Industry veteran Petter Tronstad is stepping down as the chief executive of JT Cement, a joint venture between Erik Thun and NovaAlgoma Cement Carriers (NACC).
The Bergen-based shipowner said he was making the move to pursue “other opportunities” without going into specifics.
Patrik Gandvik, presently chartering manager of Thun Self Unloaders, will take on the role of chief commercial officer for JT Cement to lead the company into its next phase of growth and development.
“Petter will play an important role in this transition and the company’s operations will remain in Bergen and continue to be managed by its current team of commercial and operations staff,” JT Cement said.
“It has been a great privilege to be part of this journey and I am happy to be able to leave the company in a good place and in very good hands,” said Tronstad.
“I would like to thank the team in Bergen for their support and great fun over so many years. I would also like to thank the owners for believing in me and for their support.”
During his time as CEO of JT Cement, Tronstad oversaw the fleet’s renewal, including the delivery of three LNG dual-fuel newbuildings, established its new office in Bergen in December 2021 and positioned the company as a leader in the north European market for the marine transportation of cement.
Both owners of the company, NACC and Thun, said Tronstad’s long-term experience in shipping and seaborne cement and fly ash had been “instrumental for the success of the company”.
JT Cement operates a fleet of eight specialised pneumatic cement carriers of 8,000 dwt or less on long-term vessel employment contracts with major cement producers in north Europe in support of regional infrastructure projects.
Between 2015 and 2019, the company took delivery of two 7,585-dwt and one 8,050-dwt LNG dual-fuel newbuildings from Ferus Smit.
The sister vessels are claimed to be the first “green” cement carriers in the world as a result of their unique hull design and natural gas propulsion.
