Furetank appoints new chief executive

Furetank, a family owned shipping company, has announced a leadership transition, with Björn Stignor stepping into the role of chief executive. Mr Stignor, who brings more than a decade of international experience from his career within the Stena Group, will succeed long-time chief executive Lars Höglund from 1 October.

Mr Höglund, who has led Furetank for nearly 30 years, will remain closely involved with the company as chairman of the board, focusing on Furetank’s ambitious newbuilding programme and broader engagements within the shipping industry and policy development.

Under Mr Höglund’s leadership, Furetank expanded from managing two tankers to overseeing a fleet of around 20 vessels.

Reflecting on his decision to step back from operational responsibilities, Mr Höglund noted the company is undergoing unprecedented growth, making it the right time for a leadership change.

"As our growth reaches new levels, welcoming Björn Stignor into the team allows for fresh leadership while maintaining our core values. Björn’s extensive international experience, particularly his work in shipping sustainability, makes him a perfect fit to lead Furetank into the future," said Mr Höglund.

Mr Stignor joins Furetank after a 13-year tenure in Singapore, where he headed Golden Stena Baycrest Tankers, a joint venture between Stena and Golden Agri International.

His maritime career began on intermediate tankers in the Broström fleet, and he holds a master mariner degree.

Mr Stignor has been familiar with Furetank for over 20 years and expressed admiration for the company’s commitment to technical innovation and sustainability, particularly its investment in LNG/LBG-powered tankers.

"Furetank is at the forefront of energy-efficient shipping, and I look forward to contributing to the company’s continued expansion and sustainability initiatives," he said.

Mr Höglund’s children, Jonatan, Viktoria and Yvonne, are already deeply involved in Furetank, ensuring continuity in the family’s leadership. Mr Stignor, having worked in family owned businesses, brings valuable experience in bridging generations of owners.

As chairman, Mr Höglund plans to remain active in Furetank’s green transition, contributing his expertise to the company’s newbuilding programme and industry policy initiatives. "I will continue to work towards the green transition of shipping, leveraging our technical solutions to influence policymakers," he remarked.