Our story goes back to 1921, when 21-year-old Egon Oldendorff became a partner in a small Hamburg shipping business, renamed Lillienfeld & Oldendorff. The business endured the hardships of two world wars and several financial recessions, but in the 1950s a freight boom saw the fleet rebuilt rapidly. From a local focus in the Baltic timber trade, Oldendorff grew into becoming one of the largest drybulk shipowners and operators in the world.
Our story began on 19th February 1921 in Hamburg, when young Egon Oldendorff became a partner in the small shipping company that he had joined as a trainee nine months earlier. At 21, he had just come of age. The company was renamed Lilienfeld & Oldendorff and at the end of the same year, Egon Oldendorff took control of the remaining shares. He was born on 17th February 1900 in a North Sea village, where his father ran a small bank.
Our story began on 19th February 1921 in Hamburg, when young Egon Oldendorff became a partner in the small shipping company that he had joined as a trainee nine months earlier. At 21, he had just come of age. The company was renamed Lilienfeld & Oldendorff and at the end of the same year, Egon Oldendorff took control of the remaining shares. He was born on 17th February 1900 in a North Sea village, where his father ran a small bank.
Lübeck was a major port in northern Germany located on the river Trave. It was the leading city of the Hanseatic League.
Lübeck was a major port in northern Germany located on the river Trave. It was the leading city of the Hanseatic League.
At the outbreak of World War Two, the company was operating 13 steamers in European waters. Most of the ships were either requisitioned, seized, sunk or scuttled.
At the outbreak of World War Two, the company was operating 13 steamers in European waters. Most of the ships were either requisitioned, seized, sunk or scuttled.
After the Allies lifted restrictions on what size of ships German owners were permitted to buy or build, the fleet was built up quickly. Post-war reconstruction and the 1950–1953 Korean War created a freight-rate boom.
After the Allies lifted restrictions on what size of ships German owners were permitted to buy or build, the fleet was built up quickly. Post-war reconstruction and the 1950–1953 Korean War created a freight-rate boom.
Oldendorff builds its first bulk carrier; 15,400 tdw Magdalana Oldendorff at Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft.
Oldendorff builds its first bulk carrier; 15,400 tdw Magdalana Oldendorff at Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft.
By the Company’s 50th anniversary it had already been through a Depression and World War II. The Company grew rapidly to become Germany’s largest bulk shipowner.
By the Company’s 50th anniversary it had already been through a Depression and World War II. The Company grew rapidly to become Germany’s largest bulk shipowner.
Expansion into the tanker business was an experiment, the Company soon decided to re-focus on dry cargo.
Expansion into the tanker business was an experiment, the Company soon decided to re-focus on dry cargo.
Henning Oldendorff joined the company as CEO in 1980 at the age of 23 – his father had turned 80 a few months earlier.
Henning Oldendorff joined the company as CEO in 1980 at the age of 23 – his father had turned 80 a few months earlier.
Henning Oldendorff becomes the majority shareholder at age 26.
Henning Oldendorff becomes the majority shareholder at age 26.
Henning’s vision was to push for "bottom-up management" by delegating most decision-making to those employees who work closest with the cargo clients and suppliers. After opening the first base in Asia in 1989, he started up a separate cargo/parcel operator by the name of Concept Carriers in 1995.
Henning’s vision was to push for "bottom-up management" by delegating most decision-making to those employees who work closest with the cargo clients and suppliers. After opening the first base in Asia in 1989, he started up a separate cargo/parcel operator by the name of Concept Carriers in 1995.
FSG was a modern shipyard specializing in container vessels, ferries, offshore and naval vessels. The yard was sold in 2008.
FSG was a modern shipyard specializing in container vessels, ferries, offshore and naval vessels. The yard was sold in 2008.
These two self-unloading vessels were built in Korea to service the aggregates trade from Scotland to the Thames river. The aggregates were used to construct the concrete sections for the Channel Tunnel.
These two self-unloading vessels were built in Korea to service the aggregates trade from Scotland to the Thames river. The aggregates were used to construct the concrete sections for the Channel Tunnel.
EO and CSL join forces in the self-unloader market.
EO and CSL join forces in the self-unloader market.
As worldwide trade expanded, the Oldendorff dry bulk fleet grew primarily in the Handy and Panamax sizes.
As worldwide trade expanded, the Oldendorff dry bulk fleet grew primarily in the Handy and Panamax sizes.
Concept Bulk Carriers, a ship and cargo operator, acquired by EO and renamed Concept Carriers. Peter Twiss joins the company. Bottom-up management introduced.
Concept Bulk Carriers, a ship and cargo operator, acquired by EO and renamed Concept Carriers. Peter Twiss joins the company. Bottom-up management introduced.
EO opens an office in Shanghai, primarily for S&P and newbuilding business.
EO opens an office in Shanghai, primarily for S&P and newbuilding business.
