SeaLead appoints Ashok Pillay as MD for North, Southeast Asia

Shipping line SeaLead announced the appointment of Ashok Pillay as the new managing director for North and Southeast Asia.

The move encompasses responsibilities across countries including Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Myanmar, and Cambodia.

Ashok will be transitioning from his previous role as global director of trade management to the new position.

“Ashok excels at driving organisations toward profitability while ensuring compliance, developing robust global commercial and operational strategies, and effectively managing multicultural teams,” reads the release.

He has built a career in shipping, intermodal transportation, supply, and cool chain management, significantly boosting revenue and optimising asset use at companies like Cordelia Container Shipping Line, Transliner Group, and Choice Group where he fostered growth and contributed to the overall development of the organisation, its business and profitability, whilst at APL, he was instrumental in revitalising its position in the Global Reefer Trade to a specialised formidable player.

Reflecting on his new role as managing director for North and Southeast Asia, Ashok Pillay remarked, “My goal is to cultivate a positive awareness and aspirations about the region within our liner and regional teams to enhance the development of SeaLead’s network and businesses. We aim to build SeaLead’s brand and capabilities across the region, achieving significant penetration in both commercial and operational spaces in all markets. Additionally, it is crucial to grow and position SeaLead as a strong, steadfast, and reliable liner in the rapidly expanding Intra Asia trade.”

The appointment coincides with SeaLead’s recent acquisition by a consortium of investors including Eurasia Capital, HCP Investments, Access Capital Funds, and VCC subfund Saral Incorp.

Suleyman Avci, vice president, global trade, commenting on the appointment, stated, “Ashok’s proven expertise and forward-thinking approach are exactly what SeaLead needs at this pivotal time. His appointment is not just about filling a role, but about pushing boundaries and setting new benchmarks in the region.”

It also reads, “This appointment is set against the backdrop of a promising economic outlook for Asia. According to recent projections, Southeast Asia is poised to grow by 4.6% in 2024 and 4.7% in 2025, up from 4.1% in 2023. Similarly, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea are expected to exhibit strong economic performance in 2024, driven by pent-up demand, market reforms, and optimistic business leader expectations.”