Connect with us

Employment

Prax Group appoints Maarten van Wesemael as Managing Director – Middle East & Asia

A Dutch national who resides in Singapore, Maarten joins the Prax Group having previously held senior roles at BritNRG, Lloyds Banking Group and BNP Paribas.

Admin

Published

on

Prax Group Maarten Van Wesemael

UK-based Prax Group on Monday (25 September) appointed Maarten van Wesemael as Managing Director - Middle East & Asia. 

Maarten will be responsible for the Group's strategic development in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific region and will be based in the company's Singapore office. 

As a senior banker with a career spanning over 20 years, Maarten brings with him vast experience in high value transactions, banking products, business development, finance and working capital solutions, with a strong knowledge of the energy sector.

A Dutch national who resides in Singapore, Maarten joins the Prax Group having previously held senior roles at BritNRG, Lloyds Banking Group and BNP Paribas. 

An experienced leader and skilled relationship manager, Maarten's significant global experience and wealth of sector-specific knowledge will be invaluable as the Prax Group continues its activities in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific marketplaces, and beyond.

“We are delighted to welcome Maarten to the Prax Group,” said Chief Executive Officer, Sanjeev Kumar Soosaipillai.

“Our success as a company has been achieved through our entrepreneurial spirit and our reputation for excellence in everything we do, and with his vast industry knowledge and experience, Maarten is the ideal high-calibre candidate to head up our Middle East & Asia teams. 

“He will no doubt prove to be a very valuable asset to the Group as we continue our long-term growth trajectory, with a strategy for executing our vision for the future.”

Related: Europe: Prax Group acquires bunker tanker “Fortuna I” on infrastructure expansion
Related: Prax Group welcomes Michael Bourdier as Managing Director, Middle East & Asia
Related: Prax expands UK operations with bunker tanker “Vadero Highlander”
Related: Harvest Energy Marine purchases new bunker tanker “Fortuna II”
Related: Harvest Energy Marine acquires Total Zeebrugge Depot in bunkering expansion
Related: Harvest Energy Marine adds bunkering barge to fleet
Related: Harvest Energy Marine adds bunker tanker “Andros” to fleet

Photo credit: Prax Group
Published: 26 September 2023

Continue Reading

Business

Bunker Holding undergoes major management reshuffle to prepare for future growth

KPI OceanConnect CEO Anders Grønborg will assume Chief Commercial Officer role and lead Bunker Holding Sales; Peder Møller will take on newly added Chief Operating Officer role and head up Bunker Holding Operations.

Admin

Published

on

By

Bunker Holding undergoes major management reshuffle to prepare for future growth

World’s largest marine fuels supplier Bunker Holding on Thursday (21 November) announced a major restructuring of its Executive Management to future-proof and gear the organisation for the increase in complex market dynamics. 

Bunker Holding’s commercial department will be divided into two divisions: Bunker Holding Sales and Bunker Holding Operations. Anders Grønborg will assume the role of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) and lead Bunker Holding Sales, which will focus on customer relations. Peder Møller will take on the newly added role of Chief Operating Officer and head up Bunker Holding Operations, which will be responsible for operations involving global sourcing, physical supply, risk management, and new fuels.

The firm said the purpose of the new structure is to better equip the Group to respond to an increasingly complex market which involves the separation of Bunker Holding’s sales and operations divisions. Not only will this separation lead to an increase in specialisation within sales, sourcing, risk management, and physical supply, but it will ensure that Bunker Holding moves closer to customers and suppliers while adapting to changing market conditions.

“We want to ensure that we prepare the company for future growth and build a world-class organisation – one that can manage the dynamics of our market. We have decided to divide the commercial responsibilities to adopt a more focused approach to both customers and operations. Our goal is to ensure that we can deliver the best service to our customers while maintaining oversight of our operations,” says Keld R. Demant, CEO of Bunker Holding.

Increasing customer specialisation and optimising operations

Bunker Holding is parting ways with CCO Christoffer Berg Lassen and utilises the opportunity to expand the Executive Management team from three to four members. Christoffer Berg Lassen is leaving Bunker Holding after having headed up the commercial department since 2018.

“I would like to thank Christoffer Berg Lassen for his immense dedication during his tenure. Christoffer joined the company more than 20 years ago and as such, he has made an impressive mark on especially the Group’s commercial operations. I highly commend his efforts and wish him the best of luck with his future endeavours,” says Keld R. Demant.

“The new structure has the full support of the Board of Directors. We are confident that the increased focus on growing and building closer ties to Bunker Holding’s customer base and streamlining our operations, will better position us to create value across the entire value chain,” says Klaus Nyborg, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bunker Holding.

Taking effect 1 December, the new Executive Management team in Bunker Holding will thus consist of CEO Keld R. Demant, CFO Michael Krabbe, CCO Anders Grønborg, and COO Peder Møller.

Additional changes

As a consequence of the restructuring, Anders Grønborg will leave his position as CEO of KPI OceanConnect, and Dorthe Bendtsen, current COO of KPI OceanConnect, will take over as interim CEO. She has been an integral part of KPI OceanConnect’s Executive Management team for the past 16 years.

Martin Vorgod, CCO of Global Risk Management (GRM), will assume the role of CEO of GRM, following Peder Møller’s transition to Bunker Holding. Martin Vorgod joined GRM in 2022. In his role as CCO, he has focused particularly on the development of new products within energy, emission certificates, and on GRM’s customer-facing activities.

