A.P. Moller - Maersk Group: Send To A Friend
A.P. Moller - Maersk Group: Send To A Friend
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The A.P. Moller - Maersk Group is a worldwide conglomerate. We operate in some 130 countries and have a
workforce of some 115,000 employees. In addition to owning one of the world’s largest shipping companies,
we’re involved in a wide range of activities in the energy, logistics, retail and manufacturing industries. More
detailed information about all our business areas is available here.
Our management
The Executive Board handles day-to-day management and is responsible for our financial results and
business growth. The Executive Board consists of Group CEO and Partner Nils Smedegaard Andersen, Trond
Westlie, Jakob Thomasen, Claus V. Hemmingsen, Eivind Kolding and Søren Skou. Read more about our
management team here.
Our values
For more than 100 years, our deeply held values have governed the way we deal with our employees,
customers, and society in general. Our employees may come from every corner of the world, and we may
work in many fields and business areas, yet we all share the same set of basic values. See our values here.
Our heritage
Our Group was founded by Arnold Peter Møller in 1904. Following Arnold Peter Møller’s death in 1965, his
son, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller, assumed leadership of the group, which – thanks to initiative, foresight and
enterprise – has grown into a major international business. Read more about our background here.
HISTORY
1877-1909 Foundation
Shipowner A.P. Møller was born in 1876 into a family with many relations to the sea and to shipping. In 1895,
A.P. Møller started as a trainee with two of his father’s business contacts in Newcastle, England. Two years
later he moved to the East Prussian city of Königsberg – today Kaliningrad – and later to St. Petersburg,
working within exports and shipbroking.
In February 1904, A.P. Møller returned to Denmark to take up the post as manager of the chartering
department of C.K. Hansen, one of the major shipping and brokerage firms in Copenhagen of that time.
In April 1904, at the age of 28, A. P. Møller established, together with his father, Captain Peter Mærsk Møller,
A/S Dampskibsselskabet Svendborg (the Steamship Company Svendborg) and bought a second-hand vessel,
which was renamed SVENDBORG. The company had its first office in A.P. Møller’s childhood home “Villa
Anna” in Svendborg.
Shipowner A.P. Møller retained his job with C.K. Hansen while slowly building up the new business.
The ambitious A.P. Møller, located in Copenhagen, did not always agree with the other board members in
The Steamship Company Svendborg. He therefore wished to form a new steamship company in which he
himself would have the final say and Dampskibsselskabet af 1912, Aktieselskab (the Steamship Company of
1912) was established with a board based in Copenhagen.
In 1913, A.P. Møller terminated his position with C.K. Hansen and established his own firm with offices in
Copenhagen’s venerable Stock Exchange.
During the First World War A.P. Møller managed the Shipping Companies cautiously and with constant care,
and both of them had strengthened their positions at the end of the war.
Already at the beginning of the 1920s A.P. Møller considered the possibilities of going into the liner business.
The tramp trade, where vessels sailed from port to port depending on the demand, was anticipated to lose
ground to liners in time and, moreover, participation in liner services was in keeping with Mr A.P. Møller’s
policy on investment and risk diversification.
This of course required careful consideration and thorough preparation – and a favourable agreement. Such
an agreement was entered into with the Ford Motor Company, and on 14 July 1928 the m.s. LEISE MÆRSK
left Baltimore on its first voyage between the American east coast via the Panama Canal to the Far East and
back. The cargo consisted of Ford car parts and other general cargo.
Today, Maersk Line is one of the world’s leading liner shipping companies.
Consolidation
Compared to its Danish counterparts, the Maersk fleet enjoyed faster growth than any other between the
two great wars, and by 1939 it accounted for about one-fifth of Denmark’s merchant fleet. The expansion
was almost entirely made up of new motor-powered vessels, a large number of which were built at A.P.
Møller’s own shipyard in Odense.
