BOURBON.

Bourbon Charisma carried a panel of the group logo on her superstructure near the exhausts in July 2005. A similar panel appeared on Abeille Bourbon’s funnel that September, suggesting common branding for new vessels.

A new logo was adopted in 2002. The company described a blue sea background and its traditional red, symbolising force, passion and commitment, with a “B” monogram to appear on the flag. Two website versions left the intended form unclear to Rosanoski. A photograph of Abeille Bourbon on 13 January 2006 confirms use of the new marking on the funnel.

The Bourbon Group began in Reunion’s sugar industry in 1948. Rosanoski records a 1996 takeover of Les Abeilles and Setaf-Saget, while Setaf-Saget’s website calls the relationship a partnership. Havila Supply was acquired in 2002 and renamed Bourbon Offshore Norway. That year the group shortened its name to Bourbon and moved to Paris. Subsidiaries included Delba Maritime Navegaçáo and Somarsal. Its wholly owned Surf SAS, also described under Compagnie Chambon, participated with Sociedad Nacional de Combustiveis de Angola in Sonasurf Internacional, Sonasurf Angola and Sonasurf Jersey.

Reunion until 2002, then Paris, France.