By Abbas Nazil
The World Shipping Council (WSC), the global trade association representing container and vehicle shipping, is stepping into 2025 with a revamped leadership team poised to address the pressing challenges facing the maritime industry.
Soren Toft, CEO of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, has been elected Chair of the WSC Board of Directors, bringing his extensive experience and forward-looking vision to the role.
Toft, a former senior executive at Maersk and head of MSC’s global cargo operations since 2020, will serve a two-year term as Chair, aiming to steer the industry toward a socially responsible, environmentally sustainable, and secure future.
Joining Toft as Vice Chair is Randy Chen, Vice Chairman of Taiwan-based Wan Hai Lines. Chen, who has been with Wan Hai Lines since 2002, complements his shipping expertise with a background in real estate, infrastructure investments, and financial services.
Together, Toft and Chen succeed Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd, and Jeremy Nixon, CEO of Ocean Network Express (ONE), who served as co-chairs for two terms starting in November 2020.
The new leadership comes at a pivotal moment for the WSC and the industry as a whole, with shipping facing increasing scrutiny over environmental performance, safety standards, and global trade competitiveness.
The maritime sector continues to adapt to a consolidating market while navigating regulatory pressures and the imperative for sustainable operations.
Joe Kramek, the WSC’s recently appointed President and CEO, highlighted the significant contributions of the outgoing leadership.
“I extend my sincere gratitude to Rolf Habben Jansen and Jeremy Nixon for their exceptional leadership during a critical time for the industry and WSC. Their efforts have been instrumental in strengthening the Council’s representation on the international stage and expanding its scope of work,” Kramek remarked.
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Kramek, who assumed the role in July 2024 after the retirement of John Butler, brings a wealth of experience to the position. Butler, who led the WSC as President and CEO from 2015 until mid-2024, is credited with guiding the organization through turbulent times marked by unprecedented supply chain disruptions.
He also played a crucial role in transforming the WSC into a global trade association with an expanded focus on the critical issues of the shipping industry.
Kramek’s own credentials include over two decades of service as a U.S. Coast Guard officer and a tenure as WSC’s Director of U.S. Government Relations since March 2021.
As he steps into his new role, Kramek faces an array of challenges, including advancing sustainability goals, ensuring safety, and fostering competitive trade practices.
The WSC, representing the world’s leading carriers, is committed to uniting the shipping industry under a cohesive voice to address these complex issues.
As Toft emphasized, “An ever-changing world presents both challenges and opportunities for our industry as we head into the future.
I am eager to further advance our work to shape the future growth of a socially responsible, environmentally sustainable, safe, and secure shipping industry.”
With its new leadership team, the WSC aims to tackle the shifting landscape of global shipping, balancing environmental responsibilities with the demands of a competitive and resilient trade ecosystem.
The organization’s renewed focus reflects the industry’s efforts to adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving global market.
Source: The Maritime Executive
