1920s

OLDENDORFF FOUNDED

1921

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.

1921

OLDENDORFF FOUNDED

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.

HEADQUARTERS MOVED TO LÜBECK

1925

Lübeck was a major port in northern Germany located on the river Trave. It was the leading city of the Hanseatic League.

1925

HEADQUARTERS MOVED TO LÜBECK

Lübeck was a major port in northern Germany located on the river Trave. It was the leading city of the Hanseatic League.

1930s

1940s

WW2 REDUCES FLEET

1945

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.

1945

WW2 REDUCES FLEET

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.

1950s

FIRST POST-WAR NEWBUILDING LAUNCHED

1950

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.

1950

FIRST POST-WAR NEWBUILDING LAUNCHED

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.

COMPANY BUILDS FIRST BULK CARRIER

1958

Oldendorff builds its first bulk carrier; 15,400 tdw Magdalana Oldendorff at Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft.

1958

COMPANY BUILDS FIRST BULK CARRIER

Oldendorff builds its first bulk carrier; 15,400 tdw Magdalana Oldendorff at Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft.

1960s

1970s

FLEET GROWS TO 33 UNITS

1971

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.

1971

FLEET GROWS TO 33 UNITS

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.

TWO 230,000 TDW VLCCS ORDERED AT HDW

1973

Expansion into the tanker business was an experiment, the Company soon decided to re-focus on dry cargo.

1973

TWO 230,000 TDW VLCCS ORDERED AT HDW

Expansion into the tanker business was an experiment, the Company soon decided to re-focus on dry cargo.

1980s

HENNING OLDENDORFF BECOMES CEO AGED 23

1980

Henning Oldendorff joined the company as CEO in 1980 at the age of 23 – his father had turned 80 a few months earlier.

1980

HENNING OLDENDORFF BECOMES CEO AGED 23

Henning Oldendorff joined the company as CEO in 1980 at the age of 23 – his father had turned 80 a few months earlier.

FOUNDER EGON OLDENDORFF DIES AGED 84

1984

Henning Oldendorff becomes the majority shareholder at age 26.

1984

FOUNDER EGON OLDENDORFF DIES AGED 84

Henning Oldendorff becomes the majority shareholder at age 26.

FIRST ASIAN OFFICE ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG

1989

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.

1989

FIRST ASIAN OFFICE ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG

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.

1990s

TAKEOVER OF GERMAN YARD FLENSBURGER SCHIFFBAU-GESELLSCHAFT

1990

FSG was a modern shipyard specializing in container vessels, ferries, offshore and naval vessels. The yard was sold in 2008.

1990

TAKEOVER OF GERMAN YARD FLENSBURGER SCHIFFBAU-GESELLSCHAFT

FSG was a modern shipyard specializing in container vessels, ferries, offshore and naval vessels. The yard was sold in 2008.

TWO 77,000 TDW UNLOADERS ACQUIRED

1992

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.

1992

TWO 77,000 TDW UNLOADERS ACQUIRED

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.

Self-unloader market

1994

EO and CSL join forces in the self-unloader market.

1994

Self-unloader market

EO and CSL join forces in the self-unloader market.

FLEET GROWS TO 80 SHIPS

1995

As worldwide trade expanded, the Oldendorff dry bulk fleet grew primarily in the Handy and Panamax sizes.

1995

FLEET GROWS TO 80 SHIPS

As worldwide trade expanded, the Oldendorff dry bulk fleet grew primarily in the Handy and Panamax sizes.

CONCEPT BULK CARRIERS ACQUIRED

1995

Concept Bulk Carriers, a ship and cargo operator, acquired by EO and renamed Concept Carriers. Peter Twiss joins the company. Bottom-up management introduced.

1995

CONCEPT BULK CARRIERS ACQUIRED

Concept Bulk Carriers, a ship and cargo operator, acquired by EO and renamed Concept Carriers. Peter Twiss joins the company. Bottom-up management introduced.

SHANGHAI OFFICE OPENS

1996

EO opens an office in Shanghai, primarily for S&P and newbuilding business.

1996

SHANGHAI OFFICE OPENS

EO opens an office in Shanghai, primarily for S&P and newbuilding business.

