Maersk Tankers has revamped its commercial operations as an executive hired from the telecommunications industry last year leads a department structured around more agile decision-making.
The Denmark-based pool manager described the new structure as “a service provider model” that would make the roles of segment heads at its chartering desk redundant.
Head of MR chartering Ander Birk and head of handysize tankers Hans Ulrik Norgaard were let go earlier this month.
Kristian Jasper, who previously headed the chartering operations for LRs, aframaxes and small tankers from Singapore, has been named as global head of chartering.
He will relocate to Copenhagen later in the year as part of his new role.
Maersk Tankers stressed no further redundancies are planned and that it is in talks with employees for a range of new positions this month.
After being taken private by AP Moller Holding in 2017, the company has been reorganised as a commercial manager, with vessel ownership transferred to affiliate Maersk Product Tankers.
Chief commercial officer Eva Birgitte Bisgaard, who joined Maersk Tankers from Danish telecom TDC in 2020, said the new set-up would see the chartering and operations teams “going agile”.
Maersk Tankers said agile working — seen more often in software development and other service industries — refers to a flat structure that aims to cut the time from decision to execution.
“When we as a company transitioned from being a vessel owner to a service provider, we also redefined our fundamental business value — from that of assets to people,” Bisgaard said in a statement.
“We are fortunate in having a wealth of talent in the commercial function and, with our new structure and ways of working, we will give them new opportunities to grow personally and professionally.”
Among other divisions under Bisgaard, global head of operations Aditya Trehan will remain in his position and continue to handle operational matters for spot trading.
Lars Sprogoe Bentzen, previously head partner of services, will lead the new “go-to-market” team responsible for marketing and business modelling.
A “partner sales and service team” will be established to enlarge pool sizes and the recruitment for its leader has started. In the interim, the team will be led by Bentzen.
The teams will be supported by the freight solutions team in charge of customer solutions and forward freight agreement (FFA) trading. Per Heilmann, who was head of FFA and trading, is managing this division.
Bisgaard said the new structure will be “a growth vehicle and enable us to deliver an enhanced partner experience, based on a clear focus on the service we deliver and who we are directing our efforts towards”.
