SHIPPING association BIMCO has appointed Nikolaus Schües as its new president.
Mr Schües is the owner and CEO of German shipping company Reederei F. Laeisz. He was elected during BIMCO’s general meeting in Hong Kong on 25 May.
Mr Schües is the 46th president of BIMCO and the first German national to hold the position since 2011.
He takes over from Sabrina Chao of Hong Kong shipping company Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Holdings, who has completed her two-year term.
Mr Schües said he was honoured to be elected president at a time when the task of decarbonising the industry is “increasingly urgent”.
“One of my key priorities over the next two years is for BIMCO to be a strong force within the area of digitalisation and optimisation of shipping,” he said.
“I believe it is crucial that we focus on the solutions that can help us advance today, and not fall into the trap of focusing exclusively on the right fuels of tomorrow.
“Our industry has digital solutions ready to go, which can cut our carbon footprint now. I see tremendous potential in helping the industry implement such solutions and making shipping greener in the process.”
Mr Schües joined Reederei F. Laeisz in 1993. He is a member of the presidential committee of the German Shipowners Association and deputy chairman of the UK P&I Club.
BIMCO said its presidents serve on two-year terms, and Mr Schües sat on the board as president designate before being put up for election as president.
When Mr Schües was promoted, Paul Pathy of Canada’s Fednav International was elected president designate.
