Hilmar Petur Valgardsson, Steingrimur Sigurdsson, Ingvar Sigurdsson and Asbjorn Skulason have been appointed Executive Vice-Presidents at Eimskip. Furthermore, Halldor Kristmannsson, Executive Vice President of Corporate Communication has resigned to further his Masters-studies in the U.S. Heidrun Jonsdottir, Executive Vice-President of Eimskip’s Legal Department, will take over the responsibilities of Corporate Communication.
Mr. Valgardsson will be the Executive Vice President of Finance, with the responsibility of financial management, IT and insurance related projects for the Group. Mr. Valgardsson has for the past two years been the financial director of Containerships, Eimskip’s subsidiary in Finland. He joined Eimskip in 1999 and has since then worked in several fields within the finance division, which includes heading the finance division from 2004-2006 and as chief accountant for the Group from 2003-2004. Mr. Valgardsson graduated from the University of Iceland in 1999.
Mr. Sigurdsson will lead a new field within Eimskip, Reefer Logistics. The new corporate division will be responsible for the Group consolidation of all reefer logistics activities and synergies within Eimskip’s transportation network.Steingrimur joined Eimskip in 1990, first in the Icelandic import division and during the years 1996-1999 he was the managing director of Eimskip in Norway. From 1999-2002 he was the head of Reefer Logistics within the European division and from 2003-2005 he worked for Icelandair Cargo in Reykjavik. Mr. Sigurdsson has an MsC degree in Maritime Economics and Logistics from Erasmus University in Rotterdam.
The seaborne refrigerated market has grown considerably in recent years and is expected to continue this strong growth. Eimskip offers reefer solutions (with container vessels and specialized reefer vessels) all over the world, adjacent to other transport services. With the forming of the new division, a special emphasis is put on synergies between Eimskip’s departments and offices.
A new Operations Division formed
A new Operations Division has been formed at Eimskip, with operations and responsibilities divided in two parts. Ingvar Sigurdsson and Asbjorn Skulason will become Executive Vice-Presidents. With these changes, the responsibilities for operations relating to marine trading will be clarified, and given a more important role within the Group. The main goal with these changes is to lower costs in international harbours, and increase synergies within the Group’s liner routes.
Ingvar Sigurdsson will become Executive Vice-President for Eimskip Group’s Marine Trading and Operations, with his responsibilities being Eimskip’s vessels and their maintenance, as well as manning the vessels. Ingvar graduated with a degree in Operations Management from the University at Bifrost in 2006, as well as graduating with a captain’s degree from the Icelandic Nautical School in 1976. Ingvar has decades of experience in the transportation sector, with his last post at Eimskip being Executive Vice-President of Transportation Systems for Eimskip in Iceland.
Asbjorn Skulason is the new Executive Vice-President of Production Management, with his responsibilities being container management for Eimskip, Eimskip CTG and Faroe Ship. Asbjorn started working for Eimskip in 1969, and has fulfilled several duties within the company. He managed the Production Management department, Bulk Transport department and managed Eimskip’s subsidiary in Felixtowe, UK. Asbjorn’s last post at Eimskip was the head of Marine Trading and Operations in Eimskip Iceland. Asbjorn graduated from Verslunarskoli Islands in 1973 and from the Icelandic Nautical School in 1979.
Together, Ingvar and Asbjorn will manage Eimskip’s purchasing, sales and lease of vessels, as well as liner operations.
Eimskip Iceland and Europe
Gudmundur Nikulasson has been appointed Assistant Vice-President of Eimskip Iceland, reporting to Eimskip Iceland’s Executive Vice-President, Gudmundur P. Davidsson. Bragi Thor Marinosson will now lead Eimskip Europe as an Executive Vice-President.
Gylfi Sigfusson, Eimskip’s CEO and President commented: “I welcome these experienced Eimskip employees to the frontline of our Group. Eimskip’s board and management has recently worked systematically on re-structuring the Group, so that shipping is defined as our core business. These newly appointed managers are all familiar with the business, and their vast experience will serve Eimskip well in the coming future.
For further information:
Gylfi Sigfusson
CEO of Eimskip
Tel: (+354) 525 7000