Shipmanagement Evolving Beyond Technical Operations as Owners Seek Broader Risk Protection

## Shipmanagement Sector Faces Expanding Mandate as Risk Landscape Grows The role of the professional shipmanager is undergoing a fundamental transformation, with vessel owners increasingly looking to third-party managers to shield them from a widening array of operational and strategic risks that extend well beyond conventional technical management. That is the assessment of Bjorn Hojgaard, chief executive of Anglo-Eastern Univan Group, the world's largest shipmanager, as reported by Splash247. According to Hojgaard, the traditional model — centred on cost control, maintenance and crewing — is no longer sufficient to meet the expectations of today's shipowners. Owners are now seeking managers capable of navigating an increasingly complex risk environment that encompasses geopolitical instability, evolving international regulatory frameworks, escalating cyber threats and persistent workforce challenges. The shift reflects the growing pressures facing commercial shipping as operators contend with sanctions exposure, decarbonisation compliance requirements, digitalisation vulnerabilities and a tightening global seafarer labour market. ### A Structural Shift in the Manager-Owner Relationship The comments from Anglo-Eastern Univan's leadership signal a broader structural shift in how shipmanagement contracts and relationships are being defined. Where managers were once evaluated primarily on their ability to keep vessels trading efficiently and within budget, they are now being assessed on their capacity to serve as strategic risk partners. This evolution carries significant implications for the competitive dynamics of the shipmanagement sector. Larger, well-resourced managers with dedicated compliance, cybersecurity and crewing infrastructure are likely better positioned to meet these expanded expectations than smaller operators, potentially accelerating consolidation trends already visible across the industry. For shipowners — particularly those without large in-house technical departments — outsourcing risk management functions alongside traditional technical services represents a compelling value proposition at a time when the regulatory and geopolitical environment has rarely been more demanding. ### Industry Context The shipmanagement industry has faced mounting pressure in recent years as the International Maritime Organization advances its decarbonisation agenda, cyber incident reporting requirements tighten, and geopolitical flashpoints from the Red Sea to the Black Sea continue to disrupt trade routes and insurance markets. Anglo-Eastern Univan Group manages one of the world's largest third-party fleets, giving Hojgaard's observations particular weight as a barometer of industry-wide sentiment. His remarks suggest that managers who fail to broaden their service offering risk losing relevance as owner demands continue to evolve. *Source: Splash247*