NEW CANADIAN OFFICE OPENS

1996

Vancouver office opens, booking cargo from Canadian west coast to India.

1996

NEW CANADIAN OFFICE OPENS

Vancouver office opens, booking cargo from Canadian west coast to India.

MOVE TO NEW OFFICE IN LÜBECK

1999

Moved to newly built office on top of Senator Hotel in Lübeck.

1999

MOVE TO NEW OFFICE IN LÜBECK

Moved to newly built office on top of Senator Hotel in Lübeck.

MELBOURNE OFFICE OPENING

1999

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.

1999

MELBOURNE OFFICE OPENING

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.

2000s

THE SENATOR HOTEL IS PURCHASED

2000

Oldendorff purchases the Senator hotel below the office in Lübeck.

2000

THE SENATOR HOTEL IS PURCHASED

Oldendorff purchases the Senator hotel below the office in Lübeck.

MERGER OF EGON OLDENDORFF AND CONCEPT CARRIERS

2001

Egon Oldendorff and Concept Carriers merge to become Oldendorff Carriers (OC).

2001

MERGER OF EGON OLDENDORFF AND CONCEPT CARRIERS

Egon Oldendorff and Concept Carriers merge to become Oldendorff Carriers (OC).

FIRST TURKISH TRANSSHIPMENT PROJECT

2001

First transshipment project starts in Turkey.

2001

FIRST TURKISH TRANSSHIPMENT PROJECT

First transshipment project starts in Turkey.

Indotrans liner service launched

2001

Oldendorff Indotrans liner service launched between North America, the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia.

2001

Indotrans liner service launched

Oldendorff Indotrans liner service launched between North America, the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia.

EGON OLDENDORFF AND CONCEPT CARRIERS MERGE TO BECOME OLDENDORFF CARRIERS

2001

This was a unique situation where a traditional German shipowner merged with an operator.

2001

EGON OLDENDORFF AND CONCEPT CARRIERS MERGE TO BECOME OLDENDORFF CARRIERS

This was a unique situation where a traditional German shipowner merged with an operator.

RESCUE OPERATION FOR MAGDALENA OLDENDORFF

2002

Ice class Magdalena Oldendorff stuck in Antarctica with 79 scientists and 28 crew. Rescue operation.

2002

RESCUE OPERATION FOR MAGDALENA OLDENDORFF

Ice class Magdalena Oldendorff stuck in Antarctica with 79 scientists and 28 crew. Rescue operation.

PETER TWISS APPOINTED CEO & PRESIDENT

2003

Peter Twiss appointed CEO & President, orchestrates global expansion recognising the need to be closer to customers.

2003

PETER TWISS APPOINTED CEO & PRESIDENT

Peter Twiss appointed CEO & President, orchestrates global expansion recognising the need to be closer to customers.

STAMFORD OFFICE OPENS

2003

Stamford office opens – Henrik Christiansen.

2003

STAMFORD OFFICE OPENS

Stamford office opens – Henrik Christiansen.

OLDENDORFF INDOTRANS SOLD

2004

Oldendorff Indotrans sold to John Swire & Sons.

2004

OLDENDORFF INDOTRANS SOLD

Oldendorff Indotrans sold to John Swire & Sons.

TOKYO OFFICE OPENS

2004

Tokyo office opens – Takuma Ogawa.

2004

TOKYO OFFICE OPENS

Tokyo office opens – Takuma Ogawa.

PROJECT STARTS IN GUYANA

2005

Guyana barging and transshipment project starts.

2005

PROJECT STARTS IN GUYANA

Guyana barging and transshipment project starts.

Expanded Board

2007

Board expanded to today’s structure.

2007

Expanded Board

Board expanded to today’s structure.

Singapore office re-opened

2007

Singapore office re-opened as commercial office and future Pacific hub of OC.

2007

Singapore office re-opened

Singapore office re-opened as commercial office and future Pacific hub of OC.

transshipment project signed

2007

Abu Dhabi transshipment project signed.

2007

transshipment project signed

Abu Dhabi transshipment project signed.

BULK LOGISTICS DIVISION WINS 4MTPA TRANSSHIPMENT PROJECT

2007

13th office opened in Singapore. Turnover exceeds $3bn for first time.

