Niels-Erik Lund passes the SunStone torch to sons Carsten and Christian

'Three years ago, we decided to continue operating SunStone as a family business. Carsten and Christian would not only be 50/50 partners in the company but also employees. They both have completed their MBAs and are theoretically and practically ready to take over the helm,' Lund said in a letter to colleagues and friends on Wednesday.

Carsten Lund is chief commercial officer

Carsten, chief commercial officer, and Christian, president of SunStone Ships in Miami, will be working closely with other members of the top management: Ulrik Hegelund, group CFO; Peter Merkel, president, SunStone Holdings SA, Madeira; Rodolfo Spinelli, president, SunStone Ship Management U. Lda, Madeira; John Kafouros, president, newbuildings, SunStone Ship Management U. Lda., Madeira; and Nikolai Kolesnikov, president of the Boundless Project.

Christian Lund became president of SunStone Ships in Miami in 2023

With this transition, Lund said he will no longer be involved in the operation of the 11 SunStone vessels. However, he remains a shareholder and member of SunStone's board of directors, and he will continue to participate in the Boundless Project, vessel financing and relationships with some long-term partners and charterers.

'55 wonderful years'

'Reflecting on 55 wonderful years in passenger shipping, especially the last 35 years since I had the pleasure of founding the company, I am proud of SunStone’s growth into the largest tonnage provider in the expedition cruise market,' Lund said, adding that he also looks forward to SunStone's future expansion and development.

Visionary

Lund has been a visionary whose accomplishments include the long-running series of Chinese-built Infinity-class ships. He is now developing the new Boundless Project.

'Our success is due to the hard work of thousands of colleagues; without them, it would not be where it is now,' Lund said, expressing gratitude to those shipboard and shoreside. He also thanked stakeholders who 'supported and believed in us during difficult times.'

Weathered the storms

These included 9/11, the 2008-09 financial crisis, the COVID pandemic where all SunStone vessels were laid up for 18 months during 2020-21 and the bankruptcies of two US charterers in 2023 and 2024, resulting in vessels redelivered unexpectedly from charter for the first time in the company's 35-year history.

'We have weathered these storms, and we are optimistic about SunStone’s future,' Lund said.

He looks forward to continuing to meet colleagues in the company's Miami and Madeira offices, on ships and at conferences.