Born 56 years ago, in Lagos, Nigeria, Mr Israel Olatoye SOETAN has become an astute, prominent and result oriented professional in the Maritime Industry. He is a Patron of Maritime360 Online and Print Magazine as well as a Vice President to the Governing Board of Perceival Investments. He has done more than 30years, locally and Internationally, developing strategic plans, for service excellence, at top management level of the industry.
As a British Nigerian, his international exposure is varied and his professional affiliation and association are diverse.

With Masters in Transport and Planning, Masters in Business Administration and a PhD in view, Israel Soetan is an experienced Port and International Trade Manager.
He has served in various Nigerian Government Committees, including the Kaduna Inland Container Depot Project and has assisted the shipping lines in various governmental initiatives.

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, (CILT), Dignified member of the Institute of Freight Forwarders of Nigeria, Certified Member of The Institute of Shipping, Member, Nigerian Institute of Management, Red Cross Society, and Corporate Member, Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry among others.

His career started with John Holt Shipping in 1994, after which he worked with Elder Dempster/Hull Blyth as partners of PIL, WAL, K Line and other lines acting as third party agents in Nigeria, he also worked at Access Port Nigeria and Bems Cargo to broaden his practical knowledge on Break Bulk, Conventional Vessel Chartering Operation and Air Cargo Operations. He has worked in various managerial roles such as Customer Service and Business Development, Operations and Special Projects, Break Bulk and Out of Gage Cargo handling, among others.

In 2006 after the Nigerian Port Concessioning Exercise, he joined the Danish Carrier AP Moller Maersk Line as a senior Sales Manager and later the French Carrier CMACGM who are also the part owner of the Lekki Deep Sea Free port & Terminal. He worked with CMACGM for 17years as the Commercial Director for Nigeria.
He left CMACGM in 2024 to join Creseada International Limited, United Kingdom as the Country Manager UK and Africa Representative, a position he holds till date.