Dear Baltic Exchange Members,

It has been an honour to serve you all as Chairman this year for what has been my first full year in this privileged position. The past 12 months have been exciting and a steep learning curve for myself, but it has been incredibly heartwarming to have the support of the Baltic membership, who have been so welcoming to me this year.

The maritime industry exemplifies the power of connectivity,  enabling the movement of goods that sustain us all. It is a sector where connections have always been the driving force behind trade and prosperity. With its rich history and enduring legacy, it remains an essential pillar of the global economy. It is positive to see the Baltic Exchange and its members around the world step up to tackle a number of key challenges, while ensuring the world’s vessels, their cargoes and their crews safely reach their destinations.

This past year has been another positive year of growth for the Baltic Exchange. We continue to see new members join our community, with increased exposure across Asia and a fantastic amount of engagement at our events all over the world.

The Baltic Exchange remains at the heart of the global shipping industry. We continue to invest in new products and services that ensure we remain relevant to our members and the maritime sector, including the Baltic’s new emissions benchmarks, which are increasingly important as we head into 2024 and the shipping industry steps up its efforts to decarbonize.

It has been a particular honour to represent the Baltic Exchange at a number of formal events and lunches this year. One particular highlight was joining 10 distinguished members who celebrated reaching an astounding 50 years of membership with the Baltic. Their professionalism  and camaraderie defines everything that makes the Baltic Exchange such a wonderful and important organization. It was a special day for me to learn more about their stories and history in shipping, and I hope to do so with more Baltic members during my tenure. I very much hope meantime that you will all join me at the next Chairman’s Cocktail Party in May.

As we head towards the holiday period, I would like to thank everyone at the Baltic Exchange and all our members for their well wishes and support.

I wish you all a safe, peaceful and festive holiday and a prosperous new year.

 

Jeffrey

 

Lord Jeffrey Mountevans