OBITUARY | Ove Dines Hoegh, former owner of Norwegian shipping line Leif Hoegh and Co

Norwegian shipping company Höegh Autoliners has confirmed the sad news of the recent passing of Ove Dines Høegh, former owner of Höegh Autoliners' parent company Leif Høegh and Co, at the age of 88.

Ove Dines Høegh was the son of company founder Leif Høegh and the father of the current Chair of Höegh Autoliners, Leif O. Høegh. Over seven decades, Ove was part of leading the Höegh family of companies.

It was under Høegh's leadership that Leif Høegh and Co expanded to the vehicle transport segment in 1970 through the Höegh Ugland Auto Liners (HUAL) joint venture, the predecessor of Höegh Autoliners.

In March 2000, years after Høegh stepped back from daily involvement in shipping activities, Leif Höegh and Co acquired the remaining 50 per cent of HUAL and later renamed it Höegh Autoliners.

"Ove's vision and leadership helped shape the company’s strategy, paving the way for innovations in maritime operations and environmental sustainability," Höegh Autoliners said in a statement following Mr Høegh's passing.

"We will forever be thankful for Ove's countless contributions, strong sense of responsibility, and work ethic. And while his passing deeply saddens us, we also commemorate his remarkable life and his lasting impact on our business and culture."