SINGAPORE: Samudera Shipping Line Ltd has announced the appointment of Mr Bani M. Mulia as an Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with effect from 1 September 2020.

The appointment forms part of its Board and Management restructuring, which also sees current CEO Mr Asmari Herry Prayitno being re-deployed within the larger Samudera Indonesia Group to focus on building up its Indonesia domestic shipping business.

Mr Bani brings with him nearly two decades of industry experience, having started out working in the Group as a finance officer in 2001. Since then, he has taken on various roles and responsibilities within the Group before being appointed as a Board Member in 2009, and then as its President Director in June 2020.

Mr Bani is currently also actively serving as the Vice Chairman of Sea Transportation Permanent Committee at the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), as well as the Transportation and Energy committee member at the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO).

Chairman Masli Mulia said, “Samudera’s solid reputation as a reliable regional shipping services provider and a partner of choice for mainline ship operators has been key to our success, and we are very grateful to Herry for having done a fantastic job in building upon this reputation and positioning the Company for long-term success over his seven years as CEO. The leadership transition during this period is timely and important, to ensure continuity of our brand and service standing going forward, and I am confident that Bani’s years of experience in the industry will prime him well to chart a sustainable growth path for the Company in the post-Covid shipping era.”

On his appointment, Mr Bani said, “These are exciting times, and I am honoured by the opportunity to lead the team in navigating the challenging conditions presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, and positioning ourselves to identify and pursue opportunities arising from it. I look forward to building upon nearly 30 years of history to achieve further success for Samudera.”