Caroline Pontoppidan has been elected chairwoman of Danish Shipping at the organisation’s annual general meeting, succeeding Torben Carlsen of DFDS with immediate effect, according to Danish Shipping.
The appointment places a senior A.P. Møller – Maersk executive at the head of the industry body and marks the first time a woman has taken the chair in its history.
Pontoppidan has served as vice chair for three years alongside her role as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Head of Corporate Affairs.
“Proper framework conditions for Danish shipping companies are a prerequisite for maintaining ships under the Danish flag. In an intensely competitive industry, it is absolutely crucial that, as shipping companies, we have an organisation behind us that understands our reality right down to the engine room and can translate this knowledge into political frameworks that keep us among the global leaders in shipping,” said Pontoppidan.
The seven-member board draws representation from across Danish shipowners, with the chair overseeing industry positioning on regulatory and competitive conditions.
Chief executive Anne H. Steffensen said Pontoppidan brings extensive experience and insight into operating conditions for Danish shipping companies.
Pontoppidan replaces Carlsen, who has held the chair since 2023. Steffensen credited him with strengthening framework conditions and contributing to European work during his tenure.
Jan Rindbo of D/S Norden A/S will assume the position of vice chair. Danish Shipping is an industry association representing shipping companies operating under the Danish flag, focusing on regulatory conditions, competitiveness and international policy engagement for its members.
A.P. Møller – Maersk is a Danish integrated logistics company structured as a conglomerate with activities spanning ocean transport, terminals and supply chain services, operating through a network of subsidiaries and controlled entities.
DFDS is a Danish shipping and logistics company organised as a public limited company, providing freight and passenger transport services across Northern Europe through ferry and logistics operations.
D/S Norden A/S is a Danish shipping company incorporated as a public limited company, specialising in dry cargo and tanker operations with a focus on chartering and asset management.
