Ernst Tschopp (ET) the experienced Swiss Maritime Expert. His educational and professional and private background.

Since 40 years active in the maritime industry. After 4 years apprenticeship as certified Engine Mechanic and attending military service with the rescue- troops, ET started a seagoing career initially as engine assistant on regular watch on various sea going cargo vessels trading worldwide . After 6 years at sea ET attended the Southampton College of Technology (a branch of the University of Southampton , UK ) to study marine engineering. The studies resulted in obtaining the 2nd class marine engineer certificate and following the required additional sea service and further relevant studies, in 1st class marine engineer certificate (chief engineer) issued by the British Board of Trade . The 1st class certificate is valid for any type of seagoing vessel of any size. After obtaining the referenced professional certificates, ET sailed as chief engineer on various types of vessels (general cargo vessel, bulk carriers, reefer vessels, tankers). In 1975 a young ship management company - ACOMARIT SA in Geneva - offered ET the position as technical superintendent in their technical department . After 5 years and an enormous growth of Acomarit to one of the largest and most trusted Ship Manager worldwide , ET accepted the offer from Suisse-Outremer Reederei AG , Zürich and joined their technical department / superintendence department. Suisse-Outremer Reederei AG belonging to the Thyssen – Bornemisza group of companies with the late Baron Heinrich Thyssen- Bornemisza as owner. The substantial fleet of vessels (oil-bulk-ore, bulker, tanker, reefer vessel, big motor yachts ) was at that time concentrated at Suisse-Outremer. ET was instrumental in merging the Suisse - Outremer fleet with the fleet of Fritzen Schiffsagentur, Emden, a company also owned by Baron Thyssen. Besides handling a number of tankers , OBO’s , bulk carriers and assisting the reefer and private motor yacht (≥ 25m) division , ET had the opportunity to act as project-manager for 10 newbuiding projects in Portugal , Germany and Spain. After 10 years with Suisse – Outremer ET followed the call of Acomarit SA Geneva (again) who has meanwhile grown to the 2nd largest ship manager worldwide, with branch offices on all continents with Captain Giorgio Sulser in charge and George Semboglou as financial director. An impressive fleet of up to 50 vessels in addition to new building projects had to be handled by the ACOMAROT Geneva office. The introduction and implementation of new IMO rules, class rules , flag state legislation and the implementation of the ISO certified Quality – Risk and Safety Management had to be executed. During this time Acomarit SA Geneva was instrumental in addition for 35 new building projects in Japan , Spain , Korea, China, Turkey. The NB projects included all aspects from plan approval , to NB supervision until sea trial and delivery , followed by full management of the vessel and follow- up of the guarantee items during the guarantee period. In 2001 Acomarit and VShips joined forces and became the world’s largest third party ship management company - VShips - with headquarters in Monaco. During several years ET was an active member of the Technical Committee (TC) of the Swiss Ship Owners Association – 2 years as chairman - . The TC consists of a team of Swiss Shipping experts giving support for the Swiss Maritime Office who represents the Swiss Flag issues at the International Maritime Organisation , a division of the United Nation Organisation. The TC communicates regularly at meetings to the Swiss Maritime Navigation Office at the offices of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in Bern . The TC provides counselling on nautical and technical matters and on IMO regulations as well as national maritime regulations. End of 2002 ET took early retirement from his post as fleet director with VShips after altogether 19 years with Acomarit and VShips. He founded ET-Marine and has since done various consulting jobs mainly in the shipping industry and supplier industry.

ET lives and maintains his office in Gachnang (25 minutes from Zürich airport) , a little town near Winterthur. Winterthur being the home town of SULZER the makers of the world famous Sulzer Diesel Engines (The Diesel engine division is now run by Wärtsila , Finnland).

ET is married and has 2 grown up daughters. In his leisure time he enjoys golfing, motor biking, mountain hiking, skiing and gardening.