ZIM appoints new CEO from outside maritime during Hapag-Lloyd merger wait

Israel-headquartered container shipping company ZIM has appointed a new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Incoming ZIM CEO and President Dr Chen Lichtenstein is set to take over on 1 July 2026, pending shareholder approval, the company said.

"Dr Lichtenstein brings with him extensive management, business and financial experience in the global arena, including leading complex international companies, managing growth processes, integration and organisational change, operating in international markets and working with boards of directors, shareholders and global investment bodies," ZIM said in a statement.

From 2020 to 2023, Dr Lichtenstein served as the Chief Financial Officer at Syngenta Group, a global agricultural technology company. Prior to his position at Syngenta Group, Dr Lichtenstein served as the President and CEO of ADAMA Ltd. (formerly known as Makhteshim Agan Industries Ltd.) from 2014 to 2020. From 2013 to 2014, Dr Lichtenstein also served as President and CEO of China National Agrochemical Corporation, ChemChina’s strategic agrochemical division, and parent of Syngenta Group. From 2006 to 2013 he served as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Head of Global Operations and held various other roles within Makhteshim Agan Industries. Dr Lichtenstein also worked as a senior investment banking executive at Goldman Sachs in New York and London from 1999 to 2006, according to his LinkedIn profile.

"Dr Lichtenstein currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors at Teva Pharmaceuticals Ltd, as chairman of the board of directors at international companies in the fields of environmental sciences and biotechnology and as a senior advisor to international investment entities," ZIM said, noting that he was appointed following a head-hunting search.

Dr Lichtenstein is set to take over a vacant seat at ZIM after President and CEO Eli Glickman, who announced his resignation in April 2026.

Mr Glickman stepped down after ZIM approved a US$4Bn acquisition by German liner major Hapag-Lloyd, which came less than a year after Mr Glickman initiated proceedings to launch a bid for ZIM with Israeli shipowner Abraham Ungar. The bid failed, with the company board pointing to a low offer.

ZIM employees undetrook strike action in the wake of the announced acquisition of ZIM by Hapag-Lloyd.

As Riviera previously reported, ZIM said on 7 May that its board had reconfirmed that, following shareholder approval at the company’s 30 April meeting, the merger agreement with Hapag-Lloyd remains binding on both parties.

The carrier added that the two companies continue to engage with relevant regulatory authorities, including the State of Israel, “in order to satisfy the regulatory conditions under the agreement and consummate the transaction.”

The statement followed media reports that Israel’s Sakal Group had submitted an offer valued at around US$4.5Bn, or approximately US$37.5 per share, exceeding Hapag-Lloyd’s US$35-per-share proposal.

Led by Haim Sakal, the family-run Sakal Group focuses on private equity investments across sectors including technology, impact tech, agri-tech, fintech, capital markets, and beauty and fashion, according to information published on its website.

However, Israeli media reports have questioned both the group’s ability to finance a transaction of that scale and ZIM’s legal ability to consider an alternative offer following shareholder approval of the Hapag-Lloyd deal.

At the same time, the Sakal proposal appears to resonate with critics of the Hapag-Lloyd transaction who have raised concerns over the future of ZIM’s business presence in Israel.

According to ZIM, however, Hapag-Lloyd has committed to maintaining a significant business presence in the country, including the long-term employment of ZIM staff.

Riviera also previously reported that the combination of Hapag-Lloyd and ZIM would strengthen Hapag-Lloyd’s position as the world’s fifth-largest container shipping company, with a modern fleet of more than 400 vessels, standing capacity exceeding 3M TEU, and annual transport volumes above 18M TEU.

As part of the transaction, Hapag-Lloyd signed a binding memorandum of understanding with Israeli private equity firm FIMI Opportunity Funds covering the transfer of ZIM’s Special State Share, subject to government approval. FIMI has said it intends to establish a new Israel-based liner operator, “New ZIM”, with a fleet of 16 vessels.

The transaction is currently under review by Israeli authorities, including the Ministry of Economy and the Shipping and Ports Authority. The Israeli government holds a "golden share" in ZIM, which allows authorities to veto the deal for reasons including national security and strategic considerations.