Tradition

First Generation
Rickmer Clasen Rickmers (1807-1886)
Rickmer Clasen Rickmers was born in 1807 on the island of Heligoland as a son of a fisherman. After leaving school, R.C. Rickmers completed an apprenticeship as a shipbuilder. In 1834, he founded the Rickmers shipyard in Bremerhaven. more

Second Generation
Peter Rickmers (1838-1902)
After the death of his father, R. C. Rickmers, Peter Andreas Rickmers took over the company. Together with his brothers, Andreas and Willy Rickmers, he founded the "Rickmers Reismühlen Rhederei und Schiffbau AG" in 1889. more

Third Generation
Paul Rickmers (1876-1946)
In 1891, Paul Rickmers joined the "Rickmers Reismühlen Rhederei und Schiffbau AG". He initially worked with his father to modernise the fleet and in 1910 took over as director of the Rickmers AG when the latter retired.  more

Fourth Generation
Bertram Rickmers (1917-1971)
After completing his education, Bertram Rickmers worked together with his father, Paul Rickmers, at the Rickmers shipyard. In 1945, he took over as managing director of the Bremerhaven Rickmers shipyard, while his brothers Peter and Claus Rickmers, concentrated on rebuilding the family’s regular shipping services. 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