Issue 02|2017

Introduction 3

Clipper Navigation 4-5

FRS Iberia - Tarifa 6-8

Norddeutsche Binnenreederei 9

FRS HanseFerry 10

Ralf Lange 11-12

Christoph Nissen 13

Editorial Department 14 HSC “Tarifa Jet”

Weiße Flotte’s Headquarters in Stralsund

FRS – Fast Reliable Seaways FRS 360° Issue 2|2017

Dear FRS-Team,

As an internationally operating company with a history As we continue with the integration process of Clipper of over 150 years, the FRS group stands for tradition and FRS – a topic that will also be attended in the article and constancy, never shy of new technologies or “A transatlantic marriage – happily ever after?” by Ileana innovations and with a consistent eye towards future Prado and Ann-Christin Czekay – we appreciate these growth. differences and the opportunities that they bring to the whole group. With dedication to flexibility, open For that growth, we are not only looking for businesses communication, trust and flat hierarchies we will be able that are 100% congruent with our core business or fully to create a long-lasting, cooperative partnership. matching our core competencies: worldwide operations of ferries of the most diverse types and sizes. We also We are looking forward to what 2017 still holds for the strive for diversification – nationally and internationally. FRS Group and will keep you all updated on latest news and developments right here. Please continue with your It is this diversity that adds to our overall experience of great support of FRS 360° by providing articles and widely differing customer target groups, operating stories of interest to [email protected]. environments and cultural backgrounds. And it is this Thank you! group-wide diversity that we encourage every FRS entity to benefit and learn from. The FRS management wishes you and your families for the upcoming quarter a very happy Easter and a Following these principles, the acquisition of Clipper Ramadan Mubarak. Navigation last year was a natural move for the FRS Group. Götz Becker After 30 years in business, Clipper is not only a CEO shipping company with a fleet of three high speed catamarans but has their core business in the travel industry. Having established a reputation as the trusted Pacific Northwest travel experts, Clipper today competes with travel industry giants like Booking.com and Airbnb. The company provides highly curated and authentic travel getaways and experiences that are personally vetted for their customers – something that is unique at this extent within the FRS Group and can serve as a great example.

FRS – Fast Reliable Seaways FRS 360° Issue 2|2017 3

A transatlantic marriage – happily ever after? Lessons Learned

To say that this is an easy “engagement” would be an “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is understatement. And to say this has been an easy progress, and working together is success.” process for Clipper and FRS would be the same. An Henry Ford ownership change is a pivotal event in the long-term development of any organization and raises all types of

questions and concerns. You’ve locked eye across a crowded room, you slowly make your way towards each other, and you know the While the two companies are culturally close, share the rest: you meet someone, you fall in love, you do the same goals and values and match on many levels, both “due diligence”, you get engaged, you sign the deal and have experienced some misunderstandings along the you live happily ever after... way. Cultural differences, language barriers, a nine-hour time difference have been a hindrance to an easy No wait – was that reality or was it a Disney movie? “romance”. – We could compile a long list of the reasons why misunderstandings happened. Business – like marriage – is hard work. The process of two successful international companies coming together But we won’t. Love is blind, let’s keep it that way and to create a bigger more successful union is actually not move forward. that different from two successful professionals working to create a marriage that works. Clipper and FRS have taken the proactive approach by establishing a new, cross-company integration team. This In a marriage each person strives to fulfill individual team’s goal is to reach staff on both sides of the globe needs, increase benefits and improve their quality in life. and connect them. This team is not shy of the effort that it But happiness, contentment and self-realization is takes to build and maintain strong, productive and open nothing that you just “get”. It is something that you have relationships and this team is committed to open to work for and that you create – a collaboration that communication across both companies. supports growth, change, stability, communication and trust. This is exactly the same when you bring two After a successful workshop and teambuilding event in companies together. Seattle in January, the team has received consent and full support of the Clipper Board to move forward with the So what’s the story of our “romance”? proposed integration plan. This plan is built on opening the communication between the two companies and being there to support staff on both sides in better understanding each other.

It will be key to their success to keep a good balance between personalities, share empathy and concerns, stay committed, accept the differences and continuously cultivate the relationship.

