World Shipping Council’s (WSC) board of directors has elected Soren Toft, ceo of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), as its chair, and Randy Chen, vice chairman of Wan Hai Lines, as vice chair.
The pair will serve a two-year term, effective immediately. They succeeded Rolf Habben Jansen, ceo of Hapag-Lloyd, and Jeremy Nixon, ceo of Ocean Network Express (ONE), who have served as co-chairs of the WSC board since November 2020.
“Both [Toft and Chen] are esteemed leaders with a proven track record of driving innovation and sustainability in the global shipping industry. Their experience and expertise will be instrumental in continuing to develop the World Shipping Council as the united voice of liner shipping,” said Joe Kramek, WSC president and ceo.
“I also extend my sincere gratitude to Rolf Habben Jansen and Jeremy Nixon for their exceptional leadership over the past four years, during a critical time for the industry and WSC,” Kramek added.
Incoming chair, Toft, said: “An ever-changing world presents both challenges and opportunities for our industry as we head into the future, and I am eager to further advance our work to shape the future growth of a socially responsible, environmentally sustainable, safe and secure shipping industry.”
Earlier this year, WSC updated its Green Balance Mechanism, a regulatory measure designed to ensure that shipping meets its net-zero goal by 2050 in an efficient, just and equitable manner.
