Svend Andersen, widely regarded as one of the most influential commercial figures in the modern heavylift and project cargo shipping sector, has passed away. Over several decades, he helped professionalise and consolidate a niche segment of shipping. Andersen was a recognised heavylift and multipurpose shipping veteran, having started in the industry as a trainee in 1972. He was a founder of Copenship in 1978 and operated his own shipping company, S.A. Shipping, from 1981. Andersen joined Intermarine in 1993 and later moved into the project and heavylift segment. He is best known for co-founding and leading BBC Chartering, where he spent 23 years building it into a global leader in the project, heavylift and multipurpose market. After BBC Chartering, he became CEO of Intermarine under SAL Heavy Lift’s stewardship. He was widely respected for his market insight, leadership and mentorship across generations of industry professionals. “Plain talking, shipping remains a low return, high risk business and it may only prove successful for long term engagements – this is valid today more than ever,” Andersen told Maritime CEO in an interview 12 years ago. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1_95_0_1_2'); });