Splash247: Cargill’s James Lewis takes helm of Sea Cargo Charter

Published by Splash247

The Sea Cargo Charter has named James Lewis, global head of operations at Cargill, as its new chair, following its annual meeting in Geneva.

The appointment comes as the group of charterers and shipowners looks to tighten its role in tracking and reporting emissions across global shipping trades, at a time when regulatory progress at IMO level has been slower than many in the industry had expected.

Lewis takes over the role at a point where the Sea Cargo Charter is trying to move from setting up reporting structures to proving how effectively those tools can drive real operational change in fleets and chartering decisions. Cargill is one of the founding signatories of the initiative, and the company has previously had senior representation in both chair and vice chair roles.

“I am very excited to be taking on the role of chair of the Sea Cargo Charter, particularly at such a pivotal time for both the association and the wider industry,” Lewis said. “Regulatory delays only increase the importance of credible, voluntary climate disclosure frameworks, and our signatories are leading the way in transparently working towards decarbonising their operations.”

Klaveness Combination Carriers CEO Engebret Dahm will remain vice chair and treasurer. Dahm had stepped in as interim chair in mid-2025 and will now continue in a supporting leadership role.

“We know the shipping industry must decarbonise—that goal post hasn’t changed,” Dahm said. “In my new role as vice chair and treasurer, I’m proud to continue representing this group of shipowners and charterers voluntarily choosing to be accountable at a time when many are choosing silence.”

The Sea Cargo Charter steering committee now includes 14 major players across chartering, energy, mining and commodities, among them Trafigura, TotalEnergies, Norden, Louis Dreyfus Company, Equinor and Anglo American.

Launched in 2020, the Sea Cargo Charter provides a voluntary framework for measuring and disclosing how chartering activities align with IMO climate targets. It now includes more than 30 signatories spanning dry bulk, tankers and commodity trading, with a continued push to standardise emissions reporting across shipping contracts.