Seatrade Italy

An Italian branch office of Seatrade Groningen, officially started in January 2001. Actual works started a bit earlier in September 1999 when Seatrade started managing a group of ships called ‘Cala vessels’. Vessels owned by the Orsero group, an Italian based company, dedicated to distributing fruit and vegetables.

At the start of the Italian office four vessel were operating already. These were the so called Cala Bianche or White Calas. At that time the construction of four more vessels also had started. These were to become the Cala Rosse or Red Calas. Managing  these vessels required  a permanent presence in Italy. The most logical place to settle was Vado Ligure, or actually Bergeggi, a part of the city of Savona.

Here a reefer terminal of the Orsero Group was located, and a place where every week a vessel came alongside to discharge perishable cargo. An office space inside the warehouse was found. In 2021 the office was moved into the office building of the terminal.

After delivery of the Red Cala’s another series of three container vessel were build and managed for Italian owners. 

For a short period, a total of eleven vessels were managed. After owners sold the container vessels and White Cala’s the office remained managing the four Red Cala.