The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has unanimously appointed Thomas A. Kazakos as its next Secretary General.

Kazakos will replace Guy Platten who will be stepping down in June 2025.

The ICS said Kazakos has been the Director General of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, the representative National-Member Association of Cyprus at ICS, since 1995.

"After a thorough search and interview process my board is delighted to confirm the appointment of Thomas Kazakos to this important position for our industry,"  said Emanuele Grimaldi, chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping. "The coming decade will be pivotal for our industry, and it was important that we got the right person to lead ICS."

"Thomas brings a wealth of experience to the ICS community and the entire shipping industry. He is the ideal candidate to build on the great work that Guy has delivered over the past six-plus years," he added.

Grimaldi noted that through Platten's leadership,p ICS has been at the forefront of developments in the industry, including in decarbonisation, energy transition, safety and seafarer welfare.

The ICS — one of the world's principal shipping organisations, representing around 80% of the world's merchant tonnage — said in the announcement that the recruitment process was undertaken by the international search firm Odgers Berndtson with members of the ICS board from across the world involved in the interview process.

"I am very proud to have been selected to become the next Secretary General of ICS taking over from Guy next June. 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 we must have a strong and resilient organisation to ably represent their views," said Kazakos.

"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 as we address the many challenges that our industry encounters," he added.

For his part, Platten, looked back on his time as secretary general and welcomed Kazakos' 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," he said.

Kazakos began his professional career at the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation before 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).