1940-1949 Operation in Wartime
The evening before the invasion A.P. Møller’s senior staff met “to go through the entire fleet, every voyage of
every ship, its freight commitment, the charter party and bill of lading, and see what instructions it would be
appropriate to give each individual ship”. The outcome was “PERMANENT SPECIAL INSTRUCTION ONE”,
which was sent out to all vessels.
It was endeavored to carry on the activities of the company from Copenhagen, but due to difficulties with
communication among other things, it was decided that Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller was to go to the USA to
manage the activities. Emma and Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller were married on 22 May 1940, and two days later
Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller was taken on as partner in the Firm of A.P. Møller. Already on 10 June the couple
arrived in New York, and it took more than seven years before they returned to Denmark. In co-operation
with other Danish shipowner representatives in the USA, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller attempted to employ the
Danish vessels, until the American Government took command of them in June 1941. After that he was
mainly engaged in preparations for peacetime.
In 1943 Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller established Interseas Shipping Co., Inc., which shortly after changed its
name to first Moller Shipping Company and later Moller Steamship Company. The company, which in 1946
became agent for Maersk Line in the USA, laid the groundwork for the present Maersk Inc.
1950-1959 Expansion
• THE OPERA, Denmark’s new opera house at the Copenhagen waterfront (2004).
• The establishment of The Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute for Production Technology at the
University of Southern Denmark, Odense (1997).
• The restoration of the 17th century Citadel of Copenhagen (1989 and 1999).
• The establishment of The Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Centre for Continuing Education at
Churchill College, Cambridge, United Kingdom (1992).
The first phase took place in the years 1960-1963 when A.P. Møller decided to apply for a concession for oil
exploration in Denmark. The formation of Dansk Undergrunds Consortium (DUC), the establishment of Dansk
Boreselskab (the present Mærsk Olie og Gas AS), award of the concession and since then the extension of
the concession area with the Danish North Sea shelf laid the groundwork for the further development.
In the second phase from 1963-1973 the attention was increasingly directed towards the North Sea where
the delimitation of the shelf area was implemented. DUC made its first discovery in the Danish sector of
North Sea, and the Dan Field came onstream in the summer of 1972.
The years with high oil prices, 1973-1985, constitute the third phase where DUC implemented an extensive
development of the production system on the Danish North Sea fields and entered into a major gas sales
agreement with the Danish State which, on the other hand, made extensive cuts in A.P. Møller’s concession.
The fourth phase set in from 1985 when oil prices began to plunge. That triggered off technological
innovation, which has formed the basis of the significant progress for both DUC and its operator Mærsk Olie
og Gas AS since then.
The efforts made by the Partners in DUC since 1962 has had a positive effect on the Danish society. The
activities have prepared the grounds for a new Danish industry, created jobs, made Denmark self-sufficient
in oil and gas, given a positive effect on the balance of payments, resulting in billion revenues in the form of
taxes and royalties to the Danish state.
Besides the North Sea, Mærsk Olie og Gas AS today participates in oil production in Qatar, Algeria and
Kazakhstan. Exploration activities are carried out in the North Sea, North Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East
and South America.
In competition with other shipping companies A.P. Møller had won a contract for transport of the crude oil
from Dan, and it was thus the Danish built tanker MARIE MÆRSK which, on 1 August 1972, could bring the
first Danish oil ashore to the Gulf refinery at Stigsnæs.
Nearly 12 years had passed since A.P. Møller in the national interest had undertaken a venture whose
commercial possibilities at first seemed extremely limited. Having overcome many challenges and invested
around half a billion Danish kroner, the Concessionaires and the DUC Partners now received the first small
repayment of their efforts.
Maersk Drilling
The presentation of the new activity in Mærsk Post, the A.P. Moller - Maersk Group’s internal magazine, went
like this:
“This company will hire out drilling rigs to companies engaged in oil exploration.Three drilling rigs – two so-
called semi-submersibles and one jack-up – have been ordered. The two first mentioned will be operated by
Storm Drilling Corporation, Houston – competent people with whom we have a close working relationship –
the third rig will be operated by us in co-operation with our American subsidiaries, and we mainly aim at
employment on the Danish North Sea shelf”.
