Dubai, UAE | September 9, 2025 – In a decisive move to bolster its global trading and bunkering capabilities, Hawks Group has announced the expansion of its Dubai-based commercial team with the addition of three seasoned professionals. This development brings the total headcount of the Dubai office’s trading team to six, and the company’s global trading team to 20—marking a new milestone in The Hawks’ aggressive international growth strategy.
Seasoned Industry Professionals Join Hawks Group’ Expanding Global Trading Team
The new hires include Maxim Baev, who joins the cargo trading desk with a remit spanning sourcing, trade execution, and risk management. With a nearly three-decade career at major players such as BP, Cargill, Essar, Al Ghurair, and OMTI, Baev brings deep expertise in cargo trading, refinery management, and commercial development.
Joining the bunker trading division are Nitin Mohite and Fady Beshara, both of whom bring a wealth of experience in maritime services and international commercial operations. Mohite’s 17-year career includes pivotal roles in purchasing and operations at Inchcape, GAC, and Waterfront Maritime Services, while Beshara adds 15 years of business development and client relations experience across various international sectors.
“We have a number of exciting developments planned for the second half of 2025,” said Hassan Rifau, CEO of The Hawks Group. “Already this year we have added four tankers to our fleet, including MT Hawks Liberty—our largest product tanker to date at 25,415 DWT—and we will grow our trading team across the network hand-in-hand with the expansion of our physical supply businesses and tanker fleet.”
Strategic Growth Mirrors Fleet Expansion and Regional Reach
The latest expansion in Dubai follows a series of strategic fleet investments and infrastructure upgrades across South Asia and the Middle East. In August 2025, the company launched MT Hawks Liberty, the largest privately-owned oil tanker in Maldivian history, to serve long-haul trade routes between the Maldives, Sri Lanka, South Asia, and international ports.
In parallel, The Hawks has continued acquiring barges and tankers to strengthen its physical bunker supply capabilities in the Maldives and across major Sri Lankan ports, including Colombo, Hambantota, and Galle. These strategic additions have reinforced the company’s growing dominance along some of the Indian Ocean’s most vital shipping corridors.
Dubai Office at the Heart of Hawks Group’ International Trading Strategy
The expansion of the Dubai trading team complements Hawks Group’ strong physical presence in Maldives and Sri Lanka, with trading presence in world’s leading bunkering and trading hub – Singapore, Hawks Group strengthens its ability to coordinate international fuel transactions, manage risk exposure, and support complex cargo and bunker deals across global time zones.
Dubai’s geographic and commercial position makes it a key node in The Hawks Group’ trading network, bridging operations between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Commitment to Service Excellence and Market Leadership
With over 550,000 metric tonnes of bunker and cargo trading volumes recorded in 2024, The Hawks Group continues to position itself as a trusted, agile, and scalable partner in the global marine fuel market. The Dubai office, in particular, plays a critical role in interfacing with Middle Eastern, African, and European clients, while connecting seamlessly with trading desks in Singapore and Monaco.
As global shipping faces tighter fuel regulations and growing demand for service reliability, The Hawks Group’ investment in human capital and operational infrastructure signals its long-term commitment to quality, compliance, and market leadership.
About Hawks Group
Hawks Group is a leading marine fuel supply company headquartered in the Maldives, with a growing operational presence in Sri Lanka, Dubai, Singapore, and Monaco. Over the past decade, The Hawks Group has built a reputation for certified fuel quality, timely deliveries, and customized bunkering solutions for commercial fleets, offshore operators, and luxury vessels.
The company operates a diverse fleet of tankers and barges, and facilitates global fuel trading and cargo transactions through its strategically located offices.
Source The Hawks Group