Local shipping agents John S. Darrell & Co. Ltd. and Meyer Shipping, a division of Meyer Agencies Ltd. have joined forces in their operations divisions to collaborate in the servicing of visiting ships.

John S. Darrell and Co. Ltd. will merge its ship operations functions with Meyer Shipping, therefore taking advantage of savings in both the operations and back office. Meyer Shipping is a division of Meyer Agencies Ltd.

The move has been a matter of discussion for the past three years between J. Henry Hayward, president and chief executive officer of the Meyer Group of Companies and Donald MacPherson, president of John S. Darrell & Co. Ltd. "It reflects the changing demands of the industry and our obligations to our principals, employees and shareholders that we operate as efficiently and effectively as possible," said Mr. MacPherson. "Under the new arrangement, the operations staff of each company will be combined and the ship agency business will be handled by Meyer Shipping."

Meyer Agencies' vice president of Marine Operations, Captain John Moore will manage the day to day operations of the new organisation however, Mr. MacPherson will continue to be involved as consultant of Marine Operations. Mr. Hayward said: "There will be no job losses caused by the merger and all boarding staff will remain employed with a combined effort of four full-time boarding personnel.

Meyer Shipping and John S. Darrell are certain that their collaboration will be a positive turn of events for the Bermuda ship agency industry. "Ship agency services demand extensive and expert knowledge, as every decision made or advice offered translates into a cost or a savings to the ship line represented," said Mr. Hayward. "Therefore, it is a necessity for the principal to have complete trust and faith in its local representative."

It is not the first time the two companies have combined efforts - they were partners for 14 years during the first half of last century.

Mr. MacPherson said: "Meyer and John S. Darrell partnered up from 1926 to 1940 to form Darrell & Meyer Co. Ltd., operating as a salvage and ship agency. After going our separate ways for over 60 years, we are now working together again."