Profile

Management

Trade Ocean South Africa

David Jooste
Managing Director
David Jooste has been involved in the Shipping industry for over 20 years in various operational and management roles. He previously worked for ZA Trans and prior to that was a director at TRT Shipping Services. He has intimate knowledge and understanding of clients' needs in the sectors that Trade Ocean serve, and adds valuable hands-on day-to-day operational and strategic management experience.

Gunnar Engbers
Ships' Agency Director
Gunnar Engbers has been involved in the industry for more than 20 years. He has vast experience in various specialised areas of shipping, both in operational and management roles. Gunnar also has seagoing experience, which adds value to both Trade Oceans' operations as well as the business of their clients.

Pedro Paulino
Durban Branch Manager
Pedro Paulino has diverse experience in the industry which includes working for container liners and stevedore companies as well as general shipping companies in both South Africa and in Europe. He is fluent in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Pedro's language skills, experience and network makes him a valuable asset for Trade Ocean and its clients.

Vanessa de Goede
Financial Director
Vanessa brings to Trade Ocean years of financial management experience in both shipping and other commercial sectors. Vanessa takes full responsibility for ensuring the maintenance of one of Trade Ocean's most important strategic advantages: Adding value to their clients' businesses through first class accounting and invoicing, in tune with the precise requirements of their clients.

Andre Assam
Clearing and Forwarding Branch Manager
Andre has been involved in the clearing, forwarding and shipping industries for over 14 years. He has built up a solid reputation for expertise and client service, in particular in matters pertaining to forwarding and customs. Andre is an asset to both Trade Ocean and its' clients.

Trade Ocean Namibia

Bogdan Kotchoubei
Director
Bogdan Kotchoubei has 20 years hands of experience in Ships' agency and related operational areas, including a broad knowledge of the fishing industry. He is fluent in English, Spanish and Russian which helps in creating a diverse client base.

Michelle Kirov
Marketing Director
Michelle Kirov is the Marketing Director of Trade Ocean Shipping Namibia (Pty) Ltd in Walvis Bay, Namibia. She started her career with the Manica Group (Namibia) of Companies as a Freight Forwarder in the early nineties and moved on to Secil Sul Shipping in Cape Town in 1996. In 1998, she joined Unicorn Lines in Cape Town as a Sales Representative for Namibia for 3 years. After that, Michelle moved on to work in the road transport industry, employed at Wesbank Transport (Pty) Ltd for 4 years.

In 2006 Michelle Kirov was instrumental in establishing Trade Ocean Shipping Namibia (Pty) Ltd. Michelle is a committee member of the Walvis Bay Port Users Association.