Eivind Kolding, who has steered Maersk Line as Chief Executive for the past five years, is to leave the company to become Chairman of the Executive Board of Danske Bank, Denmark’s largest bank and financial institution. He will take up his new post in February.

Kolding to leave Maersk Line

He is to be replaced by Søren Skou, currently CEO of Maersk Tankers, who will take over the role from 16 January 2012, having previously held various positions in Maersk Line from 1983 to 1998. It is expected that his current position will be filled internally.

In a statement issued yesterday Nils Andersen, Group CEO for A.P. Moller–Maersk, said, “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”. He added that the line had achieved a much stronger focus on its customers.

Commenting on Søren Skou’s appointment, Andersen went on to say, “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”.

A member of the Group’s Executive Board, Skou headed its initiatives to reduce costs in 2009 and 2010. This year (2011) he has been the leader of the Group’s preparations for further expansion in the new growth markets.

According to the company in order to concentrate fully on the tasks in Maersk Line, Skou’s additional positions will gradually be transferred to others. These include, among others, the board positions of DFDS and Danish Shipper’s Association, where Claus Hemmingsen, CEO of Maersk Drilling, will be nominated and Maersk Container Industry, where CEO of APM Terminals Kim Fejfer will take over the chairmanship.