The board of directors at the Maersk Group has appointed Søren Skou as the new chief executive officer, effective July 1, 2016.

“Søren has strong business acumen and thorough knowledge of the group’s various businesses and has successfully restructured the businesses he has led,” said Michael Pram Rasmussen, chairman of the board. “The board of directors knows Søren as a respected and knowledgeable leader with the ability to adapt quickly to market changes in close collaboration with the board of directors, the executive management and his employees.”

Skou, who joined Maersk in 1983 and has been CEO of Maersk Line since 2012, succeeds Nils Andersen, who has been CEO of the group since 2007.

“On behalf of the board of directors I thank Nils S. Andersen for considerable results in fronting the group’s international growth, strengthening the customer focus and competitiveness of the businesses, as well as simplifying governance and increasing transparency and communication with our stakeholders,” said Rasmussen.