Dsv confirmed it has received the green light for the acquisition of DB Schenker, and with the transaction expected to be completed by 30 April 2025, Dsv has unveiled a significant reorganisation of its executive structure. This is a key strategic move that marks the beginning of a new chapter for the group, which, through the integration of the German company, is set to become the world’s leading freight forwarding operator. The resulting multinational will employ around 160,000 people and is projected to have a pro forma turnover of approximately 310 billion Danish kroner, or about 41.5 billion euros. Dsv aims to consolidate its presence across all core operational sectors: road, sea, and air transport, as well as contract logistics.
As part of this reshuffle, on 15 April 2025, Dsv announced the first appointments to its Group Executive Committee, bringing in highly experienced professionals from DB Schenker. Helmut Schweighofer, currently CEO for DB Schenker’s Europe region, will take charge of the Road division, succeeding Søren Schmidt, who is leaving Dsv after more than thirty years with the company. Vishal Sharma, until now head of the Asia-Pacific region at DB Schenker and with over three decades of international experience in the sector, will become the Group’s Chief Commercial Officer. He will replace Morten Landry, who will remain with the company and, starting from the first quarter of 2026, will lead commercial operations within the Air & Sea Division, ensuring a smooth transition in the meantime.
The third appointment is Saskia Blochberger, formerly Head of Human Resources for DB Schenker in Europe, who will become Dsv’s Chief Human Resources Officer, succeeding long-serving group figure Helle Bach, who has decided to pursue new professional challenges. At the same time, Dsv’s Board of Directors has announced its intention to propose Jochen Thewes, current CEO of DB Schenker, as a new board member in a vote to be held at an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting shortly after the acquisition is finalised.
Once the transaction is complete, the Group Executive Committee will be led by Chief Executive Officer Jens H. Lund, joined by Chief Financial Officer Michael Ebbe and Chief Operating Officer Brian Ejsing, who all sit on the Management Board. The team will also include Frank Sobotka for the Air & Sea division, Albert-Derk Bruin for Contract Logistics (the new name for the former Solutions Division), Helmut Schweighofer for the Road division, Vishal Sharma as Chief Commercial Officer, Jesper Riis as Chief Information Officer, Saskia Blochberger as Chief Human Resources Officer, and Henrik Kjelgaard as Senior Executive Vice President for Corporate Development.
Jens H. Lund expressed his satisfaction with the new executive team, highlighting how the new additions further strengthen the group’s ability to navigate the next phase of growth. He also emphasised that the appointments were the result of a rigorous merit-based selection process, which considered candidates from both Dsv and Schenker. According to Lund, the choices were guided by competencies, track records, and the professional and personal goals of each executive.
However, according to an article published by The Loadstar on 11 April 2025, there are lingering doubts in the shipping world about the acquisition. Some international freight forwarders warn that the merger between Dsv and DB Schenker could become problematic, potentially “ending in disaster” if hostility arises among the clients of the two companies, to the point of them refusing to work with the merged entity.
Although the European Commission has approved the deal, stating that it raises no competition concerns, final approval is still pending from the United States Department of Justice. Meanwhile, some sources cited in the article question the financial sustainability of the operation, particularly in a context of weak demand and declining margins in sea freight. There are fears that the scale advantage may prove ineffective in a shrinking market. Other road transport operators in Europe see the merger as a potential source of pricing disruption in 2025 but do not believe the union between the two groups will be painless. They note that mistrust towards both brands could ultimately result in customer losses.
