Former BW LPG chief executive Martin Ackermann has returned to shipping full time with a new role at Singapore ship manager Synergy Group.
The experienced executive joins the group as chief commercial officer.
He has been working as a strategic advisor with Synergy since January, having left Oslo-listed VLGC owner BW LPG at the end of 2019.
Synergy chief executive Rajesh Unni told TradeWinds that Ackermann helped the group finalise its acquisition of Maersk Tankers' technical management business earlier this month.
"We are excited," Unni said. "He has a lot of experience and has been in the industry a long, long time, in senior positions.
"He's respected and also has the mindset of challenging the status quo."
He added that Ackermann will help the company understand exactly what clients want.
"I thought that expertise is invaluable," Unni said.
Ackermann, 43, has taken responsibility for finance, commercial, strategy and transformation interventions from 1 September.
Based in Denmark
He is based at the company’s fast-growing office in Copenhagen and will report directly to Unni, who founded the company.
The new CCO had also been chief executive of Evergas, managing director of Eitzen Gas and B-Gas, and a board member of the World LPG Association.
"Having enjoyed a successful partnership with Synergy Group as a customer for many years, I am thrilled to be able to join this side of the shipping business," Ackermann said.
He added that there is a team of 18,500-plus people at the group.
"Together we have the means, skill and experience to provide shipowners with the technology, safety and operational services they need, and work with them as thought partners as owners embrace sustainability and undertake transformation agendas," Ackermann said.
