Fulvio Carlini, born in 1957 started his shipping career from joining his family business.
After starting in his family business, Carlini & C Srl, in 1978, Fulvio Carlini held leadership roles across various maritime and logistics companies, including Euro CAM and Savona Terminal. Since 2003, he has served as a Logistics Consultant for Acciaierie Beltrame Spa Group, managing export and import logistics for mills in multiple countries. Currently, he is the Gerant of Marine Chartering Services Sarl in Monaco, specialising in dry cargo chartering and logistics consultancy, and a Director of Conti Carwil Ltd, operating liner services in the Mediterranean and beyond. Carlini also holds industry roles, including Chairman of the Shipbroker Committee of FONASBA, and as a member of BIMCO’s Documentary Committee.
He is married to a shipbroker and has three children.

Experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the maritime industry, Business Planning, Strategic Planning, International Business, and Ports. Strong business development professional with a Master's Degree (LLM) focused in Economics Law from İstanbul Bilgi Üniversitesi.

Raymond has been involved in all aspects of the shipping industry for over 30 years. He has worked as a shipowner, ship agent, terminal operator, and logistics service provider, covering the whole supply chain.

He is the owner of SiRaCo GCV, a consulting and intermediary services firm within the shipping and logistics industry. He also serves as the Regional and Global Affairs Officer for the Belgian Shipping Federation.

Nico De Cauwer is Secretary-General of IPCSA – the International Port Community Systems Association. Nico is a member of the Industry Advisory Board at the Digital Standards Initiative (DSI) of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), UN/CEFACT Expert within the Transport & Logistics Domain, and he also resides in the IMO Expert Group on Data Harmonisation (EGDH) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Nico is also member of the Steering Committee of the Data Collaboration Committee at IAPH, the International Association of Ports and Harbors. As Business Architect Port Community Solutions at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, he has 30 years of experience in the port & maritime sector, involved in the digitalization and innovation of PCS projects. He holds a master’s degree in mathematics and computer science from the University of Antwerp

Experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working in the investment management industry. Strong entrepreneurship professional skilled in Negotiations, Real Estate and Infrastructure Investments, Due Diligence, Mergers & Acquisitions, Strategic Planning, and Venture Capital.

Metin Düzgit is the Executive Vice President at Düzgit Group, one of the prominent maritime family companies of Türkiye.

Established in 1966 Düzgit Group is active in shipowning & management, shipbuilding & repair, ship sub-agency, duty free & shipstore supplies as well in towage & pilotage services.

He is also Vice Chair of ICS (International Chamber of Shipping), Vice Chairman of TAB (Turkish Shipowners Association), Board Member of MISA (Malta International Shipowners Association), Council Member of DTO (Turkish Chamber of Shipping) and Council Member of INTERTANKO (International Association of Independent Tanker Owners).

He was born in Istanbul and studied first Mathematics degree at Bogazici University of Istanbul followed by a BSc degree in Shipping Operations at Solent University of Southampton and a MSc degree in Shipping, Trade and Finance at City University Bayes Business School of London. Finishing his studies in year 2000 he actively started to work at family company.

He is an active rower and cyclist.

Jacek Tyminski, 59 y.o. born in Gdansk, Poland. Graduate of the University of Gdansk, Master’s degree in Economics. For over 35 years of his professional activity, he has been actively involved in the maritime economy, specializing in international forwarding, ships agency, chartering, and port handling

Director at Vertro Port & Shipping Services, Poland, President of Polish Shipbrokers’ Association Honorary Consul of Rep. of Moldova in Gdansk

Vetro Port & Shipping Services, Poland

The company is active in Polish ports, offering a wide scope of services like stevedoring and warehousing, logistics, and international transport. Employs 75 persons

Jesper is an experienced leader with a proven track record spanning over 30 years in the maritime industry. He is skilled in board management, leadership, analysis, lobbyism, freight and T/C, sales and marketing, business development, communications, and digital/AI affairs in shipping.

He is also a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers in London, UK. 

