Singapore-based Norstar Ship Management, said it has opened a crewing office in Yangon, Myanmar, as it seeks to expand business opportunities for the marine sector in the South East Asian country.

The new office named ‘Norstar Crew Management Company Limited’ was formally opened this month during a reception in the presence of Muang Muang Oo, Myanmar’s director general of the Department of Maritime Administration in attendance with Norstar’s guests, crew and staff, said a statement from the company.

Norstar’s office in Yangon which commenced its operations in February this year, is an extension of the company’s office in Singapore, it stated.

The office will now undertake all crew manning and departure arrangements on behalf of Norstar Ship Management in Singapore.

Tom Bonehill, the director of Norstar Ship Management, said the opening of the crewing office in Myanmar is a very significant step for the company.

Norstar currently operates a fleet of 19 mainly oil product and chemical carriers. The vessels are predominately manned by Myanmar officers and crew, said the statement.

The Singaporean ship manager company has a pool of around 1,000 Myanmar seafarers making it one of the largest crewing companies in Myanmar, and is also actively recruiting local cadets from the Myanmar Maritime University and the Myanmar Maritime Mercantile College.

“We have been using Myanmar seafarers on our vessels for many years now and the move to establish our own office where we can invest further in training and welfare is consistent with our long term commitment to our seafarers and Myanmar as a whole,” said Bonehill. – TradeArabia News Service