Title: Founder and Executive Director
Company: Stratus Shipping
Location: Sugar Land, Texas, United States
Therkel “TJ” Rosseland, founder and executive director at Stratus Shipping, has been recognized by Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in the maritime shipping and chartering industry.
Throughout an outstanding career spanning nearly four decades, Mr. Rosseland has distinguished himself through honesty and transparency, principles that have shaped his approach to business and client relations. He is most proud of the strong relationships he has built with clients who choose him for his personal integrity rather than corporate affiliation. When challenges arise or negotiations become difficult, Mr. Rosseland is known for stepping forward to resolve issues and guide parties toward mutually beneficial outcomes.
Mr Rosseland embarked upon his professional path at Amali Chartering in Copenhagen in 1988, where he spent two years as a trainee managing operations and as a ship agent responsible for ship movements in Copenhagen Harbor. He subsequently worked at NETCO after relocating to the United States in 1990. Leveraging his Scandinavian heritage and U.S. citizenship, he refined his skills as a broker under the guidance of Kevin O’Hara, an experience that marked his entry into competitive shipbroking within the American market.
In 1998, Mr. Rosseland was recruited to run the commercial department and manage vessel operations for Cambridge Partners in Manhattan, New York. The hedge fund specialized in financing ship construction for major oil companies and was instrumental in building ethylene-capable gas carriers that would later become part of the Navigator fleet. Following a bond market crash that led to the company’s collapse later that year, Mr. Rosseland continued his work under Cambridge Chartering before relocating to Connecticut.
From 1999 to 2004, Mr. Rosseland excelled as the founder and managing director of Stratus Shipping LLC during its initial establishment. In this capacity, he developed a reputation for delivering personalized service to clients worldwide. His business activities extended across multiple continents and included significant engagement in both established and emerging markets.
Prior to his present position, Mr. Rosseland found much success as the managing director at Simpson Spence Young LTD from 2004 to 2026. During his tenure with this leading global shipbroking firm, he co-led the chemical department for over two decades. His work focused on facilitating complex transactions for a broad range of clients in the shipping sector. Throughout these years, Mr. Rosseland became renowned for his ability to foster strong professional relationships based on trust and transparency, qualities that he considers central to his reputation in an industry often dominated by large corporate entities.
In 2026, Mr. Rosseland re-established Stratus Shipping as founder and executive director, rebuilding the business under an independent brand and reestablishing its global brokerage operations. His responsibilities include managing client relationships and providing tailored brokerage services for the transportation of liquid and gaseous chemicals worldwide. He serves a diverse clientele that includes traders, oil companies, chemical producers and distributors, coordinating both international and U.S.-flag transportation services. Supporting clients across the United States, South America, Europe, the Far East and the Middle East, Mr. Rosseland additionally manages Jones Act-related maritime transportation and brokerage activities.
Mr. Rosseland completed coursework at Niels Brock Copenhagen Business College in Denmark to support his professional ambitions. The education he received provided foundational knowledge that supported his early roles in shipping operations and brokerage.
Furthermore, Mr. Rosseland has contributed as a monetary donor to organizations such as Houston Food Bank, Cowboys 4 Heroes, and an orphanage in Kazakhstan. He has also supported his community as a fundraiser and food donor for families in need during Thanksgiving. Mr. Rosseland enjoys spending time with his incredible family as well as playing tennis outside of his primary commitments.
Looking toward the future, Mr. Rosseland aims to expand Stratus Shipping’s presence while maintaining its identity as a trusted source of quality service rather than becoming a large competitor within the field. He envisions himself as an “old-fashioned butcher,” providing exceptional value based on expertise and reliability so clients continue to choose him for their most important transactions. With deep roots spanning Norwegian lineage through his father and Danish heritage from his mother—and having lived in both Europe and North America—Mr. Rosseland’s global perspective continues to inform his leadership within maritime shipping to this day.
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