The chairs of the leading international shipping industry associations have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthened cooperation and coordinated action on key challenges facing global shipping.
Meeting last week in Athens as part of their long-standing collaboration, the leaders of the Round Table Associations discussed critical issues impacting the sector. The meeting brought together Paul Pathy, President of BIMCO; John Xylas, Chair of INTERCARGO; Claes Berglund, Vice Chair of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS); and Rolf Westfal-Larsen Jr, Chair of INTERTANKO.
Key items on the agenda included seafarer safety and welfare, concerns over the gradual erosion of the international regulatory framework, and the ongoing challenge of decarbonising the shipping industry.
In a joint statement following the meeting, the associations underlined the importance of a stable and global regulatory environment for international shipping. They noted that the industry remains resilient and continues to play a vital role in supporting world trade and the global economy.
The leaders also stressed that, amid growing geopolitical uncertainty and conflict, the safety and welfare of seafarers must remain a top priority. Highlighting the central role seafarers play in global trade, the associations stated that any threat to shipping that places seafarers at risk is unacceptable, emphasising that protecting those who work at sea is a shared responsibility across the industry.