VIMC Welcomes Newest Addition to City's Shipping Community

Greystoke Marine Management Ltd. is the latest company to choose Vancouver for its base of operations. The company focuses on assisting global shipping investors and international owners with optimally managing their portfolio of assets.

Greystoke’s founders Robert Hedley, Mads Meldgaard and Roy Spires are all former shipping executives with one of the world's largest energy transportation providers. They have extensive global experience in commercial and technical management, crewing, as well as marine finance.

"Greystoke is a great supporter of the Vancouver International Maritime Center initiative and Vancouver was an obvious location to start our new company,” says Co-CEO Robert Hedley. “The City's focus on expanding shipping businesses through such initiatives will continue to draw a lot of attention to Vancouver from around the world. We see this as a major opportunity for Greystoke as well as the international shipping community."

Greystoke executives initially connected with the VIMC when it launched in London last September, during London International Shipping Week. This month the VIMC expanded its outreach to Asia where it hosted more than 100 shipping industry representatives in Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong.

“Our mission to Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong builds on last year’s events in London and Athens. We can’t expect the global shipping industry to come to us, we have to actively reach out and explain the advantages that Vancouver and Canada have to offer,” says Graham Clarke, VIMC Chairman and CEO.

“The future of global shipping is tied to Asia’s resource demands and Vancouver offers the closest and most diversified port in the North American market”, says Kaity Arsoniadis-Stein, VIMC Executive Director. “Canada’s economic and political stability, rule of law, as well as its high quality lifestyle and clean air, make Vancouver one of the most attractive maritime hubs on the planet.”

Some companies have already made the move. Last September, Singapore-based AAL Shipping announced the opening of its Vancouver office. AAL is a leading global ocean transport operator.

The VIMC gratefully acknowledges the support of the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia. On this latest mission, the Canadian High Commission hosted the VIMC event in Singapore, during Singapore Maritime Week.  The Canadian Embassy in Tokyo and the Consul General in Hong Kong were extremely supportive in market as were the BC Trade and Investment Offices in those cities.

“The B.C. government is proud to help VIMC bring new investment to our shipping industry,” said Teresa Wat, Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism. “Our trade and investment representatives are located in key markets to help businesses make connections and promote the benefits of doing business in B.C. With the closest shipping times to Asia, a highly skilled and multi-lingual workforce and a competitive business environment, it makes sense that the international shipping industry is looking to our province as one of the best locations in North America to live and invest.”