J Lauritzen has hired ex-Golden Ocean CEO Ulrik Andersen to grow its green-focused bulker company, Lauritzen NexGen, a new partnership with commodities giant Cargill.
Lauritzen NexGen has three kamsarmax bulkers under construction, which will be dual-fuelled with methanol.
Andersen wrote on LinkedIn: “In my new role, I will be leading the growth of J Lauritzen’s ambitious green shipping initiative, NexGen, through further investments in zero-emission-capable assets.
“NexGen is sector-agnostic and interested in expanding across all ship segments and sizes.”
His remit will be to identify growth opportunities and strategic partnerships for the company.
J Lauritzen said in a statement: “Our ambition is to grow Lauritzen NexGen through further investments in zero-emission capable assets, preferably in partnerships with charterers, shipyards, financiers and potentially also equity partners.”
The new job marks Andersen’s return to shipping, having taken a year out following his departure as CEO of Golden Ocean Group in late May last year.
Andersen spent just under four years at the bulker owner following an earlier spell at fellow Fredriksen-backed company Avance Gas.
Before his career in dry cargo, he was head of shipping at LPG shipowner Petredec and was managing director of Neu Gas Shipping for over seven years.
J Lauritzen and its Lauritzen Bulkers have indicated previously that they intend to use NexGen as a platform for investing in zero-carbon and future-proof shipping assets.
Each of the existing NexGen newbuildings will be chartered to Cargill when delivered from Japan’s Tsuneishi Shipbuilding in 2026.
Christian Bonfils and his Copenhagen Commercial Platform were involved in the initial deal between Lauritzen and Cargill and will commercially manage the NexGen fleet.
