News

Ben Line Agencies Japan assists in rescue operation of Chinese Fisherman in the Pacific Ocean

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On Friday 18th May, an emergency request call came in to the Ben Line Agencies Japan (BLAJ) Operations team through Japan Fisheries Association asking for all necessary assistances to rescue an injured crew from a Chinese fishing boat which was operating 220 miles SSE of Kushiro, Hokkaido. The 29-year old crew member was hit by a jumped anchor rope and was in a coma.

The BLAJ Operations team immediately contacted the 1st Regional Coast Guard Headquarters of Japan Coast Guard to rescue the injured crew by Japan Coast Guard (JCG) helicopter.

A helicopter was scrambled to rescue the crew from the fishing boat and successfully lifted him at 15:30LT in the Pacific Ocean. After a quick replenishment of fuel on board a JCG patrol ship, the helicopter landed at Kushiro at 18:00LT and the injured crew arrived at a hospital at 18:30LT. All C.I.Q. formalities have been arranged in Kushiro.

After medical treatment, the fisherman was discharged from hospital on Thursday 24th May together with 2 BLAJ staff members, including a native Chinese speaker, who had flown from Tokyo to Hokkaido to escort him up until his repatriation to Shanghai on 25th May.

This was the 6th emergency rescue operation since the beginning of 2017 where BLAJ has successfully executed agency tasks of this kind.

BLAJ and the Ben Line Agencies group considers the wellbeing and safety of all fishermen and its duty as agents to provide all the necessary assistance where personnel and vessels encounter challenging and hazardous conditions whilst at sea.

Meanwhile, BLAJ received a special appreciation letter from the Chinese principal on Monday 4th June.

Ben Line Agencies expands its footprint in Australia

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We are delighted to announce our extended coverage in Australia as we add Sydney, Gladstone, Melbourne and Adelaide to our existing presence in Brisbane.  Our commitment is to provide the customer with more choice and the same high quality service offering that they would expect of Ben Line Agencies.

Daniel Pitts – Introducing Our New Director

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Date of joining Ben Line Agencies: March 2007
Current location: Ben Line Agencies Indonesia

Dan was born in Bournemouth UK, in 1973 and his association with shipping commenced in 1992 with Wallenius Lines as a trainee boarding officer in the port of Southampton. In March 2007 he joined Ben Line Agencies Malaysia as General Manager, before moving to Jakarta in a similar role and thereafter Country Manager since July 2013. During his time in Indonesia, Ben Line Agencies has witnessed unprecedented growth and as a result of his contributions and endeavours the company is delighted to announce his promotion to Director.

Here we get to know Dan a little better

  • How did you get into the shipping industry?I grew up in Southampton which is a large port city, after leaving college I started working at Wallenius Lines port operations office as a trainee boarding officer.
  • Who were you with prior joining Ben Line Agencies?As mentioned I started my shipping life with Wallenius Lines in UK, and from there have had various roles, and worked in various countries with Wallenius Lines in UK and Sweden. NYK Bulkship/RoRo in UK, USA and Singapore, and Ben Line Malaysia, Indonesia.
  • What qualities did you bring across to Ben Line Agencies from your previous employer(s)?Wallenius Lines was similar to Ben Line in many ways, a family owned company with emphasis on personal service, and building long term relationships with customers, vendors and staff. NYK being a Japanese company with a global corporate structure, had a different working style and culture compared to the European style of Wallenius, but many of the NYK values, trust, stability, loyalty, respect, quality, were common. I try to bring these values into the way I work today.
  • What does a typical day involve for you at Ben Line Agencies Indonesia?Not sure there is a typical day ….working in Indonesia involves many different aspects of HR issues, daily operation management, finance issues, business development, dealing with changes to regulations, etc… all of these change on a daily basis.
  • What are the biggest challenges you face in your current role?The scale and diversity of the operations and different challenges per region within the country, business development, HR issues and managing the Ben Line Agencies Indonesia team across the country, finance and tax matters.
  • How would you describe your leadership style?I try to be calm and practical, empathising with the staff and the daily activity, open to discussion and new ideas that can improve our business. In my previous roles I have worked in Operations, Documentation and Customer Service, Sales, Logistics and trade manage management, so this has helped to give me a rounded background that has proved to be very useful.
  • What has been your finest achievement in your time at Ben Line Agencies Indonesia?Building a strong team for all areas of our business, and developing the office network to cover all the major Indonesian ports.
  • During your spare time what do you do to unwind?Main interests are sports, football and cricket, I still play football (unfortunately not for Arsenal!) most weekends. I like to attend concerts, also travelling as much as possible when time allows.
  • What is your favourite Indonesian cuisine?Nasi Padang, enak…
  • Finally, what is your message to the team in Indonesia?To continue with the same team spirit and internal teamwork that has enabled us to achieve our growth and which remains our key strength for future growth. Communication, proactivity and positive attitude is vital to ensure our service levels remain as per our principals expectations of Ben Line standards. Our people are our main asset and maintaining the strong team spirit is very important.

Dinner & Dance 2018

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Ben Line Agencies Singapore held its annual Dinner and Dance on 23rd March at One Degree 15 Marine, in Sentosa. It was a joyous and wonderful event where all the staff gathered together to enjoy fabulous food and drinks as well as activities planned for the night.

The most remarkable moment was the appreciation of long service awards being presented to the staff who have been in this big family for more than 10 years. Everyone plays an important role towards the success of Ben Line Singapore.

It was an unforgettable night for all and we look forward to a prosperous year for Ben Line Singapore.

History Bites – Our heritage

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During the course of the 19th and 20th centuries Ben Line forged its name in the maritime sector with its premier cargo and passenger services between Europe and Asia.  We cannot forget our rich heritage and this image illustrates the services we offered the market at the time.

Today, the Ben Line name continues to prosper as it grows its Marine, Liner Agency representation and Integrated Logistics business across Asia and Oceania.

Participating in Indonesia Transport, Supply Chain and Logistics Conference

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Ben Line Agencies Indonesia will be taking part in The Indonesia Transport, Supply Chain and Logistics Conference between 19th – 21st October, at JI Expo Kemayoran, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Indonesia Transport, Supply Chain and Logistics (ITSCL), together with Intralogistics (ILI), is Indonesia’s only dedicated transport and logistics exhibition for products and services dedicated to the physical distribution of goods, supply chain and material handling. It aims to be a key partner of the industry by bringing government, international and domestic participants of the complete transport and supply chain industry all together in one place. The show provides opportunities to present products and solutions, share experiences and network, with the aim of seeking solutions to increase efficiency and reduce the cost of transport and logistics in Indonesia.

Ben Line Agencies Indonesia will be partnering up with strategic partner Petrosea to promote agency and logistics support.For more information on the conference, please click http://www.transport-supplychain-logistics.co.id/