GasChem Team
Capt. Michael Kordes
Managing Director
Holds a deep sea master degree and changed after 14 years active board career on various type dry cargo vessels and tankers from a master to a superintendent position ashore. Completed the project management of several gas tanker newbuildings and took over the commercial management after delivery. 1990 appointed as Managing Director of GasChem Services and commenced building up the company. Married with 2 sons. Ambitious yachtsman.
Thomas Schmidt
Managing Director
Started his business career graduating from A.P. Moller shipping school in Copenhagen in 1988. After graduation worked in the tramp department before moving to Bergen, Norway in 1991 and worked with Network Chartering for 4 years as shipbroker in the field of gas transportation. Took up the present position in GasChem Services in 1995. Married with 3 children. Active team tennis player.
Jasmin Beganovic
Chartering & Operations
After 2 years chartering and operations at Atlantic Rhederei, Jasmin joined GasChem Services in 1995. 1998 graduated as "Verkehrsfachwirt" (Shipping and Transportation Specialist). 2001 received proxy (Hbv.) by GasChem Services.
President of WISTA Germany (Women's International Shipping and Trading Association).
Olaf Westphal
Chartering & Operations
Graduated from high school in 1994 Olaf started after 15 months social service as apprentice with Christian F. Ahrenkiel GmbH & Co. KG in Hamburg in 1996. He joined GasChem Services after graduation as shipbroker in 1998. Also responsible for Training/Apprenticeship in the company. 2005 received proxy (Hbv.) by GasChem Services. Married with 2 children.
Jutta Frohwein
Chartering & Operations
Joined GasChem Services 2001 after 18 years in the Chartering-, Operations- and Agency Department of Atlantic-Rhederei in Hamburg. Seafaring experience as accompanying wife of her husband as chemical tanker master. Contact person of WISTA.
Daniel Wriedt
Chartering & Operations
Daniel started his career in 2002 with Christian F. Ahrenkiel in Hamburg after having finished high school in 2001 and 9 months military service. In 2005 he graduated as shipbroker and started with GasChem. Supporter of Hamburger Sportverein (HSV).
Britta Leeling
Chartering & Operations
On completion of high school in 2002, Britta started her career with a drycargo shipping company in Emden. After graduating as shipbroker she joined GasChem beginning 2005. Her hobby is Laser sailing.
Niels Benecke
Chartering & Operations
Graduated fom high school in 2005 followed by 9 months social service, Niels started his career with Ahrenkiel Shipmanagement GmbH & Co. KG in Hamburg. Graduated as shipbroker in 2009 he moved to New Zealand to work for Quadrant Pacific Agencies Ltd and Swire Shipping New Zealand Ltd to gain shipping experience abroad. After 2 years in New Zealand he returned to Hamburg and joined GasChem Services in January 2011. Niels is an active Tennis Player.
Pia Schümann
Chartering & Operations
Graduated from high school in 2007 Pia started studying "International Studies Shipping & Chartering B.A." at the University of Applied Science in Bremen. After doing a 6 months internship with a bulk operator in Durban, South Africa and gaining her Bachelor degree Pia joined GasChem Services in March 2011. Her hobby is running.
Dörte Oelbüttel
Administration and operations
After completion of high school and studies at Foreign Language School in 1984, started apprenticeship as shipbroker with Altantic-Rhederei, Hamburg, and completed in 1987. Continued working until 1993 in the chartering department as secretary and operator. After bringing up 2 children at home, joined GasChem Services in April 2004. Dörte enjoys sailing in her leisure time.
Irene Opper
Administration
Born in England, moved to Hamburg in 1970, and after several years of experience in the shipping industry (Reederei J.A. Reinecke), working in the economic, operations and chartering departments, joined GasChem Services in 1990 - the year of foundation. Active tennis player and hobby painter.