Blohm+Voss appoints new CEO

Blohm+Voss has announced the appointment of Fred van Beers as its CEO. He will take over from Dr Herbert Aly and will assume his role on 1 March 2015. In a statement issued to the media the yard said van Beers' primary task would be bolstering its position within the superyacht market.

Van Beers joins Blohm+Voss from his current position as Vice President Services Northern Europe at Wärtsilä, the lifecycle power solutions behemoth. He is a qualified ship engineer, went to sea for four years, and has led all stages of design, engineering, production and aftermarket services.

Commenting on his appointment van Beers said, "I admire Blohm+Voss for having delivered some of the most iconic yachts over the last 80 years – ranging from the Savarona, delivered in 1931, to Graceful in 2014. I am committed to the highest quality engineering and project management. I share Blohm+Voss' strategic vision and look forward to further developing the business with my new colleagues.”



It is unclear whether Dr Aly will remain at the yard in any capacity. He first joined Blohm+Voss as MD in 2004 and became Spokesman of the Management Board in 2008. During this time he refocused the company's target markets into three core areas: cruise ships, offshore units and superyachts.

Dr Aly also oversaw the acquisition of Blohm+Voss’ civil business, in 2012, by UK-based Star Capital Partners. Under the new ownership and as part of the strategic development of the company, the product portfolio was expanded and the sales and services business further strengthened.

Ernst von Freyberg, Head of the Supervisory Board of Blohm+Voss, said of the change in personnel, “We welcome Fred van Beers. He is an exceptionally skilled leader with a long track record in the maritime industry. As owners, we are committed to a long-term viable growth plan for Blohm+Voss. On behalf of the owners, the supervisory board and the entire team, I would like to thank Dr Herbert Aly for leading Blohm+Voss over the last years."


SuperyachtNews.com will publish an interview with Fred van Beers when he assumes his role in March 2015.

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Blohm + Voss Shipyards GmbH

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