He is currently the Leading Senior Advisor for the Danish Shipbrokers and Port Operators, part of the Danish Industry (DI) Transport. The organisation is Denmark's strongest trade association for private shipping and port companies. It offers membership in Land Lease, Shipping Agency, Terminal/Stevedoring, and Shipping/Chartering. The Danish Shipbrokers and Port Operators are part of the DI Transport community. The Danish Shipbrokers and Port Operators are internationally recognised by FONASBA/ECASBA, FEPORT, and Business Europe.

Hilde has more than three decades of experience in the Belgian and European maritime sector. For 22 years, she served as Legal and Risk Manager and member of the Executive Committee at the largest independent ship agency in the Port of Antwerp. In 2013 she became Director of NAVES, the umbrella organization representing the Belgian associations of ship agents and brokers. Following the merger of the associations of Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges-Zeebrugge, she is now serving as Deputy General Manager of the Belgian Shipping Federation.

She represents ECASBA as a customs specialist, notably within the European Commission’s Trade Contact Group and the European Ports Alliance.

As she has gained in-depth insight into the challenges of drug-related crime from both the agency and shipowner perspective since working in the port of Antwerp, she also represents ECASBA in the European ports Alliance.

Antonio Belmar da Costa has served as the Regional Vice President for Europe at FONASBA since 2015. With over two decades of leadership experience in the maritime and logistics industries, Antonio has served as the Executive Director of AGEPOR (Associação dos Agentes de Navegação de Portugal) since 2000 and as Vice President of the Shortsea Promotion Centre in Portugal since 2004.

He is an advocate for sustainable intermodal transport and has been a guest lecturer at Escola Europea de Short Sea Shipping since 2007. Previously, Antonio held key positions at MacAndrews, including Commercial Director and Financial Director, during a successful ten-year tenure. Additionally, within FONASBA, he chaired the European Community of Agents and Ship Brokers Association (ECASBA) from 2008 to 2018, further showcasing expertise in international maritime affairs. Associaçao dos Agentes Navegação de Portugal (AGEPOR)

He is a maritime professional with 40 years of experience and a background in Law Studies. He developed most of his career in a large shipping company. He is also the Secretary Director of The Spanish Agents’ Association ASECOB since its initial stages in 2027.

ASECOB is the national association of agents in Spain. Not being a federation, its members are companies/groups of companies or local Port Agents Associations (12 of them). The company's members alone have more than 350 ship agency licenses in Spanish national ports.

Berit has been in shipping for almost 50 years, from stewardess on a ferry between Gothenburg and England to shipping journalism. Next year, she will end her career after 24 years with the Swedish Shipbrokers Association

She is currently the Managing Director of the Swedish Shipbrokers Association. We have 120 members all over Sweden, involved in port agency, shipbroking, sale and purchase, and liner agency.

Bahadır Tonguç is the Chairman of the FONASBA Shipbroking Committee and Managing Partner at Supramar Shipping Ltd. With over 20 years of experience in shipbroking and chartering, he has been actively involved in promoting professional standards and education within the maritime industry.

He is currently the Managing Director of Supramar Shipping LTD. / Supramar BV. The company was founded in 2007 and provides chartering and consultancy services in the bulk, breakbulk, and project cargo sectors. Supramar Shipping LTD. / Supramar BV maintains long-standing partnerships with clients worldwide.

Stefan Balaban is a Swiss business leader and a Member of the Geneva Parliament. He is renowned for combining technical expertise, strategic vision, and a strong international network. As founder and CEO of fiduciary and consulting firms based in Switzerland, he advises on international structuring, taxation, and corporate governance. He holds academic degrees in International Business Management with a specialization in commodity trading and shipping, as well as in finance, accounting, and taxation, and is a certified auditor. He brings a uniquely comprehensive perspective to his work. His dual background in finance and politics enables him to anticipate regulatory trends and design strategic, value-driven solutions for his clients.

He is the CEO of Ultima Partners. Ultima Partners is a fiduciary and advisory firm that combines Swiss entrepreneurial values with international expertise across tax, legal, and financial matters. We advise corporate clients and family offices on international structuring, tax compliance, wealth planning, and corporate governance. He is also a Member of the Geneva Cantonal Parliament.

