Shanghai Gentco Logistics has poached chemical chartering expert Si Liang, until now general manager of Greathorse Chemical.
The move means women, including general manager Song Wei, hold two of the three highest management positions at China's largest chemical tanker owner.
Gentco, also known as Junzheng Logistics, was until recently the shipping and terminal arm of state-owned Sinochem International.
Si's homecoming
The company’s deputy general manager, Zhang Xin, also heads its shipowning, chartering and operating business as general manager of Gentco subsidiary SC Shipping Co.
Both Song and Zhang held the same titles at Sinochem International Logistics.
New recruit Si Liang will occupy a role in a newly created tier of management, reporting to Zhang. Two deputy general managers who formerly reported to Zhang will now report to her.
For Si, the role is a homecoming of sorts, as she was a key chartering executive at the former Sinochem International Logistics before her nine-year stint at Greathorse.
Si worked at Sinochem after graduating from Shanghai Maritime University until she left for Greathorse in 2010.
Si was in meetings and unable to comment this week, but market and internal Gentco sources confirmed that the move was announced a week last Monday.
Greathorse, whose officials could not be reached for comment, is affiliated with the Hong Kong-based Tiger Group, which is controlled by ship-finance partners Gerry Wang and Graham Porter.
The move reverses the trend of Sinochem International Logistics’ veterans heading out of the door.
TradeWinds previously reported that the company's former head of shipping and long-time driving force Xu Junfeng has taken a new position as head of a Tiger Group tank container venture.
International buyers
Meanwhile, Gentco continues its revival under new ownership with its programme of ship sales.
Disposal targets include its 13,000-dwt coated vessels built between 2006 and 2009 at South Korean yards, which the company means to replace with stainless steel newbuildings in the 19,000-dwt range from Chinese yards.
Officials said there are several international buyers now inspecting that fleet segment. Chinese shipping companies are more focused on MR tankers and are not expected to be among the buyers.
Company sources confirmed it has delivered the 19,500-dwt parcel tanker SC Shenzhen (built 1999) to an undisclosed new owner after a sale in the high $6m range.
The vessel — now trading as the Peace Worth — was delivered to a Chinese buyer that uses the registered owner name of Peace Worth Shipping. TradeWinds previously reported the transaction at $6.8m.
TradeWinds reported recently that Gentco has begun a fleet renewal drive following completion of the recent corporate acquisition by Inner Mongolian coal and chemical magnate Du Jiangtao's Junzheng Group.
