Shipping lines keen to advance their understanding on sustainability issues are increasingly peppering their boards with experts in this field. One name sought out in recent months is Dr Kirsi Tikka, a former high flier at the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), who, since leaving the class society a couple of months ago, has been in high demand for her technical expertise.
New York-listed Ardmore Shipping yesterday announced that Tikka has been appointed to the tanker operator’s board.
Anthony Gurnee, president and CEO of Ardmore Shipping, commented: “We are delighted to have Dr Kirsi Tikka join Ardmore’s board of directors. In addition to her considerable general experience in shipping operations and technical matters, her deep knowledge of the industry’s regulatory framework and trends, including sustainability initiatives, will be of great value to Ardmore as we navigate the compliance challenges ahead.”
Tikka has also been appointed to the board of Hong Kong-listed dry bulk owner, Pacific Basin. Both Ardmore and Pacific Basin were among the more than 70 signatories who yesterday at the United Nations vowed to get commercially viable, zero emission deepsea ships trading by 2030, a project Tikka worked closely on during her time with ABS, culminating this June with the launch at Nor-Shipping of a detailed roadmap for shipping to move towards decarbonisation.