After completing his law degree, he began his career in the maritime industry in 2022 in the legal department of Germanischer Lloyd. He later became a legal advisor to the Shipbuilding Association. Since 2011, he has served as the managing director of the German Shipbrokers' Association (Zentralverband Deutscher Schiffsmakler e.V.).

ZVDS (Zentralverband Deutscher Schiffsmakler e.V.) is the national confederation of all eight local shipbrokers’ associations in Germany. Thus, the ZVDS has a total membership of over 230 companies. The main purpose of the ZVDS is to promote the joint professional interests of German shipbrokers and agents, without imposing any restrictions or supervision on the economic freedom of individual companies. The ZVDS addresses all general concerns of the shipbroking business, representing the interests of all its member companies. This work involves collaboration with authorities, other national associations, and institutions.

Hans spent 17 years with the Danish Shipowner company transporting livestock worldwide. He later moved to another Danish shipowner before migrating to America in 1988. There, he started working as a broker and then joined Gisholt Shipping in 1990. He purchased the company in 2001 and has been running it to date. 

Gisholt Shipping Inc. is a small brokerage firm that operates in the container feeder ship, breakbulk, yacht transport, and heavy lift sectors.

Ismail has been the senior Chartering Manager at Yagci Shipping & Trading Co. Ltd. since 1998. For over three decades, Yağcı Shipping has remained deeply committed to the future of the maritime world. The company caters to VSLs with sizes up to 10k working beam, serving the Marmara, Baltic, and continental markets. He took a short break to work with Bayraktar Shipping from 2003 to 2006.

He was the former President of the Turkish Shipbrokers Association (GBD)

and is the current President of ICS Turkiye.

The firm believes that the best way to support the next generation of maritime professionals is through a high-quality global education. Yagci Shipping & Trading Co. Ltd is a Diamond

Sponsor of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, UK.

Serhan Özcan is a shipowner, operator, and shipbroker with more than 15 years of experience in the maritime industry. He currently serves as Vice President of the Turkish Shipbrokers Association, Vice President of the Shipbrokers Committee of the Turkish Chamber of Shipping (DTO), and Vice Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers Türkiye Branch.

He is currently a Board Member & Managing Director of Senemar Denizcilik ve Ticaret A.Ş. (Senemar Shipping). Senemar Denizcilik ve Ticaret A.Ş. was founded in 2008 in Istanbul. Senemar Shipping is a boutique shipping company specializing in tailor-made solutions for the transport of chemicals, petroleum products, and dry bulk cargoes. The company also provides ship agency and supply services, and has successfully worked with major global charterers, including BP, Shell, TotalEnergies, Vitol, and Trafigura.

With over 13 years of experience as a Sea and Port Captain, Capt. Ayse Asli Basak brings valuable expertise to revolutionize commercial operations. Ayse's passion drives smart, sustainable solutions at Shipsider. Recognized for her leadership skills, she was named among the Top 10 Women to watch in shipping and honoured in the 40 Under 40 Professionals List. She is a vocal advocate for digitalization and women's empowerment at sea. Ayse's visionary leadership shapes the future of maritime operations. Capt. Ayse Asli Basak is the founder & CEO of Shipsider.

Shipsider is a maritime start-up company based in Türkiye's first Silicon Valley, Bilişim Vadisi, and Qatar’s Ministry of Technology’s incubator. It focuses on simplifying the complex structure of maritime commercial operations by utilizing smart, modular AI systems to optimize operations and maintain sustainable, cost-effective, and carbon-friendly options. Shipsider provides AI-driven solutions by combining pre-fixture, post-fixture, laytime/demurrage, charter party management, and EU ETS ship carbon management for the charterers, ship operators, brokers, and ship owners.

