The last link to Hamburg Sud’s former owning family is leaving the company.
Chief commercial officer Philip Oetker said on LinkedIn that he will be gone by the end of July.
His family sold the 152-year-old German container line to AP Moller-Maersk in 2017.
Oetker remains on the board of the family’s massive food, beer and property company Oetker Group.
He said: “Although Winnie the Pooh may not be a regular LinkedIn contributor, in this case his words capture my feelings precisely: ‘How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.’”
Oetker joined the company in 2007, moving through roles in Asia, South America and Europe before becoming global marketing head, chief marketing officer and then CCO in April 2021.
Before Hamburg Sud, Oetker was at boxship line OOCL and investment bank JP Morgan.
Oetker added it had been an emotional decision to leave, and “and it will no doubt continue to be so going forward”.
He said the company had been transformed over the years.
“The world of shipping is magical in its ability to bring people together, connect countries and continents, enable and empower trade,” Oetker said. “I count myself fortunate to have been able to actively accompany this industry for almost two decades.
Watching from the sidelines
“Going forward, I will follow from the sidelines, and — with particular interest — cross my fingers that a mix of willpower and courage, innovation and collaboration across the maritime ecosystem will allow the industry to accelerate towards true sustainability.”
However, he revealed nothing about his future plans.
Anne With Damgaard, head of marketing at Maersk, said: “We will miss you, Philip. It’s been a true pleasure getting to know and working with you. Thank you very much for great collaboration. Wishing you all the best.”
In January, parent Maersk said it was ditching the Hamburg Sud brand.
The Danish liner shipping giant described the move as part of its plan to create “a singular, unified brand”.
The Sealand name is also disappearing. This operates in the Americas, Europe and Asia. The US-based liner operation was incorporated into the Maersk group in 1999.
The decision came at a pivotal moment for the Copenhagen-based company under new chief executive Vincent Clerc.
Maersk and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company also announced that they would discontinue the 2M Alliance at the end of 2024.
