Kolding, 52, is leaving the company to head Danske Bank, Denmark’s biggest financial institution, of which A.P. Moller-Maersk, Maersk Line’s parent company, is the biggest shareholder. He had been CEO of Maersk Line since 2006.
Kolding was named by Lloyd’s List as the most influential person in shipping this year. He batted for reforms in the container shipping industry, spearheaded the Daily Maersk that serves Asia-Europe lanes daily, and announced Maersk Line’s huge order for 18,000-TEU ships, of which 20 are now being built.
“Under Eivind Kolding’s skilled leadership, Maersk Line has undergone an impressive turnaround. Its competitiveness has improved significantly and at the same time, Maersk Line has set new standards for the industry with regards to environment and reliability. Furthermore, Maersk Line has gotten a much stronger focus on the customers,” says Nils Andersen, CEO of A.P. Moller–Maersk.
Skou, 47, previously held various positions in Maersk Line from 1983 to 1998. In addition to being CEO of Maersk Tankers since 2001, he has played an important part in the company’s executive Board. He headed the group’s initiatives to reduce costs in 2009 and 2010. In 2011, he led the group’s preparations to further expand in new growth markets.
Andersen said Skou “is a sharp and visionary leader with strong international leadership experience” who knows container shipping very well. “He is quite the right man to continue the development of Maersk Line and expand our positions in the market,” he added.
To concentrate on the tasks in Maersk Line, Skou’s additional positions will gradually be transferred to others in the company. To be nominated to his board positions at DFDS and Danish Shipper’s Association will be Claus Hemmingsen, CEO of Maersk Drilling. Kim Fejfer, CEO of APM Terminals, will take over Skou’s chairmanship of Maersk Container Industry.
Maersk Line said the position of CEO of Maersk Tankers will likely be filled internally. Until then, all of Skou’s direct reports will report directly to Andersen.
