175 years of tradition

First Generation
Rickmer Clasen Rickmers (1807-1886)
R.C. Rickmers was born on the island of Heligoland. Following his apprenticeship as a shipwright he goes to sea to gain hands-on experience on board ship. His parents and the parents of his teenage sweetheart Margaretha Reimers, called Etha, oppose a marriage. The young couple escapes to the mainland where the marriage ceremony is conducted by a priest in the village of Esens. more

Second Generation
Peter Rickmers (1838-1902)
Peter Rickmers was born at Bremerhaven. Having completed a number of commercial traineeships, he takes up technical studies at the Technical University Hanover. Shortly after joining his father's company, he assumes representative tasks. He becomes a member of the Geestemünde Chamber of Commerce, and he undertakes many business trips on behalf of his father. more

Third Generation
Paul Henry Rickmers (1873-1945)
Paul Rickmers, the son of Peter Rickmers, was born at Bremerhaven in 1873. Having completed his commercial training, he takes up work at Rickmers shipyard. His initial tasks include the supervision of the construction of iron ships being built abroad.  more

Fourth Generation
Bertram Rickmers (1917-1971)
Their father having died, the three sons of Paul Rickmers jointly take over the management of the family group. Bertram Rickmers takes care of the reconstruction of the shipbuilding business while his brother Peter looks after the Hamburg-based Rickmers-Linie. He is joined by his brother Claus when the latter had completed his commercial training. more

Fifth Generation
Erck Rickmers (since 1964)
Currently, the fifth generation of the family steers the company’s fortunes and continues its shipping tradition with independent companies. In 1992 Erck Rickmers founded Nordcapital as a company for real estate and shipping investments. E.R. Schiffahrt started operating in 1998 and is active in container, offshore and bulk shipping today. more