Well-known tanker broker Mike Rudd is setting up his own shop, Vortex Shipbroking.

Rudd, 55, who resigned from UK-listed shipbroker Braemar ACM late last year, unveiled Vortex in Victoria, London, this week. The launch followed a period of gardening leave — his first in 37 years in the shipping industry.

Speaking to TradeWinds, Rudd said Vortex will start on tanker business but will likely expand into sale and purchase and potentially to other areas as the business develops.