New Maersk chief Skou targets revenue growth

Skou replaced Nils Andersen as ceo of Maersk, who was sacked by the Danish giant last month having been in the role since December 2007.

“In the long term, we are challenged on top-line growth. Obviously, for us it’s important that we have a group that is both profitable but also has a growth path…If you have a business that isn’t growing the top line, it’s very hard to deliver attractive returns to shareholders,” Skou told the Financial Times.

Skou remains ceo of Maersk’s largest business unit container shipping line Maersk Line, which has been hard hit by the downturn in the sector. Meanwhile other parts of the conglomerate’s business have suffered due to the low oil price.

Revenues for Maersk last year were $40bn compared to a peak of $61bn in 2008.

Under Andersen’s leadership Maersk had sold out of non-core businesses such as banking and supermarkets.

On the possibility that the group could be broken up that raised by chairman Michael Pram Rasmussen when Skou was appointed as ceo, Skou said he would be leading a strategic review of the group.

“The board has asked me to look at the strategic options. We are not starting with a lot of do nots, or areas where we don’t want to go. We are going to look at the full menu of options.”