Management
We would like to introduce you to the members of the Executive Board of Hapag-Lloyd AG with their career profiles.
Michael Behrendt
Chairman of the Executive Board of Hapag-Lloyd AG
Michael Behrendt
Michael Behrendt was born on June 19th 1951 in Hamburg. He studied law at the University of Hamburg, finalising his training at Hanseatisches Oberlandesgericht (Higher Regional Court) and graduating by passing the “Assessor” examination.
While being a student, Michael Behrendt gained practical experience at various companies in the US. He joined VTG Vereinigte Tanklager und Transportmittel GmbH in 1985 and was appointed Managing Director in 1994.
Following the merger between VTG and Lehnkering AG, Michael Behrendt was appointed Executive Board Chairman of VTG Lehnkering AG and Member of the Executive Board of Hapag-Lloyd AG in 1999. He has been Chairman of the Executive Board of Hapag-Lloyd AG since January 1st 2002, where he is responsible for inter alia, strategic and corporate development as well as finance and group communication.
Michael Behrendt is also President of the German Shipowners’ Association (Verband Deutscher Reeder; VDR), Vice President of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and a member of various supervisory and advisory boards.
Ulrich Kranich
Member of the Executive Board of Hapag-Lloyd AG
Ulrich Kranich
Ulrich Kranich was born on March 10th 1950 in Hamburg. After training as a forwarding professional, he studied business management in Bremen from 1972, graduating in 1974.
Ulrich Kranich has been with Hapag-Lloyd since 1975, serving in various positions in Germany and other countries, particularly in the cost management and controlling areas, as well as assuming responsibility for the profit centers of various trades.
He was appointed Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd Container Line GmbH in 1997 where he was responsible for the entire fleet expansion and for the controlling of ship and container costs worldwide. In 2005, he was put in charge of group finances and granted general power of attorney.
Ulrich Kranich was appointed to the Executive Board of Hapag-Lloyd AG with effect from July 1st 2006. Within this position he was responsible for the group financial area, including HR and IT.
On January 1st 2008 Kranich became chairman of the European Liner Affairs Association (ELAA).
As of June 2008 Ulrich Kranich has taken over the responsibility for the global operations of Hapag-Lloyd and remains responsible for HR.
