Denmark's Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping has unveiled a management team packed with high-profile shipping names as operations ramp up.
The lab, which was launched in June in Copenhagen, will see a range of well-known Danish shipping figures join forces to develop new fuels and technologies to decarbonise shipping.
The news means a return to shipping for former J Lauritzen chief executive Mads Peter Zacho, will join as head of industry transition.
Zacho, who has worked in shipping for 17 years, resigned from the Danish bulker and LPG carrier owner in July when the group decided to split its operations into two separate divisions.
Before his time at Lauritzen, the executive was chief financial officer at Danish owner Torm and CFO at AP Moller-Maersk company Svitzer.
Zacho told TradeWinds at the time: "I will enjoy my summer holiday. Then I will activate my network and look for another operating role where I can use my finance and leadership skills."
He said he liked shipping and its "good people".
Other new recruits show a strong commitment to diversity, drawing on Danish shipping expertise.
The chief financial officer will be Sidsel Bromose, who has been brought in from bulker owner Ultranav, where she was director of accounting.
The executive also worked at Eitzen Group and was formerly CFO at Ultragas.
Emma Mazhari, who has a masters in engineering physics, will become head of partnerships, funding and commercialisation.
She has 20 years experience in global energy and environmental markets, most recently as head of trading and portfolio management at EON Nordic.
Prior to that she led BP's global environmental markets division.
Anne Mette Traberg will join as head of people and culture, after more than 20 years of human resources experience at global companies, most recently at Maersk.
And Anne Katrine Bjerregaard has been recruited as head of centre ramp-up, having joined Maersk to be part of the team developing the lab in the first place.
Before that she headed the non-profit collaboration platform Green Ship of the Future.
Fully operational
With the new management team in place, the centre is now fully operational.
The new recruits will all work under chief executive Bo Cerup-Simonsen, who was confirmed in the role in June.
Engineer and naval architect Cerup-Simonsen said: "The journey that we are about to begin will not be an easy one. It is very much about systems understanding, collaboration in the eco-system and concrete outcomes."
He added that a multi-disciplinary "crew" is needed.
"Our leadership team brings all of that, sharing the vision and values of the Center and bringing vast experience from the energy and shipping sectors with deep insights in technology and business. I truly look forward to our collaboration."
Danish liner giant Maersk is working on the project with classification society ABS, charterer Cargill, engine maker MAN Energy Solutions, shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, giant Japanese shipping rival NYK Line and Siemens Energy.
The centre is being made possible by a start-up donation of DKK 400m ($60m) from the AP Moller Foundation.
More appointments were also announced on Tuesday.
Torben Norgaard joins as head of energy and fuels, bringing more than 22 years of experience in synthetic fuel processes and energy markets from Haldor Topsoe, Maersk Oil and Total.
Claus Graugaard will be head of on-board vessel solutions. He is another former J Lauritzen man, having been senior vice president and head of fleet management at gas unit Lauritzen Kosan.
Graugaard has also worked at class society DNV GL.
Finally, Soren Moller Skovgaard will be head of programme management. He has a background in scientific projects and maritime experience from his time at consultancies like Ramboll and KPMG.
