International Chamber Of Shipping Appoints New Chairman, Welcomes Malta As Full Member

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Board has recommended John Denholm CBE as the Chairman Designate to succeed the current Chairman, Emanuele Grimaldi. Denholm will take over the role after Grimaldi’s term ends at the ICS AGM in June 2026.

Denholm currently serves as Vice Chair of ICS and is the UK’s representative on the Board. He is also the Chairman of J. & J. Denholm Limited, a family-run company involved in shipping, logistics, seafood, and industrial services.

ICS confirmed the appointment of three new Vice Chairs: Dr Gaby Bornheim from Germany, Carl-Johan Hagman from Japan, and Claes Berglund from Sweden.

Two current Vice Chairs, Themis Papadopoulos from Cyprus and Caroline Yang from Singapore, are stepping down after four years of service. Metin Düzgit from Türkiye, who was elected in 2023, continues to serve in his first two-year term.

Additionally, Thomas Kazakos has been appointed as the new Secretary General of ICS. He officially replaced Guy Platten following a formal handover during the AGM. Kazakos, who previously served as Director General of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, joined ICS in April to ensure a smooth transition.

The handover was witnessed by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, who also welcomed Kazakos into his new role and acknowledged Platten’s service over the past seven years.

Guy Platten was recognised for his leadership during several difficult global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ever Given blockage, and efforts around the decarbonisation of the shipping industry. Under his leadership, ICS expanded its global impact and worked to help the industry respond to rapid changes and crises.

The ICS Board also approved Malta’s shift from Associate Member to Full Member. The Malta International Shipowners Association now joins ICS as a Full Member, highlighting the country’s increasing importance in global shipping.

The ICS Board discussed about several important issues. One major concern was the rise in protectionism and trade tariffs around the world. These changes are affecting global trade, shipping routes, and supply chains. The Board also pointed out that the world is starting to split into separate trading blocks, which could change how global trade works in the future.

Another important topic was the new greenhouse gas (GHG) rules being planned by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). These rules are expected to be approved in October and could bring major changes to how ships operate. ICS was heavily involved in the talks, even though the final deal ended up being more complicated than expected.

The Board also discussed about the importance of keeping supply chains secure and taking care of seafarers, especially with recent global challenges.

ICS Chairman Emanuele Grimaldi spoke about the leadership changes. He said the shipping industry is facing a tough time and needs strong leaders. He said John Denholm is well-prepared for the role and welcomed Thomas Kazakos to the team. He also thanked Guy Platten for his hard work over the past seven years.

Reference: ICS

Source: Maritime Shipping News