Leadership

Charles has over 20 years of shipping industry experience. He graduated from the University of Plymouth, UK in 1992 with a BSc in Maritime Business (International Shipping & Maritime Law). He began his shipping career with Mobil Shipping in 1992 with day to day responsibility for LPG and petrochemical chartering & operations. From 1996 to 2005 he held various positions with BHP Billiton’s dry bulk and tanker freight business in London and Melbourne, culminating in establishing the handysize/handymax chartering and trading desk in the Hague in 2001. In 2005 he joined Pacific Basin as Managing Director (UK), Global Head of the Handymax Business and Head of the Groups Atlantic business. He joined Epic Gas as Executive Chairman in September 2014, a position he held until May 2019. He has held the position of Chief Executive Officer since March 2015. He attended INSEAD (AMP) in 2008, and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.

Mr. Wøidemann has been employed with the J. Lauritzen Group since 2002. In 2018 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lauritzen Kosan. He is trained in shipping, holds a Higher Commercial Examination and has attended various executive courses at IESE and IMD.

Uta has over 20 years of experience in the ship finance and shipping industry. She began her career with HSH Nordbank in Hamburg and went on to become the Head of West European and North American shipping clients. In 2006 Uta moved with the bank to Hong Kong, establishing their ship financing activities in Asia. Uta joined the company in 2007 and her responsibilities include managing key relationships with shareholders and with ship financiers.

Niraj has over 30 years of marine industry experience. He began his career with P&O Bulk in 1989. After spending 6 years as a Chief Engineer with varied experience on Bulk Carriers, Tankers – Oil & Chemical, he joined Gemarfin (Gestioni Maritima Finanziare) as a Technical Superintendent in 2000 at Lugano, Switzerland. In 2003, Niraj joined Epic Gas as Ship Manager, and since 2013 as a Fleet Manager. He took up the role of Technical Director in 2016, and is responsible for our global technical management including Ship Management, SHEQ, Crewing, and Newbuilding.

Andreas is Chairman of BW Group, BW Offshore, BW LPG, Hafnia and Singapore Maritime Foundation. He is also a non-executive director of Singapore Symphony Orchestra, and a trustee of the Lloyd’s Register Foundation. Andreas was previously Chief Executive Officer of BW Group. He has also served as a non-executive director of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd, The London P&I Club, The Esplanade Co Ltd, Sport Singapore, Singapore National Parks Board and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore amongst others. Andreas graduated from Oxford University in England with an honours degree in Oriental Studies. He has an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Nicholas joined the Board in 2017, and brings over 35 years of experience in shipping, commodities and finance. Within his family shipping business, Neda Maritime, he was involved in purchases, disposals and financing of numerous shipping assets, he has also advised on investments in private equity and financial products, both on behalf of Neda as well as in his role as Director of The UK Mutual Steamship Association of Bermuda. Nicholas is on the Board of Diorasis International SA, an alternative Investment Advisory firm based in Luxembourg. Nicholas holds an MA from Oxford University and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.

Esben Poulsson has worked in the maritime industry for over 45 years, holding a variety of senior management positions in Hong Kong, London, Copenhagen and Singapore and is Executive Chairman of ENESEL PTE. LTD., a Singapore based container ship owning entity, all under the Singapore Flag. He is a Non-Executive Director of X-Press Feeders Ltd., of Hafnia Tankers Pte. Ltd. and of Nordic Shipholding A/S. He is non-executive Chairman of Cambiaso Risso Asia Pte. Ltd. and of Tamar Shipmanagement Ltd. and serves as Senior Advisor to Straits Tankers Pte. Ltd. He also serves on the Board of the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). He is President of the Singapore Shipping Association and an Advisory Panel Member of the Singapore Maritime Foundation, and serves as Chairman of the London-based International Chamber of Shipping.

Tommy brings over 35 years of experience in shipping, logistics, finance and international business. He is currently CEO of the Lauritzen Foundation, and also serves as Chairman of J. Lauritzen and Lauritzen Bulkers. Tommy was previously the CEO of Denmark’s Investment Fund for Developing Countries and before that CEO of Nordic Tankers and prior partner in Clipper Group. He has also had a long career in A.P. Moller-Maersk, latest as member of the executive board with responsibility of APM Terminals and other activities. He was also the CEO of Maersk Inc. based in USA. Further he earlier held the responsibility of Maersk Tankers. Tommy is Chairman of The Danish Maritime Fund and C.W. Obel and serves as non-executive director of PSA International. He also holds several board memberships within the Lauritzen Group of companies.

Kristian has more than 30 years experience in the shipping industry and has been based both in Europe and Asia. He is currently the CEO of Odfjell SE, and is also serves as the Chairman of Maersk Broker and the Vice Chairman of J.Lauritzen. Prior to joining Odfjell he was Partner and CEO of Clipper Group, and prior to that had a career in A.P.Moller-Maersk, latest as COO of Maersk Tankers, and has prior board experience from Odfjell SE, Nordic Shipholding, Danish Ferries and Broström. Kristian has an MBA from IMD Switzerland, and has attended AMP at Harvard Business School.