On time... - Lloyd's List

Tribute to tradition:
the Ofer family stand in
front of the bust of Sammy
Ofer at London’s National
Maritime Museum
uk/ MonAco
ofer family
ofer heirs embrace their shipping legacy
Second and third generation active in the family business
SAMMY Ofer bequeathed more than a shipping empire to
his sons and grandchildren. They also inherited one of the
most iconic names in the industry — a name that continues to
resonate in shipping circles the world over.
Like most shipping families, the Ofer clan prefers to keep a
low profile, giving away as little as possible about its business
interests.
But shipping is in the blood, with both second and
third generation family members deeply involved in the
organisation that Sammy Ofer founded some 40 years ago.
When he died last year, sons Eyal and Idan took over as
principals of Sammy Ofer Group Monaco that encompasses
both London-headquartered Zodiac Maritime Agencies and
the affiliated Singapore-based Tanker Pacific.
A few weeks ago, Eyal was named chairman of Zodiac,
which manages and operates a fleet of more than 150 vessels,
including some of the world’s biggest containerships, along
with bulk carriers, chemical tankers, and car carriers, many
of them flagged in the UK.
And now his two sons, Daniel and David, are embarking
on their own careers in shipping, joining the business at a
young age and having learned plenty from their father, uncle
and, of course, famous grandfather.
reSt oF euroPe
Last year, Daniel was appointed managing director of
Zodiac Maritime, working directly for the highly-respected
Capt Rami Zingher who heads up the firm’s large London team
of ship brokers, fleet managers and other shipping personnel.
Daniel joined Zodiac after studying for a bachelor’s degree
at Dartmouth University in the US and graduating with an
MBA from the London Business School. He is also on the
board of directors of the Standard P&I Club.
Younger brother David studied at Dartmouth as well, and
then went on to Columbia University in New York where he
gained an MBA. He subsequently spent several years with
Goldman Sachs before joining the business focusing on
tankers in Asia.
In the lobby of Zodiac’s smart new offices in London’s West
End are some splendid ship models. But in one corner is a
reminder of the man who founded one of the industry’s great
shipping dynasties – a bronze bust of Sammy Ofer.
And his children and grandchildren have pledged to
ensure that the hugely successful business he developed
from such small beginnings “will continue unchanged”,
with the promise to “maintain his tradition of hard work and
dedication”, as they protect and build upon the legacy he left
behind.
next generation 2012 33