Maersk tanker chief made Maersk Line CEO, Kolding moves to Danske Bank

SOREN SKOU, Maersk Tankers CEO, will replace Eivind Kolding as Maersk Line`s CEO on January 16 when Mr Kolding becomes chairman of the executive board at Danske Bank.

Mr Kolding leaves with high praise from AP Moller-Maersk group CEO Nils Andersen: "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."


Of the incoming CEO, Mr Andersen said: "I am very pleased that Soren has accepted the important task as CEO of Maersk Line. Soren is a sharp and visionary leader with strong international leadership experience, not least within shipping. He knows container shipping very well both from the time he worked for Maersk Line but also as a member of the group`s executive board where he has stayed in close touch with Maersk Line and the industry. He is quite the right man to continue the development of Maersk Line and expand our positions in the market."


Mr Skou held various positions at Maersk Line from 1983 to 1998. In addition to being CEO of Maersk Tankers since 2001, he headed the group`s initiatives to reduce costs in 2009 and 2010. In 2011, he has been the leader of the group`s preparations for further expansion in the new growth markets.


Mr Skou`s additional titles will be transferred to others in the group so he can concentrate on the container business. These include the board positions of DFDS and Danish Shipowner`s Association, where the group will nominate CEO of Maersk Drilling Claus Hemmingsen, and Maersk Container Industry, where CEO of APM Terminals Kim Fejfer will take the chair.


The group expects to fill the position of Maersk Tankers CEO internally.