Vernon Jayanathan is director of Maritime Recruitment Company Ltd.

Starting at a new firm is always a daunting prospect. Unfamiliar structures, new reporting lines, established cliques, and unspoken expectations can all feel overwhelming. Yet having taken the bold step of leaving the familiar behind, a new bunker trader should feel a sense of pride in that decision alongside the natural nervousness.

The first priority should be to observe and listen, absorbing as much information as possible. Learning how things are done in the new environment — and building trust through reliability and a calm, low-drama approach — is essential.

First impressions form faster than most people are willing to admit. Colleagues, principals, and counterparts in other teams make quick judgements about whether a new arrival reduces risk or introduces it. They may even decide whether they genuinely like the person in short order. The most effective approach is deliberately unpretentious: master the fundamentals, communicate with precision, and allow consistent performance to speak louder than any effort to appear exceptional.

People notice when a new trader invests the time to learn the local playbook rather than importing habits from a previous employer. That observation matters — and learning it quickly pays dividends.

Every bunker operation has its own preferred suppliers, credit limits, nomination quirks, quality testing procedures, and post-fixture follow-up protocols. Since the IMO 2020 0.5% sulphur cap took effect, the range of fuel grades a trader must understand has broadened considerably, with VLSFO, HSFO (for scrubber-equipped vessels), MGO, and a growing array of biofuel blends all in active circulation. This complexity makes mastering each firm's quality testing and specification procedures more important than ever. The early weeks should be spent absorbing these details and asking targeted, respectful questions rather than broadcasting opinions. One practical suggestion is to ask to shadow a more established trader for a few hours to see firsthand how things are handled in the new setting. Most people are genuinely willing to help when asked politely, so there is no reason to hold back.

Pay close attention to how experienced colleagues manage stem availability, quality claims, barge delays, and last-minute changes. Understand the firm's risk appetite, its documentation standards, and who ultimately signs off on each decision.

Accuracy and speed on the basics are critical. Double-check quantity and quality specifications, delivery windows, and counterparties before sending anything out. Clean, timely nominations and clear internal updates reduce the likelihood of costly mistakes that become attached to one's name. When mistakes inevitably occur — and they will — own them immediately, fix them, and move forward without excuses. Consistent reliability on routine work builds far more credibility than the occasional clever trade.

Communication deserves particular attention. In this profession, ambiguity costs money. Emails and chats should be concise, well-structured, and free of unnecessary clutter. Problems should be flagged early rather than left in the hope that they resolve themselves. When updating stakeholders — whether operations, credit, senior traders, or principals — provide the facts, the implications, and the proposed next step. Colleagues remember the trader who keeps them informed without generating noise.

Relationships should be built through competence and respect. Maintaining a professional, pleasant, and respectful demeanour with barge operators, brokers, surveyors, and others across the supply chain is important; these contacts can become sources of both valuable information and future opportunities. Internally, support functions should be treated as partners. A trader who is easy to work with receives better coverage and faster assistance when things go wrong.

Avoid gossip, office politics, and public criticism of colleagues or previous employers. Bunkering is a relationship-driven market concentrated in a relatively small number of major hubs — Singapore, Rotterdam, and Fujairah among them — where professional circles overlap closely. In such an environment, reputation travels — and it travels quickly.

Commercial judgment should be demonstrated without overreaching. In the opening months, the focus should be on executing required deals well rather than pushing high-risk ideas. When a proposal is put forward, it should be grounded in sound data and market context, and it should fall within acceptable risk parameters. Demonstrating an understanding of both the physical constraints of bunkering — availability, quality, logistics — and the paper side of the business is essential. Traders who respect the physical reality of bunkering earn trust faster than those who do not.

Energy management and a calm demeanour matter. The first months at a new firm can be intense, so getting adequate sleep, preparing thoroughly, and maintaining a measured disposition are all important. Arriving each day prepared, managing the book carefully, and remaining steady under pressure all contribute to a professional image.

Finally, seek feedback early and act on it. After a few weeks, ask senior colleagues what is working and what needs adjustment — then make those adjustments visibly. The combination of humility and responsiveness signals that a trader is coachable and serious about contributing to the firm's success over the long term.

Do these things consistently, and the first impression solidifies into a lasting reputation: a trader who is reliable, clear, commercially aware, and easy to work with. In this market, that reputation compounds quickly. Everything else — bigger clients, more autonomy, and greater success — follows from it.

About Maritime Recruitment Company Limited

With a deep and wide understanding of, and experience in, the bunker industry, Maritime Recruitment Company offers clients assistance with attracting the right talent. Services range from initial identification through to a full search and selection process. The firm intends to establish itself as the bunker industry's recruitment partner of choice through a relentless focus on integrity and service.

For candidates, the company provides discreet and considered advice on the many organisations that operate within what is a diverse and exciting industry, helping individuals find the right fit.

Source: Ship & Bunker