Vancouver office opens, booking cargo from Canadian west coast to India.
Vancouver office opens, booking cargo from Canadian west coast to India.
Moved to newly built office on top of Senator Hotel in Lübeck.
Moved to newly built office on top of Senator Hotel in Lübeck.
Melbourne office opened – 2001 John Vassos and team parcelling spot cargos on Handysize vessels to India and Asia. Triangular trade developed from Australia to India, steels from India to Europe or the US Gulf, fertilisers back to Australia.
Melbourne office opened – 2001 John Vassos and team parcelling spot cargos on Handysize vessels to India and Asia. Triangular trade developed from Australia to India, steels from India to Europe or the US Gulf, fertilisers back to Australia.
Oldendorff purchases the Senator hotel below the office in Lübeck.
Oldendorff purchases the Senator hotel below the office in Lübeck.
Egon Oldendorff and Concept Carriers merge to become Oldendorff Carriers (OC).
Egon Oldendorff and Concept Carriers merge to become Oldendorff Carriers (OC).
First transshipment project starts in Turkey.
First transshipment project starts in Turkey.
Oldendorff Indotrans liner service launched between North America, the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia.
Oldendorff Indotrans liner service launched between North America, the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia.
This was a unique situation where a traditional German shipowner merged with an operator.
This was a unique situation where a traditional German shipowner merged with an operator.
Ice class Magdalena Oldendorff stuck in Antarctica with 79 scientists and 28 crew. Rescue operation.
Ice class Magdalena Oldendorff stuck in Antarctica with 79 scientists and 28 crew. Rescue operation.
Peter Twiss appointed CEO & President, orchestrates global expansion recognising the need to be closer to customers.
Peter Twiss appointed CEO & President, orchestrates global expansion recognising the need to be closer to customers.
Stamford office opens – Henrik Christiansen.
Stamford office opens – Henrik Christiansen.
Oldendorff Indotrans sold to John Swire & Sons.
Oldendorff Indotrans sold to John Swire & Sons.
Tokyo office opens – Takuma Ogawa.
Tokyo office opens – Takuma Ogawa.
Guyana barging and transshipment project starts.
Guyana barging and transshipment project starts.
Board expanded to today’s structure.
Board expanded to today’s structure.
Singapore office re-opened as commercial office and future Pacific hub of OC.
Singapore office re-opened as commercial office and future Pacific hub of OC.
Abu Dhabi transshipment project signed.
Abu Dhabi transshipment project signed.
13th office opened in Singapore. Turnover exceeds $3bn for first time.
13th office opened in Singapore. Turnover exceeds $3bn for first time.
Joint venture established for transshipment in the Arabian Gulf.
Joint venture established for transshipment in the Arabian Gulf.
Flensburger (FSG) shipyard sold to Munich-based private equity firm.
Flensburger (FSG) shipyard sold to Munich-based private equity firm.
Representative office opened in Hong Kong.
Representative office opened in Hong Kong.
A multi-user, multi-commodity transshipment hub was set up to provide restricted ports in the Americas a way to export to the Middle East and Asia using Capesize vessels.
A multi-user, multi-commodity transshipment hub was set up to provide restricted ports in the Americas a way to export to the Middle East and Asia using Capesize vessels.
Recognizing the importance of environmental protection, the Company replaces most of the fleet with environmentally friendly vessels.
Recognizing the importance of environmental protection, the Company replaces most of the fleet with environmentally friendly vessels.
Opened an office in Dubai for Arabian Gulf shipping business.
Opened an office in Dubai for Arabian Gulf shipping business.
Commercial rep office opened in Santiago.
Commercial rep office opened in Santiago.
Company goes back to its roots and opens a commercial office in Hamburg.
Company goes back to its roots and opens a commercial office in Hamburg.
To better meet client needs, shipping expertise for the Indian ocean area is beefed-up in Dubai.
To better meet client needs, shipping expertise for the Indian ocean area is beefed-up in Dubai.
On 1 June 2017, our 18th office was opened in Copenhagen to dip into the pool of qualified shipping people in Denmark.
On 1 June 2017, our 18th office was opened in Copenhagen to dip into the pool of qualified shipping people in Denmark.
Transshipment operations commenced in South Vietnam with the transshipment platform Lena.
Transshipment operations commenced in South Vietnam with the transshipment platform Lena.
Transshipment contract signed for North Vietnam.
Transshipment contract signed for North Vietnam.
Agreement signed with MIT to investigate disruptive technologies in ship design.
Agreement signed with MIT to investigate disruptive technologies in ship design.
Shipping and transshipment contract signed for Bangladesh.
Shipping and transshipment contract signed for Bangladesh.
JV office in Vietnam opened for transshipment.
JV office in Vietnam opened for transshipment.
Company celebrates its 100th Jubilee having been family-owned throughout its history.
Company celebrates its 100th Jubilee having been family-owned throughout its history.
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