(EnergyAsia, March 29 2011, Tuesday) — UK-based KPI Bridge Oil, a leading global bunker broker and trader has hired four traders for its wholly-owned Singapore subsidiary and a new team leader for its London office’s fourth trading team.

Raj Kumar, Thomas Lee, Amy Choo and Carmen Poh have joined KPI Bridge Oil Singapore, boosting its bunker trading team to 12.

A Singaporean, Mr Kumar, 25, has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Nanyang Technological University.

Originally from Hong Kong where he had previously worked for a Middle East-based international company, Mr Lee, 30, has a bachelor of commerce (finance) degree from the University of Melbourne.

A Malaysian national with a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the UK’s Anglia Ruskin University, Ms Choo, 25, has three years professional experience in research analysis for various multinational companies across Asia.

An accountant by training, Ms Poh, 30, spent six years with PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP as a senior associate working on various assignments across Asia.

Kelvin Yeo, KPI Bridge Oil Singapore managing director, said:

“Amy’s local knowledge of Malaysia and ability to communicate in several languages enhances our services in Southeast Asia. Raj was selected from our recent competitive recruitment drive designed to bring fresh talent to our industry.”

Separately, KPI Bridge Oil London has promoted Anette Mantell, who has been with the company for five years, as the leader of its fourth team. The company said Ms Mantell, who hails from Norway, has built “excellent relations with a wide range of business partners worldwide.”

Jan Obel, KPI Bridge Oil group chief executive officer, said:

“The growth and strength of our group worldwide has enabled us to expand the London office by creating our fourth trading team there. Anette has been a very positive influence in the coaching of our junior traders and the London team in general. I am very pleased that Anette has accepted this new challenge and I am confident that her new team will further strengthen the London office’s position in ARA and Scandinavia as well as being a valuable addition to the wider KPI Bridge Oil group with the added expertise and capacity.”

Founded in 1971, the KPI Bridge Oil group coordinates its offices in Istanbul, New York, Seattle, Singapore and Valparaiso from its headquarters in London.

With a dedicated global team of more than 75 experienced professionals worldwide, including more than 55 brokers and traders, KPI Bridge Oil fulfills bunker and lube oil requirements in more than 2,800 harbours worldwide for the international shipping industry, covering all major time zones 24 hours a day.