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According to the Public Relations of the Iranian Shipping and Related Services Association, the Federation of National Associations of Ship Brokers and Agents (FONASBA) has announced the start of its new leadership term, bringing significant changes to the global maritime industry. In this context, “Fulvio Carlini” has been appointed as the new President of FONASBA, and he announced the beginning of a new term with a focus on strengthening international cooperation and expanding activities in Africa.
The Start of the New Leadership Term of FONASBA In the latest issue of FONASBA’s newsletter published in March 2025, it was announced that the federation has entered a new leadership term with Fulvio Carlini as the president. In his speech, Carlini emphasized the importance of global cooperation and further developing activities in Africa.
New Vision: Strengthening Global Cooperation One of the most important actions of FONASBA in this period is the launch of the ECASBA Bulletin, aimed at providing continuous information to members and enhancing cooperation among countries. Upcoming events for the federation include the FONASBA Annual Conference in Istanbul from October 14 to 18, 2025, and a specialized webinar on EMSWe developments on April 10, 2025.
New Executive Committee: A Blend of Experience and Innovation FONASBA has introduced its new executive committee for the 2024-2027 term, emphasizing the federation’s role in strengthening leadership and innovation on a global scale. The committee, with the motto “Leadership, Innovation, Connection,” is taking significant steps to enhance the maritime industry.
Key figures in the new committee include:
- Mohamed Mously (Egypt), Regional Vice President for Africa, a well-known figure in the Middle Eastern maritime industry.
- Doreed Mahasneh (Jordan), a marine science expert and CEO of Gargour Shipping.
- Takazu Iigaki (Japan), with over 60 years of experience in the shipping industry.
Expansion of Cooperation and New Memberships FONASBA has also strengthened regional relations in Asia by signing a cooperation agreement with the Indonesian Ship Brokers Association (I.S.B.A). Additionally, two Egyptian companies, EMCO and MELC Group, have joined the federation, demonstrating the growing scope of the federation’s collaborations.
FONASBA’s Political Efforts FONASBA representatives have met with officials from the Suez Canal to discuss stabilizing the Red Sea situation and improving transit processes, which is of great importance.
Focus on Education and Technology To enhance specialized skills, FONASBA has designed multiple training courses for maritime industry professionals, including courses on “IMDG Code” and “Blockchain in Shipping.” The federation, in collaboration with The Baltic Exchange, has also introduced new tools to facilitate Know Your Customer (KYC) processes.
New IMO Office in Alexandria The International Maritime Organization (IMO), with the attendance of Egypt’s Minister of Transport and the IMO Secretary-General, has inaugurated its new regional office in Alexandria to coordinate maritime activities in Arab countries.
Women in Maritime: From Challenges to Success On International Women’s Day, FONASBA published discussions with leading women in the maritime industry. Among them, Nada Al-Ahwal, Strategy Director at Transmar International, highlighted the transformative role of artificial intelligence in the maritime industry, while Elizabeth Cosmatos, CEO of the Cosmatos Group, emphasized the added challenges faced by women in this industry.
Economic Challenges and Dependence on China’s Maritime Trade FONASBA analysts have warned that China’s slowing economic growth could have significant impacts on maritime trade volumes. In 2024, China imported 3.2 billion tons of goods by sea, accounting for about 25% of global trade. However, there are signs of a decrease in raw material imports, particularly crude oil and coal.
The Role of Ship Brokers in Complex Markets Rafael Lerna, CEO of the World Ship Agents Association (WWSA), discussed the role of ship brokers, stating: “Ship brokers are no longer just intermediaries between shipping lines and ports; they are problem solvers in imperfect markets.”
