Athens-based Seaborne Shipbrokers is expanding abroad with the opening of a new office in Singapore, set to begin operations on 30 September, under managing director James Porter, a former sale-and-purchase broker with Howe Robinson Partners.
Seaborne’s first foreign branch is the most visible growth indicator yet for the Greek outfit, which was set up five years ago.
Led by low-profile founder Vasilis Koutroulis, a broker with two decades of experience, Seaborne weathered a tough shipping market in the first months of 2019.
Helped by strong relationships with Far Eastern shipyards and big Hellenic owners, the company snatched considerable newbuilding business in the latest wave of Greek bulker and tanker ordering.
The company has also been active in S&P deals, period chartering, corporate finance and valuations.
Seaborne’s new Singapore dependency now aims to help it grow its business and win clients across markets in South East Asia.
The office will be run by Porter, who has been in Singapore for the past 10 years with a focus on tanker markets in Europe and Asia.
Porter had since 2016 been an S&P and projects shipbroker for Howe Robinson Partners.
He started his shipping career in 2012 in London as a broker for Caledonian Pacific.
Two years later, Porter moved to Singapore when his employer was purchased by ICAP, which in turn merged with Howe Robinson in 2015.
Another fresh Seaborne hire who will join Porter in Singapore in mid-November is Matthew Dowden — a senior S&P broker for SSY in Singapore for more than 12 years.
Marina Tomari, formerly a trainee shipbroker with Thurlestone Shipping, will also be part of the team.
