Chen Lichtenstein, the newly appointed President and CEO of ZIM Integrated Shipping Services, recently shared his priorities after taking office, as well as his views on business development, customer service and leadership philosophy.

Chen said that his top priority is focusing on employees and listening to their voices. “My first priority is our people, especially during a time like this. This will be my most important focus,” he said.

In addition to strengthening internal management, Chen plans to review the company’s operations and identify measures to improve business performance.

Regarding ZIM’s future opportunities, Chen believes the company has both short-term market opportunities and long-term growth potential. He emphasized that ZIM should leverage its financial flexibility, operational capabilities and strong team to capture market opportunities and explore the best path forward.

For global customers, Chen reaffirmed ZIM’s commitment to providing reliable services and long-term support, stating that the company will continue working closely with customers and maintaining its commitment to operational excellence.

Chen is a cross-industry executive with extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, capital operations and corporate integration, although he does not come from a traditional shipping background.

His appointment comes at a critical moment for ZIM, as the company is facing uncertainty surrounding Hapag-Lloyd’s proposed acquisition of ZIM for USD 4.2 billion. If completed, the transaction would significantly strengthen Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet scale and generate operational synergies, while the deal remains subject to regulatory approvals in multiple jurisdictions.