Hey upgrayyed,
Being directly employed in one of the largest shipping companies in denmark, I can say with first hand experience that these companies groom their managers from the operational level mostly. But certain conglomerates like Maersk do have their own leadership development programmes, in which they like to recruit different undergratues and sponosr them for MBAs later at HSWK, after compleing a five year rotational program.
While this practice is prevalent with Maersk only, some european shipping giants do recruit occassioanly but restrict the extent of recruiting locality Denmark, switzerland and UK, i.e. , in other words, Coppenhagen business school, IMD , INSEAD and LBS.
Hope this helps.