Vassilios Demetriades, who was Cyprus’ shipping deputy minister until last month, is considering whether to submit his name as a European candidate for election to lead the International Maritime Organization.
The former European Commission policymaker is consulting his government and close advisors over whether to enter what observers believe is an unusually open race to be secretary general of the IMO for the next four years.
“I have been approached by a number of people to consider standing, but so far there is nothing concrete,” he told TradeWinds.
“We are only a week into the new [Cyprus] government, they need to consider this, and I need to consider the implications.”
Five candidates have pledged so far to stand in the election, which will take place during IMO meetings in June. Nominations close at the end of this month.
The febrile state of global politics, the impact of the war in Ukraine, and arguments over the pace of decarbonisation in shipping, look set to make the election a hard one to call.
Leading the field so far is Arsenio Dominguez, the experienced Panamanian diplomat and IMO negotiator, who is currently chief of staff to IMO secretary general Kitack Lim.
In his election manifesto, he commits to leading a bright future for the IMO.
“I will launch a new era for the IMO, where we are seen as a source of ingenuity, the creators of productive resolutions and as a rewarding workplace where best talent thrives,” he said.
A second strong candidate is Nancy Karigithu, principal secretary for shipping and maritime in Kenya. She also has a long track-record of leading IMO negotiations.
Demetriades left his role as cabinet member in charge of shipping last month as newly elected Cypriot president Nikos Christodoulides appointed a fresh group of ministers.
Christodoulides selected one of his closest aides, Marina Glykis-Hadjimanolis, as the new shipping deputy minister.
Demetriades said he was considering his options closely.
“I have not decided whether to go for this,” he said. “I have been 25 years in the shipping industry, and I am aware that this would be a big decision.”
As a seasoned shipping policymaker in Brussels, Demetriades would likely win support from European allies.
Allies of Danish Maritime Authority head Andreas Nordseth — who has stood in previous elections — said reports were wrong that he would stand.
Bangladesh is nominating Moin Ahmed, who is the director general of the International Mobile Satellite Organisation.
Turkey has put forward Suat Hayri Aka, its representative at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and a former under-secretary for maritime affairs in Turkey’s ministry of transport.
Last year, the ICAO signed a landmark ‘aspirational goal’ to reach net-zero emissions from civil aviation by 2050.
Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry from Dominica is another candidate to have declared her candidacy. She is the outgoing president of the World Maritime University and a former director of the International Labour Standards wing of the International Labour Organisation.
