Page 39 - Next Generation 2015 - Digtial Issue
P. 39
Next Generation Europe
The 35-year-old
‘golden boy’ with
academic credentials
and investment
experience has
a plethora of
directorship roles in
the Fredriksen empire
UK
Harald Thorstein
Eyal Ofer, centre with sons Daniel Ofer, left, and David WITH an already impressive resumé
peppered with directorships, it might
board and subsequently accompanying They pride themselves on the come across as condescending to label
the watchkeeper in his night watch quality of their operational fleet Harald Thorstein a rising star of the
duties during sailing. and flexibility with charterers, with John Fredriksen shipping and energy
whom they have numerous enduring empire.
Zodiac’s solid reputation stems partnerships.
from the ethos of hard work, discipline Yet the shadow cast by Mr
and dedication ingrained over the years Such advantages have allowed Fredriksen and his former right-hand
by both Sammy and Eyal Ofer, combined them to continue to be very active in man, Tor Olav Trøim, is long and
with the steadfast professional guidance the S&P market and grow the fleet broad — hence the inclination to
provided by the legendary shipping by over 25% in recent years, while mark anyone under 40 in close orbit
guru Captain Rami Zingher, who retired remaining low key and private in of the leadership as a rising star and
from Zodiac in 2013. their transactions. The fleet they now the next generation of shipping’s
manage consists of more than 130 decision-makers.
Together, Daniel and David vessels in the bulk, container, tanker,
continue this legacy by growing the fleet chemical, gas and PCTC sectors. Certainly, Mr Thorstein, 35, has
with the same disciplined and private been called Mr Fredriksen’s “golden
approach that have been the core values Zodiac Maritime represents the boy” and Mr Trøim is said to have
of the business from the beginning. commercial shipping arm of Eyal endorsed him emphatically, not least
Ofer’s wider international business because he hails from the same place
With the support of commercial domain. His other maritime interests as Mr Trøim, Sandefjord.
director Samuel Gontha, the brothers sit include OMNI Offshore Terminals,
at the centre of a new open-plan office at the largest FSO operator in Southeast But it is not just his home town
Zodiac’s headquarters in London’s West Asia, and a large stake in Royal that marks Mr Thorstein out as a man
End, where they continue to immerse Caribbean Cruises, the world’s second- to keep a close eye on as he further
themselves in all aspects of the shipping largest cruise line. cements his position in the Fredriksen
operations. empire over the coming years.
His high-powered mix of solid
academic credentials and investment
experience are a formidable
combination in a shipping industry
on the cusp of recovery in certain
sectors, new growth and new
investment expected for the sharpest
companies able to take advantage of
the shifting tides.
A master’s degree in industrial
economics and technology
www.lloydslist.com | Lloyd’s List Next Generation 2015 | 39
