GC Rieber Shipping new boss brings in distressed assets business

Norwegian offshore shipping company GC Rieber Shipping has appointed Christian W. Berg as the new chief executive of the company.

In addition to joining the shipping company as its new CEO, Berg is adding his newly established venture Bech Offshore, which will now become part of GC Rieber Shipping, the company informed on Thursday. He will take on his new position in mid-August 2017.

GC Rieber’s previous CEO, Irene Waage Basili, left the company earlier this year to head Shearwater, a new seismic player jointly owned by GC Rieber Shipping and Rasmussengruppen.

According to the company, Berg has more than 20 years experience from the oil service industry in various management positions, latest as the CEO/owner of Bech Offshore. Before that, he was a CEO for six years at Viking Supply Ships.

In addition, Berg brings experience from companies such as Geco Prakla and Siem Offshore.

Bech Offshore was setup in 2017 with the concept to initiate investment opportunities related to distressed assets within the offshore support segment (OSS). Further, the company offered third party owners Commercial Management and Consultancy Services. The current activities in the company and the initiatives made by Bech Offshore will now be integrated into GC Rieber Shipping.

Paul-Chr. Rieber, Chairman of the Board of GC Rieber Shipping, said: “During 2016 GC Rieber Shipping initiated a restructuring process which has led to the successful establishment of the geophysical company Shearwater GeoServices as a joint venture with Rasmussengruppen. We are still facing both challenges and opportunities, and Christian W. Berg’s background will add valuable competence and experience to our company. With Christian W. Berg at the helm our goal remains to structure GC Rieber Shipping into a competitive and notable operator within the offshore segment.”

Christian W. Berg commented: “I am looking forward to join an exciting company with rich traditions. My background and experience from oil service segments such as Seismic, Subsea and Ice Support in combination with a highly skilled organization makes me confident that we as a team can structure the company for the future. Further I see this as an exciting opportunity to continue the work I started in Bech Offshore, with focus on consolidation and investment opportunities.”

Christian W. Berg will succeed Acting CEO of GC Rieber Shipping Einar Ytredal who will return to his permanent position as CFO of the company. Acting CFO Øystein Kvåle will at the same time return to his position in GC Rieber AS.