Knud Stubkjær, CEO of SSA Inc., who has more than 35 years in the ship operation and terminal industry, received the 2016 Connie Award presented by the Containerization & Intermodal Institute (www.containerization.org) in Long Beach, CA, on Tuesday, September 20. CII presented nearly $20,000 in scholarships for students pursuing careers in logistics.
Mr. Stubkjaer was honored with the prestigious award for significant contributions to containerization and world trade and transportation industry, as well as for a pioneering spirit in his career and at the companies at which he worked and for a positive influence on the individuals up and coming in the industry.
The industry-wide dinner event honoring Mr. Stubkjær was held at the Long Beach Renaissance Hotel. The co-sponsor was the Port of Long Beach. The award, presented before nearly 200 people, was given by Jon Hemingway, himself a previous Connie recipient, and Chairman of SSA.
A gracious recipient, Mr. Stubkjær thanked Jon Hemingway for his kind introduction and for being willing to take a chance on hiring him in 2012. He stated, "It has been a great four years working with a company that has built its business by focusing on putting safety, customers and employees first. These core values are the cornerstones of SSA."
Michael DiVirgilio, CII President, said: "Knud Stubkjær has the credentials for a worthy recipient of the Connie Award. His many-faceted career has put him in the forefront of our industry as a true leader."
Mr. Stubkjær joined Carrix/SSA based in Seattle, in July 2012 bringing more than 35 years of expertise in the transportation, terminal operations and logistics industry. He started his career as a trainee with the A.P. Møller-Maersk Group in 1977, obtaining a shipping degree from the Maersk International Shipping Academy. From 1977 until 2007, he occupied various leadership positions in Asia and Europe including becoming the Head of Maersk Line United Kingdom, President of Maersk K.K. Japan and Regional Manager A.P. Møller-Maersk Group Asia/Oceania/Middle East.
The year 1999 proved to be a pivotal year for Mr. Stubkjær as he continued serving in a elevated capacity at Maersk. His active role within the company expanded, becoming the Head of the Maersk Container Business Worldwide in Copenhagen and a Partner in A.P. Moller while also joining as inaugural member of the Group Executive Board.
After 30 years with Maersk, Mr. Stubkjær joined the E.R. Capital Holding Group in Hamburg, Germany as a partner, serving as CEO of E.R. Schiffahrt GmbH, a subsidiary branch of the company. From 2010 he held the position of vice chairman of E.R. Capital Holding.
In addition to his shipping degree from the International Shipping Academy, he has supplemented his education with various executive programs at IMD and INSEAD. Today, he continues to draw from his wealth of experience while at Carrix. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for Panalpina World Transport in Switzerland, since being elected in 2011.