A New Era of Leadership Begins at the ICS General Assembly in Athens

Thomas Kazakos has officially assumed the position of Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), following a formal handover at today’s ICS General Assembly held in Athens. The appointment marks a historic milestone not only for the global shipping community but also for Cyprus, as Kazakos becomes the first Cypriot to lead the world’s principal shipping industry association.

Kazakos brings to the role more than 30 years of experience in maritime policy, international shipping affairs, and strategic leadership, having served since 1998 as Director General of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber. His tenure at CSC has been widely recognised for its professionalism, international outreach, and effective engagement with global shipping institutions. His career has also included senior positions on the boards of the ICS, the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), and the Administrative Board of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).

His appointment signals a significant elevation of Cyprus’s influence within international maritime governance and affirms the country’s growing reputation as a leading shipping hub in Europe and beyond.

As Secretary General, Kazakos takes on the helm at a critical juncture for the shipping industry. He is expected to lead the ICS in advancing regulatory clarity and global consensus on key challenges, particularly in three areas:

• Environmental Transition: Supporting the implementation of the IMO’s decarbonization goals and advocating realistic pathways for green shipping fuels, infrastructure, and incentives.

• Geopolitical Risk and Resilience: Strengthening the sector’s preparedness and response mechanisms amid rising global instability, including threats to freedom of navigation and supply chain disruption.

• Seafarer Welfare and Human Capital: Ensuring that crew welfare, safety, and skills development remain high on the international agenda, especially in light of changing technology and automation.

Kazakos is also expected to further enhance ICS’s role as a unifying voice for shipowners worldwide, facilitating greater engagement between the maritime industry, regulators, and intergovernmental bodies.

The leadership change comes as outgoing Secretary General Guy Platten concludes a tenure defined by progress on decarbonization, global crisis management, and greater visibility for the shipping sector. The handover in Athens was marked by strong international presence, including government and industry leaders, and a formal welcome by the President of the Republic of Cyprus.

The choice of Athens as the venue underscores the region’s importance in global shipping and the shared maritime heritage of Greece and Cyprus. It also highlighted the growing recognition of Eastern Mediterranean voices in shaping global shipping strategy.

Kazakos’s blend of diplomatic skill, legal acumen, and operational insight is seen as a powerful asset as the ICS navigates the complexities of a rapidly changing maritime world. His leadership is expected to focus on securing a balanced and pragmatic regulatory environment that supports both global trade and environmental responsibility.

For Cyprus, his appointment is a matter of national pride and strategic opportunity. It opens the door to deeper cooperation between the island’s maritime sector and the international policy framework that governs it—positioning the country as a stronger contributor to, and beneficiary of, the global maritime agenda.