MERCURY MARITIME ENTERPRISES
THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF SHIPPING
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MERCURY MARITIME ENTERPRISES
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Mercury Maritime Enterprises has been the epitome of excellence since it was first established in 2018. As a fresh and modern ship management company, Mercury Maritime benefits from a history that stretches far beyond its fifth anniversary. General Manager Jason Merkouris explained how the company came to exist and what it has achieved so far, in a conversation with Hannah Barnett and Imogen Ward.
W
ith roots dating back to
dedicated to advancing its service offering
the 1970s, Mercury Maritime
as an expert in the management of bulk
Enterprises has a plethora of
carriers and worldwide transportation.
experience backing it. “Mercury Maritime is the product of a family
A fleet fit for ferrying
history steeped in shipping,” General Manager
With five vessels to its name, Mercury
Jason Merkouris explained. “This began with
Maritime has worked hard to grow a fleet
my grandfather, Captain John Samartzis, who
of younger, more modern ships.
founded J.P. Samartzis Maritime Enterprises,
“Each vessel we acquire, and the
which is still operating today under the leader-
more we grow, is another milestone for the
ship of my father. In 2018, it was decided that
company,” Mr Merkouris said. “We always
a new company would be created: one that
aim to purchase ships that are less than a
shared the same management style but held
decade old, and we maintain them well, so
a more modern approach to investing.”
they are long-lasting and durable.”
Thus, Mercury Maritime was born.
Out of the five vessels currently in Mercury
Ever since then, the company has been
Maritime’s possession, three are Handysize
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MERCURY MARITIME ENTERPRISES
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and two are Supramax. Together, these
pay a lot of attention to the selection of our
ships total an impressive 220,000 DWT.
crews, to the training we provide to all staff
With Mercury Maritime’s first purchase
members, and the continuous monitoring of
occurring in 2019, the company made its
our ships. We frequently go onboard, some-
biggest purchase to date that same year
times making unannounced inspections as
and has successfully quadrupled its invest-
well. These are all things I believe any pru-
ment capital over the past five years.
dent ship owner and manager would do.” To avoid any risks to crew welfare, the
Sailing safely
company also strives to maintain all its ves-
Whilst managing its ever-growing portfolio,
sels in the best possible condition. In a bid
Mercury Maritime makes sure to prioritise
to keep its assets in line with industry-wide
the safety of everyone involved. From
developments, Mercury Maritime has also
onboard crews to office personnel, no
been researching alternative fuel-types.
expense is spared when it comes to
“Most recently, I have been looking into
ensuring the employees of Mercury
the practicality of biofuels,” Mr Merkouris
Maritime are educated on HSQE.
continued. “We have been working very
“Of course, we abide by all industry
closely with BMS – a bunker supplier – which
standards,” said Mr Merkouris. “we also
is currently running several biofuel projects,
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and we plan to participate in the company’s
Maritime and its long-term partners, that
testing programme soon as well. The use of
makes it feel like we are all part of one big
biofuels will help improve the efficiency of
company. This special relationship enables
our vessels.”
us to collaborate and solve any problem, no matter the time or day.”
Excellent efficiency Other methods that Mercury Maritime is implementing to improve the efficiency of all its vessels include the use of highquality antifouling paints for hulls, the maintenance of the main engines, and the use of fuel additives. “Innospec’s fuel additives help to make fuel consumption more efficient and reduce sludge,” Mr Merkouris explained. “We have been using this product since 2016, and we have had zero fuel-related problems since then, which is a great achievement. “We value the reliability of all our suppliers, and we tend to gravitate towards small-size businesses that often don’t get the recognition they should. There is a special connection between Mercury
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Two of Mercury Maritime’s ships also
is said to improve efficiency by five per cent
feature a Mevis Duct: an energy saving
– which results in either an improvement
device that is positioned ahead of the
of fuel consumption or an increase in
propeller where it equalises water inflow,
vessel speed.
reduces slipstream loss and, in turn, improves efficiency.
“The efficiency of this product, however, is limited due to its reliance on higher
“The Mevis Duct reroutes some of
speeds. Now, with ESA regulations in
the back water that goes towards the
place, some ships are required to use
propeller,” Mr Merkouris said. “This device
limiters, meaning they cannot travel above a certain speed. It is unfortunate but, due to the inability to reach optimal speeds, we cannot currently gain the full benefits of this amazing energy saving device.”
Anchors aweigh As it sails past its fifth anniversary and into the future, Mercury Maritime is already implementing crucial steps that will aid its ongoing goals. With growth on the agenda, the company intends to carry out more acquisitions in the immediate future.
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“We are now negotiating a deal for two new vessels,” Mr Merkouris said, “two modern Supramax vessels about 10 years old. These vessels will take our total to seven by the end of 2023 and will be the next step in our short-term growth plans. By 2026, we expect to have a fleet of eight to ten ships. As it stands, we are slowly approaching this target. This is the first major milestone we have set for ourselves, which is incredibly exciting. After we have achieved it, our main focus will be on opti-
General Manager Jason Merkouris
mising the efficiency of our operations.” Reflecting over the past six years,
“From the very first day I started this job,
Mr Merkouris was positive about the
I knew it was the right place for me. Even
journey: “Every voyage is an adventure
before I was introduced to a career in
within the world of shipping. Naturally,
shipping, I think it was meant to be,” he
things happen, and hurdles arise, but we
concluded. “I love problem solving, and
always work to get the job done. Thanks
the excitement that each day at Mercury
to our small size, we can be on top of
Maritime brings helps to bolster my passion
a problem in a moment’s notice.“
for the business.”
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