Jumbo has announced that its founder, Hans Gerhard Kahn, passed away on May 18 at the age of 95.
In many ways, Mr Kahn’s career and the history of Jumbo runs parallel to the evolution of the heavy lift transport industry.
At a time when pallets and containers were considered the cutting edge of ocean transportation, Mr Kahn had a vision of a dedicated concept for handling those pieces that were not suitable for these methods.
This idea carried through into the production of his first vessel – Stellaprima – in co-operation with Borchard Lines, in 1956.
Jumbo itself was incorporated by Mr Kahn in 1968, alongside the addition of Stellanova, which was the first vessel to truly embody the concept of Jumbo’s heavy lift vessels.
Jumbo would not be the company it is today without the passion, vision, luck and guts of this remarkable man.
HLPFI’s commiserations go out to Mr Kahn’s family, friends and colleagues.
