Thomas Kazakos

Thomas A. Kazakos is the Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), having previously served as Director General of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC), the representative National-Member Association of Cyprus at ICS, since 1995. Throughout his last tenure, he actively participated together with successive CSC Board Members (currently, Mr. Themis Papadopoulos) at the ICS Board, contributing in shaping the Association’s strategy on all regulatory, operational, and legal issues concerning the international shipping industry. Thomas studied at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LL.B) and a Master‘s Degree in European and International Trade Law (LL.M). Thomas began his professional career at the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation prior to joining the Cyprus Shipping Chamber. Internationally Thomas has represented Cyprus on the board of ICS and the European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA) in addition to being an Administrative Board member of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).

Session Overview

Tuesday, 4 November

12:40

Maritime & Logistics ICC Hall B 12:40 - 13:10

The impact of MEPC 83: new global regulations and the implications for maritime

The 83^rd session of the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83), held in April 2025, approved the IMO Net-Zero Framework – a set of binding regulations designed to achieve net-zero shipping emissions by the mid-point of this century. These regulations present opportunities for shipping companies to lead the zero-emission tech charge, access subsidies through the IMO Net-Zero Fund and gain additional market advantages. Understanding what these new regulations mean for the maritime industry will be critical to deliver progress not only in meeting emissions targets, but also in shaping investment strategies, fleet renewal plans, and cross-sector collaboration.

Attendee insights:

Understand how the IMO-led initiatives are addressing challenges in the post-MEPC 83 era while unlocking opportunities for an equitable and digitally advanced maritime industry.