Independent shipowners’ association BIMCO has elected Nikolaus Schües, CEO and owner of German-based Reederei F Laeisz, as its new president. Schües takes over from Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Holdings’ chairman Sabrina Chao. He is the 46th president of BIMCO and the first German national since 2011 to hold the position.
“I am honoured to be elected president of an organisation that represents over 60% of the world’s tonnage at a time when the task of decarbonizing our industry is becoming increasingly urgent,” said Schües, adding that “one of my key priorities over the next two years is for BIMCO to be a strong force within the area of digitalization and optimization of shipping. I believe it is crucial that we focus on the solutions that can help us advance today, and not fall into the trap of focusing exclusively on the right fuels of tomorrow. Our industry has digital solutions ready to go, which can cut our carbon footprint now. I see tremendous potential in helping the industry implement such solutions and making shipping greener in the process”.
Schües joined Reederei F. Laeisz in 1993. He is a member of the Presidential Committee of the German Shipowners Association, deputy chairman of the UK P&I Club, a member of the Norwegian Hull Club Committee, and a member of the board of directors of the Schutzverein Deutscher Rheder.
He takes over after a two-year period as president-designate. Paul Pathy of Canadian bulk carrier operator Fednav has been elected as the new president-designate, set to take over from Schües in 2025.