Aponte replaces Saade as ELAA chairman

Aponte replaces Saade as ELAA chairman Gianluigi Aponte, president of Mediterranean Shipping Co., will become chairman of the Brussels-based carrier lobby group, the European Liner Affairs Association (ELAA), taking over from CMA CGM founder and chairman Jacques Saade on Jan. 1.
   “It is my fervent hope that the European Commission in the form of its Directorate General of Competition (DG Comp) recognizes the vital position that the liner shipping industry holds within the global economy,” Aponte said in a statement.
   “Moreover it is crucial that, during the coming year DG Comp formulates guidelines for the industry post the abolition of Regulation 4056/86 — and with it liner conferences in Europe — that will create an environment within which ship owners are able to continue investing sufficiently for the future,” the MSC boss added.
   Chris Bourne, executive director of ELAA, said, “Mr. Saade’s foremost success in guiding the liner industry over the past year has been the great strides made in improving the relationship between the carrier lines and their customers, European shippers.
   “The confrontational atmosphere that has characterized relations over past years has been changed to one of constructive discussion. This has been Mr. Saade’s lasting contribution to the development of the industry,” Bourne said.
   The ELAA estimates that its members currently have over $60 billion invested in new vessel capacity, which will come on board during the next four to five years.