Klaus-Michael Kühne, the Hamburg-based logistics entrepreneur and major shareholder in Hapag-Lloyd, has died at the age of 89.
For decades, he shaped Kühne+Nagel – and also played a key role in the development of the Hamburg-based shipping line. Klaus-Michael Kühne died on Sunday night in Schindellegi, Switzerland, aged 89. This was announced by the logistics group Kühne+Nagel .
“With Klaus-Michael’s death, we have lost a visionary, a great entrepreneur and a remarkable individual,” said Jörg Wolle, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kühne+Nagel International AG. Our thoughts are with Klaus-Michael’s widow, Christine Kühne.
Kühne was born in Hamburg in 1937 and joined the family business, Kühne+Nagel, in 1958. By 1966, he had already become Chairman of the Executive Board of Kühne+Nagel Speditions-Aktiengesellschaft. From 1975, he served as CEO of Kühne+Nagel International AG, and from 1992 to 2011 as Chairman of the Board of Directors. He subsequently became Honorary Chairman.
Under his leadership, Kühne+Nagel developed into one of the world’s leading logistics groups. Today, the group employs around 88,000 people at more than 1,300 locations in almost 100 countries and is one of the largest providers, particularly in the sea and air freight sectors.
30% stake in Hapag-Lloyd
For the maritime sector, Kühne’s involvement with Hapag-Lloyd is of particular significance. Through Kühne Holding and Kühne Maritime, he holds a 30% stake in the Hamburg-based liner shipping company and was thus its largest single shareholder alongside the Chilean company CSAV. According to Hapag-Lloyd, the stake remained at 30% as at 30 June 2026.
Kühne’s involvement with the shipping company began in 2009. His stake was gradually increased in the years that followed. Kühne Holding also puts its current stake at 30%.
His involvement came at a difficult time for Hapag-Lloyd. At the time, Kühne joined the Hamburg-based Albert Ballin consortium, which took over the shipping company with the aim of ensuring it remained based in Hamburg. He later increased his stake significantly and became one of the company’s most important long-term investors.
“Klaus-Michael Kühne embodied logistics and global trade like no other,” said Kühne+Nagel CEO Stefan Paul. On behalf of the management and staff, he expressed his condolences to the family.
Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd, also commented on the billionaire’s death. “Klaus-Michael Kühne had a very special relationship with Hapag-Lloyd. I greatly appreciated his clear views, his passion for our industry and his genuine interest in the long-term success of Hapag-Lloyd. His contribution to our company will never be forgotten.”
In addition to Kühne+Nagel and Hapag-Lloyd, Kühne held stakes in other major companies through his holding company, including Lufthansa, Brenntag and Flix. At the same time, he remained closely connected to his home city of Hamburg, acting, amongst other things, as a patron of Hamburger SV and a supporter of cultural and scientific projects.
