Cyprus shipping industry mourns death of visionary leader Heinrich Schulte
The Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC) on Thursday expressed “deep sorrow” over the death of Heinrich Schulte, founder of Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) and chairman of the Schulte Group, a figure widely regarded as one of the architects of Cyprus’ modern shipmanagement industry.
Schulte first arrived in Cyprus in 1972, when he established Hanseatic Shipping Co., later renamed Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, marking the creation of the island’s first shipmanagement company.
His move laid the foundations for Cyprus’ emergence as a major international maritime centre, with shipping becoming a key pillar of the national economy.
In a statement, the CSC described Schulte as a visionary leader whose legacy would continue to guide the maritime community, extending its condolences to his family, colleagues and the wider Schulte Group.
Today, the Schulte family’s core shipping interests are centred on Limassol-based BSM, a cornerstone of what is often described as one of Germany’s most prominent shipping dynasties.
BSM continues to operate on a global scale, managing around 670 vessels through a network of nine shipmanagement offices, 24 crew service centres and six wholly owned maritime training facilities.
Its China operations, in particular, have remained active, overseeing vessels financed by Chinese leasing houses and supported by long-term charter arrangements.
The group has also expanded into new areas, launching a venture capital initiative, Innoport, this year, with a focus on investments across Europe and Asia.
Born in 1935, Heinrich Schulte remained active in the business well into his eighties, serving as chairman of the Schulte Group’s advisory board.
Succession planning has been under way for some time, with fifth-generation family members Johann Schulte, born in 1982, and Christoph Schulte, born in 1984, joining the firm as partners in 2013.
The Schulte family’s involvement in shipping stretches back to the 1880s, when Schulte & Bruns was founded in Papenburg as a shipbroking and agency business.
The company passed to Heinrich Schulte following Bernhard’s death in 1975.
The family’s maritime footprint extends further through Heinrich’s brother, Thomas Schulte, who founded Reederei Thomas Schulte in 1987.
That company, active as an owner, manager and crew manager, is now controlled by Thomas’s son, Alexander Schulte.
The Schulte family has also featured in several industry Top 100 rankings.