shipping

Israeli shipping magnate Eyal Ofer has made a splash in the London art scene, announcing a huge donation to the UK's most visited gallery.

Through the Eyal Ofer Family Foundation, Ofer – who with his younger brother Idan controls the Herzliya-based Ofer Brothers Group – donated £10 million (€11.8 million) towards the extension of the Tate Modern.

Danish family business AP Moeller-Maersk’s plans to reduce investment in its flagship container shipping division is simply part of its goal to “create a more balanced group”.

That’s according to a spokesman for the conglomerate, who was commenting on the back of a statement by the company’s non-family chief, Nils Andersen, that Maersk will move away from “the shipping side of things”.

Sir Michael Bibby tells Marc Smith how values have played an integral part in the success of his 200-year-old family business

When Sir Michael Bibby starts quoting from a family document that dates back to 1899 you realise that family business values have been around longer than most companies, let alone CSR policies and mission statements. "Our duty is to conduct the business with every care and energy with which we are capable," reads Sir Michael, sixth-generation CEO of Bibby Line Group, a diversified business that celebrated its 200th birthday in 2007.

A shipping billionaire has made a large donation to the National Maritime Museum in London. Sammy Ofer (pictured far right), whose empire includes Israeli shipping giant ZIM and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, has pledged $40 million for a new wing in the museum.

Ofer served in the British Royal Navy before starting a shipping business with his brother, Juli. The business now operates a significant part of its fleet from London and Ofer's two sons, Eyal and Idan, manage different branches of the group. The family's wealth is estimated at $4 billion.