Affinity (Shipping) managing partner Richard Fulford-Smith has countered talk that one of the company’s key recent LNG appointees has left the company.

Following an avalanche of persistent rumour and counter-rumour over the past three months, Fulford-Smith says Lawrence Noto, 44, remains in the employment of shipbroker Affinity.

But the company's chief adds that Noto has been granted leave of absence until the end of September on personal grounds.