THE GLOBAL Maritime Forum has welcomed four new members to its board of directors, including a new chair.
Jan Dieleman, president of Cargill Ocean Transportation, was elected chair of the Global Maritime Forum at the organisation’s annual general meeting this week.
Mr Dieleman is taking over the role from Peter Stokes, who is retiring having served as chair of the organisation since it was established in 2017.
Mr Dieleman said she was honoured to accept the role and acknowledged Mr Stokes’ contributions in his five years of leadership.
“Peter has made great strides in helping the forum become an impactful organisation that not only drives change but addresses the key challenges we face as an industry today,” he said.
“Together with my fellow directors and the Global Maritime Forums leadership, we will build on this momentum and further strengthen our role as a platform for collaboration ensuring the industry and its stakeholders to work together to discuss challenges and find lasting solutions.”
Global Maritime Forum CEO Johannah Christensen said Mr Stokes had been a “steady hand and a source of sage advice” throughout his time as chair.
“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Peter for his support and guidance during these first five years of growth and development of the Global Maritime Forum,” she said.
“Right from the outset, Peter has shared our profound belief in collaboration across the industry and collective action as the key to long-term impact and sustainable change.”
New board members Lynn Loo, Semiramis Paliou and Captain Rajesh Unni were also welcomed into the GMF’s leadership team at the meeting.
Ms Loo is CEO of the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation in Singapore, Ms Paliou is CEO of Greece-based company Diana Shipping, and Mr Unni is the founder and CEO of shipmanager Synergy Marine Group.
“I am pleased that Lynn, Semiramis and Unni have accepted to join the board of directors,’ Mr Dieleman said.
“They each bring unique and important perspectives as well as a deep understanding and appreciation for the collective challenges we face as an industry, thus contributing to the Global Maritime Forum’s ability to bring positive change for our community, the industry and society.”
Ms Loo said the Global Maritime Forum’s vision aligns with the GCMD’s goal to decarbonise the shipping industry.
“The maritime value chain is highly complex and when you overlay the challenges of decarbonising the sector, it is clear that stakeholder collaboration across the ecosystem is vital in helping the shipping industry eliminate its GHG emissions,” she said.
Mr Unni said the Global Maritime Forum’s founding principles of transparency and accountability should be at the core of the maritime industry as it tackles upcoming challenges.
“The Global Maritime Forum has proven its commitment to decarbonisation and seafarer rights time and again,
and I welcome the board’s recognition in my appointment that ship managers can offer unique value, perspective,
and insight on these issues,” he said.
Ms Paliou described her appointment as an “honour and a privilege”.
“The Global Maritime Forum represents a truly international and diverse group of people and entities across the
entire maritime industry willing to work together for the common purpose of promoting sustainable development
in the industry,” she said.
