CHARO Coll has been elected president of the International Salvage Union, the global trade association representing marine salvors.

Ms Coll is general manager of the offshore and salvage division of Spanish company Boluda Corporación Marítima. She manages the chartering and sales and purchase departments and is the key go-between with the Spanish Maritime Safety Agency. 

Ms Coll told Salvage World, an ISU member publication, that it was a great honour to be named president of the ISU. “I look forward to leading the association as it continues to address the current challenges, in particular, enhancing the reputation of the industry and strengthening further our relationships with shipowners and insurers.” 

Former president John Witte will continue as a member of the ISU executive committee.

Ms Coll is a former president of the European Tug Owners’ Association. She has been a member of the Valencian Chamber of Commerce, member of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association and honoured with the Valencian Government Business and Social Achievement Award. 

She holds a specialist degree in international maritime law from the Comillas Pontifical University of Madrid and a ship management diploma from the International Ship Managers’ Association at the National Sea Training Centre in the UK. 

In December, Ms Coll will present the opening address at the 20^th Salvage & Wreck Removal London conference at the Grange Hotel Tower Bridge, London. She will discuss the current commercial realities for the salvage industry, before taking part in an interview alongside International Union of Marine Insurance president Dieter Berg.