Carl-Johan Hagman joins Hoegh Autoliners as Chief Executive Officer

The Board of Directors of Hoegh Autoliners is pleased to announce that Carl-Johan Hagman has accepted the position as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company.  Mr Hagman will succeed Thor Jorgen Guttormsen by year end 2008. 

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 Hoegh & Co and Hoegh Autoliners. He will remain in his role as Chief Executive Officer of Leif Hoegh & Co and be a non-Executive Director of Hoegh Autoliners and Hoegh LNG.

Leif O. Hoegh, Chairman of Hoegh Autoliners said: Carl-Johan Hagman is the best possible CEO to lead Hoegh Autoliners in its next stage of development. Following on from our successful growth in recent years, the introduction of A.P.Moller-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 Hoegh 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 Hoegh Autoliners organisation.

Source: American Shipper