MOVES-Russia's Novatek hires China-focused LNG trader in Singapore, sources say

SINGAPORE, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Russia's largest liquefied natural gas producer Novatek NVTK.MM has hired Howard Wang as an LNG trader focused on the China market and based in Singapore, according to three persons with knowledge of the hire.

It is Novatek's second recent hire for its Asia operations, as the LNG producer expands its marketing team out of the trading hub in the region.

Howard Wang Haozun, in his early 40s, previously worked for Chinese independent energy trader Jovo Energy as a shipping manager and later as a trader with China Gas Holdings, another independent Chinese gas distributor, according to two of the persons.

Wang will start his new role next month, one of them added.

Novatek did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

In a development that has surprised LNG market watchers, five LNG cargoes from the U.S.-sanctioned Arctic LNG-2 project, which Novatek operates, have been delivered into southern Chinese port Beihai.