PIL appoints new CEO

Lars Kastrup has been appointed as the new boss of the Singapore-headquartered Pacific International Lines (PIL) from 1 July, after the decision of the company’s board of directors.

As chief executive officer (CEO) of PIL, Kastrup will be responsible for leading the carrier’s growth and development including its sustainability transformation path towards net zero carbon emissions, according to PIL’s statement.

Formerly co-president and executive director since March 2021, Kastrup has experience and expertise as a shipping industry veteran with over 30 years of work history, holding leadership positions including CEO of NOL/APL and various senior positions in CMA CGM and Maersk.

S. S. Teo, executive chairman of PIL, said, “Since Lars joined us in July 2020, first as senior advisor followed by co-president and executive director, he has kickstarted various commercial and operational initiatives which have enabled the company to benefit from the strong market. He was instrumental in the restructuring, streamlining and optimisation of our trade network and vessel deployment aimed at transforming PIL into a strong and efficient shipping line.”

Kastrup commented, “I will continue to work with the board, executive chairman, and all the great teams at PIL, on shore and at sea, to position PIL to become even more competitive and agile, and to excel at anticipating and meeting the needs of our customers. We will push ahead to strengthen our connectivity, and deploy and renew our assets optimally and efficiently, all supported by further digitalisation.  I am also excited at being able to help bring PIL towards achieving our target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

The Singaporean container shipping firm has also announced the retirement of Gan Chee Yen, who joined PIL as senior advisor in July 2020 before becoming co-president and executive director in March 2021.