AP Møller Foundation

In the spirit of Arnold Peter Møller!

Photograph: Maersk FB Page

Text: Mariano Anthony Davies

When Arnold Peter Møller established the Foundation in 1953, he did so by mutual understanding with his three children, thus ensuring agreement on how ownership control would transition over generations.

Although comprising activities in diverse sectors, the A.P. Møller Group’s main business consisted of two jointly operated shipping companies and the Odense Steel Shipyard. It was crucial for the A.P. Møller Group that those activities would continue to be managed in accordance with his business principles.

Within the deed of the foundation, Mr. Møller established the slogan “In the spirit of A.P. Møller” as a cornerstone of the principles he wished to remain as the core of the Group moving forwards. He explains his business principles in three short statements, saying that the companies within the Group must be:

• Well-consolidated businesses.

• These businesses must have a positive impact on society.

• Businesses for whom paying out dividends is of secondary importance.

These are very powerful statements. The first is a direct reference to the volatile nature of the shipping market, in which depreciation and savings were made to safeguard the viability of the business over economic cycles. The second shows that the liberally minded Mr Møller saw business activities as a useful means to ensure a positive development of society, and the third implies that profit from business activities should be reinvested in the existing business or used for “a build-up of useful activities”. What this means is that only when principles 1 and 2 are fulfilled will the shareholders receive a dividend.

Impact on society

The Foundation is philanthropic, with all its donations made for the common good with a focus within the following overarching areas according to the trust deed:

• Danish language and culture in the Danish-German borderlands.

• Cohesion within the Nordic countries.

• Danish shipping and industry.

• Science and research – with an emphasis on medical science.

• Causes for the common good – including education, research, social purposes and the conservation of buildings of cultural and historical value.

The Foundation supports projects of all sizes in Denmark, Southern Schleswig, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. It initiates some projects but generally supports good ideas, industriousness and collaboration with relevant stakeholders. All supported projects must be of high quality.

In 2013, A.P. Møller Holding was established. It was vital for the A.P. Moller Foundation and A.P. Møller Holding to have a positive impact on society and to develop ‘nyttig virksomhed’ (meaningful business) in the spirit of Mr. Møller. Since its formation, A.P. Møller Holding has been engaged in long-term ownership, focused on renewing and expanding the A.P. Møller-Mærsk Group of industry-leading companies. The activities in A.P. Møller Holding ensure that the Foundation can contribute to society with donations for generations to come.

A.P. Møller Foundation 2023

The Foundation's work in 2023 was influenced by several important global issues. It was the hottest year ever measured on the globe and, at the same time, the wettest in Denmark. The year was plagued by wars, natural disasters, and general unrest that challenged the world order as we know it.

The year was marked by many positive activities for the foundation. The board made several significant decisions regarding donations, and many projects that had been supported over a long period of time were completed.

The Foundation has been aware that at a national and global level, challenges have included a climate crisis and many natural disasters. It wishes to participate in creating greater stability throughout the world. It has been seen that these challenges include the fight against pollution and the decline in biodiversity. Plastic in the world's oceans has also been recognised as one of the great challenges of our time because of its negative impact on animals and nature in the oceans, as plastic particles find their way into the food chain. The A. P. Møller Foundation's Board of Directors decided to support this work in 2023.

With almost 600 grants selected among just over 2,400 applications, the A.P. Møller Foundation and The A. P. Møller Support Foundation distributed almost 3 billion kroner in 2023 for the benefit and well-being of people all over the country, in the border region and the Nordic regions.

As set out in Mr Møller's deeds, Foundation support grants must always benefit society in general. The Foundation’s support activities include the environment, social conditions, work environment, and climate.

The A.P. Møller Foundation owns 100% of the shares in A.P. Moller Holding A/S, which owns 41.51% of the stock and holds 51.45% of the voting rights in its business entity A.P. Moller – Mærsk A/S.