Serdar Ayırtman is the CEO and, as part of the LTIP, became a minority shareholder of Catoni Group, one of Turkey’s oldest maritime and logistics institutions, which was established in 1846. With over 30 years of experience in the shipping industry, he has held various leadership roles within the Group and continues to play an active part in several maritime and environmental non-governmental organizations and associations such as; Board Member of UTIKAD (Turkish Forwarding and Logistics Association) Alternate Board Member of VDAD (Ship Agents Association of Turkey) Assembly Member of IMEAK Chamber of Shipping Member of Turkish Ship Brokers Association Member of TURMEPA (Turkish Marine Environment Protection Association). He is married and a father of two children.

Catoni Group, founded in 1846, provides comprehensive maritime, logistics, and intermodal transport services across Turkey and the Black Sea Region, including its wider hinterland region. With a legacy of over 175 years, Catoni remains committed to innovation, reliability, and sustainable shipping solutions.

Antonios is a shipping enthusiast, an agent by nature, and president of the International Maritime Union in Greece. He is the Managing Director of Venieris Maritime SM SA / HMM Agency Greece SA / Korean Star Group of Companies.

Venieris Group of Companies was established in 1983. It has a presence in Greece, Slovenia, Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Bulgaria. It offers agency services for all types of cargoes and vessels, as well as serving as agents for HMM Co. Ltd. in the aforementioned countries and for Unifeeder A/S in Greece.

Dr. Akanksha Batura Pai is the Executive Director of Sinoda Shipping Agency, a Singapore-based maritime SME that has driven innovation in port agency services since 1992. She is an award-winning maritime professional, educator, and advocate for inclusive innovation in the shipping industry. She is a Council Member of the Singapore Shipping Association, an IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador Emerita, a Mission to Seafarers Ambassador, a WISTA Ambassador, and a Maritime SheEO Ambassador, among others. She is widely recognized for her leadership in maritime digitalization, decarbonization, and talent development across Asia. 

Sinoda Shipping Agency Pte Ltd, founded in 1992 and headquartered in Singapore, is a full-service maritime agency that provides port operations, logistics coordination, and crew support across global shipping hubs. Capt founded the company. Ashok Batura is a Master Mariner and the Honorary Consul General of Malta in Singapore. The company is driven by digital transformation and invests in maritime technology to enhance operational efficiency and transparency. Guided by a strong ethos of advocacy represented in second-generational leadership by Dr. Akanksha and Mr. Aditya, Sinoda actively represents the interests of its clients and principals, bridging tradition and innovation in the evolving maritime landscape to provide the most competitive and professional services to the global shipping community. 

Alfonso Jozami is the General Manager at Centro de Navegación Argentina. Lawyer (Catholic University of Argentina), specialized in maritime and port law. Master's in International Relations (Bologna University)  and Master's in Corporate Law (Austral University). Author of the Book “Law of Port Activities Revised, Ordered, and Commented”—Professor of Port Law in different universities and a member of the United Nations UNCTAD TrainForTrade Program.

Centro de Navegación, founded in 1900, is a non-profit entity that represents the interests of shipping agents and other stakeholders in the maritime and port industries. It provides advice, information, institutional representation, and academic training to enhance the competitiveness and efficiency of ports, maritime transportation, and foreign trade in Argentina.

Based in the UK, Andrew has over 30 years experience in the port agency sector across all disciplines.  A senior figure in the UK port agency sector having served as ICS Branch chair, UK Federation chair, FONASBA rep as well as participating in the ICS education and training committee. 

Andrew is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers. Andrew is the Operations Director for Casper Shipping Limited and Casper Defence Limited, both part of the Casper Group.

Casper Group is the UK’s leading independent maritime services company, providing end-to-end shipping solutions across Europe. From port agency and customs to chartering and logistics to marine and more, our services are delivered with a professional, personal and practical approach that takes care of the complex and goes the extra mile to deliver.  Casper Group are the recipients of the Kings Award 2024.

Ahmed Mouselhy serves as the Business Development Senior Director at Finmar Group, Egypt’s largest multi-principal shipping agency, as well as acting as Treasurer for YoungShip Egypt, one of the fastest growing chapters in the YoungShip International network. He holds an undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Bath, as well as a Masters in Management degree from Hult University.

