Business

Aegean establishes new management committee

Introduces COO, Group Financial Controller and Interim CFO, and Global Director of Supply and Trading.

Published

7 years ago

August 10, 2018

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New York-listed Aegean Marine Petroleum Network (Aegean) Thursday announced three executive appointments and the establishment of a new management committee, together with changes to its board.

The new management committee will consist of Aegean President Jonathan McIlroy and Messrs. Kostas Polydakis, John G. Mystakidis and Sal Drago.

Kostas Polydakis, formerly Aegean’s Managing Director, Shipping, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer;
John G. Mystakidis, formerly a partner at Ernst & Young and most recently a full-time consultant to the Company, has joined the Company as its Group Financial Controller and Interim Chief Financial Officer; and
Sal Drago, formerly Aegean’s Global Director of Supply and Trading, has rejoined the Company in the same role.

“I am delighted to welcome Kostas Polydakis, John Mystakidis and Sal Drago – three proven executives, who have earned our respect and trust – to the Aegean senior management team,” said Donald Moore, the Company’s Chairman and independent director of the Board.

“Each brings an impressive track record creating value in our industry. Joining our President Jonathan McIlroy in a newly established Management Committee, this talented and dedicated group of leaders will streamline decision-making and execution, speeding the implementation of Aegean’s long-term growth strategy.”

Both the company’s previous COO Manolis Chochlakis, who was appointed to the position in December 2017, and the previous CFO Pavlos Papageorgiou, appointed in April 2018, have left the company.

About Kostas Polydakis
Kostas Polydakis has more than 20 years of experience in the shipping industry, including nearly 12 years at Aegean. Most recently as Managing Director of Shipping, he oversaw the creation of the Company’s shipping division, growing it to a fleet of 50 tankers.
In his previous positions at Aegean as Technical Manager and Deputy General Manager of the Bunkering Services division from 2006 to 2017, Mr. Polydakis was responsible for the performance and day-to-day operations of all division departments. He also completed over 40 sale and purchase transactions and multiple new building projects, in addition to successfully reducing fleet operating expenses.

About John Mystakidis
John Mystakidis brings more than 25 years of experience in financial reporting, financial management and auditing. He has supported and advised clients with significant cross-border presences and foreign operations. During 11 years at Ernst & Young, he acted as Lead Partner to multiple large Greek and multinational companies, helping them to address and resolve critical financial issues. Since May, Mr. Mystakidis has served as a full-time consultant to the Company.
Prior to Ernst & Young, Mr. Mystakidis was an Assurance and Business Advisory Partner at Arthur Andersen, where he supervised audits and due diligence reviews for a number of Greek and multinational clients.

About Salvatore (Sal) Drago
Sal Drago has over 25 years of experience trading fuel oil, feedstock and fuel blending components for key global bunkering locations. From 2013 Mr. Drago served as Aegean’s Global Director of Supply and Trading, the position to which he has returned, leading the Company’s arbitrage cargo movements, fuel oil blending and risk management efforts.
Previously, Mr. Drago spent nine years at Hess Corporation, where he was Managing Director, Fuel Oil and Feedstock Trading. There he led the company’s transition from a fuel oil wholesaler to a fully integrated supply and trading organization, with retail bunkering operations in five U.S. ports.

Aegean in July entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with independent commodities and energy group Mercuria Energy Group for a US$1 billion trade finance facility intended to support Aegean’s existing U.S. and global revolving credit facilities.

The latest development adds positive change and momentum to Aegean’s new management to restore market confidence, after the discovery of approximately $200 million of accounts receivable owed to the company at December 31, 2017 that need to be written off.

A timeline-accurate list of events preceding the current development can be found below:

Published: 10 July, 2018

Business

Singapore: Ang Wee Keong from IMDA appointed as new MPA Chief Executive

Ang will relinquish his IMDA appointment as Assistant Chief Executive (International) of the Info-Communications and will officially take over from Teo Eng Dih from 16 June.

Published

58 minutes ago

April 30, 2025

Admin

Singapore: Ang Wee Keong from IMDA appointed as new MPA Chief Executive

Singapore’s Ministry of Transport on Tuesday (29 April) said Mr Ang Wee Keong, currently the Assistant Chief Executive (International) of the Info-Communications Media Development Authority (IMDA), will concurrently be appointed as Chief Executive (Designate) of the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) from 1 May to 15 June 2025.

He will relinquish his IMDA appointment and be appointed Chief Executive of MPA from 16 June 2025. He will succeed Mr Teo Eng Dih, who will be appointed Deputy Secretary (Special Duties) at the Ministry of Transport with effect from 16 June.

Mr Teo will remain as a member of the MPA Board until he steps down as CE MPA. Mr Ang will be appointed as a board member with effect from 16 June 2025.

“The Ministry of Transport thanks Mr Teo Eng Dih for his leadership and contributions as Chief Executive of MPA, and welcomes Mr Ang Wee Keong,” the ministry added.

