Posted on April 15, 2026
By Adis Ajdin
Danish Shipping has elected Maersk executive Caroline Pontoppidan as its new chairwoman, making her the first woman to lead the organisation in its history.
Pontoppidan (pictured in the middle), who serves as executive vice president, chief legal officer and head of corporate affairs at Maersk, succeeds DFDS chief executive Torben Carlsen, who had held the post since 2023.
She had previously served as vice chair of Danish Shipping for the past three years and takes over with immediate effect.
Danish Shipping chief executive Anne Steffensen said Pontoppidan brings deep experience from the sector.
“Caroline has been a prominent and dedicated member of the board in recent years, and I am confident she is the right person to help set the course ahead,” she said.
Pontoppidan said maintaining the right political and commercial conditions would be key if Danish shipping companies are to keep vessels under the national flag.
She said Danish owners need “an organisation behind us that understands our reality right down to the engine room” and can turn that understanding into policies that keep Denmark competitive.
The board of Danish Shipping consists of seven members from different shipping companies. As part of the reshuffle, Norden chief executive Jan Rindbo has been appointed vice chair of the industry body.
