Interview: Managing Director Barry Zwijgers of NewTide Chartering

With 35 years of experience, Zwijgers is a living example of the sector’s appeal. ‘It grabs hold of you and won’t let go,’ he explains. He doesn’t sail or go boating in his spare time; his connection to the maritime world is purely professional. As a Rotterdam native, that is hardly surprising. In his view, if you are from Rotterdam, you always have a special connection with the water.

In brief, what does NewTide Chartering do?

‘We provide the commercial management of a fleet of shortsea vessels, match supply and demand in the market, conclude freight contracts, plan the deployment of these vessels and ensure that the fleet is operated as efficiently and profitably as possible. What began as a partnership with Boomsma Shipping has expanded last year to include a third partner: the Northern German shipping company Leonhardt & Blumberg. They, too, are a family business with a rich history and an excellent reputation, built up over generations in the international shipping industrie.’

Almost all the vessels in your fleet are called ‘Frisian’ or ‘Hansa’. Where does this tradition come from?

‘Boomsma Shipping is based in Sneek, which explains the link with Friesland. Their first vessels already bore these names, and the current newbuilds proudly carry them too: Frisian Future, Frisian Famke, and so on. The Hansa vessels belong to Leonhardt & Blumberg. They are based in Hamburg, which was of course an important Hanseatic city in the former trading league. I like the idea of choosing names that reflect where you come from. Their 6,000-tonners, incidentally, are named after Danish islands (Hansa Christiansoe, Hansa Drejoe, etc.). If you are wondering, “why did they not choose Dutch or German Wadden Islands?” The reason is that there are too few of them, should the series be continued!’

Several trade routes are currently under severe pressure. What is your view on this?

‘Our sailing area is mainly the Atlantic Ocean, but we do not close our eyes to what is happening in other regions. Geopolitics definitely has an impact on our business. When the war in Ukraine began in 2022, the Russian market in the Baltic Sea dried up completely for us. What’s happening now in the Middle East is affecting fuel prices. Political unrest always creates challenges. That is precisely why flexibility is more important than ever these days. Sometimes the market changes literally overnight.’

Fleet sustainability is an important trend in shipping. Are you involved in that as well?

‘Certainly. Although NewTide does not build vessels itself, from a commercial perspective we do play an important role in the choices our partners make. Every day, we see what the market demands and what requirements customers set. Sustainability is no longer just a preference; increasingly, it is a strict requirement. Customers ask about the CO₂ emissions of a shipment. Our partners are therefore investing in a new generation of vessels that are significantly more fuel-efficient and comply with the strictest regulations and environmental requirements. With the arrival of these newbuilds, the fleet is continuing to grow. At the same time, part of the older tonnage is expected to be replaced, gradually reducing the fleet’s average emissions.’

‘At the same time, newbuilds are assessed not only in terms of fuel consumption, but also according to factors such as cargo capacity, hold volume and flexibility. After all, a more efficient vessel is better for the environment and more commercially attractive. For the coming years, we expect diesel-electric propulsion to be the most realistic step forward, while continuing to closely monitor developments in alternative fuels and battery technology.’

How do you experience the cooperation with NNPC Marine Insurance?

‘I am very satisfied with the people we work with. As you often hear, the lines of communication are short, and we also know each other well. That makes it easy to act quickly.

Incidentally, we do not only call when there are problems, but also for advice or a legal review. For example, during contract negotiations we regularly discuss the interpretation of a clause or its potential consequences. By discussing these matters thoroughly in advance, we can better assess risks. Recently, for instance, we did business with a party that did not want to apply English law, as is customary, but Swedish or Norwegian law. What does that mean for the shipowner’s position? It is useful to be able to discuss this with a specialist, so that we can make well-informed decisions.’

Finally, is there anything else you would like to add?

‘After all these years, I still go to work with great enthusiasm. No two days are the same, and it is precisely that variety that makes this industry so appealing. The combination of people, trade and vessels continues to fascinate me. In addition, I hope to pass on my knowledge and experience in the coming years and inspire a new generation to become enthusiastic about this wonderful sector. Shipping has given me so much, and it would be wonderful if young people, too, discover how versatile and challenging this profession is.’