KIM ULLMAN RETIRES AFTER 45 YEARS IN SHIPPING

“Kim Ullman is recognized in the market as a skilled and driven “shipping man” and as such has made important contributions for the Stena Sphere in a cyclical and sometimes very challenging market,” says Carl-Johan Hagman, chairman of the board for Concordia Maritime. “We will miss Kim’s drive, market insights and friendship.”

“The past few years have been extremely tough for the entire tanker industry, but we have now delivered the necessary new bank agreement so the company can move on,” says Kin Ullman. “I’m also still convinced that we will see a gradual improvement in the future. Such is the tanker market – volatile and challenging, but also very exciting and full of opportunities.”

Kim Ullman was involved in starting Stena’s operations in tanker shipping in the early 1980s, what is now Stena Bulk and Concordia Maritime. In addition to his position as the deputy CEO of Stena Bulk for many years, Kim Ullman has also served as the CEO for StenTex, manager for Stena Bulk’s office in Houston and then CEO for Stena LNG and Stena Weco. For the past eight years, he has been Concordia Maritime’s CEO.

BREATHING ROOM

After the first three profitable years 2014-2016, the company to stay afloat on its own through during the bad years 2017-2019 thanks to certain beneficial business arrange-ments. Then came the Corona pandemic, which has naturally entailed major challenges with global oil consumption over the past two years. Last month, an agreement was reached with lending banks entailing a financing solution for Concordia Maritime for just over three years. 

“Martin Nerfeldt, Sofia Hjälmdal and I have worked night and day throughout 2021 to get the new banking agreement in place,” says Kim Ullman. “The company can now enter the next phase, which was necessary. But it’s quite sad that I cannot leave when we’re at the top.”

Erik Lewenhaupt, who will take over from Kim Ullman on January 1, has most recently serviced as Sustainability Manager at Stena Line.

“To now be able to welcome Erik Lewenhaupt back to tanker shipping is great,” says Carl-Johan Hagman. “Erik has extensive experience in both tanker shipping and sustainability – two very essential areas as we look to the future. We wish him every success in navigating the cyclical and volatile tanker market from his new position.”

“I know that it’s impossible to replace Kim Ullman, but someone has to do it,” says Erik Lewenhaupt. “I’m very excited to be back in the tanker industry and although the market has been a challenge recently, I believe that Concordia, which supplies both today’s and tomorrow’s fuels, has an important role to play.”