Reederei Nord reshuffles top team

German shipowner and manager Reederei Nord has reshuffled its Hamburg leadership, promoting two long-serving executives to senior management roles as chief executive Kurt Klemme shifts more of his attention to shipping investments and new projects.

John Wessel has been named chief financial officer, while Pit Neubert takes over as chief operating officer. Both will serve as joint managing directors alongside Klemme, who retains his CEO position.

Wessel, who joined the company in 2015, will gradually assume responsibility for financial affairs at the Hamburg operation. He will also continue as managing director of OOI – Nord Investment, where he has developed shipping investments for the Oldendorff family alongside third-party investors. Before joining Nord, he worked in maritime mergers and acquisitions in London.

Neubert, meanwhile, will oversee operations across the Hamburg-managed fleet. He started at Reederei Nord as an apprentice in 2007 and has since worked across crewing, chartering and operations, including a three-and-a-half-year stint at Hanseatic Unity Chartering’s Singapore office.

Klemme will remain at the helm of Reederei Nord and the Oldendorff holding companies, concentrating primarily on developing new shipping projects for the family and outside investors.

The management changes come as the Hamburg-based owner pushes into larger bulk carriers. In May, Reederei Nord was linked to an order for up to four 211,000 dwt newcastlemax vessels at China’s Wuhu Shipyard, comprising two firm units and two options, with deliveries lined up for 2028 and 2029. Shipbuilding databases now show two newcastlemaxes and a pair of 176,700 dwt capes booked at the same yard.

Founded in 1964 by Klaus E. Oldendorff, the group has built its business across dry bulk, container shipping and tankers, with operations spanning Hamburg, Amsterdam and Limassol.

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