THE astute chief executive of Pacific Basin Shipping, Mats Berglund, continues to lead Hong Kong’s largest bulk company with zest.

Mr Berglund joined the company in 2012 and since then has been instrumental in its growth. Pacific Basin has seen its owned and operated fleet expand to around 115 vessels from just 34 seven years ago.

The owner operates approximately 6% of global 25,000 dwt-42,000 dwt handysize ships and around 3% of global 42,000 dwt-65,000 dwt supramax vessels of less than 20 years old.

The company, which is now reaping the rewards of Mr Berglund’s business model of buying secondhand ships, may still be in the market for acquisitions following its recent purchases.

Pacific Basin bought two log-fitted handysize vessels and two supramaxes for $73.8m in September this year. The company had then funded the deal with cash and selling new shares worth $24.4m.

“We still see an upside in secondhand vessel values and will continue to look opportunistically but cautiously at acquiring good quality secondhand ships,” he said in an interview with Lloyd's List.

The company also has plans to raise up to $175m via selling convertible bonds for fleet expansion and renewal, as well as general corporate purposes.

The bonds will mature in December 2025, with a bondholder’s put option in December 2023.

Prior to his employment with Pacific Basin Shipping, Mr Berglund served with Swedish family-owned conglomerate Stena from 1986 to 2005, occupying managerial and leadership positions in various Stena Group shipping businesses.

From 2005 to 2011, he was senior vice-president and head of crude transportation for New York-listed Overseas Shipholding Group.

Between March 2011 and May 2012, he served as chief financial officer and chief operating officer at Chemoil Energy, a Singapore-listed global trader of marine fuel products.

Mr Berglund also appeared in the Top 100 in 2018.