Mon 16 Mar 2026, 08:53 GMT | Updated: Mon 16 Mar 2026, 09:32 GMT | Evangelia Fragouli

Sonan Energy Panama appoints David Ortiz as trading manager


Former US Marine brings nearly a decade of bunker trading experience to Panama role.


David Ortiz, trading manager at Sonan Energy Panama.
Sonan Energy Panama has expanded its team with the appointment of David Ortiz as trading manager. Image credit: Sonan Energy Panama

Sonan Energy Panama has appointed David Ortiz as trading manager, according to an announcement by the company's managing director, Hernán Ortiz, on 15 March.

Ortiz brings nearly a decade of experience in bunker trading to the role, having been employed as a bunker and lubricant trader at Glander International Bunkering between 2016 and 2025. He began his career at the firm in Dubai, serving for over a year before relocating to the United States, where he worked for approximately eight years.

Prior to entering the bunker industry, Ortiz served four years as a US Marine, with assignments in the United States, Afghanistan, and other international locations.

Ortiz has now relocated permanently to Panama, where he will lead trading activities for Sonan Energy Panama's operations.

Hernán Ortiz, managing director at Sonan Energy Panama, remarked: "His professional experience across Asia, Europe, and the Americas brings significant value to the continued growth of Sonan Energy Panama and the development of our new office."

Sonan Energy Panama was launched in October 2025 as the first Central America office of Sonan Bunkers Group.

Founded in 2014, Sonan Bunkers Group also operates offices in London, Athens, Rotterdam, Oslo, Rio de Janeiro, Singapore, Dubai, and Denmark, providing marine fuels and lubricants to shipping clients.



Flag of Brazil. Petrobras resumes bunkering operations at Rio Grande Terminal after power restoration  

Brazilian supplier restarts marine fuel supply after completing an inspection following an electricity outage.

Stena E-Flexer vessel render. Stena RoRo orders battery-ready E-Flexer 2.0 ferries from Chinese yard  

Vessels include diesel engines capable of running on biodiesel and are methanol-ready.

BW Gemini vessel. Nord Gas Solutions to supply cargo and fuel systems for eight BW LPG VLGCs  

Gas-handling systems specialist awarded contract for new 90,000-cbm vessels.

Kingston Trader vessel. TFG Marine fits mass flow meter to Jamaica-bound bunker barge  

Kingston Trader becomes the first Caribbean bunkering vessel with mass flow metering as TFG Marine’s fleet coverage nears 90%.

Sebastian Vasquez and Camilo Angulo Ferrand, Monjasa. Monjasa announces full-chain marine fuel operations in Cartagena  

Monjasa says it now covers the entire marine fuel supply chain in Colombia, from oil wells to ship-side deliveries.

Steel-cutting ceremony for vessel with builder's hull no. H619. Ceremonies held for Van Oord’s methanol-hybrid rock installation vessels  

Two ships advance through parallel construction at China’s CIMC Raffles shipyard.

WK NatPower and AREL MoU signing. Wah Kwong NatPower signs MoU to explore Hong Kong marine electrification  

Venture will examine shore power, vessel charging and electric vessel deployment around Aberdeen’s waterfront.

Vard 4 39 design render. Dong Fang Offshore orders CSOV with battery-hybrid propulsion  

Vard secures fifth newbuild contract from Taiwanese firm, with delivery scheduled for 2028.

Rock Star vessel. CSL and OWL launch first subsea rock installation vessel for offshore wind  

MV Rock Star can run on MGO and methanol and is designed to support scour protection and cable burial for offshore wind projects.

François Michel and Andy McKeran. Lloyd’s Register study backs 200,000-cbm LNG carriers for fleet renewal  

Analysis finds larger LNG carriers could cut transport costs while retaining access to most major terminals.