Paddy Rodgers’ decision to stand down as chief executive of tanker giant Euronav later this year came as a surprise to the market and colleagues.

There was talk of some staff being “dumbfounded” when they heard the news, which broke to the wider industry first thing on Monday morning.

Rodgers has led consolidation of the crude tanker market in recent years to become one of shipping’s highest profile and most eloquent public figures after nearly 20 years in his post.