Maersk to replace Danish deck officers
Maersk Line’s plans to save money by replacing a number of its Danish deck officers with foreign nationals ignited controversy in Copenhagen, where the world’s largest container line is based.
Maersk announced plans Wednesday to replace 170 Danish deck officers with foreign “competent officers at a much lower price,” according to the Copenhagen Post.
The Danish carrier said it is not firing the officers, but offering them voluntary retirement.
The Danish Maritime Officers Association called the announcement “a dark day for Danish shipping,” the newspaper reported.
“Even though the shipper wants to do this voluntarily, it doesn’t change the message, which sounds to me like they want to do away with Danish workers on container ships in favor of cheaper Asian employees,” said Peer Boje Brandenborg, chairman of the association.
Denmark’s Commerce Minister Lene Espersen, however, said he had no problem with A.P. Moller Maersk’s plans.
“When a company’s earnings experience a great fall, it’s common sense to react like this,” said Espersen. “It’s about getting through the crisis and being ready for developments to turn around. ‘
Like all container lines, Maersk Line has been losing money because of plunging trade volumes and low freight rates. The carrier lost $961 million in the first half as it revenue dropped by 30 percent to $9.8 billion.
A.P. Moller Maersk declined to comment on how much they expect to save by replacing the Danish workers.
But the Danish Maritime Officers Association estimates the amount to be between $5.9 million and $6.5 million annually.
Maersk announced plans Wednesday to replace 170 Danish deck officers with foreign “competent officers at a much lower price,” according to the Copenhagen Post.
The Danish carrier said it is not firing the officers, but offering them voluntary retirement.
The Danish Maritime Officers Association called the announcement “a dark day for Danish shipping,” the newspaper reported.
“Even though the shipper wants to do this voluntarily, it doesn’t change the message, which sounds to me like they want to do away with Danish workers on container ships in favor of cheaper Asian employees,” said Peer Boje Brandenborg, chairman of the association.
Denmark’s Commerce Minister Lene Espersen, however, said he had no problem with A.P. Moller Maersk’s plans.
“When a company’s earnings experience a great fall, it’s common sense to react like this,” said Espersen. “It’s about getting through the crisis and being ready for developments to turn around. ‘
Like all container lines, Maersk Line has been losing money because of plunging trade volumes and low freight rates. The carrier lost $961 million in the first half as it revenue dropped by 30 percent to $9.8 billion.
A.P. Moller Maersk declined to comment on how much they expect to save by replacing the Danish workers.
But the Danish Maritime Officers Association estimates the amount to be between $5.9 million and $6.5 million annually.