Viking Supply plans new organizational structure

JANUARY 21, 2013 —  Danish-based offshore supply company Viking Supply Ships A/S (VSS) is planning a new organizational structure in order to remain competitive in what it sees as a weak offshore supply market.

VSS, which is owned by Rederi AB TransAtlantic, has its head office in Copenhagen and additional site offices in Kristiansand (Norway), Gothenburg (Sweden) and Moscow (Russia). The proposal is now to centralize all support functions as well as operational management at the head office in Copenhagen with effect from July 1, 2013.The purpose is to achieve a lean and efficient VSS organization tailored for operations in the North Sea and Arctic regions.

The Kristiansand office will proceed as a commercial office and the Gothenburg office will be closed. Consequently, approximately 20 positions are expected to be made redundant in the Gothenburg and Kristiansand offices. New positions will be made available in the Copenhagen office and staff from the Gothenburg and Kristiansand offices will be encouraged to apply for these positions. Altogether, it means a net headcount reduction of 10-12 positions in the VSS organization. In the next few weeks, VSS will consult employee representatives and unions in order to finalize the specific structure of the new organization.

The suggested changes in the organization will not only reduce overhead costs, but also improve productivity, leading to higher profitability at the same service level. The high focus on quality and safety remains and will ensure that the restructuring does not compromise on these matters, says Viking Supply.

Seafarers will not be affected by these changes.