The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Board of Directors has unanimously re-elected Emanuele Grimaldi, President and Managing Director of Grimaldi Euromed SpA, as Chairman of the Board. ICS represents 80% of the world’s merchant fleet and is the principal international trade association for merchant shipowners and operators. Mr Grimaldi will continue as Chairman for another term of two years. 

“I am deeply honoured to have been re-elected as Chairman of the ICS for another two years,” Mr. Grimaldi said. “It is a privilege to be part of this important association and the great work and progress being made for our industry. We have made good stead with our proposals to help meet the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) net zero targets by or around 2050 and continue to work with UN bodies on the biggest issues impacting the maritime sector”.

During Mr Grimaldi’s first term as ICS Chairman there has been significant focus on the industry’s decarbonisation journey and was integral in the formation of the Clean Energy Marine Hubs (CEM Hubs) initiative. Significantly, Mr Grimaldi has also focused his attentions on the biggest challenges in the industry including increased protectionism, digitalisation, seafarer recruitment and retention, and seafarer safety during the global geopolitical conflicts including the conflict in Ukraine and the current Red Sea crisis.

Mr Grimaldi commented: “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.”

(Photo from ICS)