Chris’s career spans over fifty years in the oil industry where he began as a Navigating Cadet and Third Mate sailing on the first generation of VLCC’s amongst a variety of other tonnage trading in crude and products.
Employing practical knowledge gained at sea, and ashore in oil companies, independent ship owners, oil refiners and trading companies Chris developed considerable experience in chartering, shipping and oil operations, demurrage and claims desks in the UK, Switzerland and the U.S. This broad extensive exposure enabled Chris to draw on a global and diversified address book. Employment in a variety of businesses outside of the UK, including Russian, Chinese and Swiss companies has provided an understanding of the diverse cultures, custom and practises within the oil industry.
From the outset, and until his retirement from PetroIneos Trading Ltd, Chris has been closely involved with chartering in almost every sector of crude and products freight markets. Extensive experience has been gained in fixing spot, time charter, COA’s, and Floating Storage Units of almost every type, size and sectors within crude oil, clean and dirty products markets. Diligence, particularly when chartering term contracts, was one of Chris’s particular traits.
Turning to operations and claims, Chris has been involved in a number of incidents, managing the constructive total loss of the m.t. ‘Carabica’ (time-chartered) due to an explosion in the South China Sea which resulted in one fatality. In 2013, following an explosion that caused a fatality on board the m.t. ‘Harbour Krystal’ (spot-chartered vessel), Chris led the crisis response team. The damage incurred was $5 Million and General Average was declared. Chris has been involved in commercial disputes during his career, representing both Owners and Charterers, on spot and time charter claims, primarily in arbitration but also Court proceedings.
Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers
Member of the Baltic Exchange
Member of the Baltic Expert Witness Association
Member of the Expert Witness Institute