Seafarer welfare must be top of the agenda, says ICS chief

Thomas Kazakos took over as Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) in 2025, bringing with him decades of experience at the heart of global maritime policy.

Speaking to the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI), he set out the organisation’s role, its current priorities and his own perspective on the challenges facing international shipping.

For those less familiar with the ICS, Kazakos explained that it is “the global trade association for shipowners and operators”, representing national shipowner associations and “over 80 per cent of the world merchant fleet”.

Established more than a century ago, he said, its purpose has remained consistent. “ICS was established over 100 years ago to represent the shipping industry in the development of international regulation for the global shipping industry,” he noted, adding that “this is still ICS’ core function today”.

Turning to the organisation’s priorities, Kazakos made clear that people remain central.

“Firstly, our seafarers,” he said, referring to safety and welfare, as well as training, recruitment and retention. “Seafarers must always be top of the agenda.”

Alongside this, he pointed to decarbonisation, stressing that progress is essential for the next generation. “The industry is ready,” he said, adding that what is now required is for governments “to take the necessary decisions”.

At the same time, ensuring efficient supply chains and the smooth functioning of global trade remains a key focus, particularly against the backdrop of growing geopolitical fractures.

Asked about the impact ICS has had in recent years, Kazakos said the organisation has been active on multiple fronts.

Working with its members, ICS has been “integral in the development of proposals to the IMO and the ILO on various technical matters”, including seafarer training and the pathway towards net zero by 2050.

He also recalled the role the organisation played during the COVID-19 pandemic, when “ICS stepped forward and brought the industry together to tackle the crew change crisis”.

More recently, he noted, its legal team, together with the Lloyd’s Maritime Academy, “crafted the Lloyd’s Open Form Default Clause in 2024”, aimed at supporting the use of LOF when vessels require emergency salvage assistance.

On the recent decision at the IMO to delay the adoption of the Net Zero Framework, Kazakos acknowledged the industry’s frustration.

“What the industry needs is clarity through regulation,” he said, describing it as “disappointing” that Member States opted to postpone adoption by a year.

Nevertheless, he stressed that the commitment remains unchanged. “After the MEPC ES there is no change to the industry,” he said, adding that shipping continues to move global trade and remains committed to achieving “the IMO goal of net zero GHG emissions from international shipping by or close to 2050”.

Addressing the relationship between ICS and IUMI, Kazakos described it as long-standing and constructive. While acknowledging that the interests of shipowners and marine insurers “may not always align commercially speaking”, he said both sides share a common objective, “ensuring safe, secure and environmentally friendly shipping”.

He pointed to the value of the liaison between the two organisations, particularly through the ICS Insurance Committee, which allows for open discussion where views differ and cooperation where interests align.

Recent collaboration, he said, has included efforts “to safeguard the Lloyd’s Open Form” and initiatives aimed at preventing fires on board ships.

When asked if there was one thing he would change in international shipping, Kazakos pointed to a broader concern. He said he would like to see “the current erosion of the international regulatory framework to cease”, warning that despite the clear benefits of open trade and global regulation, the multilateral spirit underpinning global commerce is being steadily weakened.

At the same time, he returned to the importance of seafarers. “Without our seafarers we do not have an industry,” he said, adding that they should be “at the forefront of every decision”.

Reflecting on his own career path, Kazakos said the move to ICS was a natural progression. Prior to joining the organisation, he served for 30 years as Director General of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC), the national member association of Cyprus at ICS.

His professional life, he noted, has been dedicated to navigating global regulation, politics and trade.

Away from the office, priorities are simpler. “For me, family is the most important thing,” he said, speaking of his wife and four children.

Since relocating to London, he added, the time spent with them is “priceless”. He also admitted to being “quite partial to a tasty piece of cake”.