A trained shipbroker and shipping merchant, Alfred Hartmann started his seafaring time as a cadet with Norddeutscher Lloyd. At the University of Science in Leer he graduated in Industrial Engineering & Management and attained his Master’s license for deep-sea vessels of any size and any type. Alfred Hartmann gained maritime experience as Nautical Officer and Captain in worldwide trade and worked as newbuilding supervisor and head of seafaring personnel. In 1981, he established his own shipping company: Hartmann Reederei. Expanding the business over three decades, the Hartmann Group became one of Germany’s largest shipping companies, with a fleet of about 150 vessels and more than 5,000 employees on board and ashore.
Alfred Hartmann held the post of CEO of Hartmann AG until June 2008, when he passed the baton to his son and assumed the position of Chairman of the Supervisory Board. He is the President of the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR) and member of the Advisory Committees of NORD/LB and classification society DNV GL. Alfred Hartmann is also Honorary Senator of the University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer and a member of the Strategic Council “Maritime Industry of the Weser-Ems Region”.