The head of a major bunker vessel shipowner and operator in Singapore, Hong Lam Marine CEO Caroline Yang is the first woman to be elected Singapore Shipping Association’s (SSA) president
The SSA’s seven-member council elected Ms Yang at its Annual General Meeting in Singapore in late June 2019, some 34 years after it was founded in 1985.
Ms Yang began her career as Hong Lam Marine’s in-house council in 1991 after completing degrees in the UK and Singapore and passing bar exams in both countries. Over the course of her more than 25 years with the company, Ms Yang rose to the position of CEO, and overseeing the company’s legal and human resource divisions.
Prior to her election as SSA president, Ms Yang served on the council and as chair of the organisation’s Marine Fuels Committee.
Commenting on her nomination, Ms Yang said, “I am honoured by the trust the Council has placed in me by electing me as SSA President for the 2019-2021 term. The shipping community in Singapore has much to be proud of. Notwithstanding, the industry continues to face challenging conditions and digital disruptions. As we navigate into the future together, the task of the Council is to work with all stakeholders to champion maritime Singapore, to keep SSA relevant and responsive to our members, and to encourage participation by our members in our shared goal.”
Ms Yang also praised the SSA’s outgoing president in her speech.
“I would like to place on record the council’s deep appreciation to immediate-past President Mr Esben Poulsson, who has been a tireless champion of the Singapore shipping industry. His term is marked by the move of SSA Secretariat into digitalisation, and expansion of membership, and by preparing the industry for sweeping changes such as the sulphur oxides cap that goes into effect in January 2020.”
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