HICO, a privately owned trust fund owned by the Hartnoll family, has acquired the assets of Bengal Tiger Line from CMIA Capital Partners. The change of ownership from CMIA Capital Partners to HICO will not see any change in the management structure of Bengal Tiger Line, and the day-to-day business will remain as status quo and will continue without any form of disruption. This acquisition is in line with HICO’s interests in the focus verticals of hospitality, technology and transportation. HICO will look to build value for Bengal Tiger Line through the knowledge, network, skills and culture of the businesses under the HICO umbrella.

With the IMO introduction of Ultra Low Sulphur Fuel from Jan 2020, the transition from HFO initially MGO and then to Low Sulphur Fuel will commence effective 4th quarter as Vessels clean tanks to be complaint before end year. Accordingly our Low Sulphur BAF computation will apply WEF mid-November and be based on the October's MGO average price. Timely circulation and discussions on details have been underway since as early as July '19 and it is essential that this recovery is fully implemented as the cost exposure is untenable for all Operators.

BTL commences Kolkata Berth Window system providing a fixed day service from NSD Kolkata Dock to Port Kelang's West and North Port terminals. Operating 2 dedicated shallow draft vessels BTL and its partners will offer a weekly sailing departing Kolkata every Wednesday. With continuous carting to receive exports and the fastest transit in the trade this facilitation with Kolkata Port Trust will see improved vessel turn rounds and support timely connectivity at PKL's transhipment HUB. Commenting onboard the inaugural vessel, m/v Unisky, BTL's Chief Executive remarked "This is a first for Kolkata and as one of the pioneer Common Feeder Operators in Kolkata, we are proud to play our part which should provide our clients with a superior product and hopefully bring some relief to a difficult trade."

BTL commences a new service from Khalifa to Pakistan deploying 2500 teu capacity tonnage. Reacting to trade demand for a dedicated shuttle between Abu Dhabi's Khalifa Port and Pakistan's KICT & QICT terminals BTL offers a fixed day weekly service using m/v Normed.

Continuing to recognise the contribution of Feeders to their Transhipment HUB port, SLPA, CICT and SAGT jointly arranged and awarded both the top MLO and Feeder Operators calling at Colombo wherein BTL was Feeder runner up.

After many glorious years on Wellington Island BTL Kochi recently inaugurated a new office on the mainland following the recent trend of Shipping Agents to move closer to town and Valarpadnam terminal. After ribbon cutting and traditional lamp lighting marking the opening, the office was graced during the day by client and partner well wishers. Apart from BTL Kochi team, Ms Prema as India Head and BTL’s MD, Bill Smart, were in town to oversee the auspicious event. BTL operate twice weekly services from Kochi to Colombo and have almost 3 decades of experience on this route.

BTL Lanka recently played host to the “Tiger Teams” from Singapore & India for a sectorial review of business activities. Joachim von der Heydt chaired the meetings which brought everyone up-to-date on corporate and market situations. Thereafter the visitors took the opportunity to mingle with Sri Lankan office personnel at a roof top party hosted in the facilities of BTL Shipping House - a group 8 floor commercial building investment.

Approx 30 industry Seniors dinned on 1st December at Mumbai's Hyatt Regency's Stax restaurant in celebration of BTL's 30th anniversary. BTL was represented from Singapore, India and Sri Lanka. Chairman, Joachim von der Heydt, spoke of the long association with India and the challenges of developing the Feeder business in the early days as well as the loyal customer support which had accompanied BTL over the years due to the high levels of service provision.

BTL recently hosted past and present trade friends at a Cocktail reception in Chennai to celebrate 30 years of operations. With Main Line, NVOCC, terminal & port representatives in attendance a grand reunion of industry acquaintances was witnessed in BTL's traditional home port. Chairman, Joachim von der Heydt, spoke of how BTL's name had been derived and overcoming the initial challenges of operating in the Bay of Bengal - which was only possible with the loyal support of the trade and the belief of BTL's other Partner, Heinrich Schoeller.

BTL's Teams from Singapore, India & Sri Lanka descended on Chennai end November to meet and discuss strategy for 2017. Line Managers presented their forward plans and each office was able to interject their requirements and suggestions in true BTL open dialogue style.

Marking BTL’s 800th vessel call at Visak, comprising 15 years of dedicated weekly coverage, a Trade reception was hosted on-board BTL’s flag ship, m/v Passat Summer, last Saturday 1st July ’16. With over 40 Main Line & NVOCC clients together with VCTL Management and BTL Representatives from Singapore, Kolkata and Chennai attending, the crowd were suitably entertained by Captain Joffrey & Chief Engineer Vincente with all arrangements being professionally handled by BTL’s Visak Team headed by GM, Mr Venkateswarlu (LU) – our ‘man in Havana’. The 2700 teu , 39000 DWT vessel was, as usual, in excellent condition and with her high stability (2300 x 14t) and 500 reefer points remains well-equipped to service the Visak seafood exporting community where the latest end week schedule and fastest transits to Singapore-PKL are proving most popular. BTL’s MD, Bill Smart, thanked the Trade for their loyal support and also congratulated the local community for their first successful VGM loading – this sailing marking the inaugural sailing to comply with the new SOLAS VGM weight controlling legislation.

Following the re-opening of the Iran market post sanctions, we are pleased to welcome World Golden Sea Shipping Agency LLC to our BTL network.

Additionally in the ASEAN trades we are also happy to announce coverage via the following:

- Indonesia - PT Optima Lautan Bersama
- Vietnam - CCL Shipping Agency (Vietnam) Co Ltd
- Cambodia - Inchcape Shipping Services (Cambodia) Ltd

The new sectors are open immediately for Cross Trade business as well as exploring any traditional Common Feedering requirements where we look forward to working with our new agency partners.

On the eve of our 2016 BTL Taipei Open, BTL’s Management Team hosted long term VSA Chennai partners, Wan Hai Lines for a Seniors Dinner at the Italian Caprice restaurant, Sherwood. Operating twice weekly coverage of Channai and weekly frequency at Visak and Kattupalli this is considered to be the best and longest serving service to the Indian East coast.

As part of our 30th year celebration, visiting BTL Chairman Joachim von der Heydt, hosted EMC Seniors in the Sherwood Hotel for luncheon. Pictured are from right to left Shuei Chiu, Bronson Hsieh, Lawrence Lee and Arthur Tsai and on the other side Bill Smart, Rita Tsai, Joachim von der Heydt and Norman Pok. Many stories of the past were exchanged with a cautious but optimistic conclusion for the future!

As our first client 30 years ago a special celebratory dinner was hosted for YML Seniors in Taipei on Thurs 19th May '16. Commenting on the long association, BTL Chairman - Joachim von der Heydt - said "YML were our first client, sharing the same Agent, and we are proud of the long association - which still goes strong today."