There’s a change of leadership at Israel’s flag carrier Zim Integrated Shipping Services, as Chen Lichtenstein officially succeeds Eki Glickman as president and CEO on July 1, according to FreightWaves.
Lichtenstein was appointed by Zim’s board on June 1, replacing Glickman who resigned in April following a failed attempt to acquire the company. Zim was taken over by Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd in February for $4.2 billion, terms of which included the spin-off of a separate state-owned carrier for security reasons, FreightWaves reported.
Leadership Transition and Legacy
Haifa-based Zim credited Glickman in April with leading “an astounding turnaround” in reshaping the carrier as an agile, digitally-focused global player on major trade routes. Zim is currently ranked 10th in the world by container capacity at just under 700,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), according to the company.
“After nearly a decade as president and CEO of Zim, I am stepping down with deep gratitude and pride in what we have built together,” Glickman said Tuesday in a social media post, as quoted by FreightWaves. “I want to sincerely thank the incredible people of Zim – our employees around the world – whose professionalism, dedication, and resilience have shaped this journey. I am also deeply grateful to our customers and partners for your trust over the years. Zim today is a stronger, more innovative, and more resilient company – built by its people.”
Glickman added: “As I step away, I do so with full confidence in Zim’s future and in Chen Lichtenstein’s leadership as he takes the company forward. I wish him great success in continuing to build on Zim’s strong foundation.”
New CEO Profile
Chen Lichtenstein is a graduate of Stanford Law School who most recently served as an advisor to investor KKR, FreightWaves reported. His appointment was confirmed by Zim’s board on June 1.
Timeline of Zim Leadership Change
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Hapag-Lloyd acquisition of Zim | February 2026 | $4.2 billion deal; spin-off of state-owned carrier |
| Glickman resignation | April 2026 | Resigned following failed acquisition attempt |
| Lichtenstein appointed by board | June 1, 2026 | Former KKR advisor, Stanford Law graduate |
| Lichtenstein officially succeeds | July 1, 2026 | Becomes president and CEO |
Operational Implications for Shippers and Freight Forwarders
For logistics managers and freight forwarders working with Zim, the leadership transition comes amid the carrier’s integration into Hapag-Lloyd. Glickman’s departure marks the end of a nearly decade-long tenure that saw Zim transform into a top-10 global carrier by capacity, operating with a digital-first approach. Shippers should monitor how Lichtenstein’s background as an advisor at KKR influences Zim’s strategic direction, especially regarding customer contracts and network rationalization as Hapag-Lloyd absorbs the carrier. The continuity of service and rate stability will be key concerns for operators on major trade lanes where Zim has a presence, including transpacific and Asia-Europe routes. Freight forwarders should note that Glickman expressed confidence in the company’s “strong foundation” and in Lichtenstein’s leadership, suggesting a smooth transition is expected.
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