Ship managers fear up to 30 job losses

Isle of Man ship managers fear job losses

An Isle of Man ship management firm says it may have to shed up to 30 jobs followng BP's decision to take management in house.

Dorchester Atlantic Marine Ltd which is based on the island and has offices in Bernuda and other countries round the world say that BPs decision to take management of its officers in house has been the catalyst for the news.

Managing Director David Furnival says he would be working hard to save the jobs and that some of the staff affected could simply transfer to BP offices on the Isle of Man, however, staff have been told that there was 'serious potential' for losses with the next six months.

Dorchester Atlantic was formed in January of this year with the merger of Atlantic Marine LP of Bermuda and Dorchester Maritime Limited, both members of the Schulte Group which consists of six ship management companies which, according to its website, are responsible for the management of over 400 vessels, including 80 Gas Vessels, and has wholly-owned crew recruitment agencies in Poland, Myanmar, Sierra Leone, Philippines, India, Latvia, Estonia and Australia.