Karin Orsel News

Karin Orsel has been appointed the first female President ever in the history of the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), starting on January 1, 2024 for a two-year term, with Mikki Koskinen joining as the new Vice-President. She succeeds Philippos Philis, who has held the position since January 2022.Commenting on her appointment, new ECSA President Karin Orsel said, “The strategic role of European shipping for the security of the Europe has come to the forefront.

Association of Dutch Shipowners (KVNR) has appointed Annet Koster as its new director from 1 March 2018. Annet Koster will join the shipowners' association ass the face of the KVNR, will make a strong case for Dutch shipping, said  the board chairmen Sibrand Hassing and Karin Orsel on 17 January during the New Year's reception of the association. "I especially want to get started to make Dutch shipping more broadly visible and to introduce people to this dynamic and traditional Dutch sector," says the brand new director. With this entrepreneurial advocate, the KVNR expects to have appointed a facilitator of innovation within the sector. Annet Koster (39) has built up a varied career in the association sector after university studies in the field of law and political sciences.

The winners of ISWAN's International Seafarers' Welfare Awards 2016 were announced on 24th June at a high-profile ceremony held in Manila, the Philippines. The ceremony forms part of ISWAN's celebrations in the Philippines for the IMO Day of the Seafarer. The awards were presented by IMO Secretary General Mr Kitack Lim to seven recipients who have provided exceptional services for the welfare and wellbeing of seafarers. The Welfare Personality of the Year Award is named after Dr Dierk Lindemann who sadly passed away on 17 March 2014. Dr Lindemann served as the Shipowner's Group spokesperson at the ILO and took a lead role in the adoption of the Maritime Labour Convention. Shipping Company of the Year: Masamichi Morooka - Chairman of ICS.

The President of the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) Mr Esben Poulsson has been elected as the new Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS). Mr Poulsson was elected at the ICS Annual General Meeting in Tokyo today (2 June). He takes over from Mr Masamichi Morooka, who has stood down after four years in office. Speaking about his new role Mr Poulsson expressed his honour at being elected as the next ICS Chairman. He said: “Rather than viewing this as a personal achievement, I believe my election is more a reflection of Singapore’s stature as a respected flag state and major international maritime centre. “International engagement and outreach has been…

The International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) has announced that Karin Orsel has joined the board as a trustee. Orsel is the Chief Executive Officer of MF Shipping in the Netherlands, President of WISTA International, and Vice Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping. ISWAN is the international NGO that works to improve the welfare of seafarers worldwide. ISWAN is a membership organization that works with shipowners, maritime companies, unions, welfare organizations, and governments.

Karin Orsel, a prominent leader in the shipping industry and President and CEO of MF Shipping Group, will be the keynote speaker at WISTA USA’s tenth annual luncheon, kicking off the Connecticut Maritime Association’s Shipping 2015 conference. The luncheon is scheduled for March 23, 2015 at the Hilton Stamford in Stamford, Connecticut. “We are pleased that Karin Orsel will be sharing her experiences as a business owner and thought leader in the maritime industry,” said Alexandra Anagnostis-Irons, WISTA USA President and Total Marine Solutions owner/founder.

Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (better known as WISTA),  was  launched  in  Sri  Lanka  on  the  03rd  July  2014,  at the  Hilton  Residencies  Colombo  amidst  a  large  and  distinguished  gathering  including  the  Chairman  of  the  Sri  Lanka  Ports  Authority,  Chairmen  &  Chairpersons  of  leading  Public  and  Private  Sector  Organizations  and  Institutes. WISTA Sri Lanka will function under the Presidency of Ms. Shehara Jayawardana, and consists of a 20 member committee which, to date,  has been successful  in  attracting 49 eminent females from shipping and shipping related industries to join its membership. "We are deligted to welcome WISTA Sri Lanka to our ranks“, stated WISTA President Karin Orsel.

