The Council of the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), the industry voice of Singapore’s maritime community, has nominated the association’s first-ever female president since its founding in 1985.
At SSA’s 23rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on June 26, 2019, the 2019/2021 council elected Caroline Yang, CEO of Hong Lam Marine, as the association’s president.
Yang started her career with Hong Lam Marine as their in-house counsel in 1991 and has more than 25 years’ experience in the shipping industry.
As President of SSA, Yang will be supported by two vice presidents and the SSA Secretariat headed by Michael Phoon. The two vice presidents nominated by the 2019/2021 council are Katie Men, Managing Director of Iseaco Investment and Rene Piil Pedersen, Managing Director of A.P. Moller Singapore.
Ms. Caroline Yang is the first female President elected in #SSA 's 34 years' history. She will be supported by Vice Presidents Ms. Katie Men & Mr. Rene Piil Pederson, as well as the #SSA Secretariat headed by Mr. Michael Phoon.
Full media release at https://t.co/uXCDfVPA9i pic.twitter.com/dYznnODWW3
— SSA (@ssa_office) June 26, 2019
Commenting on her nomination, Yang said, “I am honoured by the trust the council has placed in me by electing me as SSA president for the 2019/2021 term. The shipping community in Singapore has much to be proud of.”
“This year, Singapore bagged the ‘Best Seaport in Asia’ for 31st time and also the ‘Best Green Seaport’ at the 2019 Asia Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain Awards. We were also recognised as the ‘Top Leading Maritime Capital of the World’ for the fourth consecutive time in a report issued by Menon Economics and DNV GL. Notwithstanding, the industry continues to face challenging conditions and digital disruptions. As we navigate into the future together, the task of the council is to work with all stakeholders to champion Maritime Singapore, to keep SSA relevant and responsive to our members, and to encourage participation by our members in our shared goal.”
“I would also like to place on record the council’s deep appreciation to immediate-past president Mr. Esben Poulsson, who has been a tireless champion of the Singapore shipping industry. His term is marked by the move of SSA Secretariat into digitalization, and expansion of membership, and by preparing the industry for sweeping changes such as the sulphur oxides cap that goes into effect in January 2020,” Yang added.
At the 23rd AGM, the council also named S. S. Teo, Executive Chairman and Managing Director of Pacific International Lines, an honorary member in recognition of his immense contributions to Singapore’s shipping industry, including as a long-serving councilor and president of SSA from 2003 to 2011.