About Us
SOFON Bulk is a vessel and freight operator that aims to service the dry bulk market with competitive freight rates on modern and reliable vessels
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We offer maritime transportation services on Supramax and Handysize vessels, mainly focusing on helping charterers with the transport of raw materials
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Our business model is agile and asset-light, enabling us to swiftly accommodate our clients' urgent needs
Additionally, our solid financial base and zero debt makes us a safe counterpart during highly volatile market conditions
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Fleet
Handy, Supramax, and Ultramax vessels with a loading capacity ranging from 25,000 to 63,000 tons of cargo
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All vessels are geared with cranes and the ability to self-load and self-discharge
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In terms of certifications and insurance, all our vessels are classed Lloyds A1 and covered by our P&I, H&M insured, fully certified, and fully compliant with IMO, ISM BIMCO, SOLAS, and MARPOL standards
Management Team
Karim Othman
Chief Executive Officer
Founded SOFON Maritime in 2015 and runs the company as its Managing Director. Prior to that, held various positions in Maersk UK & Middle East, eventually becoming Managing Director. Mr. Othman was also a member of the Panamax Committee of the Baltic Exchange in London from 2010 till 2014. He studied Civil Engineering at Cairo University and has attended postgraduate courses at Harvard University. He is a dual Egyptian and UK citizen and a board member at two companies in Egypt and Qatar.
Ahmed Shawki
General Manager
Mr. Shawki began his career at National Navigation Co. Cairo in 1984 and has held several important positions, including General Manager of the Commercial and Operations Departments. He oversaw government grain cargoes and has 40 years of experience. Mr. Shawki is an Egyptian citizen and obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Literature from Cairo University.
Ahmed Taha
Chartering Manager
Chartering
M. Nabil Dowidar
Mr. Taha began his career at the National Navigation Co. Cairo in 2009. Since then he has held several positions, the latest of which is head of the Chartering Department. Mr. Taha’s experience also includes Sale & Purchase (S&P). He was instrumental in the fleet renewal of NNC which includes second hand ships as well as new buildings. Mr. Taha is also a regular lecturer at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AAST). He is Egyptian and obtained his Bachelor of Logistics & Foreign Trade as well as his Master’s degree in Logistics from AAST.
Capt. Bahaa Omar
Operations Manager
Capt. Bahaa Omar has been our operations head since July 2024. Capt. Bahaa brings vast shipping technical expertise on/off-shore, previously serving as marine superintendent and marine procurement head in Cairo for National Navigation Co. Capt Bahaa is Egyptian and holds a Shipping degree from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport of Alexandria.
After joining National Navigation Company's agency department in Alexandria, Mr. Dowidar eventually moved to the Cairo office as an Operations and Chartering Specialist focusing on Panamaxes. Mr. Dowidar is an Egyptian citizen and obtained his Bachelor of Science in Economics and Political Science from Alexandria University as well as a Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport.
Sara El Sefary
Operations
Ms. Sara has over 13 years shipping experience, in which she has attained a profound understanding of commercial management audit, research and planning. She is Egyptian and obtained her Bachelor of Business Administration - Finance at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport.
Omar Diaa El Din
Operations
Ahmed Gamal
Finance
Domiciled in the Marshall Islands, managed in Cyprus and Dubai, and supported by an office in Egypt
CYPRUS
Arch. Makariou III, 2332, Apollon Court
Floor 1, Flat 1001, 3030
Limassol, Cyprus
DUBAI
1108 Tower BB2, Mazaya Business Avenue
Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai, UAE
EGYPT