David Gudgel and the Integration Team at their French cooking class

Part of the teambuilding event: Kart racing at K1 Speed

4 FRS – Fast Reliable Seaways FRS 360° Issue 02|2017

Quick wins After our one year anniversary this transatlantic Finally, let us formally introduce our integration team: relationship is stronger than ever and the team is looking forward to jointly achieving shared goals and objectives - Moritz Bruns, FRS, Director Business & through adaptation, learning and striving for win-win Corporate Development outcomes. Doing all this by sharing the core values that - Berit Fischer, FRS, Director Controlling make each of us a unique and successful company. - Thekla Nissen, FRS, Director HR - David Gudgel, Clipper, Chief Operating Officer We were excited to have David Gudgel visit our Spanish, - Tyrone Huff, Clipper, Chief Financial Officer Moroccan and German FRS operations and exchange - Brad Hartman, Clipper, Port ideas and experiences on operations worldwide. Engineer/FSO/DPA - Ileana Prado, Clipper, Vice President of In addition, integrating Clipper’s accounting into the FRS Human Resources - North America SAP system and having a common financial language is - Ann-Christin Czekay, Clipper, Integration & also a quick win. Communication Manager

Ileana Prado providing senior counsel to the HR department of FRS Caribbean in Miami, and a frequent Written by Ileana Prado exchange between engineering and business Vice President Human Resources, North America - Clipper Navigation development departments at Clipper and FRS, with the and Ann-Christin Czekay goal of bringing HSC “Halunder Jet” to the Pacific Integration & Communication Manager – Clipper Navigation Northwest are a testament of not only staying together but working together. This is what success looks like.

And it is just the beginning. More to come!

HSC “Victoria Clipper IV“ at the quay in Seattle

FRS – Fast Reliable Seaways FRS 360° Issue 2|2017 5

Tarifa, its port, and how FRS

changed the concept of crossing

the Strait of Gibraltar

Located in the Province of Cádiz (Andalucía), Tarifa is the southernmost place in Europe, and the town that marks the point where the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet. With just 18,000 inhabitants and at 14.4 km (about 9 nautical miles) at its closest point to the Moroccan coast, Tarifa is placed in a strategic

enclave, which gives it great geographical, maritime and tourist importance.

Bolonia Beach

FRS evidently adds greatly to the enrichment of Tarifa as a tourist destination, mostly through its excursions to Tangier. This is a key tourist activity, since it allows the visitor to see a different country and continent: all in one day and in less than 1 hours' ferry journey.

That's why thousands of tourists choose our day trips, Tarifa Island which include a guided tour and lunch, to have their first contact with Morocco, its culture and gastronomy. (For more information on our day trips, please visit www.FRS.es)

But, out of everything that can be found in Tarifa, the most important part from FRS's point of view is, of course, its port. A port that has grown unstoppably in the last few years and which has become, so far, the "home" of 9 FRS Group's fast ferries: “Hanse Jet”, “Tanger Jet”, “Nordic Jet”, “Baltic Jet”, “Thunder Cat”, “Tarifa Jet”, “Tanger Jet 2”, “Algeciras Jet” and “Ceuta Jet”. All of them have been, as we've said before, High Speed Craft (HSC). Tarifa Island

Tarifa is a town with great tourist interest: every summer, over 70,000 people (more than three times its population) from all over the world come to stay here. The beaches, the climate, the nautical sports, such as kite surfing and wind surfing; the wide range of activities and the variety of food on offer are the main reasons why every year more and more people are choosing Tarifa as their holiday destination. HSC “Hanse Jet“ One of the main attractions in Tarifa is Bolonia beach, which is about 3.8 km long and which was voted the 6 FRS5th –best Fast Reliablebeach Seaways in Europe and 2nd in Spain, in the Trip FRS 360° Issue 2|2017 Advisor1's Traveler’s Choice awards in 2015.

