Malin Collin has been the new CEO of Scandinavia’s largest RoRo port in Trelleborg since February 24. In this interview, you’ll get to know Malin from Gothenburg better and hear about her plans for the port.
1. Welcome to the Port of Trelleborg! You’ve only been here for barely two weeks — what was your first impression?
I’ve received a very warm welcome and have already had the opportunity to meet many of our employees, as well as begun meetings with our customers. My first impression is that the Port of Trelleborg is characterized by strong commitment and a high level of competence. It’s clear there’s great pride in the organization, and I look forward to preserving and further developing the knowledge and drive that exist here.
2. What attracted you to apply for the role as CEO of Port of Trelleborg?
Working in a port means engaging with a dynamic and multifaceted operation, something that has always fascinated me. For those with experience in port operations, the attraction is easy to understand — the strategic importance, the international connections, and the continuous development. What specifically drew me to the CEO position at the Port of Trelleborg is precisely the range of topics and opportunities associated with the role. Being able to work with everything from infrastructure and digitalization to sustainability and business development, while also leading and advancing an operation at the forefront, feels both inspiring and challenging.
3. What’s your background?
I have a solid background from the Port of Gothenburg, where I’ve held various roles focusing on strategy, leadership, and business development. Additionally, I’ve worked in the transport sector in collaboration with transport companies, which has given me a deep understanding of logistics and infrastructure. I also have experience from the real estate industry, where I served as COO for a period.
4. What are your main strengths that will benefit you in your role as CEO?
My main strengths that will benefit me in my role as CEO are my strategic ability, broad competence, and curiosity. I have experience leading and developing businesses with a focus on both growth and efficiency, during which I’ve learned to navigate complex business environments. I’m also results-oriented and skilled at identifying opportunities and driving change, while ensuring that my employees feel engaged and inspired. My curiosity keeps me open to new perspectives and innovative solutions, helping me adapt the organization to both internal and external changes.
5. Which topics are you most passionate about?
I am passionate about strategic development from a broad perspective, adapting my focus to the port’s needs. For me, climate, digitalization, and infrastructure are critical areas for enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of the Port of Trelleborg. At the same time, growth is a key factor — it is through continued development and expansion that we can ensure the port’s future competitiveness and capacity to invest in sustainable solutions. Achieving this requires strong leadership, making leadership issues a central part of my work. Clear and committed leadership creates the foundation for long-term development, innovation, and successful port operations.
6. Port of Trelleborg has largely completed its expansion and relocation. What will be your focus for the port’s continued development?
One of the focus areas will be ensuring growth and strengthening the Port of Trelleborg’s position as a leading logistics hub. We need to continue developing our infrastructure and streamline cargo flows, with a particular emphasis on intermodal traffic and sustainable transport solutions. By creating better conditions for collaboration between maritime, road, and rail transport, we can increase capacity and attractiveness for our customers.
7. What do you see as the biggest challenge for the Port of Trelleborg?
The biggest challenge for the Port of Trelleborg is to continue growing and evolving within an ongoing uncertain market, while simultaneously ensuring our competitiveness and long-term sustainability. We need to balance investments in infrastructure and new technology with commercial viability and profitability, while also meeting the expectations of our customers and society.
Competition within shipping and the transport sector is fierce, and to maintain our position as a leading logistics hub, we must constantly develop our services, strengthen our intermodal capacity, and work closely with our partners. At the same time, we need a high degree of flexibility and adaptability to manage changing market conditions and external factors affecting the industry.
8. What do you do when you’re not at work?
Since I’ve recently moved to Skåne, I enjoy spending my free time exploring the local area and discovering new places. I have a keen interest in sports and enjoy staying active. Additionally, I value spending time with family and friends, whether through social activities or simply relaxing together.
9. Do you have a role model, and if so, who?
I don’t have a specific role model; rather, I draw inspiration from various people I meet along the way. For me, personal growth is about staying curious, being open-minded, and learning from the experiences and perspectives of others. I believe everyone has something valuable to contribute, and being genuinely interested in people is more important to me than striving to emulate a single role model.
