PSA International appoints Ong Kim Pong as new group CEO

TEMASEK-OWNED port operator PSA International has named Ong Kim Pong, 57, as its new group chief executive officer. 

From Nov 1, Ong will become group CEO-designate and will take over officially on Mar 1, 2024. 

Ong, who is regional CEO of South-east Asia at PSA International, will take over from Tan Chong Meng, 63, who is retiring from his position next year. 

Welcoming Ong’s appointment as group CEO, group chairman Peter Voser said: “A well-respected professional with almost three decades of experience in our operations across the world including South-east Asia, Europe, the Mediterranean and North-east Asia, Kim Pong has a deep understanding of PSA’s business and is well-placed to helm the organisation’s continued transformation journey and growth.”

In 2009, Ong was named managing director of PSA Antwerp and PSA Zeebrugge, overseeing the port operator’s flagship operations in Europe.

From 2010 to 2015, Ong held the position of regional chief executive officer of North-east Asia, during which time he managed PSA’s portfolio in China, Hong Kong and Korea.

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Tan joined PSA in October 2011 and spearheaded many key initiatives over the years. 

Under his leadership, Tan oversaw the launch of the first phase of Tuas Port in 2022 and the establishment of a cargo solutions unit to grow PSA into a global supply chain player.

He also led initiatives to decarbonise PSA’s operations, such as progressively electrifying its port equipment and exploring the use of low-carbon energy sources such as hydrogen.

Voser thanked Tan for his service, adding that the PSA Group has grown its footprint from 17 to 43 countries worldwide under his leadership. 

From Nov 1, Nelson Quek, 56, will succeed Ong as regional CEO of South-east Asia. Quek is currently managing director of the container business division in PSA Singapore. 

Quek, a mechanical engineer by training, has experience working in Antwerp, Belgium at one of PSA’s earliest acquisitions, the Hesse-Noord Natie terminal. He was also part of the team that was in charge of the expansion of Pasir Panjang Terminal Phases 3 and 4 in Singapore.