But what is most important about this, is the fact that FRS changed the concept of crossing that had existed

until then, with a great investment to back their move. This changed the idea of what a crossing should be: there was no longer need to spend long hours in a ferry between Algeciras and Tangier. From Tarifa, the Strait could be crossed in 35 minutes in a comfortable,

modern fast ferry. This fact, along with FRS's move, Port of Tarifa opened the doors to a larger public who, from both sides of the Strait, thought that crossing was a good idea, if they'd never done it before, or to do it more The fact that they've been Fast Ferries is highly important, often, if they were already regular clients. as we'll explain below. A clear example of this change is the fact that, Until the year 2000, the fastest route that regularly joined nowadays, the Morocco resident who travels across Spain and Morocco was the Algeciras - Tangier line the Strait to go shopping in Costa del Sol, is one of the (nowadays known as Tangier Ville, to differentiate it from main client profiles in the Marbella or Málaga shopping Tangier MED). This route was about 33 nautical miles centres. These thousands of travellers who cross the long, and took no less than 90 minutes at best, Strait to spend a weekend and who come to Spain to occasionally stretching up to three hours. go shopping, are the result of a quick, comfortable crossing that allows people to go on day trips. FRS Iberia, along with FRS Maroc, began their operations in 2000 by opening the Tarifa 35 minutes Tangier Ville In addition to all this, there were a few other milestones route, which was about 16 nautical miles long on the HSC that helped secure the success of this route. In August “Hanse Jet”, with capacity for 340 passengers. That first 2004, the Port of Tarifa recovered the Schengen Port year, some 150,000 passengers used the service, and category, which was a positive turning point in terms of FRS was the only company operating in the Port of Tarifa. traffic. The following year, the Port was also integrated in the Strait Crossing Operation (Operación Paso del Estrecho1); since then, the number of passengers has steadily increased year after year, reaching 1.4M during 2016 in the Tarifa - Tangier Ville route, which are shared between the two companies that we are operating the route today.

Nowadays, the Port of Tarifa is the second largest port in Spain in terms of regular passenger traffic, only behind Algeciras (1st) and before Barcelona (3rd). It is also one of the most important ports and with the brightest future in Spain.

Routes of FRS Iberia

FRS – Fast Reliable Seaways FRS 360° Issue 2|2017 7

Tarifa is also the seat of the FRS Iberia Headquarters. From these offices, together with all the colleagues on These offices, located at the entrance of the town, have board and from the ports, FRS Iberia grew to be what it is been the headquarters of FRS Iberia since 2009. About 80 today. The leading shipping company in the Strait of FRS Iberia employees work there. The Executive Gibraltar, in terms of number of passengers and vehicles, Management and most of the FRS Iberia Departments are and the only one who works all the routes in the Strait, also located here. with six ships, tourist services, cargo services and a key player in a very competitive environment. Furthermore, we will keep looking to the future, to keep growing and to give our clients the best ferry service between Spain and Morocco.

Written by Marcial Picó Marketing Manager FRS Iberia

Renovated Office

Port of Tarifa

Bolonia Beach

8 FRS – Fast Reliable Seaways FRS 360° Issue 02|2017

Solar-powered ferries in the

Autostadt Wolfsburg

The “Norddeutsche Binnenreederei” or shortened NDBR MV “Sünje’s” dimensions are equal to the solar ferries in was founded in 2015 and the following ships are Berlin which are operated by the Weiße Flotte, but our fifth operated by this entity: On the island of Rügen MV solar-powered ship has a capacity of 60 persons and 50% “Wappen von Breege” and in Wolfsburg MV “Sünje”, MV of extra performance. “Bültenkieker” and MV “Hanseblick”. NDBR is acting as service provider to Weiße Flotte.

MV “Sünje” in the Autostadt Wolfsburg

The probably most innovative passenger ship in Germany MV “Hanseblick” sails on the Mittelland Canal and transports the guests of

the Autostadt Wolfsburg almost silently to the plant tours The acquisition of MV “Wappen von Breege” and MV and to the safety training. This is one of the reasons why “Seebad Juliusruh” took place after the integration of the the Autostadt and the Weiße Flotte are communicating ship-owner company Kipp to NDBR in the beginning of about a fair continuation of the consisting contract. As a 2016. One of the tasks of the crew members is the conclusion of this contract extension the Weiße Flotte will shipping operation of MV “Wappen von Breege” on the provide a second solar-powered catamaran until August island of Rügen to Hiddensee as well as the excursion 2017 – identical in construction to MS “Sünje”. This new tours to e.g. the “Störtebeker Festival” or the crane rest ship will also be built by the Formstaal yard in Stralsund, but areas. has one difference compared to the five predecessors. Ship This summer the MV “Seebad Juliusruh” will be in no. 6 will be constructed in Stralsund completely whereas operation for the FRS in Hamburg. the ship hulls of the predecessors were produced in Poland.

