Please see a statement from ICS Secretary General Guy Platten, after he was voted the International Personality of the Year at the Greek Shipping Awards for his efforts to get seafarers recognised as key workers and to resolve the crew change crisis. 

Guy Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping said:  

“It is an incredible honour to be recognized as the International Personality of the Year. What the International Chamber of Shipping has achieved this year is based on the hard work of many colleagues and industry peers. I’m thankful for the support I receive from the global shipping community, and of course our Greek partners.” 

“The pandemic has led to an unprecedented crisis impacting the world’s seafarers, including many from Greece itself. Going into the new year, ICS will continue to press for an end to this challenge. Governments must agree on a solution to relieve these key workers, who have been working tirelessly to keep nations supplied during this extremely difficult time. We must not allow bureaucratic hurdles to trap our seafarers, who are the unsung heroes of this pandemic.” 

“We should also not forget the critical challenge to decarbonise shipping. Speed and scale are needed to address the climate crisis. ICS will continue advocating the adoption of the industry proposed UD$5 billion to accelerate research and development for zero-emission technologies. Without the approval of IMO member states, we cannot take forward the crucial and complicated process of decarbonisation.”