Anderson has been in the shipping business since 1991. After graduating with a degree in Business Administration in 1997, he started working as a Shipping Agent in 1998. On July 01, 2005, he joined Rodos Agencia Maritima Ltda., previously known as Orion Rodos Maritima e Portuaria Ltda., as a partner/director. From March 2020 to August 2025, he served as president of the Shipping Agency Union in the Pará and Amapá states, in the North of Brazil. He was elected president of the FENAMAR on September 01, 2025.

FENAMAR – The National Federation of Ship Agents was founded in 1989. FENAMAR brings together 16 affiliated unions and approximately 250 member companies, generating an estimated 11,000 direct jobs across Brazil. As the recognized voice of the ship agency industry, FENAMAR advocates for the rights and responsibilities of ship agents before the federal government, its regulatory bodies, and the private sector. The Federation also plays a pivotal role in promoting education and professional training, fostering the continuous development and qualification of its members.

Marmatsouris has studied Business Administration at London’s Metropolitan University and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, London, where he served 6 years on the Membership and International Vetting Committees.  In parallel is the Vice Chairman of the I.C.S.  Greek Branch. He is an active member of various shipping associations, including the Hellenic Shipbroker Association and AHEPA St. Nicholas. He has also served two terms as a Governor at the Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Piraeus.

He participates in many international conferences and has lectured ICS students, as well as Maritime University students and MBA graduates, in Greece, the UK, and Hong Kong.

Next Maritime is an international, fully integrated Ships Agency Group, providing a full range of maritime services at ports worldwide. Through our Global Hub services, we offer ship agency and maritime service solutions to our clients in over 900 ports across 140 countries.

Ahmed is the Chairman of Al Akkad Group. The group was founded in 1946 and currently has over 10 subsidiaries with a presence in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Cyprus, Poland, Italy, Brazil, and USA. Its core business areas include Integrated Maritime Services, Shipping Agencies, Trade & Logistics, and Fleet Asset Management.

My Name is Otto Hillerström. I developed an early interest in the shipping Industry through family connections, and it has followed me ever since. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Shipping and Logistics from Chalmers University of Technology. I am currently studying for an Advanced Diploma in Dry Cargo Chartering at the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers. I live in southern Sweden with my wife and our two children. Together we enjoy traveling, spending time in nature, and being with family and friends. When time allows, I like to play a round of golf, go windsurfing, go for a run, or work out at the gym, although with small children, I often must settle for just one activity and call it a victory.

Sales Executive BHS Logistics

BHS Logistics is a Danish transport and logistics group active in both shipping and transport activites across the Nordics and Europe. BHS combines modern logistics expertise with traditional maritime know-how to deliver reliable and flexible transport services for international trade

Ricardo von Sohsten is the Operational Director at Guararapes, a leading maritime company based in Pernambuco, Brazil. With a legal background and currently pursuing postgraduate studies in Maritime and Port Law, he represents the fourth generation of a family dedicated to the maritime sector. He plays an active role in industry unions and port governance.

He is the Operations Director at Navegação e Comércio Guararapes. Founded in 1968, Navegação e Comércio Guararapes is a Pernambuco-based company specializing in port operations and maritime agency services in the Northeast of Brazil. With decades of experience, it plays a key role in supporting shipping and logistics activities in the region.

Julio J. Delfino was born in 1976 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
After obtaining his bachelor degree in business economics, and his master degree in finance and economics at the beginning of the millennium, both from the Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, he started his career working as financial advisor in investment banking. Later on, he held different leadership roles within various multinational companies, including Mondelez – Kraft Foods. He made his first steps in the logistics sector working for Terminales Rio de la Plata. In 2004, Julio joined the Delfino Family shipping and transportation business as the sixth generation of the oldest private company in Argentina founded in 1838. In 2018, he became president and owner of Delfino Global with offices in Argentina, Uruguay and business presence in LATAM and beyond. Delfino also holds major institutional roles, as President since 2018 of Centro de Navegación Argentina, bringing together and representing as chamber the interests of maritime agents, port terminals, port authorities and other stakeholders related to shipping, logistics and foreign trade; as Member for the last decade of CIANAM Execom; and as Secretary for the last 15 years of the Asia Pacific Chamber.
He is married and has three children so far.

