A week behind has seen some major moves in the appointments department within the likes of AAL Shipping, Wallenius SOL, Cargotec and JAS Projects, among others. 

 AAL Shipping expands in the Middle East

Since establishing its AAL Middle East representative office in Dubai in early 2015, AAL Shipping’s  commercial presence in the region has grown to the point that the carrier is operating at least one scheduled multipurpose heavy lift cargo sailing through the region each month, with additional tramp sailings in support of customer demand.

Connecting the Middle East with these markets and developing trades with Southeast Asia, the US and Africa, AAL is expanding its local capabilities with the promotion of Karim Smaili to General Manager – Middle East and the appointment of a Cargo Superintendent to oversee its local project cargo operations.

Karim Smaili, General Manager of AAL Middle East, commented, “The Middle East has witnessed significant economic diversification and expansion of its industrial trade relations and capabilities over the past few years. The region is not only importing project cargo to meet local need but also exporting steel and locally fabricated project heavy lift components.

“We are also seeing trade lanes expand and develop with Southeast Asia, Africa, and the US strengthening ties on the back of widespread international reengagement with the region and geo-political uncertainty surrounding other areas of the world,” Smaili said.

He added, “AAL’s growth within this highly competitive market can be attributed to the regularity of our sailings, dependability of service, and flexibility of our cargo operations – especially with the complex cargoes we often carry and the challenges of the market and in-port operations before and during the pandemic.”

“As well as already operating monthly liner sailings on the busy trade route from Europe to Asia via the Middle East and India, we are also looking at westbound sailings from Asia to the Mediterranean and Continent calling India and the Persian Gulf en route,” he said.

Wallenius SOL get its new CEO

Ragnar Johansson has decided to step down from his post as CEO of Swedish shipping company Wallenius SOL to focus instead on developing the company’s business. Elvir Dzanic has been appointed as new CEO and comes from a position as CEO at Gothenburg Port Authority.

“Being part of this journey feels really exciting and challenging. For me, Wallenius SOL is so much more than a shipping company – it’s an infrastructure initiative and a guarantee of ongoing industrialisation in northern Sweden and Finland,” says Elvir Dzanic.

Cargotec appoints new lead

Cargotec’s Board of Directors has appointed Casimir Lindholm as its new President and CEO as of April 1, 2023, until which Cargotec’s current President and CEO Mika Vehvilainen will hold his position.

“I’m honored and excited to be leading Cargotec at such a pivotal moment in the company’s history, with a strong foundation and a clear vision into its next development phase of growth. I believe that the company is in an excellent position to create value by empowering our businesses even further in the years to come,” says Casimir Lindholm.

“Casimir is a seasoned leader as a listed company CEO with a proven track record of reshaping businesses. His membership in Cargotec’s Board is an advantage providing profound knowledge and understanding of Cargotec’s business and strategic direction”, says Jaakko Eskola, Chair of the Board of Directors.

JAS Projects makes promotions within its Projects division

JAS Projects has made a number of promotions in leadership positions within the Projects division with Heinz Zech retiring from his position of managing director at the end of February.

Zech has established the Project vertical within the JAS organisation after joining the company in 2011. Taking Zech’s position will be Thorsten Mock, also one of the founders of JAS Projects, who previously held the role of Regional Manager JAS Projects Germany, Japan, and Korea. He stepped into the role into his new role of global managing director JAS Projects on January 1, 2023.

Additionally, the company added that Boris Rüdiger will succeed Thorsten Mock in the position of Regional Manager JAS Projects, Germany, Japan, and Korea. Mock brings to his new role over 20 years of experience in the project logistics industry along with expertise in the chartering business and other activities.