Newly independent Cypriot ship manager Intership Navigation has expanded its board and executive management team, recruiting industry veteran Captain Michael Elwert.
The former AP Moller-Maersk man becomes chief operating officer at the company, which was the subject of a management buy-out in January.
In the buyout by chief executive Dieter Rohdenburg, the technical management company was separated from German shipowner Hartmann Group.
Elwert has worked in shipping for his entire 33-year career, giving him a “strong global insight, reputation and network”, Intership said.
Elwert, who has relocated to Limassol for his new role, began his career with a 16-year stint at Maersk, before moving on to Thome Ship Management, the Danish Shipowners’ Association and Bimco.
Until September 2021, he was chief operating officer at ship manager V.Group and was then interim CEO of cruise company Albatros Expeditions until last year.
“I am excited to welcome Michael to our team and look forward to the fresh perspective he brings. His wealth of experience and leadership will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success and growth of the Intership Group,” said Rohdenburg.
Elwert added: “I am very honoured to have joined Intership during this time of business transition into a fully fledged third-party ship manager.
‘Truly humbled’
“I look forward to steering the organisation towards continuous growth whilst reinforcing organisational competitiveness by leading and executing our operational excellence strategy. I remain truly humbled being part of this world-class team of professionals, ship as shore.”
Intership Navigation was founded in 1988 by Alfred Hartmann as a shipowning company, before expanding into third-party management.
There are now 60 vessels fully managed and more than 100 under crew management, including bulkers, general cargo ships, gas vessels, car carriers and product tankers.
Rohdenburg acquired a majority shareholding, including the Donnelly Tanker Management subsidiary, which handles tankers and LPG carriers owned by Hartmann, Hafnia, Pelagic Partners and others.
Hartmann Crew Philippines was included in the deal, but Intership’s owned fleet was not.
