Thomas Kazakos: ICS appointment "a testament to the credibility and recognition of the Cyprus shipping industry"

Having dedicated himself to the Cyprus Shipping Chamber for more than three decades, Thomas A. Kazakos, the newly appointed Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), now steps onto the global stage, taking the helm of the world’s most influential shipping organisation.

Here, he shares his vision, talks about the evolving role of international shipping and examines the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, from decarbonisation and digital transformation to geopolitical shifts and the future of maritime trade.

Congratulations on your appointment as Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Shipping. What will your duties include and what is your personal vision for your tenure?

Serving as the Director-General of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber for over three decades has been both a privilege and an invaluable experience. Now, being appointed as Secretary-General of the ICS, which represents Shipowner Associations from around the world, is a tremendous personal honour. More importantly, this appointment is a testament to the strong reputation and global standing of Cyprus shipping, highlighting its influence in the international maritime industry.

My duties will include representing the global shipping industry at the highest levels, implementing the Organisation’s strategic and policy development agreed by the Board and advocating for policies that support sustainable and efficient shipping, while ensuring that the industry's voice is heard on key regulatory and environmental issues. To that end, I will work closely with all ICS national member-associations, the Board of Directors and external stakeholders, fostering dialogue and promoting international shipping.

Knowing first-hand of the numerous challenges facing global shipping from my current position and leveraging my extensive experience gained through my participation on the ICS Board and various committees, I consider it a top priority to ensure that the ICS remains the collective and professional voice of international shipping. At the same time, my primary objective is for the ICS to remain a strong organisation that effectively promotes the legitimate interests of shipowners on a global scale. This will be achieved through close and mutually beneficial cooperation with various international and regional policymaking bodies that influence global shipping, ultimately serving the broader interests of global trade (90% of which is transported by sea) and, by extension, the global economy and society.

Give us some basic information about the ICS, its mission and its global impact.

In a nutshell, the ICS, based in London, is the global trade association for shipowners and operators. It has members from around 40 countries, representing national shipowner associations that account for over 80% of the world’s merchant fleet. The Chamber’s mission is to serve as the collective voice of the international shipping industry, advocating shipowners' positions to global regulators such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), as well as other government bodies and relevant stakeholders. Its goal is to positively influence regulatory developments while upholding high standards of quality, safety and environmental protection.

This is the first time in the ICS’s 100+ years of operation that a Cypriot is taking the helm. Do you think that your appointment will have a positive impact on Cyprus?

First and foremost, the appointment of a Cypriot as Secretary-General/CEO of this world-leading shipping organisation is a testament to the credibility and recognition of the Cyprus shipping industry. Over the years, Cyprus has made remarkable strides on the international shipping stage, proactively shaping global maritime policies. So, yes, my appointment further enhances the country’s standing, providing Cyprus with a stronger voice and greater influence in international shipping affairs.

On a personal level, being selected unanimously by the ICS Board among high-calibre candidates from across the globe is the highest professional achievement for me after more than 30 years of direct involvement, primarily with Cyprus shipping but also with European and international shipping. At the same time, it represents a major personal challenge – to prove myself worthy of the great trust placed in me by all the National Shipowners’ Associations that I will be representing on the global stage.

Looking back at your time at the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, what are some of the achievements or initiatives that you are most proud of?

Having been part of the Chamber’s journey for over three decades, I have witnessed its tremendous growth and transformation first-hand. I take great pride in several key milestones that have defined our success in “Navigating Cyprus Worldwide” – a phrase that perfectly encapsulates the Chamber’s mission.

The first milestone was the “representation unity” that the creation of the Chamber in 1989 brought to shipping and shipping-related companies which, until then, did not exist. As a result, trust was created between them and the Chamber, acting as their one voice, their honest broker, their official representative in Cyprus and abroad. At the same time, trust was also created between the Chamber and decision-makers in Cyprus – the Government, the House of Representatives, political parties, business associates nationally and internationally, the media and the general public, thereby cementing the Chamber’s recognition as a professional and trustworthy lobbying group. This trust and credibility is further reflected in our leadership of international shipping bodies.

The immediate past CSC President, Philippos Philis, served as President of the European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA), while our current President, Themis Papadopoulos, holds the Vice-Chairmanship of ICS. This underscores the high regard that Cyprus and its shipping community command on the global stage.

Another major milestone was Cyprus’ accession to the EU in 2004, followed by the approval of Cyprus’ Tonnage Tax System (TTS) by the European Commission in 2010 and 2019. This competitive taxation framework – covering shipowning, ship management and chartering – provided long-term stability and certainty for the industry.

As part of this European shipping orientation, it has been a great personal experience and recognition to have served, since 2015, as Chairman of the ECSA State Aid Committee, dealing with the Shipping Taxation framework in the EU, as well as being appointed in 2017 by the European Commission to the Board of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in Lisbon, representing European shipowners as a whole.

Another key initiative that we championed was the establishment of the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Shipping in 2018. This was a game-changing reform, designed to streamline decision-making and enhance the sector’s efficiency. The idea originated from the CSC in 2010, and after seven years and 79 lobbying meetings with political and industry stakeholders, the bill finally received unanimous approval. This was a defining moment, positioning Cyprus as a progressive maritime nation.

The CSC has also played an active role in international maritime organisations, participating in the IMO as part of the Cyprus Maritime Administration delegation. The Chamber’s new Director-General, Alexandros Josephides, has been Cyprus’ IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador for many years now, promoting seafaring and other maritime professions.

Since 2006, in close cooperation with CYMEPA, the Chamber has supported the pioneering “Adopt a Ship” programme which has now reached over 1,000 school classes. Demonstrating its strong commitment to Education and Training, through its dedicated and well experienced Secretariat personnel, the CSC initiated decades ago the ongoing Education Programme, promoting Cyprus shipping as a promising career either at sea or ashore. Since then, more than 400 such presentations have been made in secondary schools and universities around Cyprus.

In January 2024, the Chamber was also admitted as the first registered Lobbyist in Cyprus, under the newly set up Anti-Corruption Authority, reflecting its longstanding commitment to transparency and high professional operational standards.

What do you expect to be the key trends and challenges facing the shipping industry in 2025?

The shipping industry is poised to undergo transformational change in the coming years. At the forefront of this evolution is the IMO’s decarbonisation agenda, which is shaping the industry's commitment to a sustainable, green transition. Collaboration between governments, regulators and industry stakeholders is crucial to developing effective, long-term strategies. Digitalisation and automation will further reshape operations, increasing efficiency but also presenting cybersecurity risks. Balancing these challenges, while ensuring safety and operational efficiency, will be crucial. At a time of increasing uncertainty, due to intense geopolitical and military tensions, energy transition, trade restrictions and serious issues related to the safety and welfare of our seafarers, we must strive for the stability and support of shipping in order to ensure its crucial role in global prosperity and the economy.

(Photo by TASPHO)

This interview first appeared in the February edition of GOLD magazine. Click here to view it.