Maersk Supply Service gets new boss

Steen S. Karstensen, coming from a position as Chief Procurement Officer, has been appointed CEO of Maersk Supply Service with effect from October 24. He takes over from Jørn Madsen, who was recently appointed CEO of Maersk Drilling. 

Steen S. Karstensen joined the Group in 1986 and has had a 30-year-career with the company in procurement, logistics, supply chain, in-house consultancy and other cross-functional areas.

”Steen Karstensen is a widely respected leader who has built a strong global procurement organization serving all of Maersk’s business units, generating significant savings. Additionally, he has been responsible for Maersk Oil Trading and Maersk Maritime Technology, which has given him in-depth exposure to also the Energy related aspects of the Maersk business model,” says Group Vice CEO Claus V. Hemmingsen who continues:

“In addition, Steen helped in creating Maersk Management Consulting from scratch, which has brought talent and new thinking to our businesses. I’m excited that he will now take on the challenge in heading Maersk Supply Service in their next chapter of the journey.”

Steen Karstensen’s previous role in Group Procurement included overseeing Maersk Maritime Technology, Maersk Oil Trading and Maersk Management Consulting. These areas combine a workforce of over 800 professionals globally, located in 20 different countries.

“I’m excited to take on this new role. Maersk Supply Service is currently operating in very tough markets, but nevertheless is well positioned to broaden its scope of operations,” Steen Karstensen says.

“A strong balance sheet gives the business a position of strength, from which it can be part of the consolidation and restructuring that inevitably will take place in the industry.”

Jørn Madsen, former CEO of Maersk Supply Service, was recently announced CEO of Maersk Drilling. He will take on this role with effect November 7.

To remind, Maersk Group recently announced its intentions to separate the Group’s businesses into Transport & Logistics and Energy divisions as well as a number of management changes.

As a response to vessels in lay-up, limited trading opportunities and the global over-supply of offshore supply vessels in the industry, Maersk Supply Service in August decided to divest up to 20 vessels and reduce its crew pool by 400 offshore positions. The first ten vessels were expected to exit the fleet within 2016 with Maersk Finder, Maersk Puncher, Maersk Provider and Maersk Forwarder already sold.

In addition to job cuts announced in August, the company said earlier this week it would reduce its onshore organization by up to 25%.