The General Assembly of the European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA) has chosen Mikki Koskinen, the Managing Director of ESL Shipping, as its vice president for the years 2024 and 2025. It is customary for the Vice-President to be elected as the President after completing their two-year term as Vice-President.

Mikki Koskinen is the first Finn to hold a leadership position in ECSA, which represents the European shipping industry. The organization advocates for a regulatory environment that promotes responsible and competitive European shipping.

”European shipping is at the forefront of responsible shipping. It is interesting to be the first Finn to lead the European umbrella organisation of shipping companies in an increasingly challenging operating environment,” says Koskinen.

“The EU’s role in shipping regulation has increased significantly in recent years. The changed foreign and security policy situation emphasises the importance of shipping for EU and Finland in particular, as 96 per cent of our foreign trade is carried by sea”, Koskinen continues.

Mikki Koskinen has been the Managing Director of ESL Shipping since 2013 and the Chairman of the Board of the Finnish Shipowners’ Association in 2021-2023. Since 2016, Koskinen has represented the Finnish Shipowners’ Association on the International Chamber of Shipping board, the global trade association for shipowners and operators.

Koskinen was named during the recent meeting that was for the last time presided by President Philippos Philis. The ECSA Presidency flag has been passed on to Karin Orsel, who will take over the Presidency from 1 January 2024.