Mr Teo Eng Dih (张英智)

As the Chief Executive of the MPA, Mr Teo made significant contributions to grow Singapore’s International Maritime Centre and the PIER71TM startup ecosystem. During his tenure, the Port of Singapore attained new records in vessel arrivals, container throughput, bunker sales and registrations under the Singapore Registry of Ships. MPA was also recognised as one of the key global regulators by Lloyd’s List. These milestones were reached amidst a complex global operating environment marked by geopolitical uncertainties, supply chain disruptions and technological shifts affecting the flow of goods and supplies worldwide.

Mr Ang Wee Keong (洪伟强)

As the Assistant Chief Executive (International) of IMDA, Mr Ang made significant contributions in advancing Singapore’s digital interests and thought leadership in the international arena. He strengthened Singapore’s network of digital economy partnerships, and expanded collaboration through platforms like the ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting, Forum of Small States and Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG). He also oversaw the formulation of forward-thinking policies and regulations in digital technology and services to advance the growth of Singapore’s digital economy, including the upcoming Digital Infrastructure Act to enhance the resilience and security of systemically important digital infrastructure.

Photo credit: Singapore Polytechnic
Published: 30 April, 2025

Technology

TFG Marine to launch of ZeroNorth e-BDNs at Port of Sohar after Singapore success

Kenneth Dam announced the successful trial and imminent roll-out of ZeroNorth’s electronic bunker delivery note solution for its customers in the Port of Sohar, in Oman.

Published

1 hour ago

April 30, 2025

Admin

TFG Marine to launch ZeroNorth e-BDNs at Port of Sohar after success in Singapore

Global marine fuel supply and procurement firm TFG Marine on Tuesday (29 April) announced the company’s successful trial and imminent roll-out of ZeroNorth’s electronic bunker delivery note (e-BDN) solution for its customers in the Port of Sohar, in Oman.

A first for the Middle East region following the successful deployment of the same technology earlier this year by TFG Marine at the Port of Singapore. The eBDN trial in Oman was completed in collaboration with ZeroNorth and SGTraDex, using the Singapore standards as a benchmark.

Kenneth Dam, Global Head of Bunkering, said: "We’re excited to partner with ZeroNorth, Fratelli Cosulich Group Bunkers, SGTraDex and SOHAR Port and Freezone to shortly introduce e-BDNs to our customers here in Oman.”

“This technology, that we have already successfully introduced in Singapore is yet another step in modernising our industry. It will streamline the bunker delivery process, cut administrative burdens, enhance digital documentation and help build a smarter, more connected bunkering sector.”

“We remain committed to establishing e-BDNs as a global standard for bunker fuel delivery and will continue to work closely with port authorities to advocate for and deploy this technology across our operations.”

Dam made the announcement at the Oman Maritime, Ports and Energy Forum, during the panel discussion on The Transformative Power of Data: The Evolving Role of Digitalisation in Shipping and Bunkering.

Dam added the fully digital solution — accessible through TFG Marine’s mobile app and integrated with SGTraDex’s digital infrastructure, — will enable the inclusion of additional data, such as mass flow meter readings during fuel deliveries.

“By integrating this technology, we will drive significant improvements in efficiency, accuracy, compliance, and sustainability across our operations, complementing the global mass flow meter rollout across our fleet and reinforcing TFG Marine’s position at the forefront of the modern bunkering industry,” he said.

Manifold Times previously reported TFG Marine announcing the introduction of ZeroNorth’s e-BDNs for its customers in Singapore during 23rd Singapore International Bunkering Conference (SIBCON) by the end of 2024.

In November last year, TFG Marine announced its first digitalised marine fuel delivery in Singapore using electronic bunker delivery notes (e-BDNs).

Its team supplied VLSFO bunker fuel to Pacific Basin Shipping Limited’s Illovo River bulk carrier, marking the first of four bunkering deliveries that month where this new technology was successfully deployed.

Photo credit: TFG Marine
Published: 30 April, 2025

Biofuel

Hercules Tanker Management vessel “Mount Kibo” takes on B30 bio bunker fuel

HTM said its tanker was successfully supplied with B30 bunkers by tanker “Hercules Sky”, another HTM-owned vessel and operated by Peninsula, marking the first biofuel supply to the HTM fleet.

Published

1 hour ago

April 30, 2025

Admin

Hercules Tanker Management vessel “Mount Kibo” takes on B30 bio bunker fuel

Hercules Tanker Management (HTM) on Tuesday (29 April) announced that its tanker Mount Kibo has been successfully supplied with B30 bunkers by tanker Hercules Sky, another HTM-owned vessel which is operated by Peninsula.

The operation marked the first biofuel supply to the HTM fleet.

HTM is the shipping venture launched last September by John A. Bassadone, founder and CEO of independent marine fuel supplier Peninsula.

HTM said the operation carried out in the Strait of Gibraltar aligns with the recent discussions at MEPC 83, where key decisions were made to advance maritime decarbonisation, including new fuel standards and a global pricing mechanism for emissions.

“Additionally, this initiative supports the objectives of the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, which promotes the use of renewable, low-carbon fuels and clean energy technologies for ships,” it said.

“By utilising biofuels, we are contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the industry's transition towards cleaner energy solutions.”

Photo credit: Hercules Tanker Management
Published: 30 April, 2025