The chairs of the major international shipping industry associations have reaffirmed their commitment to closer cooperation on shared challenges facing the sector. The leaders met in Athens last week as part of their ongoing collaboration under the Round Table framework.
The meeting brought together Paul Pathy, President of BIMCO; John Xylas, Chair of INTERCARGO; Claes Berglund, Vice Chair of the International Chamber of Shipping; and Rolf Westfal-Larsen Jr, Chair of INTERTANKO. The discussions focused on strengthening coordination across the industry and aligning positions on key policy issues.
The agenda covered seafarer safety and welfare, concerns over the gradual erosion of the international regulatory framework, and the industry’s decarbonisation pathway.
In a joint statement, the associations said the shipping industry remains resilient and continues to depend on a stable global regulatory system. They stressed the need for a pragmatic approach to ensure shipping remains relevant and capable of supporting world trade.
The leaders also highlighted the importance of seafarer protection, particularly in times of geopolitical uncertainty. They said safeguarding the safety and welfare of seafarers is a shared responsibility and must remain a top industry priority.
