LONDON Jan 25 (Reuters) – Trafigura, one
of the biggest, independent energy traders, has hired Craig
Grinyer, formerly with South African port operator Grindrod to
develop its thermal coal business in that country, sources close
to the company said on Wednesday.
Swiss-based Trafigura is the world’s third largest trader of
crude oil and although it is a relative newcomer to the coal
market, it is committed to growing the coal business globally,
one source said.
Trafigura said it does not comment on hires or departures of
employees.
Grinyer left Grindrod at the end of December, where he had
been responsible for business development in the company’s
terminals division.
Trafigura’s Lucerne-based head of coal, Andrew Bingham,
resigned earlier this month and a replacement is being sought.
Rival commodities trader Vitol on Jan. 18 announced it is to
buy a 35 percent stake in a subsidiary of Grindrod’s, giving it
access to the Maputo coal terminal in Mozambique as part of a
plan to grow its own trading operations.
“Craig Grinyer is extremely capable but there are others who
can fill in, it won’t have any appreciable impact on the
Vitol-Grindrod j.v.,” one coal and transport industry source
said.
(Reporting by Jacqueline Cowhig; editing by James Jukwey)
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