CETUS MARITIME
EXPERT SHIPPING, FROM EAST TO WEST
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CETUS MARITIME
I PROFILE
Chief Commercial Officer Jens von Husen
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Born from a merger between Asia Maritime Pacific and Hamburg Bulk Carriers, Cetus Maritime brings a new strength to the dry bulk shipping sector. The Hong Kong-based company currently has 40 vessels. Chief Commercial Officer Jens von Husen shared the company’s story and its strong plans for fleet renewal. Report by Imogen Ward and Phil Nicholls.
T
he creation of Cetus Maritime at the end of 2022 arose from a joint project between Asia Maritime Pacific
and Hamburg Bulk Carriers. The resulting close collaboration of executives from the two companies was just the first step in a longer journey. “That project was how we got to know each other,” Chief Commercial Officer Jens von Husen explained. “This is how shipping works, it's all about the chemistry between people. I am a strong believer in people, and this is a people business. “HBC had plenty of operating expertise, while the team from AMP probably had a little more owning expertise; but the merger made sense. All the people involved liked each other and there has been a good understanding from day one. All those factors made the merger much easier.” Alongside the office in Hong Kong, the company also has representatives in Shanghai, Singapore, Manila, Tokyo, Melbourne, Hamburg and Austin. The name Cetus Maritime draws on many concepts that are important to the
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CETUS MARITIME
I PROFILE
company: as a water constellation, Cetus
This is especially true for those projects
represents the history of ocean naviga-
which will help mould Cetus Maritime into
tion. The image of Cetus as the whale also
an agile organisation able to face the chal-
reminds the team of the broader ocean
lenges of the evolving shipping industry.
environment, as well as its responsibilities to that environment.
As an example of this strategy, in August 2023 Cetus Maritime entered into a partnership with Yangzijiang Financial.
Sailing forth
This is a leading cross-border investment
As a very young company, Cetus
manager in Asia, with Singapore and the
Maritime is at the start of its voyage.
PRC as core markets. Yangzijiang
The management team is open to the
Financial is focused on long-term value
possibility of additional joint ventures or
creation, making it an ideal partner for
acquisitions in the future of the company.
Cetus Maritime on its ongoing project
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of replacing older, smaller vessels with
sent state of the shipping industry. “The
a young handysize fleet.
market is currently seeing a new trading
In the short-term, the key concern at
pattern,” Mr von Husen continued. “So,
Cetus Maritime is fleet renewal, according
everybody is a little cautious; and rightly
to Mr von Husen: “We intend to grow
so, if we look at the global economy.
alongside the market and when the time
“Global logistics are changing. The
is right, increase our fleet to around 50
market is not at full steam capacity wise,
or 60 vessels, then take on more cargo-
there are still a lot of delays in ports and
based contracts.
at the Panama Canal. Shipping needs a
“This will help us achieve our goal of becoming one of the top five global players in the industry.”
little bit of a bridging period, where the industry has a reset.” Cetus Maritime is applying the team’s
One further point of consideration for
collective knowledge to understand this
the Cetus fleet renewal programme is the
bridging process and build up the com-
issue of propulsion within shipping. Once
pany to thrive in the emerging industry.
a clear form of sustainable fuel has
Alongside the challenges of the global
emerged, then Cetus is ready to commit
market, Cetus Maritime is also working
and be part of the process of change
to recruit the right personnel package
within the industry.
to grow with the company. The traits of Cetus Maritime should
State of play
make this recruitment process much
The team at Cetus Maritime is eager to
easier, according to Mr von Husen: “We
push forward with these expansion plans,
are still a young company, and we are
but there is also an awareness of the pre-
still in the building phase for our teams.
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CETUS MARITIME
I PROFILE
This means we can offer exciting career prospects to young people. I think the way we want to grow Cetus offers the team a good future, and this potential is a core part of our recruitment strategy.” In order to help build a pool of talent within the industry, Cetus Maritime plans to participate in apprenticeship schemes from 2024 onwards, notably in Germany. This dedication to nurturing enthusiastic youngsters will ensure a healthy future for the shipping sector. Indeed, within Cetus Maritime there is a great belief in the merits of education, with a dedicated in-house training programme. “We always like our people to be up to date, because that makes the
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day-to-day business easier,”
This proved to be a popular project around
said Mr von Husen. “This is
the office, as well as an opportunity to
another way in which we look
support a worthy cause.
after our team. At the end of the
“I believe that it is important to partici-
day, the people are what makes
pate wherever you can be of help and
a business.”
assistance,” Mr von Husen said. “I always say that in life, whatever you give, you
A growing team spirit
will get back. So I think it's only fair that
The motivated and experienced team at
we support people who need help. It is
Cetus Maritime is a core part of what sets
this spirit that makes for a healthy
the young company apart from the com-
working atmosphere at Cetus. Having
petition. “As a team, we are ready to rock
good colleagues with a good under-
and roll, so to speak,” Mr von Husen
standing of the business makes coming
explained. “Cetus Maritime is focusing
to the office such a pleasure for me.”
on a certain size of vessel, mainly the
It is this highly motivated team that
handysize and the handymax. As we
will build a promising future for Cetus
grow, we are dedicated to becoming
Maritime. “Shipping is an industry that is
a good partner within the industry.”
changing all the time,” Mr von Husen said,
As part of Cetus Maritime’s goal of being
in conclusion. “That's probably also what
a supportive partner to the broader ship-
makes shipping so unique, and such an
ping industry, the team has been involved
attractive challenge. I am lucky to be
in community action by supporting partici-
working in an industry that will never
pants in the seafarer’s hiking challenge.
become boring.”
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