Fri 22 Dec 2017, 12:07 GMT

Aegean appoints Manolis Chochlakis as COO


New COO aims to deliver cost savings and help generate future growth.



Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc has announced the appointment of Manolis Chochlakis as the company's chief operating officer (COO) with immediate effect.

"Manolis is uniquely well-placed to step into this key role at an important juncture for the future development of Aegean's physical supply and back-to-back trading businesses. He has worked in a number of leading roles in Aegean's physical supply business and has been pivotal to the management and business development of Aegean in North and South America, while based in our offices in New York. We are confident that Manolis will be a driving force in the coming years at Aegean," said president Jonathan McIlroy.

Chochlakis has 26 years's experience in oil trading, operations, shipping and the bunker industry. His career at Aegean spans nine years in a variety of roles in the physical supply side of the business. He has spent the last three years in New York, where he has worked on the group's expansion in the Americas while also contributing to the oversight of Aegean's global oil storage facilities.

During his tenure in the United States, Aegean has launched its physical supply operations in Los Angeles and Long Beach, the US Gulf, as well as expanded its presence on the east coast from New York to Savannah, Georgia. The company has also inaugurated a back-to-back trading and supply center in Rio de Janeiro.

"I am excited to be stepping into this role and look forward to working with the rest of the senior management team as we reposition Aegean's global platform to deal with the challenges of today's bunker markets," Chochlakis said.

"As COO of Aegean Marine Petroleum, I will endeavor to deliver further upon the cost savings and operational efficiencies which have been our focus since mid-2017. I am confident that as COO in conjunction with our executive management, we can propel Aegean's future strategic growth and consolidate the group's position as the leading independent physical supplier of marine fuels worldwide," he added.

Commenting on the recently announced launch of a new bunker supply operation in Kiel Canal, Chochlakis said: "The new operation in Kiel underlines that Aegean is committed to expanding its global physical supply operations. Since our successful debut in the German market in Hamburg we have expanded our presence in the region by adding operations in Rostock in early 2017 and with the launch of Kiel in January 2018."

"In the course of 2018, the market will see more developments in the Aegean physical supply platform as we optimize the existing network and innovate in new locations."


E-fuels volumes per country. Europe risks falling behind China in race to produce e-fuels for shipping  

Europe has 69 e-fuel projects but only six are operational, while China is scaling rapidly.

Hiring concept with highlighted candidate. Sing Fuels opens applications for junior bunker trader role  

Singapore-based firm seeks candidates with one to two years of experience in marine fuels or the wider maritime industry.

Eleven Energy logo. Eleven Energy eyes Athens expansion with trader hire  

Riyadh-headquartered firm looking to open its second office in Europe.

Scorpio team with representatives from Monaco's Department of Economic Development. Monaco backs Scorpio Ship Management in European hydrogen propulsion project  

Government co-finances Scorpio’s role in Project Mariner as Europe pushes to develop hydrogen propulsion technology for commercial shipping.

Arlon vessel. Exmar takes delivery of second dual-fuel ammonia carrier at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries  

Arlon is second in a planned series of four ammonia dual-fuel midsize gas carriers.

Singapore Marina Bay skyline. IBT Bunkering & Trading launches Singapore desk to complement Hamburg operation  

German bunker firm says the move gives it round-the-clock coverage across two continents.

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore logo. Singapore awards eight new LNG bunkering licences ahead of September launch  

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore is expanding the city-state’s LNG bunkering capacity with eight new five-year licences.

Launching ceremony of Maran Melina. New Times Shipbuilding launches two LNG dual-fuel crude oil tankers for Maran and Capital Ship  

Two 155,500-dwt LNG dual-fuel tankers floated out for Greek shipping groups.

Lem Azalea and Lem Plumeria naming ceremony. Naming ceremony held for Huangpu Wenchong's first methanol dual-fuel bulkers  

Two 65,000-tonne vessels built for Limassol-based Lemissoler Navigation.

TSS Challenger vessel. Damen launches second CSOV 9020 for TSSM, prepared for future methanol operation  

The vessel, to be named TSS Challenger, is due for delivery in early 2027.