Bermuda-based Atlantic Marine LP (Bermuda & India) and Dorchester Maritime Limited (Isle of Man, Poland, Australia & Sierra Leone), both members of the Schulte Group, have agreed to form a new strategic partnership combining ship management, human resources, maritime technology and engineering services.

From the start of 2007, David Furnival and Jens Alers will lead Dorchester Atlantic Marine as joint managing directors.

Atlantic Marine managing director Mr. Alers said: “This new strategic partnership is the logical progression of our businesses. The two companies are already owned by the same shareholders and have shared the same familiar planetary ocean logo since 1978.

“Jointly we have served a number of clients very successfully for many years. We now take that cooperation to its logical conclusion by merging what is best about our two organisations and grow as one. Personally, I am very excited to see these two Schulte Group companies combine, because I have worked successively for both Dorchester Maritime and Atlantic Marine for the last 12 years.” Dorchester Maritime managing director David Furnival said: “In most areas of our business Dorchester Maritime’s and Atlantic Marine’s activities complement each other.

“Dorchester Maritime has an excellent reputation in tanker, gas and offshore shipping, with robust developed operational systems, while Atlantic Marine is strong in the dry-cargo and container markets and also has valuable expertise in certain other specialised tonnage sectors.”

The company’s main bases of operations are in Bermuda, Isle of Man, Poland, India and Australia.

Dorchester Atlantic Marine will employ 2,500 seafarers on a fleet of almost 140 vessels under technical and crew management, supported by 100 employees onshore.