Søren Skou replaces Eivind Kolding as Maersk Line CEO

21 Dec 2011 - Going Places, Shipping, Maersk

• Kolding leaves Maersk to head Denmark's Danske Bank

• Skou will take up his post as Maersk CEO from January 16th

Eivind Kolding, the CEO of the world’s largest shipping line Maersk, has resigned from his post to become Chairman of the Executive Board at Denmark’s Danske Bank.

Kolding will be replaced by Soren Skou an employer of A.P. Moller-Maersk, Maersk Line’s parent company, for the last 10 years as CEO of Maersk Tankers.

Søren Skou will be appointed as the new CEO of Maersk Line with effect from January 16th 2012.

“Under Eivind Kolding’s skilled leadership, Maersk Line has undergone an impressive turnaround,” said A.P. Moller - Maersk Group CEO, Nils S. Andersen.

“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,”

Søren Skou has previously held various positions in Maersk Line, from 1983 to 1998. He has, amongst others, headed the Group’s initiatives to reduce costs in 2009 and 2010, and in 2011, he has been the leader of the Group’s preparations for further expansion in the new growth markets.

”I am very pleased that Søren Skou has accepted the important task as CEO of Maersk Line,” added Anderson.

“Søren 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.”

The Group expects to fill the position as new CEO of Maersk Tankers internally.