Norwegian shipping veteran and former owner Andreas Kjell Lund Ugland has died at the age of 93.
In addition to being a major shipowner, he was known for technically innovative solutions and was an active member of both national and international industry associations.
Ugland was born in Grimstad and received his technical education (sivilingenior) at King’s College in Newcastle.
After graduating, the then 26 year old joined Uglands Rederi, a company that his father Johan Milmar Ugland had started in 1930.
For many years Andreas ran this company with his brother Johan Jorgen, who tended to take care of many commercial issues.
Sources, however, stress that Andreas was also involved in this part of the business and started using the limited partnership model (Komandittselskaper) in the 1960s.
In 1965 Ugland had built up the country’s largest ore carrier fleet and in 1971 Andreas was instrumental in setting up a car carrier venture with compatriot company Hoegh, Hoegh Ugland Autoliners (HUAL) in 1971.
The two brothers eventually split their activities in 1995. Andreas retired and left ownerships of his part to sons Andreas Ove, Johan Benad and Knut Axel Ugland.
Shipping companies can have challenges when control passes to a new generation. Andreas Ugland handled the transition, brilliantly, observers comment.
He has for many years been regarded as one of shipping's leading technical experts and has also been president of tanker owners' association, Intertanko.
When he was close to 87 years old he was awarded the innovation prize at the Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) conference in Stavanger.
Andreas at the time said he had no plans to wind down and was then still going to work at the company’s office in Grimstad every day.
“All my pension goes now to innovation. That is in addition to growing flowers - my big hobby," he said at the time.
