BSM Hires Bjoern Sprotte as Chief People and Sustainability Officer: 3 Things to Know

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM), a major maritime and ship management company, has hired Bjoern Sprotte as chief people and sustainability officer.

Here are three things to know about BSM's business and sustainability strategy, and Sprotte's experience.

1. Business Scope and Scale: BSM, based in Hamburg, Germany, has roots that extend back to 1883. The company spans 650 vessels, 20,000 seafarers and 2,000 shore-based employees. The current business was formed in 2008 through the merger of four Schulte Group ship management companies – namely, Hanseatic Shipping, Dorchester Atlantic Marine, Eurasia Group, Vorsetzen Bereederungs-und Schiffahrtskontor. The family-owned company has experience with all major vessel types such as tankers, gas carriers, bulk carriers, containers as well as with specialised vessel types like offshore and cruise vessels. BSM''s overall ESG and sustainability strategy is outlined in this 2022 report. We don't know if a follow-up report has surfaced.

2. Bjoern Sprotte's Role and Responsibilities: As chief people and sustainability officer, Sprotte reports to BSM CEO Ian Beveridge. Sprotte oversees all HR activities for shore and marine operations at BSM as well as the environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy across the wider Schulte Group.    

Sprotte previously was CEO of V.Group's ship management business. Earlier, he held senior roles at OSM Maritime. Sprotte began his career at Rickmers Group, where he rose from nautical officer to CEO of maritime services over a 15-year journey, BSM notes.. He then moved to the position of Vice President at Carnival Maritime, where he was responsible for the development and delivery of ship management strategy, BSM adds.

3. Executive Perspectives: In a prepared statement, BSM CEO Ian Beveridge said: “Our focus lies on long-term and sustainable growth and increasingly also on socially and environmentally conscious growth. Changing aspirations in recruitment pose new challenges. Bjoern Sprotte has a strong knowledge of HR and crewing requirements in relation to the maritime market dynamics as well as a proven track record in training and executive coaching. By pooling our knowledge and combining forces, I look forward to accelerating our growth journey together.”  

Added Sprotte: “I’m thrilled to be joining the dedicated leadership team at BSM, committed to developing the image and reputation of our group and business units to strengthen our market position as a competitive player and attractive employer of choice."

Maritime Sustainability and CSOs: Why Technology Partners Should Care

By 2027, 25% of Global 2000 companies will have assigned a chief sustainability officer (CSO) responsible for meeting their organization’s ESG goals and making ESG-related IT purchasing decisions, according to IDC.

The maritime industry, in particular, faces numerous sustainability challenges and associated regulations. For instance, the US Clean Shipping Act requires all vessels above 400 GT (gross tonnage) to be fully zero emission by 2040 in US waters.

The bottom line: Technology partners need to extend their sales, marketing, engagement and support strategies to successfully fulfill those CSO customer needs, Sustainable Tech Partner believes.