Business

Jeppe Christiansen joins United Shipping and Trading Company board

New board now consists of chairman Torben Østergaard-Nielsen, deputy chairman Klaus Nyborg and Nina Østergaard Borris, Mia Østergaard Rechnitzer, Peter Appel and Christiansen.

Published

3 years ago

August 16, 2022

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Jeppe Christiansen, founder and CEO of the Maj Invest group, has joined the board of United Shipping and Trading Company (USTC), the parent company of Bunker Holding, said USTC on Monday (15 August).

As part of company’s move to make significant changes across the USTC group and its individual companies, the changes are expected to boost the development of the Danish family-owned group, where the recently appointed Chief Governance Office and co-owner Mia Østergaard Rechnitzer is at the forefront of bolstering and diversifying the boards.

USTC BRD Mia Ostergaard Rechnitzer

In recent months, family-owned USTC has been working on strategic changes to the boards of both parent and subsidiary companies.

The new face to USTC is finance and investment expert Christiansen, founder of Maj Invest and board member of renowned businesses such as Topsoe, Novo Nordisk and Kirkbi, among others.

Christiansen has unique qualities in relation to strengthening a group like USTC, consisting of several companies such as Bunker Holding, SDK FREJA, Uni-Tankers, Unit IT, and CM Biomass.

Ambitions for continued growth

The driving force behind the strategic changes to the boards comes largely from the second-generation co-owner of USTC, Mia Østergaard Rechnitzer, who in 2021 joined USTC as Head of Corporate Governance, and since May 2022 has held the role of Chief Governance Officer.

"There is no doubt that developing the strategic leadership of our companies is necessary to continue our ambitious commercial growth targets; especially considering the increasing demands for companies to act responsibly, taking care of the environment and prioritising equality and diversity in the workforce," said Mia Østergaard Rechnitzer, CGO and co-owner of USTC.

"Therefore, it is extremely important that we can attract and add the required expertise and core competencies where they are needed in the organisation."

"We have established a strong foundation for the group, which gives us the opportunity to look ahead and put together even more industry-specific boards within our companies. This enables our boards to become more specialised and working closer towards the individual companies’ strategic needs and development opportunities as well as gain a more even gender composition."

USTC expects to publish the Group’s first ESG report over the coming months with diversity, equality, and inclusion as particular areas of interest. With the changes to the board of directors in virtually all of USTC’s companies, the Group has taken an important step towards an even gender composition of male and female board members as well as having added multiple international business profiles to the boards .

Merging past virtues and new agendas

In recent years, USTC has been through a targeted acquisition period, where Freja Transport & Logistics and CM Biomass, among others, have been added to the portfolio. The growth of the group has accelerated the demand for development and innovative ideas in management and boards to drive and support the companies' future growth.

"It is with great pride that the company I have built up over a lifetime can attract such competent board members as Jeppe Christiansen, among others. It is inspiring to work with highly skilled people, who each have unique knowledge and insight to contribute to the continued development of the companies," said Torben Østergaard-Nielsen, founder and chairman of the board of USTC.

USTC BRD Torben Ostergaard Nielsen

USTC has recently implemented changes in ownership. Founder Torben Østergaard-Nielsen has assumed the role of working chairman of USTC's board, while the second-generation owners Nina Østergaard Borris and Mia Østergaard Rechnitzer have been appointed CEO and CGO respectively. The owner family is also represented on the boards of all USTC companies, just as Torben Østergaard-Nielsen remains head of the family's holding and investment company, Selfinvest.

The Board of Directors of USTC

The new board will in future consist of chairman Torben Østergaard-Nielsen, deputy chairman Klaus Nyborg and Nina Østergaard Borris, Mia Østergaard Rechnitzer, Peter Appel and Jeppe Christiansen.

This also means that Torben Janholt, after many years on USTC's board, has chosen to scale down his board work. Peter Korsholm is also leaving the board to pursue other challenges, including a new role as chairman of the board in the listed company Flügger Group.

In this connection, Torben Østergaard-Nielsen said: "Torben Janholt and Peter Korsholm are both owed a big thank you for their valuable efforts and contribution to the development of the USTC group. They have both left their clear mark on USTC through their many years on our boards.”

Morten Buchgreitz and Peter Frederiksen also leave USTC's board, while both continue serving the board of Bunker Holding. Peter Frederiksen also continues serving the board of Uni-Tankers, just as Morten Buchgreitz is a board member of CM Biomass.

Photo credit: United Shipping and Trading Company
Published: 16 August, 2022

Business

Singapore: Ang Wee Keong from IMDA appointed as new MPA Chief Executive

Ang will relinquish his IMDA appointment as Assistant Chief Executive (International) of the Info-Communications and will officially take over from Teo Eng Dih from 16 June.

Published

1 hour ago

April 30, 2025

Admin

Singapore: Ang Wee Keong from IMDA appointed as new MPA Chief Executive

Singapore’s Ministry of Transport on Tuesday (29 April) said Mr Ang Wee Keong, currently the Assistant Chief Executive (International) of the Info-Communications Media Development Authority (IMDA), will concurrently be appointed as Chief Executive (Designate) of the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) from 1 May to 15 June 2025.

He will relinquish his IMDA appointment and be appointed Chief Executive of MPA from 16 June 2025. He will succeed Mr Teo Eng Dih, who will be appointed Deputy Secretary (Special Duties) at the Ministry of Transport with effect from 16 June.

Mr Teo will remain as a member of the MPA Board until he steps down as CE MPA. Mr Ang will be appointed as a board member with effect from 16 June 2025.

