David Williams is the new CEO of container shipping company Safmarine.

South African Williams was previously the managing director of Maersk Line East China and has worked for the Maersk Group for the past 24 years during which he assumed numerous leadership roles within the group’s liner business.

He joined Safmarine in 1986 in Port Elizabeth and worked in different sales and commercial roles in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Hamburg until 2000. He then held several managerial positions with Maersk Line Southern Africa until 2007.

Williams has operated in the industry for more than 25 years. As such, he possesses a deep understanding of global trade, shifting trade lanes, the demand for South African exports in various regions of the world and how container trade drives economic growth.

He says he’s excited and committed to heading up the global brand and is looking forward to the journey ahead. He will be responsible for ensuring that the business delivers on volume and revenue targets and ensure it continues to be a global trade facilitator.