Our owner

Lauritzen Bulkers is wholly owned by Lauritzen Fonden

Lauritzen Fonden is a commercial foundation contributing to various non-profit initiatives and focused on making a lasting impact within communities in Denmark and around the world. Lauritzen Fonden is a self-governing institution under Danish Law and has been the sole owner of J. Lauritzen since its establishment.

Investing in the future of shipping

An important part of the Foundation’s work is to carry out active ownership of the businesses within the Lauritzen Group. The foundation's business activities are grouped under Lauritzen Fonden Holding ApS, which manages investments in the companies: J. Lauritzen, DFDS (Northern Europe’s largest integrated shipping and logistics company) as well as other holdings and assets. Investments are strategically made with the goal of both supporting the local Danish business community while also promoting and further developing Denmark’s reputation within the international shipping industry.

The Foundation’s non-profit activities

The non-profit activities of Lauritzen Fonden are aimed at children and young people living in vulnerable positions. Lauritzen Fonden seeks to enhance the development of children and young people in Denmark, and supports initiatives that facilitates vulnerable children and young people’s way into education and employment.

 

In addition Lauritzen Fonden supports initiatives ranging within the foundation charter such as shipping, culture, social and humanitarian work, and education.

 

To safeguard the Lauritzen Group employees and their well-being the foundation also distributes scholarships to employees, children of employees and former employees of the Lauritzen Group each year.

History of the foundation

Support for humanitarian causes is an essential element of the Lauritzen family philosophy. The initiatives which are supported by the Lauritzen Fonden are chosen on the basis of longstanding traditions within the family firm.

 

J. Lauritzen Founder, Ditlev Lauritzen was involved in philanthropic activities from an early age and truly cared about the well-being of his staff and the community. In the early 1900’s he established "Esbjerg Bombebøsse" to support seamen and their widows and orphans and also funded the further education of many local men from Esbjerg and Fanø. During WWII, the Lauritzen family supported aid to Norway and Finland and the evacuation of Danish Jews to Sweden. The family also set up a shelter for the elderly and an infants’ clinic in Ditlev Lauritzen’s home, both during and after the war.

 

The Lauritzen Fonden was established in 1945 by Ivar and Knud Lauritzen and their sister Anna Lønberg-Holm. The establishment marked the 50th anniversary of the "Dampskibsselskabet Vesterhavet", the shipping company founded in 1884 by their father Ditlev Lauritzen. More than 70 years later, the Lauritzen Fonden takes pride in carrying on his legacy and continuing to support important initiatives both within the shipping industry and giving back to the community.     

 

Lauritzen Fonden's initiatives

Read about more initiatives

Brighter futures for vulnerable children and youth

The vision of MedVind in Østerbyen  is to break the negative cycle for children and young people from low-income families in the district of Østerbyen in Esbjerg over a 12-year period.

Bringing creativity, innovation and culture into the local community

The Platform is a modern house of culture and citizenship’ that facilitates activities which support the growth and development of creativity, innovation, culture and social life across local districts in the city of Esbjerg.

Increasing vulnerable young people’s well-being through sailing

Through unique sailing experiences, Fulton offers young people in vulnerable positions a sense of purpose and helps them set direction in their own lives and gain confidence in themselves.

Lauritzen Bulkers is owned by the Lauritzen Foundation, a commercial foundation with the objective to support Danish shipping and entrepreneurship.

Visit Lauritzen Fonden's website
Want to know more about our services?
Find your contact