Karin Orsel is the first woman to take up the top position in the European Shipowners’ Association ECSA.
It is the first time that a woman has been elected to the position of President of the shipowners’ association, ECSA announced today.
Orsel has been Vice President for two years and will take office on January 1, 2024 for a two-year term. She succeeds Philippos Philis, who has held the position since January 2022. Mikki Koskinen was elected as Vice President.
Following the appointment, Orsel said: “The strategic role of European shipping in Europe’s security has come to the fore. Our commitment is clear: we want to drive the energy transition in shipping, achieve our climate goals and promote the sector’s competitiveness amidst rapidly evolving geopolitical and security challenges.”
Orsel: “People-centered change is important”
One of the industry’s key priorities is people-centered change. The education and training of seafarers for the green and digital transition while maintaining the attractiveness and sustainability of the sector is an issue that is very close to her heart, Orsel continued.
“I am honored to take over the ECSA presidency at such a crucial moment and I look forward to working with the members and the secretariat to further strengthen ECSA’s role as the voice of European shipping,” said the new president of the association, which represents 19 national associations from the EU and Norway.
Karin Orsel became a shipowner and maritime entrepreneur at the age of 23 and has been CEO of her ship management company MF Shipping Group since 2001. In 2017, she was appointed President of the Royal Association of Dutch Shipowners (KVNR).
Mikki Koskinen emphasized that it is now more important than ever to ensure that European shipping remains competitive in an international environment while achieving its climate goals and continuing to provide goods, energy and mobility for EU citizens. “To achieve this, it is important to continue constructive dialog and cooperation with EU policy makers and stakeholders,” said the future Vice President, Managing Director of ESL Shipping Oy, an Aspo Group company, since 2013 and member of Aspo’s Board of Directors.
