Singapore-headquartered shipbroker Howe Robinson Partners is broadening its bulker horizons with a new operation in Bergen, Norway.

The team there will be headed by ex-Joachim Grieg director Sturle Waardal.

It also includes Henrik Lahn-Johannessen, Erlend Holm and Walter Birkelund, who bring experience in vessel sizes from mini-bulkers through to handysizes and supramaxes, open-hatch and panamax/post-panamaxes.

The shipbroker said Bergen is home to 70 shipping companies and has a growing dry cargo presence, being especially strong in the open-hatch sector.