Swindoll will head up the new US business unit in Miami, which will take responsibility for activity in the US Gulf, the Caribbean and South America.

Jens Ismar, chief executive of Western Bulk, says Swindoll and his Miami colleagues will oversee activity on the volatile fronthaul route from South America to the Far East.

The performance on this trade will be important as Western Bulk reduces its period contracts and increases its arbitrage business.

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