Chartering Manager, World Wide ShippingΒ
chair@ics-canada.ca
Hugo Brent is a well-established dry bulk shipping broker with more than a decade of experience in Vancouver’s maritime industry.
Originally from the UK, Hugo started his shipping career in port operations as a Ships Agent and is now a broker at World Wide Shipping, having worked in a wide portfolio of commodities including concentrates, sulphur, iron ore, grain, scrap metal, and specialized project cargoes.
Beyond his professional work, Hugo is committed to the industry’s growth, and has been an active member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers Canada since 2018 as well as the Vancouver Grain Exchange.
Marine Expert/Freight/Legal/SME/LNG, OIL & GAS , Mining, Commercial Operations /Business Ops Leader
vice-chair@ics-canada.ca
Sukhvir Bilkhu is a maritime professional with more than 25 years of international experience across shipping operations, marine logistics, freight contract management and maritime law.
His commercial practice covers chartering and fixture execution for dry bulk, liquid, GasΒ and LNG cargoes, encompassing voyage charters, time charters, contracts of affreightment and breakbulk shipments. He has managed a broad commodity range including coal, Sulphur, grains, concentrates, chemicals, crude oil, LNG and specialized dangerous goods cargoes.
Sukhvir holds particular subject-matter expertise in charter party management and contract drafting, laytime and demurrage, notice of readiness and vessel performance disputes, cargo contamination and damage claims, and marine insurance including P&I and FD&D matters. He has worked directly with P&I clubs, average adjusters, marine underwriters and ship managers on maritime claims, contractual disputes, general and particular average, salvage, pollution and force majeure.
A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (London UK) and an arbitrating member of the Vancouver Maritime Arbitrators Association, Sukhvir holds an LL.M. in Maritime Law and an MBA in Shipping and Logistics from the United Kingdom, together with diplomas in ship management and marine insurance and certification as an LNG Business and Markets Professional. He has represented Canada as an Observer to the IMO Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC%).
His contribution to the sector has been recognized through nomination for theΒ Presidentβs Award, Customer Relations Builder and Efficiency Accelerator categories at Port, together with nominations for Excellence as unsung hero and productivity in Coal Logistics (Teck) and Best Employee in early days(COSBULK venture).
Combining operational judgement, legal knowledge and commercial insight, Sukhvir is a trusted adviser in port operations, contract execution, arbitration and regulatory compliance. He remains an active contributor to industry education, claims resolution and innovation in global maritime logistics.
Outside the industry, Sukhvir is a keen cricketer and traveller, and volunteers alongside his family in support of childrenβs education initiatives in Asia. Not to forget, the family’s little cutie is PERCY ; their sweet Teacup Yorkie.
Chartering Manager, Ocean Transportation, Canpotex
central@ics-canada.ca
Arshish E. Dumasia, FICS, is a shipping professional and industry leader with broad experience spanning chartering, shipbroking and cargo operations. He currently serves as Manager, Chartering within Ocean Transportation at Canpotex, one of the worldβs leading exporters of potash.**
In his role at Canpotex, Arshish helps lead ocean freight strategy and chartering activities across global dry-bulk markets. Drawing on experience from both the cargo-owner and shipbroking sides of the industry, he brings a balanced commercial and operational perspective to freight negotiations, risk management and the development of long-term relationships with shipowners and industry partners.
Before joining Canpotex in 2019, Arshish worked with TATA International, where he gained valuable experience managing cargo operations within a major global trading organization. He previously served with Five Stars Chartering, developing a strong foundation in freight negotiation, fixture management and relationship-building across the international maritime community.
Arshish is also committed to advancing professional standards and developing the next generation of shipping professionals. As a Board Director of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers Canada, representing Central Canada, he supports the growth of the Instituteβs Canadian network and champions education, knowledge-sharing and professional development throughout the shipping community.
His career across cargo ownership, shipbroking and chartering for a major global exporter gives Arshish a distinctive understanding of the commercial and operational forces shaping international bulk shipping. He combines this industry perspective with a collaborative leadership style and a strong commitment to continuous learning.
Outside the maritime industry, Arshish enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Ritu, and their family and friends. He is also an enthusiastic cyclistβSaskatchewan weather permitting.
Chartering Manager, Pacific Basin Shipping (Canada) Ltd.
treasurer@ics-canada.ca
Karl started his career in shipping back in 2007 in Shanghai, China, working for a Chinese operator called Crownland International.
Over the last 8 years, he has worked in different sectors of Dry Bulk Shipping including Capesize/Pamanax/Handymax/Handysize.
Immigrated to Canada in 2011, Karl joined Pacific Basin Vancouver office and has been working in both operation and chartering side of the business.
Currently, he spends most of his time on the inbound trade from Far East to west coast North America with dry bulk and general cargo.
Besides his passion for shipping, he enjoys photography and playing basketball/soccer in spare time.
Β
eastcoast@ics-canada.ca
Nicola Contessi, PhD, MICS is Senior Advisor, Strategy at St. Lawrence Pilotage. He was previously a Marine Transportation Advisor at the Quebec Ministry of Transport where he coordinated a port infrastructure investment acceleration program and marine decarbonization activities. He is also a seasoned international affairs specialist.Β His shipping and commodities analysis has appeared in leading industry outlets including:Β Blueconomy, Euractiv,Β The Maritime Executive,Β Port Technology, Ship & Bunker, Splash247, The RUSI Journal, andΒ The Scroll.
student_liaison@ics-canada.ca
Natalia Lupynis is Head of Business Development at Varamar, where she is responsible for driving business development initiatives and expanding commercial opportunities across North America within the project and breakbulk shipping sector.
