Following the tenure of FOX Brasil’s Murilo Caldana, The Heavy Lift Group, an international association for specialised heavy transport companies, has got its first female president in Elisabeth Cosmatos, managing director of the Cosmatos Group. The appointment was made as part of the executive committee election during the 68th THLG Conference on 5 June 2023.

Founded in 1987 by a consortium of western-European heavy-lift operators in anticipation of the Single European Market, THLG has since expanded to include companies from North and South America, Asia, Africa and other parts of Europe. Its members specialise in large-scale industrial project forwarding, crane operations, machinery installation and rigging, vessel chartering, port operations and more, however, since its inception it was never led by a woman.

Cosmatos is joined on the executive committee of THLG by Rhenus Projects’ Colin d’Abreo, Alessio Bianchi of DCS Liburnus, Vesta Polska’s Natalya Kulagina and new addition Marianne Blechinberg of Hacklin Logistics.

“THLG’s decision to appoint a female president as part of a majority-female executive committee demonstrates the Group’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment in the heavy-lift industry,” said Cosmatos. “Together, we will continue to lead THLG along the successful and innovative path that has made it a pioneer in project-cargo networking.”

Cosmatos knows the group’s fabric

Having been part of the THLG executive committee for over six years, Cosmatos was previously responsible for the Group’s marketing, corporate image and common identity. She brings over 25 years’ experience in shipping, forwarding and logistics to her new role as Group President.

Commenting further on her appointment as president, Cosmatos said, “While I’m not the kind of person to shy away from change, I also have great respect for the tradition and prestige of The Heavy Lift Group as it was introduced to me almost 20 years ago. As President, I will put all my efforts into maintaining the Group’s high standards while working with dignity, transparency and passion. I would like to thank the previous executive committee members for dedicating their time to the THLG cause and working tirelessly to ensure the Group achieves far more than standard networking practices.”