Furetank has been named a regional winner of the international EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 award. The company took the Best International Growth category for setting a new sustainability standard in shipping, an approach that has fuelled its rapid growth in recent years.

Ernst & Young has presented the prestigious award since 1986, and it is now given in 60 countries. It recognises entrepreneurs who stand for growth, innovative vision, clear values and social responsibility. Explaining its choice of Lars Höglund and Furetank, the jury said:

“For almost four decades, this entrepreneur has made bold, long-term investments in one of the world’s riskiest and most capital-intensive industries. By involving employees in new technology development, he has created an innovative workplace built on safety, working environment and continuous improvement.

HAS HELPED MOVE AN ENTIRE INDUSTRY FORWARD
Combining long-term investment, technical leadership, a strong company culture and social responsibility, he has helped move an entire industry forward and shown how profitable growth in a global market can go hand in hand with sustainable development. A role model for the transport of the future.”

A surprised Lars Höglund took to the stage at Hotel Elite Park Avenue in Gothenburg on Tuesday evening to accept the award.

“I really did not expect this. It is incredibly moving.”

Host and former FIFA referee Jonas Eriksson asked about the journey from a single tanker in the family business in the 1950s to today’s around 300 employees, annual turnover of SEK 1.5 billion and 26 tankers ordered by Furetank and its partners in the VINGA vessel series.

“It all goes back to a point ten years ago when we had to renew our fleet, just as society was turning its attention to the environment. Together with FKAB Marine Design, we developed a vessel design that today gives us the ships with the smallest environmental footprint in their class globally. This made us a leader in environmental development, and shows that it can be done while staying profitable,” said Lars Höglund.

Inviting the winners to the national final at Stockholm City Hall on 27 January 2027, the host concluded:

“We celebrate entrepreneurs who work quietly behind the scenes and drive growth, and that is exactly what you, Lars, and Furetank have done.”

Furetank

• Furetank, based on Donsö in the Gothenburg archipelago, is a Swedish, family-owned shipping company active in tanker shipping since the early 1950’s.
•  Furetank is a founding member of the Gothia Tanker Alliance: a market platform for small and intermediate product tankers, operating 40 vessels in European waters.