Danish businessman Maersk Mc-Kinney Moeller, who successfully helmed his family’s shipping company for almost 40 years, died on Monday (16 April) aged 98.
McKinney-Moeller is credited with overseeing the company’s growth to become one of the world’s largest shipping lines with over 100,000 employees and subsidiaries and offices in 135 countries.
According to a report in the New York Times, the company now handles around 15 per cent of the world’s manufactured goods shipped by sea.
Mc-Kinney Moeller joined the company before the onset of World War II and in 1965 was appointed chairman of the group - a role he held up until 2003.
Will and energy characterised Mc-Kinney Moeller's endeavours, wrote the group’s chairman Michael Pram Rasmussen in a media release. “Foresight, careful preparation and a never failing commitment created the significant international business that the AP Moeller–Maersk Group is today. Maersk Mc-Kinney Moeller was famous for his business talent and his visions and he took and supported initiatives that brought prosperity and growth to countries all over the world – including Denmark,” said Rasmussen.
Ane Maersk Mc-Kinney Uggla wrote in a media release: “on behalf of the entire family, I wish to express our deep sorrow at the loss of our father, grandfather and great grandfather, Maersk Mc-Kinney Moeller. My sisters and I have lost a father who never failed neither his family nor his business. We are grateful that our father lived a long and eventful life. In his never failing wish to do good, together with many and great initiatives, he has left a significant mark on our time.'
At the time of his death, Moeller was chairman of the board of the AP Moeller and Chastine Mc-Kinney Moeller Foundation, the AP Moeller Relief Foundation, and the Maersk Employee Foundation - all of which are significant shareholders of AP Moeller - Maersk A/S.
