Lauritzen Kosan fleet manager Rolf Andersen has died at the age of 52.
Danish parent company J Lauritzen said his death came after a short illness.
The outfit added that its employees and directors had learned "with sadness" of his "untimely" death.
During 15 years with the company, Andersen held a range of positions in the LPG carrier division.
He was originally educated as a master mariner at the Copenhagen School of Navigation and later graduated with a Master's in Information Technology from the IT University of Copenhagen.
He then added an MBA in Shipping and Logistics from the Copenhagen Business School.
Andersen was also a member of the J Lauritzen board, elected by the staff.
"Rolf was a highly competent and respected colleague and his warm sense of humour spread happiness, fun and positivity throughout the organisation," J Lauritzen chief executive Mads Peter Zacho said.
"Our deepest condolences and thoughts go to Rolf’s family and friends, in particular his wife and daughter."
The company told TradeWinds that after passing his ship master’s exam in 1991, he became an officer with AP Moller-Maersk, sailing worldwide on boxships.
In 1994, he decided to take a position ashore and worked as vessel and navigation warnings manager at the Royal Danish Administration of Navigation and Hydrography in Copenhagen.
Andersen had responsibility for operational management of vessels.
Between 1998 and 2001, the executive took a project management role with TeleDanmark International Marine, later Alcatel Submarine Networks Marine, in which he was managing fibre optic marine installation projects.
The Lauritzen group announced on Wednesday that it is splitting its gas carrier and bulker businesses into two separate companies, with new finance in place.
Zacho is leaving his role as the management structure changes.
