BV appoints new commercial director

Mr Philippe brings extensive experience in commercial ship operations, markets and management and will report to Marine & Offshore President Matthieu de Tugny, leading the marine markets team, providing expertise and technology leadership across all major ship types, ship fuel, and propulsion technology.

Maritime stakeholders are acknowledging that the ‘energy transition’ and governance issues are not only the responsibility of shipowners. ‘Classification Societies are already playing a vital role in the energy transition,” said Mr Philippe. “Our contribution can only grow. As technical experts, we are a key link between the industry and regulators as well as the broader maritime supply chain to contribute to developing the “better” energy that shipping needs.

‘We also need to help make sure that the direction, both technological and regulatory, taken by the industry is validated,” he continued. “Society will require quantifiable, demonstrable progress. Classification can provide that verified data.”

Mathieu Philippe began his shipping career in 1999 with Barry Rogliano Salles (BRS). In 2010, after eight years at the helm of BRS Middle East, he joined United Arab Chemical Carriers (UACC) as senior vice-president, commercial and then chief operating officer helping establish UACC as a major tanker owner.

After nearly 15 years in Dubai, Philippe moved to Geneva to lead the Shipping Company of SOCAR Trading (the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic) focusing on chartering oil tankers.