“The Ministry of Transport thanks Mr Teo Eng Dih for his leadership and contributions as Chief Executive of MPA, and welcomes Mr Ang Wee Keong,” the ministry added.

Mr Teo Eng Dih (张英智)

As the Chief Executive of the MPA, Mr Teo made significant contributions to grow Singapore’s International Maritime Centre and the PIER71TM startup ecosystem. During his tenure, the Port of Singapore attained new records in vessel arrivals, container throughput, bunker sales and registrations under the Singapore Registry of Ships. MPA was also recognised as one of the key global regulators by Lloyd’s List. These milestones were reached amidst a complex global operating environment marked by geopolitical uncertainties, supply chain disruptions and technological shifts affecting the flow of goods and supplies worldwide.

Mr Ang Wee Keong (洪伟强)

As the Assistant Chief Executive (International) of IMDA, Mr Ang made significant contributions in advancing Singapore’s digital interests and thought leadership in the international arena. He strengthened Singapore’s network of digital economy partnerships, and expanded collaboration through platforms like the ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting, Forum of Small States and Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG). He also oversaw the formulation of forward-thinking policies and regulations in digital technology and services to advance the growth of Singapore’s digital economy, including the upcoming Digital Infrastructure Act to enhance the resilience and security of systemically important digital infrastructure.

Photo credit: Singapore Polytechnic
Published: 30 April, 2025

Technology

TFG Marine to launch of ZeroNorth e-BDNs at Port of Sohar after Singapore success

Kenneth Dam announced the successful trial and imminent roll-out of ZeroNorth’s electronic bunker delivery note solution for its customers in the Port of Sohar, in Oman.

Published

1 hour ago

April 30, 2025

Admin

TFG Marine to launch ZeroNorth e-BDNs at Port of Sohar after success in Singapore

Global marine fuel supply and procurement firm TFG Marine on Tuesday (29 April) announced the company’s successful trial and imminent roll-out of ZeroNorth’s electronic bunker delivery note (e-BDN) solution for its customers in the Port of Sohar, in Oman.

A first for the Middle East region following the successful deployment of the same technology earlier this year by TFG Marine at the Port of Singapore. The eBDN trial in Oman was completed in collaboration with ZeroNorth and SGTraDex, using the Singapore standards as a benchmark.

Kenneth Dam, Global Head of Bunkering, said: "We’re excited to partner with ZeroNorth, Fratelli Cosulich Group Bunkers, SGTraDex and SOHAR Port and Freezone to shortly introduce e-BDNs to our customers here in Oman.”

“This technology, that we have already successfully introduced in Singapore is yet another step in modernising our industry. It will streamline the bunker delivery process, cut administrative burdens, enhance digital documentation and help build a smarter, more connected bunkering sector.”

“We remain committed to establishing e-BDNs as a global standard for bunker fuel delivery and will continue to work closely with port authorities to advocate for and deploy this technology across our operations.”

Dam made the announcement at the Oman Maritime, Ports and Energy Forum, during the panel discussion on The Transformative Power of Data: The Evolving Role of Digitalisation in Shipping and Bunkering.

Dam added the fully digital solution — accessible through TFG Marine’s mobile app and integrated with SGTraDex’s digital infrastructure, — will enable the inclusion of additional data, such as mass flow meter readings during fuel deliveries.

“By integrating this technology, we will drive significant improvements in efficiency, accuracy, compliance, and sustainability across our operations, complementing the global mass flow meter rollout across our fleet and reinforcing TFG Marine’s position at the forefront of the modern bunkering industry,” he said.

Manifold Times previously reported TFG Marine announcing the introduction of ZeroNorth’s e-BDNs for its customers in Singapore during 23rd Singapore International Bunkering Conference (SIBCON) by the end of 2024.

In November last year, TFG Marine announced its first digitalised marine fuel delivery in Singapore using electronic bunker delivery notes (e-BDNs).

Its team supplied VLSFO bunker fuel to Pacific Basin Shipping Limited’s Illovo River bulk carrier, marking the first of four bunkering deliveries that month where this new technology was successfully deployed.

Photo credit: TFG Marine
Published: 30 April, 2025

Biofuel

Hercules Tanker Management vessel “Mount Kibo” takes on B30 bio bunker fuel

HTM said its tanker was successfully supplied with B30 bunkers by tanker “Hercules Sky”, another HTM-owned vessel and operated by Peninsula, marking the first biofuel supply to the HTM fleet.

Published

1 hour ago

April 30, 2025

Admin

Hercules Tanker Management vessel “Mount Kibo” takes on B30 bio bunker fuel

Hercules Tanker Management (HTM) on Tuesday (29 April) announced that its tanker Mount Kibo has been successfully supplied with B30 bunkers by tanker Hercules Sky, another HTM-owned vessel which is operated by Peninsula.

The operation marked the first biofuel supply to the HTM fleet.

HTM is the shipping venture launched last September by John A. Bassadone, founder and CEO of independent marine fuel supplier Peninsula.

HTM said the operation carried out in the Strait of Gibraltar aligns with the recent discussions at MEPC 83, where key decisions were made to advance maritime decarbonisation, including new fuel standards and a global pricing mechanism for emissions.

“Additionally, this initiative supports the objectives of the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, which promotes the use of renewable, low-carbon fuels and clean energy technologies for ships,” it said.

“By utilising biofuels, we are contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the industry's transition towards cleaner energy solutions.”

Photo credit: Hercules Tanker Management
Published: 30 April, 2025