Abu Dhabi Ports Group has announced a series of executive appointments within its logistics sector aimed at strengthening the organizational structure under the leadership of Jochen Theis, who has recently assumed the role of CEO for the logistics division.
These appointments represent a strategic move aligned with the group’s vision to establish its logistics sector as one of the leading global service providers, leveraging the diverse portfolio of logistics solutions and the extensive international presence of “Nautom Logistics,” the group’s international logistics arm.
In a bid to enhance global logistics services and solutions, the group has appointed Thorsten Minke as Executive Vice President of Ocean and Air Freight at Nautom Logistics. He brings over two decades of international management experience, having previously served as CEO of operations and board member at DB Schenker, overseeing global air and ocean freight operations as well as specialized business sectors. Thorsten has also held senior positions at Kuehne + Nagel, including Senior Vice President of International Ocean Freight and Vice President of International Sales and Marketing.
Additionally, the international executive team welcomes Bjorn Ekbauer as Senior Vice President for Global Air Freight Development and Procurement. With over 30 years of experience, he has held the role of Senior Vice President for Global Operations and Air Freight Procurement at DB Schenker, successfully managing global air freight operations and securing necessary capacity. He has also held leadership positions in regional operations and branch management at both DB Schenker and Expeditors International.
Joining the ranks is Boris Kohn, who has been appointed as Senior Vice President for Mergers and Acquisitions. He possesses extensive expertise in executing mergers and acquisitions, corporate venture capital, and post-merger operational integration. Previously, Boris served as the Head of Global Venture Capital and Head of M&A for the transportation and logistics sector at Deutsche Bahn AG.
Abu Dhabi Ports Group has also appointed three seasoned executives to lead regional operations at Nautom Logistics: Thorsten Buck as General Manager for the Middle East, bringing over 30 years of experience with previous executive roles at Ceva Logistics and Kuehne + Nagel, where he achieved profitable growth in the Middle Eastern, African, Asian, and European markets.
Other appointments include Samad Osman as General Manager for Africa, who has over 20 years of experience in executive positions at Hapag Lloyd, A.P. Moller Group, Kuehne + Nagel, and OMA Group. Throughout his career, he has led strategic expansions and operational transformations across more than thirty African countries, developing talent and managing mergers and acquisitions to build successful and profitable business ventures.
Roberto Moreno has been appointed General Manager for Latin America, bringing extensive executive experience across the Americas. He previously served as CEO of DB Schenker in Canada and Latin America, where he led supply chain transformation initiatives for major global corporations such as DB Schenker Brazil, Damco, and Kuehne + Nagel.
On this occasion, Jochen Theis, CEO of the logistics sector at Abu Dhabi Ports Group, stated: “We have successfully built a world-class team that combines international expertise in multimodal logistics, mergers and acquisitions, and a deep understanding of the largest global markets. By attracting this elite group of industry leaders, we are enhancing our capabilities and solidifying our position as a leading global logistics provider. We look forward to working together as a unified team, fully focused on expanding our services, continuing our growth journey, and exceeding the expectations of our clients, partners, and the communities we serve.”