Since the beginning of 2015 the Weiße Flotte and her sister company Norddeutsche Binnenreederei are operating the passenger ships in Wolfsburg – on behalf of the Autostadt which is a 100% subsidiary of the Volkswagen AG. A cornerstone in this order was the construction and operation of a new solar-powered

catamaran. In July 2015 after a construction period of Routes in Wolfsburg almost 6 months this ship was officially baptized “Sünje” (small sun) by the wife of the mayor of Wolfsburg at the pier of the Autostadt. Written by Knut Schäfer Managing Director Weiße Flotte and Sophie Gappa Personnel Officer Weiße Flotte

FRS – Fast Reliable Seaways FRS 360° Issue 2|2017 9

Introducing FRS HanseFerry – The new FRS connection in Hamburg We are pleased to announce that FRS will operate a new route in Hamburg under the brand “FRS HanseFerry”. Starting on 17 April 2017, the new service will connect Hamburg Landungsbrücken with the suburb Blankenese. It is intended to operate the route all year round with daily four to five departures with the MV formally called “Seebad Juliusruh” from the subsidiary NDBR. The vessel was transferred from the Island of Rügen to Hamburg in a three days journey and recently renamed to MV “Kleine Freiheit”. It can carry up to 240 MV “Kleine Freiheit” at the quay in Blankenese passengers and 40 bicycles and ensures the connection to one of the most popular destinations in Having arrived in Blankenese, one of the most beautiful Hamburg. Currently it is getting refurbished and the suburb Hamburg’s with Mediterranean charm, the guests latest technology is being installed. can stroll along the popular stair quarter, take a walk along Elbe beach or do a side trip to the marketplace with its numerous shops and restaurants. For smaller events or business excursions it is possible to book separate tables in the ships lounge, for bigger events like birthdays, weddings, jubilees or company parties the

vessel can be chartered as a whole.

MV “Kleine Freiheit”

The excursion with “FRS HanseFerry” is a combination of harbor and Elbe river tour. On board, all tourist attractions along the route will be explained in eight different languages paired with amusing anecdotes. The FRS-owned multi audioguide (Flexways Media) provides the passengers with information about the MV “Kleine Freiheit” at Hamburg Landungsbrücken points of interests in German, English, Danish, Spanish, Italian, French, Russian and Arabic language

which are being delivered directly to their smartphones Written by Birte Dettmers or tablets. This GPS-controlled system is a big Managing Director FRS HanseFerry enrichment for the international city of Hamburg.

10 FRS – Fast Reliable Seaways FRS 360° Issue 2|2017

The mission is: Make shipping safe! We don’t wait till Ralf Lange rules apply: we implement them at earliest stage – and (Director Safety, Security & HSEQ – FRS Group) beyond that: set standards and let others follow them, instead of following others. We do that by using dynamic management systems with a continuous improvement approach.

360º: So you have implemented changes? Ralf Lange: Me or we? Every achievement has always been a team-success; never just mine! Back in 2007 when we changed the Management System for FRS Iberia, it was a joint success between all Masters, Officers, the Inspection and Crewing Department and all others. Integration of new vessels into the fleet in several years (HSC “Algeciras Jet” & HSC “Ceuta Jet”, MV “Kattegat” & MV “Tanger Express”, MV “Al Andalus Express”…) and extraction of “old tonnage” (HSC

