Two brokers formerly with Braemar’s Athens office have moved across town to join Diamond Shipbroking, a specialist dry chartering outfit.
Diamond, an expanding brokerage led by Vassilis Diamantidis, unveiled the new hires in a statement on Monday.
“We are very excited to announce that Yiannis Koroneos and Panos Alexopoulos have joined Diamond Shipbroking as senior brokers,” it said in a note to clients.
“With many years of knowledge and working experience in the capesize and panamax sectors, Yiannis and Panos will continue to focus on these sectors, applying their extensive expertise and leadership to drive value for our clients and team.”
TradeWinds reported in June how Diamond was planning to grow with new hires who would bring its headcount to about 15 brokers.
Diamond has built a name for itself — particularly in large bulk carriers that are under-represented in the Greek chartering scene and in which Diamantidis built expertise after founding the company in 2005.
The firm specialises in chartering handysizes, supramaxes, panamaxes and capesizes. It also has a post-fixture department.
Local shipowner clients include John Coustas-led Danaos Corp — a boxship player that moved into capesize ownership — and Harry Vafias-led Brave Maritime, which has bought 10 such ships over the past couple of years.
Diamond’s expansion plans include setting up offices in Geneva and Singapore.
Its latest hirings mark the second time this year that a Braemar dry cargo broker has left the international powerhouse.
TradeWinds reported in August how former Braemar man Neil Underhill switched jobs to head a new London office for dry cargo chartering at Genoa Sea Brokers.
There were exits at Braemar Athens’ sale-and-purchase desk as well: joint global head S&P Dimitris Kyrtsos left in August after 12 years.
