ChemTrans AG (today split into ChemTrans Trading AG and ChemTrans Shipping AG) was founded in April 1981 by the present Director of ChemTrans Trading, Bo Levander, who also is the majority shareholder of ChemTrans Trading. The remaining shares are in the hands of the president of the board, Mr. Christoph Straub, lawyer in Zug.

Svante Nordberg, Managing Director of ChemTrans Shipping, joined the company short after the foundation in 1981 and is responsible for chartering and logistic matters.

The Company has a leading position in the international sulphuric acid trade and is working closely with all main suppliers and customers in this field. Today's main trading area is Europe but the company also has important activities in Africa, USA and South America. As a leading company in this trade the company, of course, also is involved in other areas on a spot basis.

The company's first business of importance was a contract of about 85'000 mt from Spain to Tunisia concluded late 1983. Since then the company has developed very positively. The policy of the company is to mainly work on long term agreements on the sales as well as the purchase side in close cooperation with suppliers and customers. Present trading volume of the company is around 700'000 tons on a yearly basis, tendency increasing.

In a cheap product like sulphuric acid the logistics are, of course, of utmost importance. At the beginning of the activities in the early 80's the company managed the logistic side by chartering in the necessary transport needs on a spot basis. When the turnover reached a certain magnitude, the company started to look into engaging itself in the shipping field and in 1987 the first step was taken. The 8000 ton stainless steel chemical tanker CT STAR was purchased. This purchase was then followed up by further purchases of CT SUN an CT SKY, two further stainless steel chemical tankers. These both vessels were when purchased 4/5000 tonners but were lengthened/modified to a cargo capacity of 5500/6000 mt. Since late 80's the company also has vessels on t/c and since delivery from the Italian yard in 1998 resp. 2000 the Italian vessels SMERALDO and GRANATO are on t/c. Both vessels fully stainless steel chemical tankers with a cargo capacity of abt. 6500 tons and high ice class to enable trading during severe winter conditions in the Baltic. During the years time has shown that the engagement in the shipping field was the right move and through this the company can offer suppliers and customers a maximum of security and flexibility which is important in our trade.

Parallel to the trading activity on the product side quite an extensive activity on the logistic side has been built up with focus on suitable last cargoes for subsequent loading of sulphuric acid (sulphuric acid and caustic soda) and the company has now long term agreements with most major suppliers of these products.

Including the acid trading of ChemTrans Trading and transportation contracts of ChemTrans Shipping the ChemTrans Group is moving 2,2 - 2,5 mio tons liquid products yearly. To cover the Overseas activities on the acid trading side a close cooperation has been established with the American Trading Group Transammonia, the leading company in the Overseas sulphuric acid trade.

Since abt three years ChemTrans AG has been split into two independent companies, ChemTrans Trading and ChemTrans Shipping, mainly to strengthen the company's position on the shipping side. An ideal partner has been found in Anders Utkilens Rederi AS and the cooperation has shown to be of benefit not only to the ChemTrans Group / Utkilen but also to suppliers, customers and other charterers of liquid chemicals (mainly caustic soda and easy chemicals).
ChemTrans Shipping is today jointly owned by Utkilen and ChemTrans Trading whereby Utkilen is the majority shareholder.

This close cooperation between ChemTrans Shipping and Utkilen means a better utilisation of the total fleet in order to minimize number and length of ballast voyages and has no doubt increased the flexibility and security of our transport system to the benefit of all parties.

The office of both companies is located in Unterägeri, Switzerland, where a total of 7 people are employed. From this office all commercial matters (sale, purchase, logistic, planning chartering etc.) is done. Both companies have a joint administration.
ChemTrans Trading is since years ISO 9001-2000 certified.