Natalia began her career in shipping shortly after completing her degree at Simon Fraser University. She started in the dry bulk sector as a Chartering Broker, gaining experience in chartering, freight negotiations, market analysis, and client development before transitioning into project and breakbulk.
In her current role, Natalia works closely with clients and industry partners to develop solutions for complex project cargo and transportation requirements while building and strengthening commercial relationships across the North American market.
Natalia recognizes that while shipping is a specialized and close-knit industry, it plays a vital role in global trade and communities around the world. She is committed to raising awareness of the maritime industry among students and young professionals, creating opportunities for meaningful industry engagement, and connecting the next generation with Canada’s shipping community.
finadv@ics-canada.ca
Ralph RodriguesΒ is a maritime and logistics professional with more than 30 years of experience spanning vessel operations, commercial operations, cargo handling, terminal management, and end-to-end logistics. His career includes experience as a merchant mariner, ship owner representative, marine terminal superintendent, and commercial and operations manager, providing a broad understanding of the commercial and operational aspects of the shipping industry.
Currently serving as Commercial and Operations Manager with Saga Welco AS,Β Ralph is responsible for vessel and cargo operations across Canada and the United States, while also supporting commercial activities including voyage estimates, port and stevedoring costs, contract negotiations, budgeting, cargo development, and evaluating opportunities to improve financial and operational performance.
His previous roles with BC Ferries, Fraser Surrey Docks, DP World , and Grieg Star Shipping have provided extensive experience in commercial decision-making, cost management, contract negotiations, operational planning, and stakeholder management across a wide range of cargoes and marine environments.
As Financial Adviser to the ICS Canada Board,Β RalphΒ brings a practical, commercially focused perspective to financial oversight and decision-making, supported by extensive industry experience and a strong understanding of the relationship between financial performance, operational efficiency, and risk.
He holds the FICS designation from the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers and the CCLMP-Canadian Certified Logistics Management Professional designation, in addition to his merchant mariner qualifications.
icsbod@ics-canada.ca
Rhoda Voth
Rhoda Voth serves as General Manager, North America for Saga Welco, where she oversees regional commercial management and operations across the Vancouver and Savannah offices. Saga Welco operates a fleet of 48 open hatch gantry craned vessels, specializing in the global forest products trade.
Rhoda began her journey with Saga in 1996 as Claims Manager, collaborating closely with vessel operations to establish corporate guidelines for the safe stowage and ocean carriage of forestry and steel products. When Saga relocated its headquarters from Atlanta to Norway, she successfully established and led the regional office in Savannah. Today, she spearheads the development and management of spot business and contracts of carriage for North American commodities destined for global markets.
Prior to entering the maritime industry, Rhoda built a diverse professional foundation across academia and corporate consulting, serving on the faculty at Mercer University, as a Management Consultant with Deloitte & Touche, and as an Engineer for Goodyear Aerospace.
An active industry leader, Rhoda has served on the Board of Directors for the International Forest Products Transportation Association (IFPTA) since 2017. She holds an Industrial Engineering degree from Purdue University and an MBA from the University of Akron.
A proud member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, Rhoda earned the Port Strategy Award for achieving the highest score worldwide on the Port and Terminal Management examination during her qualifying studies, and was honored with the designation of Fellow (FICS) in 2017.
Andrii BondarenkoΒ is a seasoned maritime logistics strategist and Director at Varamar Canadaβan ocean carrier specializing in breakbulk, project cargo, and heavy-lift shipping. With a focus on high-stakes, technically complex projects across North America and globally, he has led successful chartering operations and secured long-term strategic contracts grounded in precision, safety, and operational excellence.
With nearly two decades of experience in project cargo operations, chartering, and business development across multiple continents, Andrii has developed a sharp global perspective. His work has spanned diverse business cultures in Japan, China, South Korea, Singapore, Canada, the United States, and Mexicoβestablishing him as a trusted and influential voice within the industry.
Andrii holds a masterβs degree in Ship Management and is a Fellow in good standing with the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers. His commercial and operational expertise has also positioned him as a mentor and educator within the Varamar Group, where he helps train and prepare young professionals for successful careers in the dynamic and demanding world of project cargo transportation.
Beyond logistics, Andrii brings the same discipline and resilience to martial arts and hikingβpursuits that reflect the focus, endurance, and adaptability he applies to every challenge.
secretary@ics-canada.ca
Dena began her career with Teekay Shipping in 2002 as a summer intern. She has held various positions throughout the Teekay organization, all with a focus on planning and strategic projects. In 2017, Dena led the operationalization of the oil spill response assets for the TransMountain Expansion pipeline project for Western Canada Marine Response Corporation. Most recently, she has launched Vertical Consulting, a maritime-focused consulting company that offers project management, change management, and business transformation services to enable business strategies into action.
She holds a BBA and a PMP certification.
Dena has three children and in her free time also volunteers on the International Sailors Society of Canada (ISSC).
webmaster@ics-canada.ca
Andriy graduated Odessa National Maritime Academy (Ukraine) in 1993 with a Master of Science Degree in Marine Navigation and Engineering and worked as a deck officer on deep sea ships. After moving to Vancouver in 2004, Andriy was working for the Orient Overseas Container Line (Canada), Vancouver Fraser Port Authorities, Pacific Basin Shipping Company and MSC.
Andriy likes traveling, outdoor activities. Married, growing a charming daughter.