A personal note of congratulations from Greek shipowner Peter Livanos was delivered to Hugo De Stoop soon after he was named as the new chief executive of Euronav in March this year.

De Stoop was deputy chief financial officer of Euronav back in 2005, when what was then an eight-tanker company merged with Livanos outfit Tanklog.

While Livanos is no longer a shareholder in the world’s largest public crude tanker owner, he retains a close relationship with the company in which the Saverys family remains a significant investor.

...