Stonefort Marine
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60+ YEARS COMBINED EXPERIENCE

STONEFORT MARINE

Sixty years in maritime.
Two ways to put it to work.

Stonefort Marine is marine technical services and maritime executive search, run by practising maritime leaders. We have held the roles we recruit for and run the operations we advise on.

MARITIME TECHNICAL & ADVISORY

Marine technical services

Vessel dockings, afloat repairs, marine water solutions, maritime technology, expert opinion and an independent view.

Explore technical and advisory

EXECUTIVE SEARCH & RECRUITMENT

Maritime executive search

Senior shore-based leadership and specialist roles, assessed by people who have held them.

Explore executive search

WHO WE ARE

One business. Two arms.
The same standard of judgement.

Matt Stoney and Mark Fortnum have spent their careers in maritime operations, at sea and ashore. Stonefort Marine puts that experience to work in two ways: providing marine technical advisory, and executive search.

Both audiences are buying the same thing. Judgement earned in the industry, not learned about it.

60+ Years combined experience
2 Arms of one business
6 Technical and advisory services
6 Sectors covered

MARITIME TECHNICAL & ADVISORY

Marine technical services from people who have run operations afloat & ashore

Technical and operational advice from experienced maritime practitioners for owners, managers and technology companies, as well as for the investors, insurers and legal professionals who need industry expertise.

Explore technical and advisory
01

Vessel dockings and modifications

Time is money and doing the job properly matters. Stonefort are trusted as agents by competent Yards.

02

Afloat repairs

When an emergency repair or modification can be done afloat, Stonefort knows who has the capability and drives projects to success.

03

Marine water solutions

Fresh and Technical water is an often-over-looked commodity on ships. Stonefort partners with an innovative designer and manufacturer of production solutions that save clients $$$

04

Maritime technology start-ups and SMEs

Technology built for shipping needs industry-user credibility as much as it needs code. We make connections, build trusted networks and support founders.

05

Expert opinion

Independent maritime opinion for legal teams dealing with complex shipping matters, from first view through to formal expert evidence.

06

Independent view

An independent maritime perspective for owners, investors, insurers and legal professionals facing difficult decisions or competing views.

EXECUTIVE SEARCH & RECRUITMENT

Executive search for the maritime industry

We undertake retained, confidential searches for C-suite and senior shore-based leadership roles. Because we have held these roles ourselves, we assess capability, judgement and credibility, not simply words on a CV.

  • Senior Executives
  • Ship Management
  • Commercial Shipping
  • Ship Building & Ship Repair
  • Maritime Services & Service Engineering
  • Port Sector
Explore executive search
An engineer inspecting a vessel propeller in dry dock

EXECUTIVE SEARCH

Candidates worth meeting

Senior people we know personally who would move for the right role, but are not on the open market. Ask us for the full profile.

01

Business Transformation & Digital Innovation Leader

Maritime · 25 years

A maritime transformation leader with 24+ years of international experience across container shipping, tankers,  dry bulk and logistics. Combines deep operational and supply chain expertise with digital transformation, Lean Six Sigma and product leadership to turn business strategy into measurable results. Has led a USD 20M transformation portfolio, delivered significant process standardisation, improved operational performance, developed in-house technology enabled solutions & implemented SaaS solutions across global organisations. Experienced in partnering with C-suite stakeholders, leading cross-functional teams and connecting business priorities with practical digital innovation. Worth meeting for: Director of Transformation, Head of Business Excellence or Digital & Business Transformation leadership roles within maritime, shipping and logistics organisations - Asia to Europe.

Ask for the full profile
02

Senior Maritime Operations & Commercial Executive

Dry Bulk · 30+ years

We’re representing a highly experienced maritime executive with 30+ years across dry bulk and tanker shipping, combining deep operational expertise with strong commercial and management experience. His background spans fleet operations, chartering, post-fixture, claims and disputes, vessel performance, voyage economics, P&I and risk, acquisitions and senior stakeholder management. A genuinely hands-on operator who has managed sizeable fleets and worked closely with owners, charterers, masters and senior management. With the breadth to operate at both strategic and operational level, he could be well suited to a GM, COO or senior operational/commercial leadership role. Candidate identity and current employer remain confidential. For a private discussion, speak to Stonefort. #Stonefort #Maritime #Shipping #ExecutiveSearch #MaritimeTalent #DryBulk #TankerShipping

Ask for the full profile
03

Tanker Commercial Executive

Tanker Commercial Executive · 25 years

We’re representing a highly experienced tanker commercial executive with a strong track record across time chartering, FFAs, shipping investments and business development. He has built and managed substantial tanker time charter portfolios, developed FFA and risk management strategies, and has experience operating both as principal and broker across clean and crude markets. His background combines commercial shipping, investment, valuation, risk management, negotiation and capital raising, supported by a legal background and an extensive network across the tanker market. A commercially entrepreneurial profile with the experience to add significant value in a senior commercial, trading, investment or business development role. Candidate identity and current employer remain confidential. Speak to Stonefort privately for further details.

Ask for the full profile
See who is available

HOW WE WORK

Independent by design. Experienced in practice.

We are not a large advisory firm. We are two experienced maritime professionals who have run operations, held senior roles and made decisions with real consequences.

01

We are independent

We have no volume targets or commercial agendas beyond doing good work for our clients. If we are not the right people for the job, we will say so early.

02

We have done the jobs

Sixty years between us, at sea and ashore. We have held the roles we recruit for and run the operations we support.

03

We stay close to reality

Our work is informed by practical experience, not just theory. Whether we are assessing a candidate or supporting a project, we focus on what will actually work in practice.

WHAT CLIENTS SAY

Executive search

“Having a conversation with Stonefort was unlike any other agency. You have knowledge that only another marine professional would have.”
Candidate Operations role

Technical & advisory

“Stonefort's penetration into a niche market, and use of deep marine experience to challenge what we thought we needed, was very impressive.”
Partner Maritime legal practice

Executive search

“Your shortlist helped us find someone we didn't even know we were looking for!”
Hiring manager Owner/Operator

Executive search

“I know I wasn't successful this time round but it is positive for the future. I would just like to say a big thank you for your time through the process, it was very valuable. I hope to deal with you again sometime.”
Candidate Not appointed

Executive search

“Thank you for your initial approach and all the support throughout the process. I couldn't have done it without you.”
Candidate Appointed

INSIGHTS

Views from both sides of the business

All insights

GET IN TOUCH

Tell us what you are trying to solve.

A short conversation is usually enough for us to tell you whether we are the right people, and to point you to the right arm of the business.

TECHNICAL & ADVISORY

Need independent marine support

Speak to Matt or Mark

EXECUTIVE SEARCH

Hiring for a senior role

Speak to Mark or Matt