Alastair Evitt re-joins V. Group

Wednesday, February 20 - 2013

After a nine year absence, Alastair Evitt is delighted to be returning home to V.Group.

The former President of InterManager has taken up the new role of General Manager of V.Ships Greece and will spearhead the company's latest project, expanding its presence in the container market.

Earlier this year, V.Group's primary brand V.Ships agreed with Greek-based Costamare Shipping to establish a cell within V.Ships Greece by the second quarter of 2013.

Greece has traditionally proved to be a difficult market for international third party managers, but Alastair - with around 23 years of ship management experience in Asia and Europe - believes that V.Ships and Costamare have come up with a formula to succeed.

He said: "V.Group aims to be internationally recognised as the number one independent provider of global maritime services and exciting and innovative projects such as this will help us achieve that vision.

"The new cell will service vessels under the head management of Costamare and those of third party clients and will utilise experienced personnel of Costamare and Ciel Ship management S.A. [a Costamare affiliated manager] that are expected to join V.Ships Greece to man the cell.

"Both companies are set to benefit from each other's strengths, with Costamare's foothold in the Greek shipping market enabling us to make the most of opportunities in that part of the world. They have a comprehensive understanding of the business and like V.Ships, are fully focused on quality of service and achieving success through continued growth.

"I'm looking forward to integrating the new staff coming from Costamare and Ciel into the V.Ships organisation, as well as developing the best working practices and resources of V.Ships and Costamare to the ultimate benefit of both. Once established, we will then be in a position to offer this level of operational excellence and cost efficiencies to the entire ship owning community."

After 15 years working as a deck officer - from Cadet to Master - Alastair began a shore role as Ship Operator in 1990 for Acomarit, which would later be taken over by V.Ships. By the time he left the company in 2004, he had risen to the position of V.Ships Asia Managing Director.

He said: "Once you step back through the V.Ships door you immediately feel at home. Of course policies and procedures have been developed and there are new colleagues to work with, but the ethos and principles that have always helped make the company such a success certainly remain.

"There was no hesitation when I was offered the position. I jumped at the chance of taking on this new challenge. The future is certainly looking bright and I'm looking forward to making the most of this exciting opportunity."