The Council of the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) – the industry voice of Singapore’s maritime community – today made history by nominating the association’s first-ever female president since its founding in 1985.

At SSA’s 23rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on June 26, 2019, the 2019/2021 Council elected Caroline Yang, chief executive of Hong Lam Marine, as the association’s president. Yang started her career with Hong Lam Marine as their in-house counsel in 1991, and has more than 25 years’ experience in the shipping industry.

As president of SSA, Yang will be supported by two vice presidents and the SSA secretariat headed by Michael Phoon. The two vice presidents nominated by the 2019/2021 Council are Katie Men, managing director of Iseaco Investment and Rene Piil Pedersen, managing director of A P Moller Singapore.

“I am honoured by the trust the council has placed in me by electing me as SSA president for the 2019/2020 term,” Yang said. “The shipping community in Singapore has much to be proud of. This year, Singapore bagged the Best Seaport in Asia for the 31st time and also the Best Green Seaport at the 2019 Asia Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain Awards. We were also recognized as the Top Leading Maritime Capital of the World for the fourth consecutive time in a report issued by Menon Economics and DNV GL. Notwithstanding, the industry continues to face challenging conditions and digital disruptions. As we navigate into the future together, the task of the council is to work with all stakeholders to champion Maritime Singapore, to keep SSA relevant and responsive to our members, and to encourage participation by our members in our shared goal.”

“I would also like to place on record the Council’s deep appreciation to Immediate-past president Esben Poulsson, who has been a tireless champion of the Singapore shipping industry. His term is marked by the move of SSA Secretariat into digitalization, and expansion of membership, and by preparing the industry for sweeping changes such as the sulphur oxides cap that goes into effect in January 2020.”

At the 23rd Annual General Meeting, the Council also named S.S. Teo, executive chairman and managing director of Pacific International Lines, an honorary member in recognition of his immense contributions to Singapore’s shipping industry in numerous capacities, including as a long-serving councillor and president of SSA from 2003-2011.

The seven Ordinary Members nominated for the 2019/2021 Council are:

Member Company                                 Represented By

A P Moller Singapore Pte Ltd                  Rene Piil Pedersen (vice president)
COSCO (Singapore) Pte Ltd                   Gu Jing Song

Executive Ship Management Pte Ltd      Steen Brodsgaard Lund

Hong Lam Marine Pte Ltd                       Caroline Yang (president)

Iseaco Investment Pte Ltd                       Katie Men (vice president)

Pacific International Lines (Pte) Ltd         Teo Teng Seng

Wallem Shipping (Singapore) Pte Ltd      Nitin Mathur