EKLUND GUNNAR

 

Mollyhawk, Eklund Gunnar was born in Eckerö, Åland, on 6 November 1916.

He lives in Mariehamn.

Gunner Eklund rounded Cape Horn in the 4- masted barque PAMIR in 1937 as Deck Hand, in 1938 as an Ordinary Seaman and in 1939 as Carpenter/ motorman.

He obtained his Master' Certificate in 1946.

Gunnar Eklund served as Mate and Master of several of Gustaf Erikson' s power-driven vessels until August 1957, when he left the m v KORSÖ for his vacation.

Soon afterwards he was admitted to hospital, where he remained 4 months.

The doctors then advised him against any further service at sea.

While convalescing he studied economics by correspondance for about a year.

Together with Captain Henning Rundberg, who had been a close friend of his since their sailing-ship times, Gunnar Eklund took the initiative in 1959 of starting the first car ferry company operating services between Sweden-Åland -Finland.This was the Vikinglinjen Ab (Viking Line ).

Since operations in that company came to concentrate more and more upon tankers and bulk cargo ships.

Gunnar Eklund formed another company, which was to be devoted entirely to ferry operations. It was given the name Ålandsfärjan Ab (later SF Line Ab), and its first ship, which was purchased from England, received the same name.

Under Gunnar Eklund's management the company's fleet and its passenger and cargo volumes expanded, passenger totals in 1992 amounting to 3,7 million.

During the years, Gunnar Eklund devoted particular attention to developing car and passengers in both quality and capacity.

Nine ships were built for the company under his management.

Besides being a member of the Boards of the SF Line and the Viking Line, Gunnar Eklund has held posts on the boards of several Åland companies, including the Åland Shipowners Association and the insurance companies Redarnas Ömsesidiga Försäkrinsbolag, Försäkringsaktiebolaget Alandia and Försäkringsaktiebolaget Liv Alandia. He has also been insolved in the Åland Nautical Club and the Åland Maritime Museum.

He is 3rd Vice-President of the Åland Islands Section of the A.I.C.H and was awarded the Cape Horners medal in 1981.