Maite Bolivar Klarup, Bimco’s Singapore-based general manager for South East Asia, has moved to Montreal where she intends to play a more active role in shipping’s decarbonisation drive.
After five years at Bimco, she has joined technology company e1 Marine as commercial director.
The company has created hydrogen generator technology that converts methanol to hydrogen while a ship is in operation, which cuts carbon emissions when combined with fuel cell equipment.
“I’ve long wanted to play a more active role in shipping’s decarbonisation, and I know I’ve found the best place to lead that transformation! Viva la revolucion!” Bolivar Klarup told TradeWinds, using the Spanish translation for “long-live the revolution”.
“While I’m sad to close the door on the chapter of my career in Singapore, I couldn’t be more excited for what’s next.”
e1 Marine is a joint venture between clean energy technology developer Element 1, tanker operator Ardmore Shipping, and flexible financing solutions and newbuilding contract support specialists Maritime Partners.
The e1 Marine methanol reformer it has been developing is a methanol-to-hydrogen generator and fuel cell solution that it claims produces zero particulates, zero NOx and SOx emissions, and 30% to 50% less CO2 than a conventional diesel generator.
The company claims its product provides shipping with a near-term solution to decarbonisation, as methanol is readily available as a bunker fuel, and is easy to handle and store with some basic modifications to bunkering systems.
“Previous energy revolutions, as we’ve moved from rowing to sails to steam and to diesel, have taken centuries and decades to effect. However, we don’t have the option of waiting that long now,” said Bolivar Klarup.
“In the last few months, businesses as diverse as Trafigura, Torvald Klaveness, and the Port of Rotterdam have recognised that our maritime future will be hydrogen-powered — and it’s time for the rest of shipping to get on board.”
Bolivar Klarup has worked in shipping for 20 years. Just over half of that time was spent with Nordana in Copenhagen, after which she moved to Singapore in 2012 to join ship manager Thome, before moving across to Bimco in 2016.
“It has been an honour to work at Bimco. Not only for its leadership role in the shipping industry, but also for the inspirational people I’ve had the pleasure to meet and work alongside,” she said.
Bolivar Klarup's move reunites her with husband Jesper Klarup, who left Singapore-based BTS Tankers to join Montreal-based Fednav as its vice president of supramax chartering in February.