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) – the principal global trade association for shipowners representing over 80% of the world merchant fleet – met in Limassol, Cyprus last week for its Annual General Meeting (AGM). The meeting was hosted by the Cyprus Shipping Chamber in its 25th anniversary year, and commenced with a gala dinner hosted by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, His Excellency Nicos Anastasiades, at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia. Representatives of ICS member national shipowners’ associations…

At its Annual General Meeting in New Orleans last week, members of WISTA USA (Women’s International Shipping &Trading Association) were urged to support investment in infrastructure projects in order to maintain and grow the transportation of waterborne commerce in the United States. From U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-La.) to Spencer Murphy of Canal Barge Company, Rick Calhoun of Cargill, Gary LaGrange of the Port of New Orleans, Joel Dupre of Southern Recycling and Colonel Richard Hansen of the U.S.

WISTA President Karin Orsel announced the formation and accreditation of WISTA Russia, which has been developed under the leadership of prominent Russian executives. The inauguration of this National WISTA Association (NWA) was held during a post RUMI (Russian Union of Marine Insurers) conference reception on November 21 in Moscow. The Russian National WISTA Association becomes the 33rd Member of the WISTA organization. "I am proud to be present for the birth of this important WISTA Member," stated Ms. Orsel.

WISTA (Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association) has conferred with Nathalie Shaw, ICS Director of Employment Affairs, together with the leaders of ISWAN, ITF, ICMA and other worldwide partners to set up guidelines for cooperation and collaboration to assist seafarers impacted by the typhoon in the Philippines and to set up an Philippines Industry response plan. "We are forwarding you what we have agreed upon to do on the short term and are working on a longer term plan as houses and schools are destroyed.

Singapore Shipping Association Honorary Secretary and International Committee Chairman Esben Poulsson has been elected as a Vice Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS). His election took place at the ICS’s recent Annual General Meeting in Oslo. He joins three other Vice Chairmen for 2013-2015: John C Lyras (Greece), Karin Orsel (Netherlands) and Gerardo Borromeo (Philippines). The SSA is an active member of the ICS and Mr. Poulsson has in the past represented the ICS at a number of industry meetings in Asia.

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) held its Annual General Meeting in Oslo from June 5-7 at the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association (NSA). National shipowners’ associations from Europe, Asia and the Americas, representing all sectors and trades and over 80% of the world merchant fleet, considered pressing international issues of concern to global shipowners and operators. Matters discussed included the challenges associated with the implementation of new International Maritime Organization (IMO) environmental regulations and industry preparations for the entry into force of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Maritime Labor Convention.

The Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) meeting of the National WISTA Association Presidents held in Paris on October 3rd provided an opportunity to examine the goals of the Association, and add to its leadership. Chaired by WISTA President Karin Orsel, the all day event featured leadership roundtable discussions resulting in agreements to amend the articles of association, examine the organizations objectives and mission statement, and to research the issue of human trafficking. This was also the forum for electing new Executive Committee members:  Jasamin Fichte, Managing Partner of Fichte & Co and President of WISTA UAE; Katerina Stathopoulou, VP, Senior Manager of Investments & Finance Ltd.

Karin Orsel, President of WISTA (Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association) announced during the recent WISTA Executive Committee meeting the formation of  WISTA Japan. This brings the total number of WISTA chapters to 34 globally. “One of the highlights of this meeting in Singapore was the official founding of WISTA Japan. Thanks to the commitment of Yoriko Ishida, and Shoko Kaminori, Japan now is the 5th Asian country with its own WISTA Chapter” stated Orsel. The Executive Committee of WISTA meets twice a year regarding the administration and direction of the organization.

International Publicist to spearhead WISTA Public Relations Efforts Carleen Lyden-Kluss to raise awareness of WISTA activities and goals. Newly elected WISTA President, Karin Orsel, has announced the appointment of Carleen Lyden-Kluss to the position of Press Officer for this international organization. Carleen is President of Morgan Marketing & Communications, a firm specializing in the commercial maritime arena and has over 30 years of industry experience. “Carleen has intimate knowledge of the industry, communications, and WISTA“, observed President Orsel.