“ThunderCat”, HSC “Tanger Jet”, HSC “Dolphin Jet”…) again under the mentioned system, has proven the 360º: What about your history before you joint FRS? functionality. Ralf Lange: Oh well, there have been some years before I’ve joined (grinning)… 360°: Interesting. Almost 10 years with a set mission. Can I’ve had an German apprenticeship that I’ve finalized you recall some core projects? to become a craftsman (“Gesellenbrief”), I’ve worked Ralf Lange: Of course! Back in 2008 FRS Iberia took as a journeymen; went back to school to be able to over the full operational responsibility for its fleet; from join the University, where I have graduated as 2008 on several ships joined the FRS Iberia fleet. Since Diploma Engineer (Dipl.-Ing.) with an “A”. 2009 NFC Oman has been operating with FRS’ support I’ve always been working, before, during and after any under its own approved Management System. The same education. year we’ve established a training center in FRS Iberia. My former employers were major international FRS Emirates – in 2012 - has been the first entity with a industrial players such as big industrial corporations, full scope (ISM/ISPS/ISO 9001/14001/OHSAS 18001) classification societies, huge cruise ship operators, Management System. Furthermore we have been the first where I have been working both on board and ashore. company fully certified under MLC (Maritime Labour Convention) 2006 on the strait of Gibraltar; the first 360º: For how long have you been working for FRS company having had the SEEMP (Shipboard Energy and where are you located? Efficiency Management Plan) in force and operational. In Ralf Lange: I work for FRS almost 10 years now, 2012 we have established the FRS Iberia Maritime located in Tarifa, Spain. Academy (former Training Center), where we have trained Designated Persons, Lead Auditors, Deck and 360º: What is your Job within FRS? Engine Officers and Ratings. For the Albanian Ferry Ralf Lange: First of all there is no such thing like a Terminal Operator an Integrated Management system has “Job”. We are professionals, and therefore have been set up in 2013. We’ve hosted two multi-national professions; no jobs; and professions are bound to a Search and Rescue Exercises under the umbrella of the mission! Moroccan SAR services in 2014 and 2016, where our Asking about my profession, I’d think it is easiest to ships have been chosen to participate. We brought our describe it as an insurance policy. This is an inter- management system to the next level in 2015, when FRS disciplinary task in a multi-cultural environment. Iberia was ISO 9001 certificated. This list can be We follow “Plan for the best, be prepared for the endlessly continued, as we don’t just follow rules, we set worst.” Combined with a German saying “Trust is good standards ourselves! – control is better!”

FRS – Fast Reliable Seaways FRS 360° Issue 02|2017 11

By now we have newly implemented or harmonized Systems at more than seven operational entities. The latest projects in this regard have been the setup of a management system for FRS-Fast Reliable Seaways LLC in Miami and the harmonization of our group’s management systems with the existing system of Clipper Navigation in Seattle. And there is more to come.

360º: Great! More to come sounds interesting. Can you tell us a bit about it? Ralf Lange: Of course. This year we will audit our suppliers, where one of the FRS entities will be FRS Shipmanagement in Cyprus, where the compliance with procedures of the different entities, using their services, will be verified. Another focus will be set on the process- orientated approach of northern entities as per the ISO And of course I support other FRS entities in my function 9001 standard. New routes and new ships are also on as Director Safety, Security & HSEQ. the list. 360º: What other FRS entities do you support? 360º: Besides these projects, what would you define as Ralf Lange: Besides FRS Iberia and FRS Maroc I your “daily doing”? support: Rømø Sylt Line, Helgoline, National Ferries Ralf Lange: How much time do I have to answer? – Company Oman, Albanian Ferry Terminal Operator, FRS- Kidding. Well, it is a long list, but let’s try to get some Fast Reliable Seaways LLC, Clipper Navigation, FRS core activities listed: Risk Assessments, planning and Shipmanagement, Förde Reederei Seetouristik GmbH & execution of Audits and (non-technical) Inspection, Co. KG, Weiße Flotte and Reederei Hiddensee. Incident investigation (near misses, non-conformities and accidents), follow-up with shipboard reports, 360º: How do you manage all this? establishing corrective and preventive actions, Ralf Lange: Languages are helping a lot, even if in some evaluation of changes to legal and other requirements it’s not more than a welcome phrase… But again: it’s all a and the adoption thereof into our operations, evaluation team success. of Master candidates as part of a joint evaluation And I need to mention my wife – without her support a lot process with our appointed Senior Master, evaluation of would be different. other sources that may have an impact on our safe My assistant Mrs. Marian Romero is helping a lot with all operation, contact to flag and port state administrations administrative matters. and classification societies together with the inspection Another very important aspect is the warm welcome I’ve department, setting up procedures and plans (e.g. always noted at all entities; a lot of colleagues became Safety Management Manual, Contingency Plans, friends - this is a strong supporting factor. We have a Company Circulars, Ship Security Plans, Extended duty superb team running our operations and working on our of care, Garbage management, Type Rating, SEEMP, visions! SOPEP, etc.) and verification of their effectiveness, All is just possible because all of us are forming this great Emergency Response Team Coordinator, Health and team – we all are “the FRS-Spirit”! Hygiene Related activities, Trainer, etc., etc.