Today, Maersk Drilling operate an advanced and diversified fleet within drilling, floating production and
storage.
A.P. Møller’s thoughts on an independent container trade were discussed by successive task groups, and in
the spring of 1973 it was decided to place an order for nine fast container vessels for delivery in 1975-1976.
This marked the beginning of one of the largest projects in the history of the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group:
More than DKK 2 billion was soon invested in vessels, terminals, containers, edp, marketing and sale of this
new service.
As the first of the new container vessels, ADRIAN MÆRSK departed from the Maersk Line terminal in Port
Newark, New Jersey, USA on 5 September 1975.
Today, the container business in A.P. Møller - Mærsk A/S consists of the global business units Maersk Line,
Damco and APM Terminals as well as a number of local transport and container repair companies.
Door-to-Door Transport
With containerisation of the liner services in the 1970s, the need for specialised loading (consolidation) of
containers to attain higher utilisation of available container space increased. This stimulated the need for
improved information and documentation flow, which led to the establishment of Damco, originally called
Mercantile and later Maersk Logistics.
During the 1980s, other services were introduced in order to manage supply chains from cargo origin to the
stores. Today, Damco’s services include an LCL programme, preparation of freight papers, airfreight as well
as warehousing and distribution. Advanced information technology is used for managing the supply chain
and keeping customers informed.
1980-1989 Container Vessels from Own Shipyard and Gas Production
In 1969 A.P. Møller took delivery of two bulk carriers, which functioned as car carriers for a number of years.
In co-operation with the East Asiatic Company a number of voyages were made during the 1970s, where cars
were transported from Japan on special between-decks in the holds of the vessels. The export went to West
Africa, especially Nigeria, from where returned goods, e.g. grain, were loaded.
BELLA MÆRSK and BRIGIT MÆRSK, the two bulk carriers, had, however, the limitation that only passenger
cars could be loaded. In time the transport requirements changed to larger cars, and A.P. Møller wanted to
match the market with the new specially designed car carriers.
Actual gas production commenced on 31 May 1984 when a well was opened on Tyra West and gas flowed
into the facilities so as to allow the systems to be tested and trimmed. On 1 July the filling of the pipeline to
shore began to test DONG’s (Dansk Olie & Naturgas A/S) facilities at Nybro before the commencement of
delivery, which already in 1979 had been agreed to take place on 1 October 1984.
On this day Prime Minister Poul Schlüter honoured Dansk Undergrunds Consortium (DUC) by making the
official opening of deliveries by pressing the start button in the control room on Tyra East. A new era in the
history of Danish energy supply had begun.
Container Production
Maersk Container Industri AS was established in early 1990 with the purpose of designing, producing and
marketing ISO containers of a superior quality and competitive lifetime cost for the customers.
Maersk Container Industri AS' first container factory was inaugurated in Tinglev 1991, Denmark, initially for
dry containers, and in 1995 the site was expanded with a new building for the manufacturing of reefer
containers of a unique design.
Today, production has been moved to two Maersk Container Industri container factories in Qingdao and
Dongguan, China.
Michael Pram Rasmussen was elected as new Chairman of the Board of Directors of A.P. Møller - Mærsk A/S
with effect as of that same date.
Mr. Møller remained Chairman of The A.P. Møller and Chastine Mc-Kinney Møller Foundation and Chairman of
Odense Steel Shipyard Ltd., and remained a partner of Firmaet A.P. Møller.
With its 205 m long legs, MÆRSK INNOVATOR can operate all year at water depths of up to 150 metres in the
North Sea and other areas with a corresponding harsh environment. This was over 25 metres more than the
existing record for jack-up rigs held by another Maersk rig, MÆRSK GALLANT.
