Antwerp, Belgium: Safmarine is to integrate its internal support and management functions into those of sister company Maersk Line. The brand will remain as part of Maersk Liner Business.
Eivind Kolding, chief executive, Maersk Liner Business says that Safmarine is an important component in the Liner Business strategy but the need to ensure management efficiencies and control cost lead to the decision to merge Safmarine’s management into that of Maersk Line.
Merging internal support functions and central management involves closing Safmarine’s Antwerp head office and regional offices in Antwerp, Shanghai, Dubai, Cape Town, and Mumbai, along with centre support functions currently carried out in Singapore and Cape Town. This will potentially affect 240 people in those locations.
Safmarine’s chief executive, Tomas Dyrbye is leaving his position but no successor has been announced.
Safmarine currently operates alongside Maersk Line as an independent ship owner and shipping line serving Africa, the Middle East and India. This move will reduce core costs of running the businesses.
Maersk Liner Business also operates regional brands SeaGoLine in Europe and MCC in Asia.
The Multi Purpose Vessel business of Safmarine is unaffected by the integration and continues to operate from Antwerp.
