BIMCO has elected Nikolaus H. Schües , CEO and owner of Reederei F. Laeisz, as President at the organisation’s general meeting in Hong Kong on Thursday 25 May 2023.
He is our 46th President, taking over from Sabrina Chao of Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Holdings Limited, who has completed her two-year term. Nikolaus is the first German national to hold the position of BIMCO President since 2011.
“I am honoured to be elected President of an organisation that represents over 60 percent of the world’s tonnage at a time when the task of decarbonising our industry is becoming increasingly urgent,” he said.
“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. 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”.
He joined Reederei F. Laeisz, which celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2024, in 1993. He is also a member of the Presidential Committee of the German Shipowners Association, Deputy Chairman of the UK P & I Club, Member of the Norwegian Hull Club Committee and Member of the Board of Directors of the the German Shipowners’ Defence Association (Schutzverein Deutscher Rheder).
“The shipping industry is trusted to move about 90 percent of world trade, and one of BIMCO’s most crucial roles is to support the industry, so we can decarbonise without disruption to global trade.”
Our BIMCO Presidents each serve a term of two years. To ensure organisational continuity, the President Designate sits on the Board for two years before being put up for election as President. The outgoing President remains on the Board for two years as Immediate Past President, subsequently becoming an ex-officio Board member.
Paul Pathy of Fednav International Ltd of Canada was elected as President Designate at the same General Meeting.
Source: BIMCO