Shipping consultant SMS has appointed Bibby Ship Management to manage a fleet of four vessels
The ongoing deal sees Bibby Ship Management provide full crewing and technical services for the midsize container vessels.
The vessels are currently on charter with the Maersk shipping line and are in service across the globe.
Len Hoskinson, general manager of SMS, said: "We selected Bibby Ship Management on the basis of their experience and great credibility within the industry.
"We needed to put ship management services in place very quickly and we were confident they would be to handle such a rapid changeover.
"Our requirements were urgent and they had the necessary expertise to handle that without comprising standards and quality."
Jon Osborne, managing director of Bibby Ship Management, said the deal was a good example of what owners demand from ship managers in the current climate: "SMS required a rapid, quality solution and we've again demonstrated our ability to deliver.
"In the current marketplace, ship management services being required at short notice following repossession will become an increasing feature of the sector. We are well placed to answer that call."