New chapter at ISL – Prof. Dr. Nils Meyer-Larsen becomes Managing Director
A new chapter in the history of the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics begins with the appointment of Prof. Dr. Nils Meyer-Larsen as the new Scientific Director, combined with a cooperation professorship at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences. On 31.01.2025, he was appointed professor by the Rector of Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Alexis Papathanassis. Following the retirement of Prof. Dr. Frank Arendt, Prof. Dr. Nils Meyer-Larsen will now become part of the management team and contribute his many years of experience and expertise. Together, we take a look at his career to date and his visions for the future of the institute.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
The beginning of his ISL career
Prof. Dr. Nils Meyer-Larsen, who has been working at ISL for many years, remembers his beginnings at the institute well. After completing his doctorate, a former colleague drew his attention to ISL. ‘As I found the work in logistics very interesting, I applied as a software developer and after a short time was given the opportunity to work as a project manager,’ reports Meyer-Larsen.
Milestones and special projects
During his time at ISL, Meyer-Larsen has been involved in a large number of important projects. The overall coordination of the EU projects CHINOS (2006), INTEGRITY (2008) and IW-NET (2023), through which he was able to gain valuable experience at EU level, was particularly formative for him. He was also instrumental in establishing the hydrogen research group. ‘I am very happy to have been given the opportunity to initiate and build up a completely new area at ISL with the Hydrogen Research Group,’ he says proudly.
Preparing for the new role
Meyer-Larsen's career to date has prepared him perfectly for the new challenge as Scientific Director. ‘In general, working at the ISL involves a constant learning process. Every new project, every new contact is associated with exciting experiences, whether at regional, national or EU level,’ he explains. His work as a project manager, competence area manager and not least as Chairman of the Works Council has given him valuable insights that will now help him to lead ISL into the future.
Goals and visions
As the new Scientific Director, Meyer-Larsen has clear goals: ‘My aim is to work together with my colleagues to successfully develop the existing areas of work at ISL, to absorb and implement new impulses and to tap into synergies where possible.’ He is looking forward to exciting new projects and wants to further advance the institute in the changing logistics sector.
The ISL team as the basis for success
Teamwork is particularly important to Meyer-Larsen. ‘Teamwork is essential for the work at ISL. Only as a team is it possible to work on and drive forward the many complex topics and areas of responsibility,’ he emphasises. ‘With this in mind, I am relying on my colleagues at ISL and, as in the past, I am looking forward to a great collaboration!’
With this positive attitude and his deep understanding of the challenges facing the industry, Prof. Dr. Nils Meyer-Larsen is ideally prepared to lead ISL successfully into the future.
