Ceo Peter Cremers noted, in welcoming guests to the cocktail function that third party managers attending the event had some 1,800 ships under their management, highlighting not only the growth but increasing acceptance of the industry.
Cremers, however, assured the shipowners among his guests that they would still compete forcefully on management fees when it comes to bidding for contracts. The strong contingent of Japanese ship owners could be noticeably seen as part of Anglo-Eastern's key client base and were acknowledged with a summary of the welcome address in Japanese.
The company's humble beginnings in 1974 were briefly described as part of the recognition of how far it had come. Anglo-Eastern Ship Management began life as the ship management office of the then Peter Nash-controlled Anglo-Eastern Shipping. A major turning point was getting Belgian bulk carrier operator Bocimar interested in 1984. Since then the company has grown from strength to strength.
Cremers attributed its success to a simple formula. "Trying to do things right in the first place, being technically straightforward and correct, and sometimes being a bit stubborn and uncommercial by fighting for the right budgets," he said.
The ceo also paid tribute to the people of Anglo-Eastern, who helped to make the success possible. "We would not have been here tonight without a loyal and hardworking Hong Kong workforce, our trusted Indian colleagues at times challenging us and hopefully a bit of Belgian pragmatism and Flemish down to earthiness to glue it all together," he said.
He also paid tribute to Anglo-Eastern's over 20,000 seafarers as the real heroes of the industry. He noted that when the company sent professional photographer Kris Vervaeke on board its ships to document daily routines onboard, it was refreshing to see many smiling faces in the pictures which were captured in a small booklet which will be sent to all the ships as a 40th anniversary thank you memento.
"There is still dedication to the job, time for the odd game, time for the family," Cremers said, pleased that the company's efforts to treat its seafarers as well as possible were successful.
In conclusion Cremers acknowledged the efforts of and thanked various parties key to the company's and his personal success.
Peter Cremers with Sham Chellaram of KC Maritime
Enjoying the occasion, Tim Huxley, ceo, Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Holdings (left), Benoit Timmermans, managing director, Bocimar Belgium (centre) and Kishore S Rajvanshy, ceo of Fleet Management