CSL Group said Louis Martel has taken the helm as president and chief executive officer eight months after first being named replacement to Rod Jones.
Martel began his career at CSL in 1997 as a naval architect. He has since held numerous roles with the company including president of Canada Steamship Lines and most recently president of CSL International and executive vice-president of the CSL Group.
CSL chairman Paul Martin said: “Over the course of his 20-year career at CSL, Mr Martel has played a pivotal role in driving innovation and positioning CSL and our customers ahead of the rapid pace of change in the shipping industry. We are confident he will provide the strategic vision and drive to lead CSL into the future.”
Among initiatives at CSL, Martel led the design phase of the Trillium Class fleet renewal program, a capital investment initiative that produced 11 vessels.
Martel will be joined by a new executive team consisting of Bill Bisset, executive vice-president and chief commercial officer; Allister Paterson, executive vice-president and chief operating officer; Steve Thibeault, chief financial officer, Martine Rivard; chief human resources and communications officer; and John Sypnowich, chief legal and compliance Officer.
“It is a great honour for me to be leading one of Canada’s most iconic and progressive shipping companies, and a privilege to be following in the footsteps of an industry giant like Rod Jones,” Martel said.
“These may not be easy times for the shipping industry, but they are certainly inspiring us at CSL to think outside the box to better serve our customers and operate as safely and responsibly as we can. As we begin this new era at CSL, I couldn’t be working with a more solid executive or more talented and creative ship and shore teams.”
The CSL Group is the largest owner and operator of self-unloading ships in the world. Headquartered in Montreal with divisions operating throughout the Americas, Australia, Europe and Asia, CSL delivers more than 78 million tonnes of cargo annually for customers in the construction, steel, energy and agri-food sectors.
