Zim appoints Dr. Chen Lichtenstein as CEO as Hapag-Lloyd deal faces regulatory scrutiny

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services has appointed Dr. Chen Lichtenstein as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, with the leadership transition set to take effect on 1 July 2026.

Dr. Lichtenstein will replace Eli Glickman, whose resignation was announced in April, and will also join Zim’s Board of Directors.

The appointment comes as regulators continue reviewing the proposed acquisition of Zim by Hapag-Lloyd and Israeli investment fund FIMI.

Several Israeli government bodies, including the Ministries of Economy and Agriculture and the Shipping and Ports Authority, have reportedly raised concerns regarding the transaction due to restrictions linked to the state’s golden share in Zim.

Dr. Lichtenstein brings extensive international management and financial experience to the role.

Between 2020 and 2023, he served as CFO of Syngenta Group, overseeing strategy, integration and productivity across the global business.

Before that, he led ADAMA Ltd. as President and CEO from 2014 to 2020, managing a period of expansion, profitability growth and integration with ChemChina operations.

His previous experience also includes senior leadership positions within ChemChina’s agrochemical business and investment banking roles at Goldman Sachs in New York and London.

Dr. Lichtenstein currently serves on the board of Teva Pharmaceuticals and advises international investment organizations.

Zim said the appointment followed an executive search process led by members of the company’s board.

The leadership transition comes during a period of strategic uncertainty for the carrier as regulatory reviews continue around one of the container shipping sector’s most closely watched transactions.

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