Worldwide shipping, industrials, commodities, mining and energy business, the Simec Group, has recruited one of Asia’s most prominent commercial mariners to lead the expansion of its global shipping operation, which includes a port in Newport.

The group has appointed Captain S Gupta as chief executive of Simec Shipping, which operates port facilities and administers the chartering, leasing and ownership of vessels worldwide.

He also takes over as acting chief executive of Simec Commodities Asia.

Simec is part of GFG, which also includes the Liberty? Group, the owner of a steel rolling mill and power station in Newport, and GFG Capital. Liberty Group is owned by Sanjeev Gupta, who is no relation to Captain Gupta.

Punjabi-born Captain Gupta, 44, comes to Simec with more than 27 years industry experience, having previously established Mercuria Trading (India) Pvt Ltd, creating a footprint across commodities ranging from oil to dry bulk, and serving as senior vice-president Mercuria Energy Trading Pte Ltd, Singapore. He also headed the global physical dry bulk shipping for the Mercuria group.

In his new role heading Simec's shipping division, he will divide his time between Singapore and it’s main UK port in Newport, which is located on the opposite site of the River Usk from Newport Docks.

The Newport base is close to Liberty Steel, which is owned by Liberty Group, and which imports steel slab and steel bar for use at Liberty Steel.

A spokesman said it was hoped that bigger ships would eventually use the port and bring in other commodities as well to the area.

Captain Gupta first entered the shipping industry as a P&O cadet following nautical training at the Blackpool & Fylde College in Lancashire and secured his Masters certificate with the shipping line before taking several senior roles with major ship owners.

He said: “My aim is to direct all my energies towards improving the group’s shipping and logistics activities and help take Simec’s global trading to a new high.”

He said he looked forward to renewing his association with the UK, where he aims to achieve a significant expansion of Simec’s shipping activity, including the ability to bring bigger vessels into the group’s port in Newport.

He added: “Looking at Simec I could see a huge opportunity. Their vision to expand globally is very inspiring. That is what excites me very much.”

Jay Hambro, chief investment officer for the Simec Group said: “Captain Gupta’s huge experience, mixed with his results-oriented approach and ability to think strategically are the robust assets we need to take this business forward and achieve our big ambitions over the coming months and years.