Mark Brattman is a qualified solicitor with over 20 years’ experience in shipping, aviation, and commercial litigation, and currently serves as Claims Director and Legal Advisor at ITIC (International Transport Intermediaries Club). Mark has resolved disputes worldwide through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation.

ITIC is the world’s leading mutual insurer providing professional indemnity cover to transport professionals, including shipbrokers, agents, and managers across the marine, aviation, and offshore sectors. ITIC combines expert claims handling and proactive risk management advice, supporting its members in navigating complex operational and contractual challenges.

ITIC maintains a close and collaborative relationship with FONASBA. This partnership includes the co-development of industry-standard clauses and joint sponsorship of initiatives such as the FONASBA Young Ship Agent or Shipbroker Award. ITIC’s involvement with FONASBA underscores its commitment to supporting best practices and quality standards across the global maritime industry.

Joining ASBA four years ago, with a Sales and Marketing background in manufacturing, has provided ASBA with a unique perspective on member benefits, education, and growth. She is the Executive Director of ASBA – Association of Ship Brokers & Agents USA.

ABSA provides member benefits to Ship Agents, Brokers, and affiliated maritime companies in the United States and Canada

Mohamed El Mezouar is a maritime and logistics professional with extensive experience in ship agency, liner representation, and ship brokerage in Morocco. He is known for building strategic partnerships and delivering efficient, reliable shipping and logistics solutions to national & international clients

General Manager HAMAG Group

HAMAG Group is a transport and logistics group of companies, operating in Morocco, as a ship agent, ship broker, freight forwarder, customs broker, and trucker

With over 15 years of experience in the shipping industry, Niklas began his maritime career as an apprentice at Reederei Karl Schlüter. He gained a strong foundation in operations, chartering, and crewing. He went on to expand his expertise as a ship agent with Sartori & Berger, working as a ship agent across all major German ports.

Niklas later joined Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget (SCA AB), where he was instrumental in establishing a terminal in Kiel, building northbound cargo flows on SCA-owned RoRo vessels, and optimizing agency operations across Europe. In parallel with his professional career, Niklas studied Business Administration and Logistics, complementing his hands-on experience with academic insight.

He works with EFG Shipping, a chartering company, and EFG EnerLog, a trading company focused on materials for the waste-to-energy market. Both companies are now integrated into EFG Logistics. He is also a recipient of the 2017 YABA Award and has been actively engaged with FONASBA since then.

He is currently the Managing Director of EFG Shipping GmbH and the Director of EFG EnerLog GmbH, both subsidiaries of EFG Logistics. EFG Logistics is a group of companies with offices in the Nordics, on the European mainland, and in the MENA region It provides global hand-crafted transport solutions, especially for cargo that is anything but ordinary. EFG Shipping, specializes in chartering and Multimodal transports with a focus on project cargoes, forest products, recycling, and renewables. EFG EnerLog brings decades of experience in waste-to-energy and global logistics, offering smart transport concepts and tailored procurement and sales solutions for alternative fuels.

Born in London, UK, in 1964. Rafael is an economist based in Valencia, Spain. He has nearly 40 years of experience in the shipping industry. Rafael represents the 3rd generation of a family deeply rooted in maritime trade. He co-owns and leads Easyfresh, a global provider of specialized reefer logistics solutions.

He is the General Manager of World Wide Shipagencies Association (WWSA). WWSA is a global network of independent, like-minded ship agents and shipbrokers, promoting business and facilitating maritime industry-related opportunities in a performance-driven and practical framework

Deputy Secretary General Stinne Taiger Ivø leads the Contract & Clauses department, providing the shipping industry with balanced, clearly worded, and practically workable contracts and clauses. The Contractual Advice department provides members with answers to their queries about charter parties and other contracts.

She joined BIMCO in early 2022.

Before joining BIMCO, she headed the claims department in Copenhagen of marine insurer Skuld, worked at Danish Shipping (formerly known as the Danish Shipowners' Association), and served as a lawyer in Gorrissen Federspiel’s department for Shipping, Transport, and Offshore.

