Having recently taken over as joint chief executive for WWL and Eukor Car Carriers following the company’s restructuring news, Craig Jasienski shares some of his thoughts on the ro-ro shipping market, his career so far and priorities ahead of the WWL ASA listing next year
The car and ro-ro shipping markets have changed significantly in recent years. Today we face a fragmented and volatile market, and there is a need to effectively meet the increasing complexity of our operations.
Consequently, Wallenius and Wilhelmsen have decided to combine their ownership of WWL and Eukor Car Carriers, along with most vessels and other assets, into one entity. The move is wise and perfectly timed.
In contrast to the shipping market, WWL has experienced solid growth in land-based logistics in recent years. This includes port- and plant-based vehicle processing for autos and heavy equipment, marine terminals and inland transport. In the last couple of years, our land-based services have grown into a global billion-dollar business.
Although everything we do is a team effort, I am convinced that our success with land-based operations comes down to Chris Connor’s leadership of WWL these past years. (Read an exclusive interview with Chris Connor from last year here.)
I am therefore very pleased that he has been appointed chairman of WWL Land Based Holdings and will lead a strategic review of our land-based activities to identify how we can further strengthen this business. In my opinion, we couldn't have asked for a better person to lead us forward in this area.
As the new joint CEO for WWL and Eukor Car Carriers, I look forward to working with all the great people in these two companies to serve our valued customers worldwide in the years to come.
My journey in this global maritime group started in a Wilhelmsen-owned company in Australia back in 1987. Since then, I have held a variety of roles and, more recently, I’ve spent my time as CEO of short-sea shipping line United European Car Carriers (UECC) and lastly as president and CEO of Eukor Car Carriers.
My first priority will be to ensure a smooth transition in the coming months together with the management teams of WWL and Eukor. We are working to launch the new listed WWL ASA in the first quarter of 2017.
Although there are many questions that need to be answered in the coming weeks and months, we are confident that we will be able to serve our customers even better under the WWL ASA umbrella.
With all assets combined, we’ll become the largest deep sea PCTC and ro-ro company in the world, and I look forward to working with you in the years to come on this exciting journey.
This article first appeared on the Wallenius and Wilhelmsen website. Please note it has been edited to reflect Automotive Logistics’ house style.
