Bureau International de Containers names Douglas Owen as its new secretary general

Douglas Owen has been appointed secretary general of the Bureau International des Containers (BIC), following almost four years as the organisation’s deputy secretary general.

Since he joined BIC in 2012, Mr Owen launched number of initiatives, most recently the BoxTech Technical Characteristics Database (TCD), which is a non-profit platform for sharing of container technical details.

“In my new role I will ensure that the BIC’s important work in the area of safety, security and sustainability is continued.  The organisation will also aim to engage more actively with members and industry partners as we look to provide them with maximum value while benefitting the industry as a whole,” he said.

Mr Owen has more than 20 years of experience in the maritime transportation industry, and his promotion followed the retirement of Bertrand Geoffray, secretary general for nine years.  BIC said Mr Geoffray would continue to work with it on special projects.

Founded in 1933 as a neutral, non-profit organisation under the auspices of the International Chamber of Commerce, the BIC has over 2,100 members in 120 countries. It has a long-established role in the development of industry standards, holds the global container prefix registry and operates multiple databases behalf of the industry.

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