NEW TIGER MD  - 2006 January 01

After 15 years with the Line, Bill Smart - formerly Director & Owner’s Representative of Bengal Tiger Line, has been appointed as BTL’s Managing Director effective 1^st January 2006.

Mr Smart has been resident in Asia for two decades having been previously with Ben Line Agencies in Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore. He also sits on the Boards of BTL’s agency subsidiaries in India and Sri Lanka.

Commenting on the announcement, Joachim von der Heydt - who continues as Managing Partner, said “Both Mr Schoeller and myself as Owners of BTL felt it was timely to reflect Bill’s contributions to the Line and welcome him to a position he has largely been influencing for many years. This represents not only his efforts but also the faith we have in him bringing BTL into the next phase of development.”

Bengal Tiger Line is a Common Feeder operating container vessels predominantly in the Indian Sub Continent but also latterly in the Middle East and has owned offices in eight Indian locations as well as Colombo. BTL’s main transshipment centre remains in Singapore with Colombo as a secondary hub followed by Port Kelang and Jebel Ali. BTL carried over half a million teus last year.

“India remains our core business and, although currently infrastructure limitations exist in many areas, the future looks promising and we intend to play our part assisting trade development where BTL is well positioned to play a significant role. In other markets we continue to investigate and cautiously expand within the philosophy of reacting to customer requirements. I am honoured to be part of the team in these exciting yet challenging times and look forward to keeping the flag flying at the top of the mast.” Bill Smart.