New Maersk MD focuses on training

Christopher Crookall took over as managing director of Maersk Mozambique in April 2008. He was posted to Maputo from the Maersk head office in Copenhagen where he was responsible for intra- American route management. Before that he worked for P&O Nedlloyd in Europe, USA and in Brazil where he “learnt a bit of Portuguese”. His first few months in the post – which includes managing offices in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi – were “focused internally” as he visited the different branches and ensured that the right structures and processes were in place to provide the services required by customers. One of the key focus areas is training. “At Maersk, we are keen to do more in the region, but the challenge is a lack of experience.” There’s “lots of opportunity” in shipping and logistics for people with a solid education and the right training, he says. The well-travelled Crookall says he was drawn to the industry by the diversity of a truly global business. “Shipping is a microcosm of what is happening in the world. Here in Maputo we can see the impact of changes to the global economy before they become apparent to the wider world.” he says.