Robert Kirkup has been appointed chairman of the Management Board, Latvian Shipping Company (LSC). He will take up his duties on 1 March 2014. He replaces Simon Blaydes who is leaving LSC to take up a role within Vitol’s African business.
On becoming chairman of the Management Board of LSC, Mr. Kirkup will relinquish his post as chairman of the Supervisory Council of LSC, to be replaced by Supervisory Council member Vladimir Egger.
Commenting on the appointment, Robert Kirkup said: “Simon made a significant contribution to the financial performance of LSC; we are very grateful for his achievements and wish him all the best in his new role. I am greatly looking forward to leading LSC and further enhancing shareholder value.”
Mr Kirkup is also chairman of the JSC Ventspils Nafta Management Board, chairman of the Supervisory Council of LatRosTrans Ltd, and a member of the Supervisory Council of Ventspils Nafta Termināls Ltd.

About JSC “Latvijas kuģniecība” (Latvian Shipping Company)
In the medium-sized and handy tankers categories JSC „Latvijas kuģniecība” (NASDAQ OMX RIGA: LSC1R) is among the leading ship owners in the world, and in terms of transport volumes of petroleum products it is also in a leading position among similar companies in Northern Europe. It owns 17 modern ships, employing more than 700 professional and highly qualified seamen from Latvia. The average age of the fleet is 6 years. All ships have received ISM (International Safety Management) certificates.

Elīna Dobulāne,
Communications Consultant
JSC Latvian Shipping Company
Phone: +371-25959447
Email: elina.dobulane@vnafta.lv
Latvian Shipping Company http://www.lk.lv/en/
LSC Shipmanagement www.lk.lv/en/shipmanagement