Span-Global takes Hawkins on board

Terry Hutson SPAN-GLOBAL Shipping, the independent African shipping agent specialist, which coincidentally celebrates its 20th anniversary this month, is in the midst of a resurgence, after what director Peter Evans has described as several years of difficult trading. Evans told FTW that he had not only disposed of some of his other business interests in order to focus more fully on developing Span-Global's role in the market, but Captain Brian Hawkins, formerly managing director of Diamond Shipping, had also joined Span-Global as MD. Hawkins, who was largely instrumental in opening the Diamond Shipping operation a number of years back, said he and Diamond had parted company on good terms and he was in fact assisting with the hand-over. He said he enjoyed the different type of philosophy and more hands-on approach within Span-Global, with which he and Diamond Shipping had become associated a few years ago. "Span-Global is small and tidy but has some very good modern systems in place. We're a fully independent ships agency representing a number of good principals, concentrating predominantly on non-liner services, although not exclusively," he said. "Lines are demanding a more specialised and personal service and this is where we see our strength," said Evans. "And of course we're delighted to have Brian here with all his vast experience. You can look to a more aggressive approach from Span-Global in future."