ZIM Appoints New CEO While Hapag-Lloyd Deal Remains Under Review

ZIM shipping CEO Hapag-Lloyd

Israeli container shipping company ZIM has selected Chen Lichtenstein as its next president and CEO, bringing in a leader from outside the shipping industry as the company moves through a major ownership transition. The appointment comes as ZIM continues to await final approval for its proposed $4.2bn acquisition by Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd and Israeli investment fund FIMI, Splash247 reports.

Lichtenstein will take over on July 1, replacing longtime CEO Eli Glickman, who announced earlier this year that he would step down.

With the takeover still under regulatory review in Israel, ZIM’s board chose an executive known for his experience in finance, corporate growth, mergers and business integration. Lichtenstein previously served as CFO of Syngenta Group and also held senior leadership roles at ADAMA, where he helped drive expansion and integration efforts. Earlier in his career, he worked on major financing and M&A transactions at Goldman Sachs in New York and London.

ZIM chairman Yair Seroussi said the new CEO’s mix of management, financial and strategic expertise makes him well suited to lead the company into its next phase. Lichtenstein said his focus will be on maintaining stability, strengthening performance and delivering value to customers, employees, partners and shareholders. Meanwhile, Hapag-Lloyd and FIMI remain confident the acquisition will ultimately receive the approvals needed to move forward.

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