Emanuele Grimaldi to serve another term as chair of ICS

Mr Grimaldi will continue as chairman for another term of two years. ICS represents 80% of the world’s merchant fleet and is the principal international trade association for merchant shipowners and operators. 

Mr Grimaldi said, “I am deeply honoured to have been re-elected as chairman of the ICS for another two years.”

In his first term, ICS focused on the industry’s decarbonisation journey, playing a role in forming the Clean Energy Marine Hubs (CEM Hubs) initiative.

Attention has also focused on increased protectionism, digitalisation, seafarer recruitment and retention, and seafarer safety during the global geopolitical conflicts including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the Red Sea crisis.

“We have made good stead with our proposals to help meet IMO’s net-zero targets by or around 2050 and continue to work with UN bodies on the biggest issues impacting the maritime sector,” he said, adding, “We are navigating through very contentious geopolitical times, which has seen shipping and our innocent workers caught in the crosshairs of conflicts in the Middle East. This comes on top of the conflict in Ukraine, and the attacks on merchant shipping in the Red and Black Seas have jeopardised the safety of our seafarers and disrupted trade. This is unacceptable and we will continue to shine a light on the heart of our industry – our seafarers.” 

ICS secretary general Guy Platten commented, “We are delighted Mr Grimaldi will continue to steer the ICS for another two years. We look forward to continuing to work closely to drive meaningful change for the industry, facilitating trade and supporting our seafarers. There is much to be done, but under Mr Grimaldi’s leadership I am confident we will evolve with the industry and further advance the maritime sector.”

At the organisation’s Annual General Meeting, the ICS board elected Metin Duzgit, from the Turkish Chamber of Shipping, as a new vice-chairman of the ICS, and Martin Kröger, chief executive of the German Shipowners’ Association, as ICS chair of the Marine Committee.