Management
Nils S. Andersen
Partner and Group CEO, A.P. Moller - Maersk
Partner since: 2007
Joined A.P. Moller - Maersk: 2007
Born: 1958
Nils S. Andersen joined A.P. Moller - Maersk in 2007 when he took over as the fourth Group
CEO and Partner. Up till then, he had been on the Board of Directors (since 2005).
Before joining A.P. Moller - Maersk, Nils S. Andersen held the position of CEO of Carlsberg
A/S (since 2001). Before that he held a number of senior positions both internationally and in
Denmark.
Nils S. Andersen graduated with a MSc in Economics from Aarhus University in 1982.
Nils S. Andersen is a member of ERT European Round Table of Industrialists (since 2001), Co-
Chairman of EU-Russia Industrialists’ Round Table (IRT) (since 2007).
Jakob Thomasen
CEO of Maersk Oil
Member of the Executive Board since: August 2009
Joined A.P. Møller: 1988
Born: 1962
Jakob Thomasen joined Maersk Oil in 1988 as a Geologist at the company’s headquarters in
Copenhagen. In 1996, he was promoted Senior Geologist and later the same year he was
stationed in Qatar as a Department Manager. In 2000 Jakob Thomasen was called back to
Copenhagen to head a North Sea technical centre within Petroleum Engineering.
Jakob Thomasen returned to Qatar in 2004 as Managing Director where he was instrumental in
the success of the large scale development of the Al Shaheen oil field. In the beginning of 2009,
following organisational changes in Maersk Oil, Jakob Thomasen was repositioned in the
Copenhagen office as Head of Exploration and New Business.
In August 2009 Jakob Thomasen was appointed CEO of Maersk Oil.
Prior to his employment with Maersk Oil, Jakob Thomasen worked with the Geological Survey
of Denmark and Greenland.
Jakob Thomasen has a Master’s degree in Geology and has participated in courses in finance and
accounting. His educational background was further expanded in 1997 when he completed the
General Management for Specialists programme at Cranfield in the UK and again in 2002 when
he attended courses in Managing Corporate Resources at IMD.
Claus V. Hemmingsen
Partner and CEO of Maersk Drilling and Maersk FPSOs
Partner since: July 2007
Joined A.P. Møller: 1981
Born: 1962
Claus V. Hemmingsen is Partner, member of the Group’s Executive Board and CEO of Maersk
Drilling. In addition, Claus V. Hemmingsen has overall responsibility for Maersk FPSOs,
Maersk LNG, Maersk Supply Service and SVITZER A/S.
Claus V. Hemmingsen joined the A.P. Moller - Maersk Group in 1981 as a shipping trainee, and
after having completed his shipping education he joined Maersk Drilling’s Human Resource
Department.
After being stationed in Hong Kong for Maersk Line (1992-1997) and in Singapore (1997-2000),
Claus V. Hemmingsen returned to Hong Kong in 2000 where he as Managing Director had the
overall responsibility for A.P. Moller - Maersk’s activities in the Hong Kong SAR.
In 2003, Claus V. Hemmingsen returned to the head office in Copenhagen as Senior Vice
President responsible for the container activities’ Global Service Delivery, including Global
Shared Service Centres. He simultaneously held responsibility for APM Terminals until June
2004, before taking over responsibility for Maersk Drilling and Maersk Supply Service in 2005
and for SVITZER A/S in 2008.
Claus V. Hemmingsen has supplemented his education with management courses at London
Business School and Cornell University and finalized an Executive MBA (honours) at IMD in
November 2007.
Eivind Kolding
Partner and CEO of the Container Business
Partner since: July 2006
Joined A.P. Møller: 1989
Born: 1959
Eivind Kolding was appointed partner of the firm A.P. Moller 1 July, 2006, and same time CEO
of the Container Business of the A.P. Moller - Maersk Group. He is member of the Group’s
Executive Board.
Before this he was, since 1998, Chief Financial Officer of the A.P. Moller - Maersk Group.
