NAMEPA Elects Jan-Willem van den Dijssel as Chairman
The maritime organization also named Tina LaRuffa Goldstein as Vice Chairman of its Board of Directors.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in People
NAMEPA elected Jan-Willem van den Dijssel as Chairman of its Board of Directors at its Annual Conference and Meeting in New York City on October 29, 2026. He replaces Joe Hughes, who completed a decade-long tenure in the role. Tina LaRuffa Goldstein was elected Vice Chairman in the same vote.
Why it matters
The leadership change shifts NAMEPA's board guidance to Van den Dijssel, who has represented Cargill Ocean Transportation on the board since 2018 and previously served as Vice Chairman. The board says the new leadership will focus on strategic direction, maritime stakeholder engagement and expanding educational and environmental initiatives.
Cargill Ocean Transportation, where Van den Dijssel is Americas Lead, operates an average fleet of about 600 chartered vessels worldwide and maintains 12 offices, with operations dating to 1956. Van den Dijssel has represented the company on NAMEPA's board since 2018, and the announcement does not disclose the length of his chairmanship term.
The players
NAMEPA
NAMEPA is a North American maritime industry association focused on environmental practices and education for the shipping sector.
Jan-Willem van den Dijssel
Van den Dijssel is a maritime executive who leads Cargill Ocean Transportation's Americas operations and previously served as NAMEPA Vice Chairman.
Tina LaRuffa Goldstein
LaRuffa Goldstein is the founder and president of Wasteline Solutions and a longtime member of NAMEPA's board.
Joe Hughes
Hughes served a decade as NAMEPA Chairman and received the organization's 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award.
The details
Van den Dijssel, Americas Lead at Cargill Ocean Transportation, also serves on the Board of Trustees of The Seamen's Church Institute. LaRuffa Goldstein, Founder and President of Wasteline Solutions, has been a member of NAMEPA's Board of Directors.
Timeline
October 29, 2026: NAMEPA elects new Chairman and Vice Chairman at its Annual Conference and Meeting in New York City, where Joe Hughes also receives the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award.
2018: Van den Dijssel joins NAMEPA's Board of Directors representing Cargill Ocean Transportation.
Market Landscape
NAMEPA's board changes follow a pattern of industry representatives from major shipping firms holding its leadership roles, with Cargill Ocean Transportation's executives now guiding the association. The shift places a large chartered-fleet operator at the head of an organization focused on maritime environmental practice.
For shippers and maritime partners, the board change signals who will guide NAMEPA's programs on industry sustainability and stakeholder engagement. The leadership shift does not directly alter pricing or service availability for consumers.
The takeaway
Leadership changes at industry associations often set the agenda for sustainability and education work across an entire sector. Watching how new chairs prioritize these programs can reveal where the shipping industry is heading.
Further reading
Explore more business leadership news to see how executive appointments shape industry organizations.
Source note: This article includes information reported by All About Shipping.
