Thomas Kazakos has been appointed as the new Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping.
Mr Kazakos has been the Director General of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, the representative National Member Association of Cyprus at ICS, since 1995.
He studied at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LL.B) and a Master‘s Degree in European and International Trade Law (LL.M).
Mr Kazakos began his professional career at the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation prior to joining the Cyprus Shipping Chamber. Internationally Kazakos has represented Cyprus on the board of ICS and the European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA) in addition to being an Administrative Board member of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).
Commenting on his appointment, he said, ” “I am very proud to have been selected to become the next Secretary General of ICS… In my role with the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, I have seen first-hand and have contributed to the vital work that ICS undertakes. The coming years will be ones of significant change for our Industry and members, and it is vital that we have a strong and resilient organisation to ably represent their views. The IMO’s decarbonisation agenda is obviously front and centre for our industry and I know ICS is working closely with the IMO, governments and other stakeholders, to develop a credible system to support the transition. But there is so much more to do and I am excited to be given this opportunity to lead the amazing team at ICS and to work with our members”.
Outgoing ICS Secretary General, Guy Platten, commented on the appointment: “I know that Thomas will have a great team around him when he takes over the reins and I wish him and them fair winds and following seas”.
Mr Platten also paid tribute to the ICS team: “it has been a privilege to have been Secretary General. I am so proud in the way that the ICS team has stepped up to the many challenges thrown at us and the way that our industry has changed from one that too often just responded, to an industry that seeks to shape its future. During my time as Secretary General, I have been supported by two wonderful chairmen, Emanuele Grimaldi and Esben Poulsson, along with an engaged and dedicated board and their associations. We have been able to strengthen the team at ICS and I am immensely proud of what they have achieved”.
Emanuele Grimaldi, Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping, paid tribute to Mr Platten, commenting on the “great work,” that Mr Platten has contributed, adding, “Through Guy’s leadership ICS has been at the forefront of developments in our industry, be that decarbonisation, energy transition, safety or seafarer welfare. I am grateful to him for his professionalism both in leading ICS and for the continuity plan that he has put in place to ensure that ICS continues to lead our industry in the decades to come. Guy will leave ICS in a robust state, both in the way it leads the agenda on so many issues, and in having sound finances.”
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal international trade association for merchant shipowners and operators, representing all sectors and trades and over 80% of the world’s merchant fleet. The recruitment process for the new Secretary General was undertaken by the international search firm Odgers Berndtson with members of the ICS board from across the world involved in the interview process.
