David Palmer is retiring as chief executive of Wah Kwong Marine Transport Holdings but still plans to remain involved in the industry, where he has worked for 43 years.
Palmer will step down in September and plans to take his remaining annual leave during the last weeks of his contract, he told TradeWinds.
"In just three weeks, I will have reached 65 and am set to retire from full-time work," he said.
"Although I won’t, however, disappear entirely as I do find the world’s largest industry a constant fascination.
"I will put myself forward for non-executive positions and if all else fails I always have a son in the business!"
Wah Kwong shake-up
His retirement, he said, is well timed to coincide with "imminent" organisational changes at Wah Kwong, on which TradeWinds has reported.
The Hong Kong-based company will be split into two divisions — shipowning and asset management — managed by joint managing directors.
Hing Chao will take over from Sabrina Chao as chairman of Wah Kwong.
"This is a refocus for Wah Kwong that I have worked hard to facilitate," Palmer said.
"My retirement will allow the organisation to tackle the challenges and opportunities that are coming our way with both long-term thinking and, more importantly, with full accountability."
Palmer said that human relationships are the aspect of his career that he will cherish most.
His parting shot to the industry is a fond farewell.
"To all my many friends in shipping: we are privileged to work in an industry where we all love what we do and we feel that it matters – how could there ever be so much fun!" he said.
