Wilhelmsen Ship Management today announces the retirement of
Carl Schou after 19 years of service, including 16 years as CEO. Under his leadership, the
company navigated industry challenges while instilling safety, innovation, and growth. Haakon
Lenz, currently serving as Chief Operating Officer, will assume the role of CEO on 1 January
2025.
Steering rough waters and driving innovation and change
During his time at the helm, Carl Schou played a pivotal role in transforming Wilhelmsen Ship
Management into a respected global leader, enhancing its reputation as a forward-thinking,
responsible, and reliable ship manager. Schou emphasized the critical role of ship management
in adapting to new regulations and the growing focus on decarbonization.
“We have made significant strides in modernising ship operations, prioritising safety for our
seafarers, protecting the environment and enhancing overall efficiency. This is a long-term
journey for the entire industry, and I am proud that Wilhelmsen Ship Management has been at
the forefront together with our customers.” Further reflecting on his time at Wilhelmsen,
Schou remarked, “It has been an honour to lead such a talented and dedicated team for nearly
two decades. Our success is rooted in a strong people-centric culture and our commitment to
doing things the right way. I am confident that Ship Management will continue to thrive under
Haakon’s leadership.”
Grabbing the helm at pivotal moment for ship managers
Amid increasing regulatory pressures, ship managers with well-established systems are
becoming crucial in assisting ship owners to operate their fleets in a compliant and cost-
efficient manner. Haakon Lenz, a seasoned maritime leader with extensive experience across
various operational and technical functions, is poised to lead Wilhelmsen Ship Management
into this next chapter. Lenz started his career in DNV before moving into ship management for
V.ships Norway. He joined Wilhelmsen Ship Management in 2008 and has since held several
leadership positions, including Vice President for Region Europe and the US. Most recently, as
Chief Operating Officer, Lenz oversaw the operations of Wilhelmsen Ship Management globally.
“I am eager to build on the strong foundation Carl has laid,” Lenz commented. “I look forward
to working closely with our talented team. Together, we’ll continue our focus on operational
excellence, sustainability, and growth— always putting people at the core of what we do as we
support our customers in the challenges ahead.”
Lenz’s technical expertise as a naval architect, combined with his hands-on experience in ship
management and global operations, makes him well-positioned to continue Wilhelmsen’s
tradition of delivering world-class ship management services.
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Seamless relay and turning 50!
As Haakon Lenz takes on his new role as CEO of Ship Management 1 January, Carl Schou will
continue to support Haakon in the capacity of senior advisor for a period of six months. This
ensures a smooth transition for all customers, employees and stakeholders as the company
moves forward under Lenz’s leadership. In 2025, the company will also celebrate 50 years of
delivering services under Wilhelmsen group ownership. Building on the group’s maritime legacy
and reputation, Lenz and his team will remain focused on delivering high-quality ship
management services.
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About Wilhelmsen Ship Management
Wilhelmsen Ship Management is the ship management arm of the Wilhelmsen Group. We are one of
the world’s largest third-party ship managers with a portfolio of more than 450 vessels and 12,000
active seafarers. Wilhelmsen provides technical and crew management services for various vessel
segments: LNG/LPG; Ro-Ro and PCC/PCTC vessels; FPSO/FSO; Container; Cruise; Bulk; Seismic; and
Offshore. Wilhelmsen manages vessels from eight offices worldwide alongside a crewing network of 11
manning offices. Other key services include dry-docking services, layup services and newbuilding
supervision.
About Wilhelmsen
Founded in Norway in 1861, Wilhelmsen is now a comprehensive global maritime group. Committed to
shaping the maritime industry, through our market-leading products, services and support, we also seek
to develop new opportunities in renewables, zero-emission shipping, and marine digitalisation. We take
innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled customer experiences one step further.
