation, and safety.
A video message from IMO Secretary-General Mr Arsenio Dominguez celebrated Anglo-Eastern’s contributions to maritime excellence while emphasizing the industry’s resilience amidst global challenges. He noted, “While our IMO priorities are clean shipping, advancing maritime safety and security, empowering seafarers, and driving decarbonization, we cannot deliver any of them alone,” stressing the importance of collective action. Praising Anglo-Eastern’s alignment with IMO priorities, he said, “I commend Anglo-Eastern’s 50 years of legacy in ship management, supported by over 39,000 seafarers and its commitment to aligning with IMO’s priorities for the future.”
The conference featured engaging presentations and discussions. Indian government representative Mr Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping highlighted initiatives to enhance the nation’s shipping sector, while Anglo-Eastern executives, including COO – Asia Mr Carsten Ostenfeldt and CIO Mr Torbjorn Dimblad, explored the company’s technological advancements and sustainability efforts. Their insights reaffirmed Anglo-Eastern’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and seafarer well-being.
The event also spotlighted ground-breaking visions for decarbonization. Speakers like CIP’s Mr Jens Andersen outlined the potential of green ammonia as the fuel of the future, while MAN Energy Solutions, Michael Petersen discussed dual-fuel engines and green hydrogen innovations. These presentations emphasized the maritime industry’s transformative journey toward sustainability and its collective responsibility to achieve global decarbonization goals.
A moving highlight of the day was commercial diver Christopher Lemons sharing his miraculous survival story, a testament to resilience and the human spirit, which is highlighted in his documentary titled “Last Breath” available on Netflix.
As the conference concluded, Anglo-Eastern’s leadership reflected on the past five decades and reiterated their vision for a sustainable and thriving maritime future. With its unwavering focus on excellence, safety, and innovation, Anglo-Eastern remains a beacon of progress, ready to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the next 50 years.
Marex Media