Seatrade Maritime: Harran and NSB join in Manila crewing joint venture

German companies Harran Group and NSB Group have formed a new crewing joint venture in the Philippines capital Manila.

The new joint venture Albireo brings together NSB ship management capabilities with the crewing demands of MPP and heavy lift vessel owner Harren in the world’s largest seafarer supply nation.

“Albireo allows us to align our crewing processes with a unified operational standard and strong team spirit,” said Tim Ponath, CEO of NSB Group. “The integration of our Manila teams ensures consistency in selection, preparation, and ongoing support of seafarers. Being close to our crews and their families remains a top priority.”

The Manila joint venture manages around 800 seafarers on 90 vessels providing support to both shipowners and crew.

Nils Aden, Managing Director of Harren Group, said, “Albireo provides a clear framework for our crewing activities in the Philippines, ensuring reliable manning and consistent service delivery for shipowners.”

The new office is led by General Manager and President Capt. Vicente Dayo, together with Operations Manager and Chairman Capt. Thaddeus Bonghanoy, with decades of experience in the industry.

Joachim Zeppenfeld, Managing Director of Harren Ship Management, commented: “For specialised fleets, it is crucial to maintain a pool of well-trained and experienced Filipino seafarers. With Albireo, we have the opportunity to meet the highest standards.”