The German Shipowners' Association (VDR) has elected Gaby Bornheim as its new president.
Bornheim becomes the first woman to head the shipowners' organisation in its 114-year history.
She replaces 74-year-old Alfred Hartmann, who has held the position since the beginning of 2015 and did not stand for re-election.
Bornheim's appointment comes after growing pressure from within the German shipping community for more female representation in the sector.
She remains the only woman on the VDR's board of 25 members, an organisation that had no female representation at the start of the year.
But measures to encourage gender diversity have seen legislation drafted in Germany, which requires listed companies with four executives or more to appoint at least one woman to their boards.
That resulted in Hapag-Lloyd last month appointing the first woman to serve on the company's executive board in its 175-year history.
Donya-Florence Amer, 49, will assume the position of chief information officer at the liner company in February 2022.
Challenges ahead
A lawyer, Bornheim is joint managing director of Peter Dohle Schiffahrts, which she runs along with Jochen Dohle and Christoph Dohle.
The Hamburg-based company is best known for commercial management of about 400 vessels, mostly container ships but also bulkers and multipurpose vessels. The Dohle Group also handles technical management for around 120 vessels.
Commenting on her own appointment as VDR president, Bornheim spoke of the difficulties facing German shipping.
"The challenges ahead of us are great, such as decarbonisation, generating enthusiasm among young people to pursue a career in shipping, and boosting Germany’s competitiveness as a shipping hub vis-à-vis its competitors abroad," Bornheim said.
"Together with Germany’s new federal government, the VDR and its member companies will confront these challenges swiftly and proactively."
She said the last year has shown that German needs shipping, and it needs maritime trade routes that function well.
"We will provide impetus for Germany’s maritime shipping sector to continue to operate in a climate-friendly and competitive manner with on-shore and at-sea personnel who are excellently trained and fit for the future."
Outgoing president Hartmann welcomed Bornheim's appointment, which takes place with immediate effect.
