The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the World Maritime University (WMU) have announced the appointment of Mr. Torben Skaanild (pictured) as new Chairman of the Executive Board of the University. Mr. Skaanild is the Secretary General of BIMCO and will replace Mr. Jan Kopernicki, who is retiring.
In thanking Mr. Kopernicki for his term as Chairman of the Executive Board of WMU, IMO Secretary-General and Chancellor of the University, Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, said: “As the Board’s first Chairman, I am grateful to Mr. Kopernicki for his commitment to the University and his work in leading it to a stable and sustainable future.”
Welcoming Mr. Skaanild on his appointment, Mr. Mitropoulos said: “I am delighted to welcome Mr. Skaanild to the Executive Board and look forward to working with him as the University meets the twin challenges of serving the demands of international shipping and maintaining its reputation as a globally-recognized centre of excellence in the maritime field.”
About Mr. Torben Skaanild
Torben C. Skaanild has had a long and very international career within the shipping industry, having held executive positions in Canada, The Philippines, Thailand and Hong Kong, China, before returning to Denmark to join BIMCO in 1981 as Deputy Secretary General. In 1984 he was appointed Secretary General of BIMCO, and left in 1991 to join Dr. Helmut Sohmen and the World-Wide Shipping Group (now BW Group), Hong Kong, China, as a Director.
His academic qualifications were obtained through The East Asiatic Co., Ltd (EAC) and its traditional commercial training programme in Business Administration, complemented with studies at the University of British Columbia/British Columbia Institute of Technology (Canada) and the Columbia University Graduate School of Business (USA).
On return from Hong Kong, China, he founded Skaanild & Partners, engaging in various advisory and investment projects including the turn-around and restructuring of small to medium sized companies. He was also involved with several companies at board-level, among other as Chairman of the Board of Dynatest International A/S and associated companies.
In 2008, Torben returned to BIMCO in his old position as Secretary General, and Chairman of the Board of BIMCO Informatique A/S.
Externally of BIMCO he is the proprietor of Skaanild & Partners ApS and manages its investment portfolio.
His non-executive positions include:
– Member of the Board of Latin America Snack Company Ltd.
– Member of the IACS Board of Appeal.
He is an active member and Past President of Rotary and has held various honorary positions including that of Vice-consul of Denmark. He was decorated with the title “Commendatore of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy” by the President of the Republic of Italy on
2 June 1991.
He was appointed to the Board of Governors of the University in February 2010.
Website: www.wmu.se
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