The layoff was performed immediately when Martin Dorsman stepped down as secretary general of the European Community Shipowners’ Association a few weeks ago. The seat remains empty, but one name in particular comes up as a potential candidate, according to WPO’s sources.
An extended period of dissatisfaction among European shipping associations ended up leading to the immediate dismissal of Martin Dorsman, who until October held the position of secretary general of the European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA).
The organization, headquartered in Brussels, represents European shipowners as their voice regarding the most important matters on the political agenda, not least of all the prominent topics of regulation and climate.
So far, we have two interim leaders of the secretariat
Claes Berglund, President, ECSA
But according to a number of sources WPO has spoken to, ECSA has long been regarded as far too invisible in the debate, where climate to a great extent has moved to Brussels in recent years as the International Maritime Organization has had difficulties reaching agreements and delivering decisive initiatives. At the same time, the turnover of employees in the secretariat has been too great, so ECSA’s voice has been too weak all in all, or so it goes.
WPO has presented the information to Dorsman, but he declines to publicly comment on the process.
ECSA President Claes Berglund confirms only that the agreement with Dorsman ended “by mutual accord”, and he adds that there may be a need for change and for fresh blood as time passes.
Seat is empty
At the same time, he discloses that no replacement has yet been found, and also that it’s not certain to happen before sometime in 2022.
“We’re discussing a couple of names. So far, we have two interim leaders of the secretariat. It’s working well, so there’s no panic,” Berglund tells WPO.
However, others point out that ECSA thereby finds itself in a void, which follows a period in which the organization hasn’t been able to manage the task set before it, which above all is to promote European shipowners and ensure their clear imprint on the most important agendas.
The ECSA presidency is soon to change hands. Current President Claes Berglund will hold the position until the end of 2021. | Photo: PR / Stena
Not only in Brussels, but in other shipping forums around the world as well. As an ultimate consequence, this could mean lost influence regarding crucial topics such as the EU’s major energy package Fit for 55, in which shipping is among the corner stones.
The interim management duo is currently made up of Katalin Dobránzky-Bartus and Sotiris Raptis. But there is broad agreement that neither of these will be the next secretary general, according to sources WPO has spoken to.
Who will take over?
Instead, the current secretary general of Sea-Europe, Christophe Tytgat, is mentioned as a possible candidate.
The way it’s presented, such a change would also be a natural step for the organization representing suppliers to the shipowners’ organization. Others mention VDR’s Martin Krøger, without any of these two having formally stated an interest.
The decision to dismiss Dorsman was effectively executed on September 30 by the organization’s president, who notified the board a couple of days afterward.
These changes in ECSA also come at a time when the presidency is about to change as well, as Berglund will only hold the position up until the end of 2021. After that, current Vice-President Philippos Philis is set to take over.
The new vice-president is expected to potentially be Dutch national Karin Orsel, who has previously been a member of the ECSA board.
