On time... - Lloyd's List

What sets Commodore apart from the research arms of large
shipbrokers is that the company has no agenda other than
to supply information to the market, whether that is through
its subscriptions-based reports or bespoke consultancy. It
focuses heavily on cargo supply and demand, rather than
on fleet supply, and is quick off the mark in distributing
information.
“This is our bread and butter – we have to do it very well,”
says Mr Landsberg. “And although our primary client base is
still shipowners and traders – the pure dry bulk players – we’re
also seeing a lot more interest and business from the hedge
funds and financial groups.”
Commodore was established when Mr Landsberg was
just 27. After reading Asian studies at Boston University, he
spent time at Hanjin Shipping in Seoul before working as a
derivatives broker in Singapore and then Norway.
Mikael Skov Tankers Inc
THE one time operating officer and interim boss at Torm,
Michael Skov took his expertise and contacts to set up Tankers
Inc when his tenure came to an end.
The entrepreneur secured enough financing to bide his time
and is now beginning to play his cards. Newbuilding orders
and a potentially lucrative contract with Nordic Tankers, now
called Nordic Shipholding, will help set up his business just as
many hope the tanker markets opens up again.
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Christian Bonfils Nordic Bulk Carriers
A MAN with a niche on his mind, Christian Bonfils co-launched
Nordic Bulk Carriers to focus on utilising high ice class dry
bulk tonnage, and in the process becoming a key actor in the
development of the northern sea route.
Mr Bonfils’ priority is finding winter cargoes in the Baltic
sea for his fleet of owned and chartered in tonnage, but he is
now pushing to increase summer cargoes through the northern
sea route between northern Europe and Asia and becoming
a champion in the drive to get more transparency from the
Russian authorities.
Julie Lithgow Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers
APPOINTED director of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers
last year, Julie Lithgow is one of a new generation of men and
women breaking into top shipping industry jobs. She readily
admits to being surprised that she was picked for the post
but members have taken to her and have applauded the fresh
approach she brings to the job. The London-headquartered
institute sets the professional standards for shipbrokers,
shipmanagers and ship agents, with some 5,000 ICS exams
sat each year in countries worldwide. Ms Lithgow, who has a
maritime studies degree, spent time at the Nautical Institute,
V.Holdings and Pole Star before she joined the ICS. One of her
key tasks now is to ensure the ICS retains its position as the
leading professional body while reforming the way the institute
is run, and deciding on its future role.
Birgit Liodden Youngships
BIRGIT Liodden has become the figurehead for Youngships
International, a Norway-based association of budding
junior executives wanting to make a mark for themselves in
the shipping industry. She represents the hope of the next
generation, and her constant enthusiasm won her this year’s
Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association
leadership award 2012 for her efforts to raise the profile of the
shipping industry, particularly in a bid to attract more women
into the industry.
Her tireless efforts have been instrumental in raising the
profile of Youngships and expanding the organisation outside
Norway. Her knowledge, enthusiasm and standing within
tomorrow’s generation of shipping executive mark her out as a
future shipping leader.
Andreas Chrysostomou IMO
THE Cypriot chair of the maritime environmental protection
committee has his work cut out. Andreas Chrysostomou
is responsible for directing the International Maritime
Organization’s debates on climate change, keeping them on
track and focused. A contender in last year’s race to become
the IMO’s secretary-general, Capt Chrysostomou has a network
of contacts, and this, along with his personality, sets him out
from the pack.
Krish Krishnamurthi The Nautical Institute
KRISH Krishnamurthi has just become the youngest president
of the Nautical Institute. Known to be passionate about
improving safety at sea through professional standards, Capt
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