Valles Steamship's Wellington Koo was elected chairman of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association (HKSOA) at its annual general meeting this week.
Koo — deputy chairman for the past two years — takes over the chairman's role from Anglo-Eastern Univan chief executive Captain Bjorn Hojgaard.
Angad Banga, chief operating officer of the Caravel Group, was elected deputy chairman.
Re-elected as vice chairmen were Zhu Jianhui of Cosco Shipping Hong Kong, Wang Yongxin of China Merchants Energy Shipping Co and Jon Zinke of Keesal, Young & Logan.
Speaking at the meeting, Koo thanked Hojgaard for his leadership during his two-year stint, which he said "helped the association face many challenges" and demonstrated the "can-do spirit to the fullest" in the new normal.
Other high-profile members of the committee for the next two-year cycle include Wah Kwong Maritime Transport's Hing Chao, Pacific Basin Shipping's Martin Fruergaard, Swire Shipping's Richard Hext, Fairmont Shipping's Robert Ho, Island Navigation Corp's Alan Tung, Orient Overseas Container Line's Kenny Ye and Arrow Asia Shipbroker's Benny Wu.
Following the event, the HKSOA held its annual cocktail reception. However, due to government social-distancing rules, attendance was limited to three representatives from each member company.
The HKSOA, established in 1957, is one of the world's largest shipowner associations.
Members own, manage and/or operate fleets with a combined capacity of more than 212m dwt.