She holds a PhD in international company law from the University of Copenhagen and a Master of Laws degree from the same institution.

Matthew Ellul Sullivan is a Certified Chartered Accountant who built his professional foundation through 15 years at PwC — including seven years in Italy — where he specialised in audit, due diligence, and advisory work for major international groups, gaining deep insight into corporate structures and management processes. He joined Sullivan Shipping Agencies Ltd in 2009. He later became CEO of the Shipping and Liner Agency division, also serving as Deputy Chairman of J.B. Sorotto Ltd. and holding key roles in national industry associations. Today, through his role with these associations, Matthew drives innovation and transformation within the ship agency sector, aiming to elevate and adapt the role of the modern agent to meet the evolving demands of tomorrow’s maritime business environment.

CEO – Shipping and Liner of Sullivan Shipping Agencies Ltd and Group companies.

 Sullivan Shipping Agencies Ltd is a leading maritime services company based in Malta, with a long-established presence in the shipping industry. The company represents major international lines and provides integrated solutions across the maritime sector. The company offers a comprehensive range of services, including professional Ship Agency representation for liner and tramp vessels, Freight and Logistics solutions encompassing forwarding, haulage, and warehousing, as well as ship registration and related corporate services through its sister company, J.B. Sorotto Ltd.

He is the Chairman of Sark Express Shipping Agency Co., Inc. and a board member of Capital Logistic & Transport Co., Inc. Sark Express Shipping Agency Co., Inc. was founded in 1966. The

The company is heavily involved in port agency, Turkish straits agency, and drydocking agency.

In all Turkish ports. It represents major worldwide charterers and acts as the agents of various shipowners based all around the world, particularly in Greece, Italy, Germany, the UK, and France.

Capital Logistic & Transport Co., Inc. was founded in 2005. The company operates as an NVOCC, handles project and heavy cargoes, and specialises in tank containers, flexi tanks, stevedoring and warehousing solutions, and acts as general agents for Messina Line – Genoa

Born in Minervino Murge (BARI – ITALY) on September 23, 1960, Nicola Carlone spent his teenage years in Lausanne (Switzerland), where he graduated from the Vilfredo Pareto Scientific High School. In 1978, he entered the Naval Academy in Livorno, beginning a career in the Italian Navy that lasted eight years, during which he participated in naval operations in the Mediterranean, Persian Gulf, and Indian Ocean, with responsibilities for weapons and missile systems.

Since 1990, he has served in the Italian Coast Guard, holding command positions in Riposto, San Benedetto del Tronto, and Genoa, as well as coordination roles at the Maritime Directorates of Pescara, Bari, and Liguria. He was operationally responsible for managing migration emergencies and maritime safety, participating in NATO and UN operations, including the naval embargo on the former Yugoslavia.

From 2001, he worked at the Coast Guard Headquarters, focusing on planning, international affairs, and development, representing Italy in IMO technical committees and coordinating EU cooperation and training projects with Croatia and Turkey. He was the promoter and coordinator of the Mediterranean Coast Guard Functions Forum.

Promoted to Rear Admiral in 2011, he led the Maritime Safety Department and the Plans and Operations Department, coordinating the Italian Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (IMRCC) and SAR activities in the central Mediterranean. From 2018 to 2021, he was Regional Commander of Liguria and Harbour Master of the Genoa Harbour Office.

From July 25, 2021, to September 23, 2025, he served as Commandant of the Italian Coast Guard, with the rank of Vice Admiral.

He holds degrees in Maritime and Naval Sciences (Pisa) and International and Diplomatic Sciences (Trieste), as well as two master’s degrees in e-Health and Intelligence & Security. He has completed numerous specialization courses (Port State Control, safety, IT, police, international maritime law) and has taught at various universities and military schools.

Since 2011, he has represented Italy on the Administrative Board of EMSA, serving as Vice Chairman since 2017. He has received numerous honors, including Knight of Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and commemorative medals for NATO operations and peacekeeping missions.

He is fluent in English and French, with basic knowledge of German. He is married and has two sons.