Busy former ABN Amro shipping head Joep Gorgels has taken on a fifth new role since leaving the Dutch lender last year.
Carbon hedge fund Greenstar Capital has recruited the experienced banker as a senior advisor on shipping to boost its maritime growth.
Gorgels’ LinkedIn page describes the role as part-time.
Greenstar offers what it says is the first fund in the European Union that invests in physical carbon allowances.
An investment in its EU Emissions Trading Scheme fund can be an interim solution and natural protection against the rapidly rising prices of EU carbon allowances, the company said.
Gorgels ended his 20-year stint at ABN Amro in April 2022.
He was appointed managing director of ABN Amro’s Global Transport & Logistics department in September 2017, having previously held several roles, including country executive for Norway for five years.
After leaving the Dutch bank, Gorgels embarked on a mission to decarbonise shipping.
He is now also working part-time as an advisor at shipping digitalisation start-up Onboard and is a business development advisor at scrubber and carbon capture group Value Maritime.
In addition, Gorgels is finance chief and business development officer at battery maker EST-Floattech and the owner of capital advisory firm Zwin Maritime.
‘Huge network’
“We are very proud that Joep has joined us — his huge network and expertise in the shipping and finance sectors will further fuel Greenstar’s growth,” said Max Spanjer, co-founder and managing partner of Greenstar.
“The combination of Joep’s knowledge, network and his drive to implement innovative solutions for decarbonising the shipping industry make him an excellent addition to the Greenstar team.”
Gorgels said: “I am pleased to help Greenstar Capital grow their services within the maritime sector. They add lots of value to a simpler process and improved positioning through their fund.”
Greenstar’s other managing partner, Bart Kas, expects the new recruit to help shipping companies.
“Joep’s experience and deep understanding of the shipping industry, combined with our knowledge of the carbon and energy markets, should be of great added value for the … industry, especially regarding the challenges around decarbonisation the shipping sector is facing in the near future,” Kas said.
