WSS strengthens Singapore management team

Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) has strengthened its Singapore-based management team to reflect increased levels of business and a focus on expanding service provision across the Asia-Pacific region.

Hege Solstad will draw on 25 years’ experience in shipping and logistics as Regional Director, WSS Asia Pacific, while 14-year Wilhelmsen Group veteran Harald Lundestad has been appointed General Manager for WSS Singapore.

Both individuals bring key skillsets to the WSS Asia operations, having worked across global markets and will focus on maintaining close customer links in support of the WSS offer to owners and operators in the shipping and offshore markets.

Solstad joined Wilhelmsen in 2005, as Business Director Maritime Logistics, where her main focus was the development of new products and service offers and subsequently as Area Director Black Sea with a focus on emerging markets.

Solstad brings solid experience in both commercial and operational aspects of liner shipping and logistics, gained during roles at Atlantic Container Line, Ivarans Rederi and Seaway Shipping. Solstad has a Bachelor in Supply Chain Management and a Bachelor in Business Administration from the Norwegian School of Management, BI Oslo.

Hege Solstad said:

I’m looking forward to working in the Asia Pacific region where my focus will be on continued profitable growth and doing business the right way. The opportunities in this region include many countries which are still developing into more mature economies and WSS will continue to develop its portfolio and geographical reach to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations.

As General Manager, Singapore, Harald Lundestad will be responsible for operations that each year include 8,000 ships agency port calls, the delivery of 31,000 product orders and 3,000 safety service jobs.

Lundestad has held various positions during 14 years with the Wilh. Wilhelmsen group, commencing his career as an analyst in Oslo, before transferring first to Shanghai and then Taiwan.

Harald Lundestad said:

“Singapore is a key location for our customers and one where we need to ensure we deliver a high quality of service that is cost competitive. In the last year we have been able to grow our market share significantly, especially for our range of marine chemicals. Our customer base in Singapore continues to grow as more shipowners move their operations here, demand which our strong sales and customer service team is well-placed to satisfy.”

Lundestad has a Master of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and Technology Management from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Norway.