Back to all Press Releases

Leading travel management company BCD Travel and integrated maritime solutions leader Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM), announced a new joint venture agreement to create a specialised, dynamic and highly responsive global marine travel services offering. The joint venture bolsters BCD’s expansion of its global Energy, Resources & Marine practice, adding specialized services for the marine sector.

Few kinds of travel rival seafarer movement in terms of complexity and the need for specialized services. This partnership offers additional value to clients through the synergies shared between the companies, including:

  • Comprehensive crew management applications and digital marine solutions developed through BSM’s technology division MariApps, which make it easier and more efficient to manage seafarers’ travel and logistic requirements
  • BSM’s deep understanding of seafarer needs based on over 30 years of experience managing challenging crew changes and travel for seafarers, and a heritage of over 135 years in the maritime industry
  • A global network of wholly-owned offices and the ability to provide comprehensive travel management services at scale
  • Additional in-country servicing with marine expertise in key shipping locations around the world
  • Further access to specialised marine and offshore content
  • BCD’s TripSource® powerful trip management platform, featuring itinerary management, relevant messages to travelers, safety information, and hotel booking functionality (when applicable by policy) to keep travelers engaged and organized
  • BCD’s DecisionSource® analytics and intelligence platform, enabling maritime operations to gain insights and drive better decisions across both crew and corporate travel spend.

“BCD recognizes that the marine sector has nuances. Our new joint venture agreement with BSM not only brings specialized expertise in the maritime industry to our current and prospective clients, it allows both companies to utilize the best technology and service offerings available in their respective sectors—all at the optimal level of service and cost,” said Stewart Harvey, BCD Travel President–EMEA.

Seafarers rely on their agencies to have global and local expertise, added flexibility and carefully timed connections to arrive precisely when and where they are needed. Transporting personnel to vessels, oil rigs or dredgers, and managing crew changes and last-minute bookings requires a lot of coordination and experience. This sector is rich in history and tradition, and those operating within it must understand that.

“Our new joint venture couples BSM’s specialised technology and deep understanding of the needs of clients in the maritime industry with BCD’s global scale and highly regarded corporate travel expertise, bringing to the market an unparalleled service offering,” said Yiannis Sykas, BSM Director of Strategy and Product Development.

Those interested in learning more about BCD Energy, Resources and Marine may visit https://www.bcdtravel.com/erm/

RELATED Press Releases

FuelEU Maritime fully integrated in BSM's emission management services
FuelEU Maritime fully integrated in BSM's emission management services

The countdown for the new FuelEU Maritime regulation is on. It will come into force from 2025. Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) has developed comprehensive FuelEU Maritime measures and digital tools, integrated in its emission management services, to ensure a smooth transition to the highly complex compliance requirements.

BSM is ready to go for EU ETS
BSM is ready to go for EU ETS

Carbon Compliance Management

There are only a few days to go until EU’s Emission Trading System (EU ETS) kicks in for the shipping industry from 2024. Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) has developed a comprehensive range of carbon compliance and EU ETS management services designed to support owners and operators mastering the complex regulation requirements and to reduce their carbon footprint and related costs.

“We invest in specialist teams and IT tools required to ensure a smooth transition to EU ETS”
“We invest in specialist teams and IT tools required to ensure a smooth transition to EU ETS”

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement

The inclusion of the maritime sector into the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) is done and dusted to be introduced from 2024. Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) is developing solutions to support its customers to navigate the complexity of the upcoming requirements.

“Windea Leibniz” is ready to boost offshore wind power expansion in the Baltic and North Sea
“Windea Leibniz” is ready to boost offshore wind power expansion in the Baltic and North Sea

Upgrade of SOV capacities

On 4 February 2023, BSM managed Service Operation Vessel (SOV) “Windea Leibniz” finished an extensive upgrade at Ulstein Shipyard in Norway. With an increase of cabins from 60 to over 80, the vessel has transitioned from an SOV to a Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV). Additionally, the ship received one extra pedestal on the stern for Baltic Sea operations to complement the existing pedestal for North Sea use. The upgrade expands the operational range of “Windea Leibniz” and makes her even more attractive for the offshore market.

BSM celebrates 50 years of third-party ship management
BSM celebrates 50 years of third-party ship management

More than 600 invited guests gathered yesterday at Limassol Marina, Cyprus, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM). Customers and partners, representatives from business and politics as well as employees, paid tribute to BSM as a first mover in third-party ship management. Fifty years ago, the foundation was laid for the development of todays BSM, which is now one of the largest ship management companies in the world. Furthermore, it was the beginning of the unparalleled development of Cyprus into one of the world’s most important shipping locations.

Schulte Group’s new LNG bunker vessel design will streamline at-sea operations and reduce costs
Schulte Group’s new LNG bunker vessel design will streamline at-sea operations and reduce costs

Schulte Group presented today for the first time its next generation design for an LNG bunker vessel (LBV) at Gastech Exhibition and Conference in Milan. The shipping group has used its experience as an LNG bunker vessel owner and operator to develop a new innovative LBV design that is easy-to-use, fulfils present and known future requirements for at-sea LNG bunker deliveries and reduces last-mile costs.

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement - Every single seafarer can contribute to greener shipping
Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement - Every single seafarer can contribute to greener shipping

As part of a research and development project, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) has for the first time investigated the influence of the behavioural change of individual seafarers on carbon emissions on selected ships managed by BSM Deutschland (BSMD). Using clean-tech start-up Signol’s app, which is based on behavioural science best practice, remarkable reductions in bunker fuel consumption were detected on single ships.

BSM and Amon Maritime establish ship management joint venture in Norway
BSM and Amon Maritime establish ship management joint venture in Norway

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) and the Norwegian ammonia specialist Amon Maritime have announced the creation of a 50/50 joint venture “Ula Ship Management” during Nor-Shipping in Oslo. The joint venture, which will be based in Sandefjord in southern Norway, aims to offer ship management services for the Norwegian market, specialising in ammonia-powered vessels, but open to all types of ships.