Houston, TX - UTC Overseas, a leader in global logistics solutions for its customers, has formed a new Global Chartering Group, and appointed Mr. Andreas Walter as Director of Global Chartering, based in Bremen, Germany. “The Group is designed to better manage not only our own expanding global chartering and project/breakbulk pricing, but to provide consulting services to help our customers navigate the complex charter process,” explains UTC Executive Vice President Marco Poisler. Mr. Poisler, and UTC Global Chief Operating Officer Mirko Knezevic also serve as Executive Management Advisors to the Group. Mr. Walter brings 30 years of experience working for major carriers as owner’s representative and in management functions, overseeing all commercial and technical aspects of the chartering business and has run his own business in the same field for over a decade. He is well versed in the dynamics of major trade lanes including the Middle East, Indian subcontinents, Asia/Australia and North America. Group members include UTC Overseas’ most knowledgeable vessel charter experts: Boye Hansen, the Group’s Latin American-based Chartering Director, has over three decades of chartering experience including rate and contract terms negotiation, technical supervision, and cargo inspection. “Finding the right vessel at the right time and price, and negotiating best contract terms and rates can be a daunting task,” he notes. “For many cargo owners these skills are not part of their core competency and they struggle to find expert help. UTC specializes in turnkey logistics for complex projects worldwide, and chartering is a key part of our service. We have the expertise to identify prospective vessels, request indications and offers, and prepare detailed bid evaluations and provider vetting to lay out best options.” Shashi Bahl, Director of Marine Supervision, has held a Captain’s rank for nearly 40 years, and a Master Mariner’s rating. He has managed vessel crewing, technical repairs and dry-docking, vessel delivery and inspections, management of break-bulk and port operations, and negotiation of 3rd party services including stevedoring, terminals and agencies. “We work as an extension the client’s team to identify the most appropriate vessel, and negotiate charter terms optimized for their needs,” he explains. Oktay Bayramcavus, Chartering Manager, has 15 years of experience in cargo planning and logistics, including management of cargo moves from the U.S., Europe and the Far East to the Middle East, Africa, the former Soviet Republics (CIS) countries and inter-Americas. He has also coordinated the complex charter requirements associated with Ex-Im Bank financed projects. “We can assist cargo owners in all technical aspects of vessel chartering. Our Group is fully supported by UTC’s in-house engineering and marine services departments, adding extra strength to our service offering. We are in regular contact with most vessel owners, operators and pricing centers in the Multi-Purpose and Heavy-Lift vessel arenas.” “UTC Overseas Charter Group customers are assigned a single point of contact for ease of communications on a 24/7 basis,” Mr. Walter adds. “With our modern communications and data systems we’re able to meet regularly, both in person and via the Web, to share information and craft solutions for our customers. We operate from a 71-point Vessel Checklist developed over the years to assure agreements that favor the customer. We also have access to industry credit reports and carrier assessments to assure the reliability and quality of charterers and third-party service providers. We have detailed understanding of the precise verbiage needed to avoid problems in the handling of high-value and over-dimensional cargoes. And, we have first-hand legal and arbitration experience and expertise.” “In our nearly 50 years of service to customers, UTC Overseas has handled literally thousands of vessel charters,” Mr. Knezevic explains. “Our day-to-day experience and the collective skills and experience of our Global Chartering Group team sets a new level of leadership in providing custom-tailored chartering services to customers on a timely and cost-efficient basis.”