Former BW Tankers chief executive Tina Revsbech is making a radical career switch.

The Dane, who is known in the industry as an experienced tanker executive, is joining Canada’s largest dry bulk company, Fednav.

The move comes after Revsbech left the tanker arm of Andreas Sohmen-Pao-led BW Group last year following three years at its Singapore headquarters.

Fednav president Paul Pathy confirmed he had hired Revsbech and said she will be joining his team in January at the bulker owner’s headquarters in Montreal.

Revsbech has been appointed as executive vice president of Fednav International. She replaces Paul Gourdeau, who is retiring sometime next year after three decades at the outfit.

Asked why he has hired a tanker person to lead a dry bulk team, Pathy said he wanted to appoint the highest calibre of executive he could find.

“Revsbech’s high level of organisational and management experience are really exceptional,” he said. “She has tremendous international experience. I feel that she can quite comfortably make the transition to the bulker sector.

“I also like the fact that it is a bit of something different... we have a whole team of people that know dry bulk inside out.”

Fednav International, the company’s freight arm, is the family-owned outfit’s core business.

“Revsbech will have full authority of commercial chartering and operations,” Pathy said.

Great Lakes and Arctic giant

Fednav is a major player in bulk shipping in the St Lawrence/Great Lakes system, as well as the Canadian Arctic.

Revsbech, who has more than 20 years of experience in the tanker segment, started her shipping career as a trainee at Maersk Line and Maersk Tankers.

Her former employers include energy major Shell and tanker owner Torm.

Read more: Click here for the details about Tina Revsbech's background.