Klaus Gerken has a degree in Economics. Within the HANSA TREUHAND Group he has been Managing Director of the HANSA SHIPPING and SEA CLOUD CRUISES companies since the start of 2004. His work concentrates for the most part on the commercial management of the companies. After having taken a course in banking, Mr Gerken launched his shipping career with a trainee scheme at the shipping company Hamburg Süd [Hamburg South], later rising there to become Controller and Head of Tax and Finance. In 1999 he moved to the shipping company Leonhardt & Blumberg, taking up a position as Chief Financial Officer.