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.

Leadership Changes and Appointments

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.

Membership Update

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.

Key Discussions

The ICS Board discussed several important issues, including the rise in protectionism and trade tariffs, new greenhouse gas (GHG) rules planned by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the importance of keeping supply chains secure and taking care of seafarers, especially with recent global challenges.

Conclusion

ICS Chairman Emanuele Grimaldi spoke about the leadership changes and the challenges facing the shipping industry. He expressed confidence in John Denholm’s ability to lead and welcomed Thomas Kazakos to the team. Grimaldi thanked Guy Platten for his dedication and hard work over the past seven years.

Reference: ICS