Carl-Johan Hagman is widely recognized as one of the leading executives in the global car carrier industry. In the five year period to the end of 2007 he served as Chairman and CEO of Eukor Car Carriers Inc based in Seoul, Korea. Mr. Hagman led the very successful transition of that company from a division of Hyundai Merchant Marine to a fully integrated independent global car carrier operator supporting the unprecedented world wide success of Hyundai Motor Co. Eukor operates more than 100 car carriers.
Trained as a maritime lawyer in his native Sweden, Mr. Hagman spent the first eight years of his career with leading shipowner Walleniusrederierna AB and its affiliate Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines. Most recently he has served as Chief Executive Officer of Rederi AB Transatlantic in Sweden.
Mr. Guttormsen is presently CEO of both Leif Höegh & Co and Höegh Autoliners. He will remain in his role as Chief Executive Officer of Leif Höegh & Co and be a non-Executive Director of Höegh Autoliners and Höegh LNG.
Leif O. Høegh, Chairman of Höegh Autoliners said: "Carl-Johan Hagman is the best possible CEO to lead Höegh Autoliners in its next stage of development. Following on from our successful growth in recent years, the introduction of A.P.Møller-Maersk as a joint shareholder and our far reaching investment plans Mr. Hagman's appointment reflects the company's firm commitment to growth and development. Following the highly successful Mr. Guttormsen takes a leader with Mr Hagman's proven performance record."
Carl-Johan Hagman, said; "I am very excited to take the helm at Höegh Autoliners. With its strong shareholder commitment to growth and further development I consider this to be the most exciting job in the car carrier industry. I look forward to working closely with the global Höegh Autoliners organisation."
About Höegh Autoliners
Höegh Autoliners is a leading global provider of Ro/Ro vehicle transportation services. The company operates approximately 67 Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs) in global trade systems. Main customers are major manufacturers of new cars, heavy machinery and rolling stock as well as second hand vehicles. In 2007 Höegh Autoliners carried about 2 million car equivalent units (CEU) annually, making 3 000 port calls.
Höegh Autoliners' strategy is to grow its Ro/Ro service offering to match that of its customers. A substantial investment in new ships is underway. Vessels already ordered by the company will grow Höegh Autoliners' carrying capacity by more than 40% to 85 ships in 2012.
Based in Oslo, Höegh Autoliners has a global network of 30 subsidiaries and representative offices in Europe, North America, Asia and Africa. Company turnover is about US$ 1,3 bn (2007) and it has approximately 600 employees ashore and 1500 seafarers.
Höegh Autoliners is privately owned with Leif Höegh & Co as majority shareholder with 62.5% and A.P.Møller - Maersk with 37.5%.
Contact :
Leif O. Høegh, Chairman, Höegh Autoliners (+44 77 7031 0003)
Olav Sollie, SVP Communications, Höegh Autoliners (+47 4003 9821)