Genco Shipping & Trading president and chief executive John Wobensmith says the New York bulker owner is advancing more quickly than even he expected on a strategic plan to bolster its in-house commercial management strength.

The outfit, which completed a restructuring late last year that saw founder Peter Georgiopoulos depart and that spurred a strategic review of its business, has been adding to its commercial team with new senior hires and is in the process of pulling out of pools.