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Claus Winter Graugaard – shipping mourns a great advocate

Maritime has suffered a great loss with the sudden passing of Claus Winter Graugaard, the Chief Technology Officer at the Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping.

Nick Savvides, Europe correspondent

August 20, 2024

1 Min Read
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Claus Winter GraugaardPhoto: Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping

Known for his enthusiasm, his knowledge and his quiet competence, with one colleague saying that Claus was always committed, very bright and very rational in his thought processes. He never spoke without understanding all the facts, but was always curious, when in discussions with others.

According to those in the industry “all who met Claus spoke well of him”.

His colleagues at the Zero Carbon Center, which he joined in 2021, said Claus was widely recognised as a pivotal leader both at the Center and in the broader maritime industry. A sentiment that will be echoed by those that met him.

“During his time at the Center, Claus led the Onboard Vessel Solutions team to impressive achievements. Guided and supported by our partner organisations, his leadership contributed significantly to advancing the feasibility of decarbonising shipping.”

Qualified as a Naval Architect and Marine Engineer at the Danish Technical University and Strathclyde University in Scotland, Claus’ distinguished career led him to work at DNV and Lauritzen and later on the boards of Star Management Associates Axis Offshore. He was also closely involved with the Danish Shipowners’ Association.

In a moving tribute Claus’ colleagues at the Center wrote: “As we grieve, we find solace in knowing that Claus’ final days were spent doing what he loved most: traveling in a beautiful place with his wife and daughters and riding his bike.”

The maritime world is a far poorer place for the loss of Claus and all those who knew him will grieve with his colleagues and his family. RIP Claus Winter Graugaard.

About the Author

Nick Savvides

Europe correspondent

Experienced journalist working online, in monthly magazines and daily news coverage. Nick Savvides began his journalistic career working as a freelance from his flat in central London, and has since worked in Athens, while also writing for some major publications including The Observer, The European, Daily Express and Thomson Reuters. 

Most recently Nick joined The Loadstar as the publication’s news editor to develop the profile of the publication, increase its readership and to build a team that will market, sell and report on supply chain issues and container shipping news. 

This was a similar brief to his time at ci-online, the online publication for Containerisation International and Container News. During his time at ci-online Nich developed a team of freelancers and full-time employees increasing its readership substantially. He then moved to International Freighting Weekly, a sister publication, IFW also focused on container shipping, rail and trucking and ports. Both publications were published by Informa. 

Following his spell at Informa Nick joined Reed’s chemical reporting team, ICIS, as the chemical tanker reporter. While at ICIS he also reported on the chemical industry and spent some time on the oil & gas desk. 

Nick has also worked for a time at Lloyd’s Register, which has an energy division, and his role was writing their technical magazine, before again becoming a journalist at The Naval Architect for the Royal Institution of Naval Architects. After eight successful years at RINA, he joined Fairplay, which published a fortnightly magazine and daily news on the website.

Nick's time at Fairplay saw him win the Seahorse Club Journalist of the Year and Feature Writer of the Year 2018 awards.

After Fairplay closed, Nick joined an online US start-up called FreightWaves. 

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