We are proud to announce that Michael Phoon will join DBCE as Managing Director on 5 January 2026.
Michael is widely regarded as one of the most influential maritime leaders. During his ten years as Executive Director of the Singapore Shipping Association, he transformed the organisation into what the IMO described as a global “gold standard” in industry representation. His achievements include major operational, policy and safety breakthroughs that reshaped maritime practice.
From building innovative committee structures to leading globally adopted crisis-response frameworks, Michael’s track record reflects a career dedicated to strengthening industry ecosystems and supporting the people within them.
What this means for DBCE members
Michael’s leadership brings clear, proven strengths aligned with DBCE’s mission:
- Expanding and diversifying global stakeholder engagement across owners, managers, charterers, insurers, flag states and class societies
- Strengthening member engagement through proven committee-led models
- Leading a comprehensive review and update of the DryBMS Standards
- Launching a robust governance framework for self-assessment verifications
- Driving broader industry-wide adoption of the DryBMS Standards
This marks a new chapter — one built on experience, ambition and deep commitment to our community.
You can read more about the appointment in our press release here.
