Shipbroking group SSY has made a new hire to support its brokers in factoring alternative fuels expertise into newbuilding projects, sale-and-purchase deals and other transactions.
Cato Espero has joined the company in the newly created role of offshore project director and head of alternative fuel solutions.
He joins from Wartsila Corp in Norway, where he led the marine technology group’s Zero Emission Energy Distribution at Sea Initiative, an industry collaboration project focused on finding the fastest route to zero-emission shipping.
Stanko Jekov, SSY’s managing partner, said: “The decarbonisation of the shipping sector continues to be one of the most important challenges that we collectively face as the industry moves to low or zero-carbon fuel alternatives.
“The broking industry will be key to finding the right solutions and SSY is committed to helping our customers successfully navigate through this change.”
Espero will work in Oslo and London alongside SSY’s global offshore, S&P and newbuilding teams to help them develop their proposition on alternative fuels and decarbonisation.
Espero said: “Undoubtedly, the broking industry will play a crucial role in ensuring transparency, competitive conditions and secure value creation in a rapidly changing world.”
The new hire continues SSY’s expansion plan, which included new hires and enhanced service offerings since Jekov took the top job in January 2023.
Last month, SSY hired tanker chartering specialist Jesper Frohlich from Maersk Tankers, who will join as director of period and specialised projects.
The group also hired Martin Hestnes as its incoming manager of offshore, subsea and projects in Dubai. The group expanded into the offshore space last year.
Its ship finance offering in Asia has also expanded this year, with hires of well-known names including former banker Ali Susanto in Singapore and Terry Chen in Shanghai.
Derivatives have been a focus area too. In April, Phoebus Kaloudis joined as head of business development for SSY Futures.
The group has also been on a mission to build up its Japan presence with a focus on project business and in June hired Naoki Tamura to head up a new office in Osaka.
