A team of German shipping and insurance friends and colleagues emerged triumphant against their Dutch rivals to win the ship’s wheel trophy in a keenly fought hockey match.
After just two editions, the event shows all the hallmarks of becoming something of a tradition that may grow further.
Mad Dabelstein, chief executive of MC-Schiffahrt, led his German teammates to a decisive 7-2 victory against their rivals captained by DVB Bank managing director Michiel Steemann at Hamburg’s Harvesterhuder Hockey and Tennis Club.
“Like in 2016, the German team was too strong for the men in orange,” reflected Stefan Glaebe of maritime insurance broker Northern Lloyd.
The origins of the event lie in an idea kicked around by Glaebe, Steemann and Bernhard Schulte’s Max Asschenfeldt during an evening at a Singapore bar.
However, the hockey is just an excuse for some serious work and networking.
Intellectual stimulation was provided with a pre-match seminar held for the 30 players and friends on ship-finance law and maritime insurance hosted by shipping law firm ERG and Northern Lloyd.
A post-match buffet of currywurst and beer wrapped things up.
“Not too shabby for a cold November night,” Glaebe said.
Next year, the event will be held in the Netherlands, with the Oranje outfit keen to avenge defeat amid talk of expanding the tournament to more teams.
“We are thinking about making it a slightly bigger event in the future,” Glaebe said. “I am already in talks with the Belgian and London shipping/hockey community. Let’s see!”
