New chairman of JL-Fondet

Jens Ditlev Lauritzen has been elected new chairman of JL-Fondet, the parent foundation and sole shareholder of Vesterhavet A/S, which in turn is the parent company of wholly-owned J. Lauritzen A/S and DFDS A/S (56% holding). In connection with the election, Jens Ditlev Lauritzen resigns as president of Lauritzen Bulkers A/S. Mr Lauritzen became member of the board of directors of JL-Fondet in 1997 and deputy chairman in 1999.

Jens Ditlev Lauritzen (52) is the great-grandchild of Ditlev Lauritzen, who founded J. Lauritzen in 1884, and son of Jørgen Ditlev Lauritzen, who founded the shipping company Concord Line.

Jens Ditlev Lauritzen is a genuine shipping professional, who embarked upon his career at J. Lauritzen’s own merchant navy school, and afterwards he became a shipping trainee at J. Lauritzen’s head office in Copenhagen. Mr Lauritzen continued his shipping education in London and worked as charterer at Finzi, Layman, Clark & Co. and as insurance broker at Jardine Glanvill.

In 1982, Mr Lauritzen returned to Copenhagen and worked for J. Lauritzen’s dry cargo and tanker department. Later that year he was posted to the company’s newly opened office in New York in a position as charterer. In 1984, he reverted to Copenhagen as chartering manager in the dry cargo department. In 1991 he returned to the USA as president of the New York office. In 1994, Mr Lauritzen was appointed senior chartering manager of the dry cargo department in Copenhagen and in 1998 he became president of Lauritzen Bulkers A/S.

During Mr Lauritzen’s presidency of Lauritzen Bulkers A/S, the company has developed its business profile profoundly from being an operator of primarily handysize bulk carriers to an international shipowner and operator in all bulk carrier segments.

Mr Lauritzen has an extensive international network within the shipping industry and he is respected for his maritime professionalism.

In his leadership, Mr Lauritzen is result-oriented, open and has a receptive mind. He is strongly influenced by the social responsibility that has always characterized the company’s relations towards its employees, and which is also a vital and integral part of the humanitarian work of JL-Fondet.

He is married to Marianne and father to 16 year-old Christian. The new chairman of JL-Fondet is a very private person, but those close to him know that he is a passionate golf player with a one-digit handicap, but also race horses have his keen interest.

For additional information, please contact Inge Grønvold,
Director of JL-Fondet at phone + 45 3396 8443.