The President of the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) Mr Esben Poulsson has been elected as the new Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).
Mr Poulsson was elected at the ICS Annual General Meeting in Tokyo today (2 June). He takes over from Mr Masamichi Morooka, who has stood down after four years in office.
Speaking about his new role Mr Poulsson expressed his honour at being elected as the next ICS Chairman.
He said: “Rather than viewing this as a personal achievement, I believe my election is more a reflection of Singapore’s stature as a respected flag state and major international maritime centre.
“International engagement and outreach has been, and remains, very much part of the SSA strategy, as approved by this and the previous Council, and is something for which we sense widespread membership support.” It is status quo at the Association with Mr Poulsson remaining as President of the SSA and assisted by Vice Presidents Ms Lisa Teo and Mr Tan Chin Hee, at least until the end of his current term in June 2017.
As ICS Chairman, Mr Poulsson identified two main challenges that he will focus on: “The first is working with IMO Member States to make further progress addressing international shipping’s CO2 emissions, including our proposal that IMO should develop an ‘Intended IMO Determined Contribution’ for reducing the sector’s CO2, similar to the commitments already made by governments as part of the COP21 Paris Agreement.
“But even more pressing, from an industry perspective, is making sure we are ready for the almost certain entry in force of the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention, and engaging with governments, especially the United States, to overcome some remaining but really serious implementation problems,” he said.
He added: “I take this new responsibility very seriously and at the top of my agenda will be a determination to ensure that the ICS continues to represent the view of the entire shipping industry. ICS has put in a lot of effort to give due recognition to our industry’s achievements and its critical contribution to the sustainable development of the world economy – and that is something I will continue to actively articulate.
ICS is the principal international trade association for shipowners, with a membership comprising national shipowners’ associations from 37 countries representing all sectors and trades and over 80% of the world merchant fleet.
Mr Poulsson will be supported in his important new role by four ICS Vice Chairmen: Mr John C. Lyras (Greece), Mrs Karin Orsel (Netherlands), Mr Mark Martecchini (Liberia) and Mr Gerardo Borromeo (Philippines).