He joined the company in 1989 as lawyer in Corporate Secretariat, Copenhagen, and was later
appointed Senior Vice President and head of the Secretariat. In 1996 he became Managing
Director of Maersk Hong Kong Ltd., where he stayed for 2 years.
Eivind Kolding graduated as MA, Law in 1983 from Copenhagen University and was as a
lawyer admitted to the bar in 1986.
Eivind Kolding is also vice-chairman of the Board of Danske Bank.
Søren Skou
Partner and CEO of Maersk Tankers
Partner since: July 2007
Joined A.P. Møller: 1983
Born: 1964
Søren Skou is Partner and member of the Group’s Executive Board and has since 2001 been
CEO of Maersk Tankers in Copenhagen, which includes A.P. Moller - Maersk’s activities within
crude oil-, product- and gas tankers. In addition Søren Skou has the overall responsibility for the
Group’s Ro/Ro activities in Norfolkline and share in Höegh Autoliners as well as the logistics
and forwarding business Damco.
Furthermore, Søren Skou has the overall responsibility of Maersk Ship Management, Maersk Oil
Trading and Maersk Procurement.
Søren Skou joined the company as a shipping trainee and has been stationed in the USA and
China and has supplemented his education with a Graduate Diploma in Commerce (HD) from
Copenhagen Business School and has an MBA (honours) from IMD.
Trond Ø Westlie
Group CFO, A.P. Moller - Maersk
Joined A.P. Moller - Maersk: 2010
Born: 1961
Trond Ø. Westlie joined A.P. Moller - Maersk in 2010 as Group CFO and member of the
Executive Board.
Trond Ø. Westlie came from a position as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of the Telenor Group. Previously, he was Group Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of Aker Kvaerner ASA from 2002-2004, and Executive Vice President and CFO of Aker
Maritime ASA from 2000 to 2002.
Trond Ø. Westlie qualified as a State Authorised Public Auditor from Norges Handelshoyskole
(the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration) and has served on numerous
corporate boards.
Trond Ø. Westlie is a member of the Board of the Acergy S.A. and of the Mesta Konsern as.
Business areas
Container shipping &
Related
Maersk Line
Damco
Maersk Container
Industry
Safmarine
MCC Transport
Maersk Tankers
Maersk Drilling
Maersk FPSOs
Maersk Supply Service
Maersk LNG
Terminal activities
APM Terminals
Maersk Oil
Dansk Supermarked
Odense Steel Shipyard
Svitzer
Technology
Maersk Fluid
Technology
Maersk Maritime
Technology
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Headquarters
A.P. Møller - Mærsk
A/S
Esplanaden 50
1098 Copenhagen K
Denmark
Tel +45 3363 3363
Fax +45 3363 4108
MAERSK LINE
World trade would not be the same without the modern container, invented in 1956. Today, it
carries more than 90 percent of all goods in world trade. Every commodity and type of goods can
be loaded and carried in ‘the box’, as the container is often referred to. As a result, modern
container shipping has changed the way we transport goods around the world and has played a
key role in globalisation.
• A single 20-foot container can hold about 48,000 bananas. So, in theory, a
PS-vessel such as the EMMA MAERSK can transport approximately 528 million
bananas in a single voyage - enough to give every person in Europe or North
America a banana for breakfast.
• If all Maersk Line containers were placed one after the other, they would
reach about 19,000 km. This is more than the distance from Copenhagen,
Denmark to Perth, Australia, via Cape Town, South Africa or almost half of the
earth's circumference or almost three times the earth's radius.
• If all the Maersk Line containers were stacked on top of each other they
would reach approximately 2,500 kilometres high, equivalent to stacking
8,550 Eiffel Towers on top of each other.
• At any one point in time, Maersk Line is transporting cargo worth
approximately three percent of the world's GNP (world GNP in 2005: USD
36,356,240,000,000).
• In 2009, Maersk Line vessels will make around 35,000 port calls - equivalent to
approximately four port calls per hour or one call every 15 minutes.
Maersk Line at a glance
Organisation
Our vessels