Furthermore I am the Designated Person Ashore, Company Security Officer, Company Training Officer and Company Safety Official and MLC 2006 Designated Person for FRS Iberia and therefore a 24hrs contact for all port and flag state administrations.

12 FRS – Fast Reliable Seaways FRS 360° Issue 02|2017

Christoph Nissen (DPA, IMS Representative & HSEQ - NFC) History of NFC

Cabinet Decision to provide Fast Ferry Service in Oman 2004

Tender about 5 HSC Ferries: Austal: 2 Pax Ferries 2005 Rodriguez: 3 Pax Ferries

2006

Tender about Operation and Maintenance of Ferries In 2007 I joined the FRS as a Management Assistant in 2007 Flensburg. My main tasks were the preparation of FerriesNational Ferries Company was established presentations for international project acquisitions, elaborations of international tender, rehash of statistics Interim contract FRS & Austal 2008 and documents, supporting projects in foreign Start of operations: Muscat – Khasab route countries and project work in subsidiaries of FRS. I quickly gained first experiences at projects in Spain, Combined contract FRS & Austal 2009 Maroc and on the HSC “Halunder Jet”.

As the tender for the operation of High Speed 2010 Catamarans in Oman was awarded to the FRS in 2008, I was offered the opportunity to join the National Ferries Company to assist them in establishing a world Start of operations: Khasab – Lima route 2011 class national ship operating company in Oman. After living and getting to know Oman´s hospitality and kindness, Oman quickly became my new home and in 2010 I started a family with my loving wife and now we Start of operations: Khasab – Shinas route 2012 have two beautiful kids. Further I am assisting the company in establishing the structure by implementing procedures, safeguarding safety & security, quality, 2013 health, safety at work and environmental protection for every ship and the shore based organization of the Start of operations to Dibba company, challenges were overcome and the 2014 Start of operation: Shannah – Masirah route foundation set. The exceptional challenges of the long coastline of the Sultanate which is about 3,165km long, makes this 2015 ferry service a necessity for the citizens and tourists as it provides vital links between ports and saves travelling time. 2016 NFC quickly developed to an international ship Start of operations: Muscat - Chabahar, Iran operator with highest international safety standards, route connecting not only national coastal cities, but also 2017

Oman with its neighbor countries. The oriental challenge of my life? – Keeping cool at 45 degrees.

FRS – Fast Reliable Seaways FRS 360° Issue 02|2017 13

Kim Leon Schönamsgruber

My name is Kim Leon Schönamsgruber and I am 20 years old. I joined FRS on 1st August 2015 to start my Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in connection with a three year apprenticeship and a professional training as an office administrator.

Verena Engel

My name is Verena Engel and I am 23 years old. I joined FRS on 1st August 2016 to start my Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in connection with a three year apprenticeship.

Anika Maleen Kröpke I am Anika Maleen Kröpke and I am 22 years old. I started working for FRS in Flensburg on 1st August 2015 as a student of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in connection with a three and a half year apprenticeship.

Joshua Strandberg

My name is Joshua Strandberg and I am 19 years old. I joined FRS on 1st August 2016 to start my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in connection with a three and a half year apprenticeship and a professional training as an office administrator.

14 FRS – Fast Reliable Seaways FRS 360° Issue 02|2017

http://360.frs.world

Förde Reederei Seetouristik GmbH & Co. KG Norderhofenden 19 – 20 | 24937 Flensburg Phone: +49 (0) 461 864-690 E-Mail: [email protected]

Commercial Register: Amtsgericht Flensburg HRB 2141, HRA 3231

Graphics: Christina Krießmann

Editorial Department Issue 02|2017: Kim Leon Schönamsgruber Verena Engel Anika Maleen Kröpke Joshua Strandberg