European Maritime Finance (EMF) has overhauled its corporate governance and leadership team, appointing Peter Kubicki as CEO and former Maersk executive Stephen Schueler as Chairman of the Board. The restructuring strengthens the Danish-regulated manager’s institutional capabilities as it directs its USD 2.1 billion asset portfolio toward maritime decarbonization and fleet renewal.
Copenhagen, Denmark | June 24, 2026 – European Maritime Finance A/S (EMF), a prominent Danish-regulated maritime investment manager, has announced a sweeping restructuring of its leadership team and corporate governance framework. The institutional upgrade comes as the firm’s total assets under management and investor commitments reach approximately USD 2.1 billion, cementing its position as one of the Nordic region’s leading dedicated maritime investment platforms.
The restructuring introduces a series of high-profile appointments designed to align EMF‘s compliance and risk management architecture with its rapid scale-up, specifically targeting capital deployment toward fleet renewal and maritime decarbonization.
Executive Realignment: Kubicki Appointed CEO, Schueler Takes Chairmanship
At the center of the governance overhaul is the appointment of Peter Kubicki as Chief Executive Officer and Stephen Schueler as Chairman of the Board. Both executives possess deep institutional history with EMF, a factor leadership emphasizes will ensure operational continuity while tightening regulatory oversight.
| Governance Layer | Individual | Title / Role | Institutional Focus |
| Advisory & Strategy | Martin Haugaard | Founder & Chairman, Investment Advisory Board | Strategic oversight and foundational investment guidance |
| Board of Directors | Stephen Schueler | Chairman of the Board | Commercial shipping expertise, global trade, and IMO relations |
| Martin Almdal | Vice Chairman of the Board | Platform continuity, investor relations, and co-founder alignment | |
| Rikke V. Stoltz | Board Director | Offshore energy, wind transition, and capital markets strategy | |
| Executive Execution | Peter Kubicki | Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | Operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and sustainable asset growth |
Strategic Backgrounds of the New Appointments:
- Peter Kubicki (CEO): Steps into the chief executive role with an extensive background spanning commercial banking, financial services, and regulated asset management. His mandate will focus heavily on operational excellence, strict Danish regulatory compliance, and sustainable asset growth.
- Stephen Schueler (Chairman): Brings more than 30 years of heavy-tonnage international shipping and logistics experience. Schueler is the former Chief Commercial Officer and Executive Board member of A.P. Moller – Maersk, as well as the former CEO of Safmarine. He currently serves on the World Maritime Investment Committee under the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Reflecting on the comprehensive leadership overhaul, Martin Haugaard, Founder and Chairman of the Investment Advisory Board, concluded “The appointments of Peter Kubicki, Stephen Schueler, Martin Almdal, and Rikke V. Stoltz represent a significant strengthening of EMF’s leadership, governance, and institutional capabilities. Together, they bring decades of experience from global financial institutions, international shipping, maritime investments, capital markets, offshore energy, and corporate governance.”
Offshore Wind and Capital Markets Expertise Added to the Board
Further bolstering its maritime technology and renewable energy credentials, EMF has appointed Rikke V. Stoltz to its Board of Directors.
Stoltz spent 13 years within the A.P. Moller – Maersk ecosystem before transitioning into the offshore renewables space as an early investor and foundational builder of Cadeler. Her instrumental role in transforming Cadeler into a global leader in the offshore wind turbine installation sector provides EMF with specialized insight into the capital-intensive offshore energy transition.
Additionally, EMF Co-Founder and Partner Martin Almdal has been named Vice Chairman of the Board. Having driven the firm’s deal origination and investor relations since inception, Almdal’s elevation stabilizes the board’s core strategic vision during this institutional transition.
Directing USD 2.1 Billion Toward Fleet Decarbonization
The governance upgrade is directly tied to the shifting regulatory and economic realities facing global shipping finance. Managing a USD 2.1 billion portfolio, EMF is positioning its platform to capitalize on structural changes in global trade.
| Core Investment Pillars | Strategic Focus Areas |
| Fleet Renewal | Capitalizing on supply-side deficits by financing modern, highly efficient hull designs. |
| Decarbonization | Navigating FuelEU Maritime and IMO mandates via alternative-fuel ready tonnage and eco-retrofits. |
| Institutional Rigor | Transitioning from a boutique boutique manager to a tier-1 regulated asset manager capable of absorbing large-scale institutional mandates. |
Incoming Chairman Stephen Schueler emphasized the board’s strict focus moving forward “The Board’s focus will be on ensuring strong governance, effective oversight, and a clear strategic direction while continuing to identify attractive opportunities across the maritime sector. I look forward to working closely with management, investors, and stakeholders to support EMF’s continued development.”
By integrating heavy-weight commercial shipping veterans with traditional financial compliance executives, EMF signal to institutional investors and regulators alike that it is prepared for its next phase of global asset deployment.
Corporate Perspectives on the Restructuring
Commenting on her appointment, Rikke V. Stoltz highlighted the firm’s market positioning “EMF has built a unique platform, combining strong maritime expertise with a long-term commitment to creating value for investors. I look forward to supporting the Board and management team as they continue to strengthen the company, deepen investor relationships, and pursue future growth opportunities.”
In tandem with Stoltz’s appointment, EMF elevated Co-Founder and Partner Martin Almdal to Vice Chairman of the Board. Having driven the company’s asset structuring and investor relations since its inception, Almdal’s new role is designed to anchor the firm’s strategic continuity.
“The governance enhancements and leadership appointments announced today position the company well for its next phase of development,” Almdal stated. “I look forward to continuing my work with the Board, management team, and our stakeholders as we further strengthen EMF and pursue attractive opportunities for our investors.”
About European Maritime Finance
European Maritime Finance A/S is a Copenhagen-based, Danish-regulated maritime investment manager focused on originating, structuring, and managing investments across global shipping markets. Working with both private and institutional clients, the company has developed a diversified maritime investment platform across multiple shipping segments.
Source: EMF