Sean Kline is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA), where he leads the association’s mission to represent and support U.S.-based ship owners, operators, and charterers on critical regulatory, operational, and policy issues. He brings more than 25 years of maritime experience across ship operations, government, and industry leadership.
Prior to becoming CEO, Sean served over a decade with CSA, and seven years prior on the Board of Directors. Earlier in his career, he sailed as a deck officer on a variety of commercial vessels worldwide including Military Sealift Command in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Ashore, he held senior roles including Director of Marine Safety and Standards at Maersk Line, Limited; Manager of Security and Audits at the Liberian Registry; and Regulatory Development Manager with the U.S. Coast Guard.
A graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, Sean has been appointed by the Secretary of Homeland Security to serve on the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee and the National Navigation Safety Advisory Committee. He continues to actively engage with federal, international, and industry forums on maritime strategy, cyber resilience, security, and seafarer issues. He also works closely with policy makers in Congress, U.S. federal agencies, and IMO to advance balanced policies that strengthen and revitalize the commercial shipping industry.