B+H Ocean Carriers
B+H Ocean Carriers is an international maritime shipping company operating bulk carriers and petroleum and chemical tankers.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
B+H Ocean Carriers was an international shipping company headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda, with additional offices in Oslo, Singapore, Bristol, and New York. Its fleet and operating activities covered several major commercial shipping segments, including dry bulk transportation, product tankers, and chemical tankers. The company was described as operating seven bulk ships, seven product tankers, and two chemical tankers. The business developed from B+H Shipping Group, which was established in 1978 by Arvid Burgvall and Michael Hudner in New York City and Oslo. The group initially built a presence in ship ownership and operations before adding commercial ship management in 1984. B+H Ocean Carriers was formed in 1988 when B+H acquired Canadian Pacific's fleet of handysize and medium-range tankers. The transaction expanded the company into a larger tanker operator and coincided with its listing on the American Stock Exchange. In 1989, the company broadened its tanker portfolio again by acquiring Marathon Oil Company's panamax and suezmax tanker fleet. These vessel classes enabled the company to participate in the transportation of petroleum cargoes on regional and long-haul routes. In 1991, B+H added technical management, extending its role beyond commercial deployment and chartering into vessel operations and maintenance oversight. The company entered the dry-bulk sector in 2004, diversifying beyond liquid cargoes and creating the fleet mix later associated with B+H Ocean Carriers. The company subsequently encountered financial difficulties. In 2012, B+H Ocean Carriers filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The available reference material does not establish the outcome of that proceeding, the company's later ownership, or whether the brand continued operating afterward. Its present corporate status, fleet, exchange listings, and management structure therefore remain uncertain.
History
B+H Ocean Carriers grew out of B+H Shipping Group, founded in 1978 by Arvid Burgvall and Michael Hudner in New York City and Oslo. The group began commercial management of ships in 1984, adding a management-services component to its shipping activities. The B+H Ocean Carriers entity was established in 1988 after B+H took over Canadian Pacific's handysize and medium-range tanker fleet. The acquisition gave the company a substantial tanker platform and was accompanied by a listing on the American Stock Exchange. In 1989, B+H expanded again through the purchase of Marathon Oil Company's panamax and suezmax tanker fleet, adding larger vessels and broadening its participation in petroleum transportation. The company introduced technical management in 1991. This expanded its responsibilities from the commercial employment of vessels to operational areas such as technical oversight and maintenance management. B+H entered the dry-bulk shipping sector in 2004, creating a more diversified business that combined bulk carriers with product and chemical tankers. The company was headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda, and maintained offices in Oslo, Singapore, Bristol, and New York. Its described fleet consisted of seven bulk ships, seven product tankers, and two chemical tankers. In 2012, B+H Ocean Carriers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The available references do not document the final disposition of the bankruptcy case, subsequent corporate ownership, or the company's current operating status.
- 2012
Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
[2]B+H Ocean Carriers filed for protection under Chapter 11.
- 2004
Entry into dry bulk
[1]The company entered the bulk shipping sector, diversifying beyond tanker operations.
- 1991
Technical management introduced
[1]B+H added technical management to its shipping activities.
- 1989
Marathon Oil tanker fleet acquired
[1]The company acquired Marathon Oil Company's panamax and suezmax tanker fleet.
- 1988
B+H Ocean Carriers established
[1]B+H took over Canadian Pacific's handysize and medium-range tanker fleet, formed the B+H Ocean Carriers business, and listed it on the American Stock Exchange.
- 1984
Commercial ship management begins
[1]The group began commercially managing ships as part of its expansion into ship-management activities.
- 1978
B+H Shipping Group founded
[1]Arvid Burgvall and Michael Hudner established B+H Shipping Group in New York City and Oslo.
Products and positioning
A diversified international shipowner and ship-management business spanning dry bulk, petroleum-product, and chemical tanker transportation.
Dry bulk shipping · 2004
Bulk carriers
B+H Ocean Carriers operated dry-bulk vessels for the seaborne transportation of bulk commodities. The company entered the bulk sector in 2004, and the referenced fleet description identifies seven bulk ships. Specific cargoes, vessel names, routes, and chartering arrangements are not documented in the supplied material.
Tanker shipping · 1988
Product tankers
The company operated product tankers used for transporting refined petroleum products and related liquid cargoes. Its tanker platform developed through acquisitions of Canadian Pacific's handysize and medium-range tankers and Marathon Oil Company's panamax and suezmax vessels. The supplied sources describe seven product tankers but do not identify their later disposition.
Specialized tanker shipping
Chemical tankers
B+H Ocean Carriers operated chemical tankers for specialized liquid-cargo transportation. The referenced fleet description lists two chemical tankers. No detailed information is provided about the vessels, cargo specifications, routes, or operating subsidiaries.
Maritime management services · 1984
Commercial and technical ship management
B+H developed ship-management capabilities alongside vessel ownership and operation. Commercial management began in 1984, while technical management was introduced in 1991. These activities covered the commercial employment and technical oversight of ships, although the supplied sources do not specify the full service portfolio.
Brand decisions
2012
Chapter 11 restructuring filingOtherBackground
B+H Ocean Carriers faced financial difficulties and announced an intention to seek court protection.
Action taken
The company filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.
Aftermath
The supplied material does not establish the final result of the bankruptcy proceeding, any restructuring plan, or the company's subsequent operating status.
2004
Diversification into dry bulk shippingStrategyBackground
B+H had historically developed around tanker operations and ship management.
Action taken
The company entered the bulk sector and added dry-bulk shipping to its business scope.
Aftermath
The move produced a diversified fleet combining bulk carriers with product and chemical tankers.
1989
Acquisition of Marathon Oil's panamax and suezmax tankersM&ABackground
After acquiring the Canadian Pacific fleet, B+H continued expanding its tanker business.
Action taken
B+H purchased Marathon Oil Company's fleet of panamax and suezmax tankers.
Aftermath
The acquisition broadened the company's tanker fleet across larger vessel classes. No transaction value or later fleet outcome is provided.
1988
Acquisition of Canadian Pacific's tanker fleetM&ABackground
B+H sought to establish or expand B+H Ocean Carriers through the purchase of Canadian Pacific's handysize and medium-range tanker fleet.
Action taken
The company took over the fleet and simultaneously listed the business on the American Stock Exchange.
Aftermath
The transaction provided the company's initial described tanker platform. The supplied references do not quantify its financial effect.
Sources4 sources
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