Together with the intensified focus on Bunker Holding’s commercial strategy and goal to strengthen its role as a full-service provider, the new organisational structure will enable the Group to better enhance and expand its business and streamline its operations.

 

Photo credit: Bunker Holding
Published: 22 November, 2024

Continue Reading

Business

KPI OceanConnect appoints Dorthe Bendtsen as interim CEO

Bendtsen will assume the position as of 1 December, following former CEO, Anders Grønborg’s transition to Chief Commercial Officer of parent company Bunker Holding.

Admin

Published

on

By

KPI OceanConnect appoints Dorthe Bendtsen as interim CEO

Dorthe Bendtsen will assume the position as interim CEO of KPI OceanConnect as of 1 December, following former CEO, Anders Grønborg’s transition to Chief Commercial Officer of parent company Bunker Holding. 

KPI OceanConnect is one of the world's largest bunker trading companies with nearly 150 employees across 15 offices worldwide, delivering 12 million tonnes of marine fuel annually. 

The executive management team and regional leads will continue KPI OceanConnect’s ambitious strategy on growth and high-quality customer care. The company remains committed to maintain a high level of stakeholder satisfaction and loyalty. KPI OceanConnect will commence its search for a new CEO shortly.

Bendtsen who is currently KPI OceanConnect’s Chief Operating Officer, has played a key role in the organisation’s development and success over the past 16 years. During her time with KPI OceanConnect, Bendtsen has been an integral part of the company’s executive management team and instrumental in the company’s development and execution of strategy and M&A activities. 

Her primary focus has been on optimising operations, strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders, ensuring delivery of exceptional service and value to business partners and customers around the world. 

As COO, Bendtsen has implemented robust corporate governance structures and steered the company’s sustainability strategy and ESG initiatives. In particular, focussing on Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity, leading the organisation towards a more inclusive and competence-driven culture.

In addition to an MA in Management and a BA in International Relations and Economics, Bendtsen is also a Chartered Governance Professional.

 

Photo credit: KPI OceanConnect
Published: 22 November, 2024

Continue Reading

Business

VPS introduces new General Manager for Middle East and Africa

Dirk de Bruyn brings experience from Rio Tinto, Shell and recently TotalEnergies, and a range of local, regional and global oil, gas and energy roles across four continents.

Admin

Published

on

By

Dirk de Bruyn, General Manager for Middle East and Africa, VPS

Maritime decarbonisation advisory services company VPS on Monday (11 November) announced the appointment of Dirk de Bruyn as the company’s new General Manager for Middle East and Africa.

In this role, Dirk will advance VPS’s business within the region with both new and existing key clients. He will be critical to the growth of both the traditional businesses of marine fuels testing and advisory as well as playing a key role of decarbonisation of the maritime industry.

With experience gained at Rio Tinto, Shell and recently TotalEnergies, and a range of local, regional and global roles across four continents in international oil, gas and energy, Dirk brings extensive experience and knowledge in the energy transition space.

Using his extensive knowledge gained in bunker fuel and lubricants, both from a supplier and end-users’ perspective, Dirk previously led a global team focused on energy transition and decarbonisation.

“The maritime industry is changing quickly with ambitious emissions targets and decarbonisation requirements driving the introduction of new technologies and fuels into the market,” said Dr. Malcolm Cooper, CEO of VPS.

“In this dynamic landscape, we are very pleased to have Dirk on board to help VPS customers optimise their operations by understanding which new fuels to use and how to adapt to these sustainable business drivers and meet new regulations.

Dirk noted: “Whilst the industry is rightfully focussed on the path towards Net Zero, we must ensure we do not take our eye off the ball on the operational risks posed by traditional fuels.”

“Energy Transition and the path towards Net Zero is an evolving landscape. With the change in fuel types and the introduction of future fuels, it is important to provide advice and guidance to our customers whilst taking into consideration the differences in legislations.

“VPS leads the way with their technology in biofuels as well as methanol testing which is a key component to reducing our clients emissions and helping them in their journey towards Net Zero. I am excited to be part of this journey with VPS’ with an industry who is focussed on fuel transition.

“With over forty years of knowledge and experience in the marine industry, and a wide range of advanced Digital Decarbonisation platforms such as PortStats, Maress, BOND and Emsys, I have found that our team is filled with experience and determination and I look forward to adding mine into the mix.”

 

Photo credit: VPS
Published: 13 November 2024

Continue Reading
Advertisement
  • EMF banner 400x330 slogan
  • Aderco advert 400x330 1
  • SBF2
  • RE 05 Lighthouse GIF
  • Consort advertisement v2
  • v4Helmsman Gif Banner 01

OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS

  • SEAOIL 3+5 GIF
  • Triton Bunkering advertisement v2
  • Singfar advertisement final
  • HL 2022 adv v1
  • 102Meth Logo GIF copy


  • endress
  • Mokara Final
  • E Marine logo
  • CNC Logo Rev Manifold Times
  • Synergy Asia Bunkering logo MT
  • Uni Fuels oct 2024 ad
  • Victory Logo
  • Auramarine 01
  • PSP Marine logo
  • Trillion Energy
  • Advert Shipping Manifold resized1
  • 400x330 v2 copy
  • VPS 2021 advertisement
  • Headway Manifold

Trending