Management Team

Niels-Erik Lund

President & CEO

Niels-Erik Lund is the largest shareholder in the ISP companies and serves as President and Chief Executive Officer. His education is within finance, accounting and business administration, and his more than thirty-three year career has been entirely in the passengership industry.

From 1969 to 1982, Niels-Erik worked with DFDS in Copenhagen, one of the largest passengership companies in Europe. in his last years in DFDS, he served as Director finance with the overall responsibility for accounting and reporting for the fifty-two DFDS companies worldwide.

In 1983 he was asked by DFDS to head the unsuccessful Scandinavian World Cruises in Miami, a 100% owned DFDS subsidiary with more than 1200 employees. He was President and CEO from 1983 to 1987, when the company's activities were cut from a three ship to a one-ship operation. Between 1985 and 1987, the majority of the company, which had changed name to SeaEscape, was sold to American investors, and the company was expanded to four vessels and more than 1000 employees. In 1987 Niels-Erik resigned as he and his family decided to return to Copenhagen. During the four-year period, the annual result was improved by more than $35 Million.

In 1988 Niels-Erik Lund formed the ISP companies with American investors and became part owner, President and Chief Executive Officer of the company.

Niels-Erik spends half his time in Miami, Florida, and the other half in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Kenneth Engstrom

Executive Vice President

Kenneth Engstrom is an owner in the ISP companies and serves as the Executive Vice President. He has more than thirty-five years experience within the operation of passengerships.

Ken's career began onboard vessels where he became Chief Engineer with Swedish American Line and thereafter the Project Manager in a US shipyard. In 1980, he became Vice President for the engineering company, Golten Marine, a company specializing in mechanical repairs onboard ocean-going vessels, and in 1983 Vice President Operations for Commodore Cruise Lines, which operated two large cruise vessels on seven day itineraries out of Florida. In 1986, he joined SeaEscape Cruises Limited as Vice president Operations, where he was responsible for the operation of four one-day vessels operating out of Florida ports. He became Managing Director of CLC Marine, a British interior outfitting/conversion specialist, until 1988 when he joined ISP as Senior Vice President Operations.

Having been in top management positions onboard vessels, in a shipyard, a repair conversion company and cruise companies, Ken's career has provided him with the very unusual and excellent experience of having been in all aspects of technical ship management. In addition, Ken has the talent (being highly technical) of being able to work extremely well with figures, preparing budgets, forecasts and follow-up reports.

Ken lives with his wife and son onboard his 102-ft boat in Miami, Florida.

Captain Sten Bergqvist

Vice President Maritime Affairs

Sten Bergqvist was born in Gothenburg, Sweden, where his career at sea started during his last two years of high school, when he served as deck boy on a small cargo vessel, which was followed by several other seagoing positions.

While taking his master's class in the Merchant Navy Academy, Sten joined an engineering program, and received both a Masters diploma and an engineering degree. He sailed as Chief Officer and Master onboard several types of vessels in various trades, before joining Commodore Cruise Line in 1981 as Staff Captain and Master.

Sten came shoreside in 1989 as Director of Personnel for Commodore until 1992 when he joined ISP. He lives in Miami, Florida.

Captain Jorg Walczak

Vice President Marine Operations

Captain Walczak is an experienced master mariner with comprehensive management background in passenger, ferry and cargo vessel operation.

He is a graduate of the Bremen Seefahrts Adademie and has a Master Mariner Certificate unlimited and graduate engineer for sea transport.

Jorg has been Master and Staff Captain of cargo ships, passenger ferries and cruise vessels, and joined Commodore as Director of Port Operations in 1983. He has very extensive knowledge of maritime and government regulations, working with port agents and authorities, new building projects, drydockings, budget preparation, etc.

Originally from Germany, Jorg lives in Hallandale, Florida.

Heinz Steinhauser

Vice President Technical Purchasing and Special Projects

Heinz has been with the company since 1991 and has been involved in all of ISP's conversion and refurbishing projects, as well as most of the deliveries/redeliveries.

He has been responsible for overseeing the technical operation of ISP-managed vessels, the preparation of annual budgets, and the preparation of drydock specifications for most vessels.

Heinz started his career as Chief Engineer in 1975 with Esbergen Line, after which he earned his Steam and Engine degree from the College at Flensburg, Germany, then subsequently sailed as Chief and First Engineer with various lines.

A native of Legace, Germany, Heinz now lives in Miami, Florida.

Emmanouil (Manolis) Vlahos

Vice President Technical Operations

Manolis joined ISP in 2000 with vast experience in the capacity of Chief Engineer onboard several vessels operating from the United States and Greece. He came shoreside in 1993 and before joining ISP, had several years experience as a port engineer, responsible for all major areas in the technical management of vessels.

Manolis earned his degree in Marine Engineering Science from the Marine Akademy of Aspropyrgos, and his Chief Engineer's license from Kesen.

A native of Greece, Manolis lives in Miami, Florida.

Alan Freedman

Vice President Quality Assurance

Alan Freedman is a retired Captain from the US Coast Guard Reserve. Alan has over 20 years experience in the maritime industry specializing in all facets of passengership operations including safety and the development and implementation of environmental management systems and procedures.

Employed by ISP since December, 2002, Alan has worked with several major cruise lines and port facilities in the United States, and has held several field and administrative positions in the US Coast Guard.

Alan holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, USA, and lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.