A successful German Maritime Professional with over 30 years of international liner shipping experience.

Presently employed by Polaris as a Group CEO in Durban, South Africa. Responsible for all Group activities, including Ships Agency, Freight Forwarding, Logistics, Depot and Warehousing.

Started his shipping career in Germany and holds two German Shipping degrees, became an Officer in the German Navy, studied membership exams with ‘The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers’ and ‘The Chartered Institute of Transport’.

Held various management positions in liner companies up to director level and successfully set-up a whole new agency network for an international shipping line in southern Africa.

Experience to successfully run a liner agency with head office and remote offices for an international container line, with full P&L, Marketing & Sales, Operations & HR responsibility for 80+ employees.

Being the Chairman of the Board of Directors of SAASOA, the ‘South African Associating of Ship Operators and Agents’ he is representing all international shipping lines and agents active in the southern African Maritime Industry. Vast connections and interactions with Government, State owned entities and other stakeholders and further well connected in the international, especially European and South African, shipping community.

A key driver as a Director of the ‘eThekwini Maritime Cluster’ to establish the first Maritime Cluster in South Africa.

Member of the Executive Committee of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, facilitating training for shipping students in South Africa.

A maritime leader and international speaker with top level connections within the International Shipping Industry, Maritime Organizations & Stakeholders and various Government Organizations and Officials up to presidential level.

Privately, a Yachtsman with a passion for the sea…