Denmark's Maersk Broker is adding five more brokers as it seeks to expand its panamax and capesize bulker business in Singapore and Copenhagen.

Christian Norup, formerly of Fearnleys, and ex-Howe Robinson staffers Sean Higgins and Victor Hsu will join in Singapore during September.

In Copenhagen, Nikolaj Duch Jorgensen, ex-Bidsted, will join the panamax team in early August and Andrea Organista will start as a junior broker in mid-July.

"In addition, a number of new broker trainees will join the various teams at the Copenhagen office over the summer period," it added.

It also said its Bulk Chartering (MBBC) division is entering a new phase of development and senior vice president Claes Devantier is to focus on "key client relationships, strategic initiatives, new acquisitions and partnerships" in addition to his other areas of responsibility within Maersk Broker.

Frank Mortensen has been appointed CEO of MBBC as a result.

Also, to strengthen its established handysize, supramax and ultramax desk, Kasper Staerk Olesen will take on a new role heading up the team in Singapore.

The broker also said its Hamburg office is undergoing new development.

At the end of August, Anders Hojmose will transfer from the Dubai office to run the newly established joint venture, Maersk Broker Albis Bulk Chartering (MBABC).

"We expect to announce further staff additions during the coming months," the company said.

In April, TradeWinds reported that Maersk Broker had continued the growth of its dry cargo operation with the new venture in Germany involving Hamburg brokerage Stratos Albis Schiffahrt.

Maersk Broker, privately owned by Ane Maersk Mc-Kinney Uggla and her sisters, has been actively growing bulker activity during the past couple of years.

In April last year, it hired a string of former Lightship brokers in Copenhagen, while its London team was boosted with the arrival of a number of former ACM staffers.

Former Navig8 chartering chief manager Christian Parsbo was also added to the London team, sources said.

Further progress in the dry market during the past couple of years has seen Maersk Broker take a strategic stake in Wonsild Dry and buy a majority holding in Lanic.

But it is not only in the bulker market that Maersk Broker has been expanding.

Former Torm and Heidmar executive Jesper Bo Hansen was recruited as managing director of Maersk Broker Advisory Services.