Expanding UK shipowner Purus has beefed up its management team again with a new chief commercial officer.
Hakon Vevang has been recruited from John Fredriksen and Idan Ofer-backed offshore wind vessel player Edda Wind, where he has held the same role since 2021.
“In this strategic role, Hakon will oversee the commercial chartering and sale-and-purchase operations for both our gas and offshore wind divisions,” Purus said.
Vevang has two decades of experience in the offshore wind and shipping sectors.
He joined offshore shipowner Ostensjo Rederi as chartering manager for renewables in 2022.
The company then launched Edda Wind but has since sold out.
Vevang had earlier worked for North Sea Container Line and was a shipbroker at Lorentzen & Stemoco.
Purus has also promoted Bryn Smyth to head of commercial for Europe and Rebecca Fang to the same role in Asia.
In September, Purus confirmed another order for ammonia carriers as it aims for a market-leading position.
The company said it had contracted two 45,000-cbm dual-fuel ammonia-ready medium gas carriers (MGCs) at HD Hyundai Mipo in South Korea for delivery in 2027.
Two new recruits already this year
The fleet already consists of three 40,000-cbm MGCs in operation, along with four other 45,000-cbm units to be delivered in 2025 and 2026.
Purus also owns four LNG carriers and three ethane ships, plus a large electric ferry fleet, and is invested in carbon capture and offshore wind construction vessels.
In July, the owner boosted its leadership ranks with the hire of former K Line executive Tomoyuki “Tomo” Okawa.
The Japanese shipping veteran was appointed as a senior adviser.
The month before, Luke Hendriksen was recruited as fleet director for the company’s wind division.
He was hired from oil major BP where he had led the North Sea marine team until and was most recently the ports and shipbuilding manager.
