The Global Maritime Forum has reshaped its board, bringing in fresh voices from shipping and finance while long-serving members step down after reaching term limits.

Stephen Fewster, global lead for shipping finance at ING Bank, and Mads Peter Zacho, chief executive of Navigator Holdings, have been appointed as new board members.

The changes come as the industry body looks to balance experience across shipping, finance and the energy transition, areas seen as increasingly linked as the sector deals with decarbonisation pressures and shifting market dynamics.

Board chair Jan Dieleman, who also heads Cargill Ocean Transportation, said the appointments are aimed at ensuring the forum has the breadth of expertise needed to support collaboration across the maritime value chain.

Meanwhile, several long-standing board members have stepped down, including Michael Parker of Citi, Randy Chen of Wan Hai Lines, and Øivind Lorentzen III of Lorentzen & Co. All will continue to support the organisation through its advisory council, alongside Flemming Jacobs, who has also transitioned into that role.

Parker has recently stepped down from another high-profile industry role as chair of the Poseidon Principles.

Fewster brings more than four decades of banking experience, much of it focused on ship finance, along with involvement in sustainability initiatives including his role as vice chair and treasurer of the Poseidon Principles.

Zacho, meanwhile, adds operational and transition experience, having previously worked with the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping and held senior roles at companies such as Torm and Svitzer.

Chief executive Johannah Christensen said the new appointments come at a time of “intense pressures” on the industry, with the forum continuing to focus on issues ranging from emissions reduction to transparency and collaboration across global shipping.