Otto Schacht

Otto Schacht

Advisor to Kuehne+Nagel/Kuehne Foundation

Otto Schacht has over 40 years of international transportation and logistics experience. He was appointed Executive Vice President of Global Sea Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel International AG in September 2011 and has served as Member of its Management Board until October 2023. Mr. Schacht was responsible for the company’s Sea Logistics business unit which provides innovative solutions to customers in 100 countries.

He retired on October 1st, 2023, but is still acting as advisor for Kuehne+Nagel and Kuehne Foundation.

As a "climate advocate", he is personally strongly committed to sustainable businesses and was a driver of Kuehne+Nagel"s Net Zero Carbon initiatives, supporting the corporate culture of sustainable behaviour within Kuehne+Nagel and at the same time the concept of sustainability reflected in transport solutions, e.g. by using new digital platforms to emit significantly less CO2.

Previous to his role as Member of the Board for Kuehne+Nagel, Mr. Schacht was Senior Vice President of Global Sea Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel Group from 1999 to 2011. He has a well-balanced perspective of the shipping industry, having worked for Hapag-Lloyd cargo container shipping line in various positions from 1978 to 1997, including three years as United States Posting and Trade Manager Far East- Europe.

Sessions with Otto Schacht

Tuesday, 5 March

  • 8:45 am - 9:20 am (PST)

    A Conversation with the One and Only Otto Schacht

    Container Shipping

    There are many Steves, Alans, Pauls, and Steens, but there is only one Otto. Ask those who have worked or interacted with Otto Schacht, the longtime head of seafreight at Küehne + Nagel, and they will describe a friend, mentor, confidant, and unparalleled authority on the container shipping industry. During more than 25 years leading the world’s largest ocean freight forwarder — where he helped build a globally respected brand — following 20 years at Hapag-Lloyd, Otto has been a power broker in the industry’s inner sanctum during periods of calm and tumult. He has had a uniquely insider’s view of the industry and all its inner workings that he rarely shares publicly. Now, as he transitions into semiretirement, he has kindly agreed to a one-on-one sit-down at TPM24, where he will look back and forward, take stock and offer guidance, and take your questions as the industry heads into a new post-COVID era.