2007

BULK LOGISTICS DIVISION WINS 4MTPA TRANSSHIPMENT PROJECT

13th office opened in Singapore. Turnover exceeds $3bn for first time.

FURTHER EXPANSION OF OUR GLOBAL TRADE NETWORK

2008

Joint venture established for transshipment in the Arabian Gulf.

2008

FURTHER EXPANSION OF OUR GLOBAL TRADE NETWORK

Joint venture established for transshipment in the Arabian Gulf.

Flensburger shipyard sold

2008

Flensburger (FSG) shipyard sold to Munich-based private equity firm.

2008

Flensburger shipyard sold

Flensburger (FSG) shipyard sold to Munich-based private equity firm.

2010s

Hong Kong Representative office opened

2012

Representative office opened in Hong Kong.

2012

Hong Kong Representative office opened

Representative office opened in Hong Kong.

TRANSSHIPMENT HUB SET UP IN TRINIDAD

2012

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.

2012

TRANSSHIPMENT HUB SET UP IN TRINIDAD

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.

NEWBUILDING PROGRAM COMMENCED WITH “ECO” SHIPS

2013

Recognizing the importance of environmental protection, the Company replaces most of the fleet with environmentally friendly vessels.

2013

NEWBUILDING PROGRAM COMMENCED WITH “ECO” SHIPS

Recognizing the importance of environmental protection, the Company replaces most of the fleet with environmentally friendly vessels.

DUBAI OFFICE OPENS

2013

Opened an office in Dubai for Arabian Gulf shipping business.

2013

DUBAI OFFICE OPENS

Opened an office in Dubai for Arabian Gulf shipping business.

SANTIAGO REP OFFICE OPENS

2014

Commercial rep office opened in Santiago.

2014

SANTIAGO REP OFFICE OPENS

Commercial rep office opened in Santiago.

COMMERCIAL OFFICE OPENS IN HAMBURG

2014

Company goes back to its roots and opens a commercial office in Hamburg.

2014

COMMERCIAL OFFICE OPENS IN HAMBURG

Company goes back to its roots and opens a commercial office in Hamburg.

EXPANDED DUBAI OFFICE BECOMES REGIONAL HUB FOR INDIAN OCEAN

2016

To better meet client needs, shipping expertise for the Indian ocean area is beefed-up in Dubai.

2016

EXPANDED DUBAI OFFICE BECOMES REGIONAL HUB FOR INDIAN OCEAN

To better meet client needs, shipping expertise for the Indian ocean area is beefed-up in Dubai.

Opened Copenhagen office as 18th worldwide office

2017

On 1 June 2017, our 18th office was opened in Copenhagen to dip into the pool of qualified shipping people in Denmark.

2017

Opened Copenhagen office as 18th worldwide office

On 1 June 2017, our 18th office was opened in Copenhagen to dip into the pool of qualified shipping people in Denmark.

SOUTH VIETNAM OPERATIONS COMMENCE

2017

Transshipment operations commenced in South Vietnam with the transshipment platform Lena.

2017

SOUTH VIETNAM OPERATIONS COMMENCE

Transshipment operations commenced in South Vietnam with the transshipment platform Lena.

NORTH VIETNAM TRANSSHIPMENT CONTRACT

2018

Transshipment contract signed for North Vietnam.

2018

NORTH VIETNAM TRANSSHIPMENT CONTRACT

Transshipment contract signed for North Vietnam.

Agreement signed with MIT

2019

Agreement signed with MIT to investigate disruptive technologies in ship design.

2019

Agreement signed with MIT

Agreement signed with MIT to investigate disruptive technologies in ship design.

contract signed for Bangladesh

2019

Shipping and transshipment contract signed for Bangladesh.

2019

contract signed for Bangladesh

Shipping and transshipment contract signed for Bangladesh.

2020s

VIETNAM OFFICE OPENED

2020

JV office in Vietnam opened for transshipment.

2020

VIETNAM OFFICE OPENED

JV office in Vietnam opened for transshipment.

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS

2021

Company celebrates its 100th Jubilee having been family-owned throughout its history.

2021

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS

Company celebrates its 100th Jubilee having been family-owned throughout its history.