Thomas Kazakos has officially taken over as secretary general of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), following a handover ceremony during the organisation’s general assembly in Athens, marking the first time a Cypriot will head the world’s leading shipowners’ association.

The appointment is seen as a milestone not only for Cyprus but for the global maritime industry, as Kazakos steps into the role at a time of mounting regulatory and geopolitical pressure on international shipping.

The event was attended by President Nikos Christodoulides, who formally welcomed him into the position, emphasising the strategic importance of the moment for Cyprus.

After more than two decades at the helm of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC), where he was credited with raising the island’s profile in international maritime circles, Kazakos now brings his experience to the ICS, representing more than 80 per cent of the world’s merchant fleet.

His previous involvement with the ICS Board, the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has positioned him as a familiar figure in European and global shipping affairs.

He takes over from Guy Platten, whose seven-year tenure included the pandemic, regulatory shifts on decarbonisation, and growing visibility for the sector in intergovernmental forums.

The Athens gathering drew wide international presence, with government officials, diplomats and shipping executives attending the handover.

The timing of the leadership change comes as the industry faces increasing uncertainty.

Kazakos is expected to prioritise regulatory clarity, particularly around the transition to greener fuels and infrastructure, while also addressing the need for greater resilience in the face of rising geopolitical tensions. Seafarer welfare, skills development, and safety remain firmly on the agenda, especially as automation accelerates across fleets.

Beyond the official roles and policy direction, the appointment also carried a personal note. “Today, my step-father Thomas Kazakos has officially taken the helm as Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping,” wrote on a social media platform, Georgios Chrysanthou.

Describing it as the result of decades championing maritime excellence, he said Kazakos’s passion for safer, greener and more competitive shipping had inspired both family and colleagues “across the oceans.”

The choice of Athens as the venue reflected the shared maritime legacy between Greece and Cyprus, as well as the growing prominence of Eastern Mediterranean voices in global decision-making.

For Cyprus, the moment marks a rare opportunity, not just symbolic, but strategic.