Friday, December 22, 2017

Another Sad Loss to the Rail Freight Industry as we Review Staff Changes in Shipping and Logistics

Who is Going Where (and Who Isn't Any More)
Shipping News Feature

WORLDWIDE – The fast approaching Christmas break has made for a shorter than usual list of appointments and departures in the freight and logistics professions as shipping groups and exporters wind down for the holidays, with few wishing to change employers throughout December and early January. Here then are the ones we have had advice of this week, sadly once again commencing with the passing of a modal industry stalwart.

US – Boss of transport group CSX Hunter Harrison, 73, passed away last week after entering hospital due to a short illness. His absence had already prompted a fall in share price for the group which runs the third largest railway company in the US. Mr Harrison took over as CEO in March with ambitious plans to change the scope of CSX operations. He was well known in the industry for his work transforming other rail carriers including Canadian National and Canadian Pacific. When appearing lately Mr Harrison, an equestrian enthusiast, regularly wore a cannula tube supplying oxygen.

UK – Aderco, which supplies fuel treatment services to the maritime sector amongst others has announced the appointment of Rebecca Farrell as Customer Relations Manager based at the company’s UK head office in Hampshire. Rebecca will look after core elements of the office management, liaising with suppliers and managing the inbound enquiries and orders for the Aderco range of fuel treatment products and she brings with her maritime experience having been with both Carnival and SAGA.

UK – Andrew McNaughton, HS2’s first official employee, has been appointed to new strategic role at HS2 and will provide strategic advice and assurance to the High Speed Two (HS2) Executive and Board on technical matters. At the same time Andrew will advise both the Department of Transport and other government departments on wider transport matters. Andrew will also continue his role as an expert witness for the project, as required, and continue to be chairman of the World High Speed Rail Committee.

US – BorgWarner announced today the appointment of Frédéric Lissalde to executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective January 1, 2018. In this position Mr Lissalde will be responsible for the operations of the company with the business presidents reporting to him. Mr Lissalde will report to James Verrier, president and chief executive officer.

Mr Lissalde, 50, has held positions of increasingly significant responsibility during his eighteen years with the company. He most recently served as president and general manager of Turbo Systems, the Company's largest business. Prior to that he served as vice president and general manager of BorgWarner Transmissions Systems and vice president of global sales and marketing of BorgWarner Drivetrain Systems. He also served as managing director of several operations in Europe for BorgWarner Drivetrain Systems.

US – Industry veteran Patrik Ziegler has been appointed Managing Director of GAC North America – Logistics (GNAL). He brings to the role more than 30 years’ experience in logistics and oil & gas. In his new role, Patrik is tasked with overseeing the continuing expansion of GAC’s integrated logistics services throughout North America. He is based at the company’s main office in Houston. The Group also serves the U.S. logistics market through its offices in Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles.

UK – WORLDWIDE – The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) Annual General Meeting voted on Tuesday to support the Executive Committee’s appointment of Chevron Shipping Company President Mark Ross succeeding Dr Grahaeme Henderson as the new OCIMF Chairman. Mark Ross said:

“I would like to thank Grahaeme, personally and on behalf of the organisation, for the significant contributions he has made over the past three years where he has seen the membership increase to more than 110 member companies.”

Shell’s Dr Grahaeme Henderson stepped down as OCIMF Chairman at ExCom 80 in Singapore in November after three years in the role. He commented:

“After three years I am delighted to pass on the baton to Mark who has served as Vice-Chair since 2015. OCIMF has a critical role to play in driving improvements to industry safety and his broad experience and focus on safe shipping will be a great asset to the organisation.”

ARGENTINA – After the tragic loss of the submarine ARA San Juan on 15 November the head of the Argentinian navy, Admiral Marcelo Eduardo Hipólito Srur, has been summarily dismissed in what is the first disciplinary manoeuvre since the accident. The submarine reported electrical failure when returning from a routine voyage to the waters off the tip of South America.

Following orders for the ship to return to her base at Mar del Plata for repairs there was talk of a major explosion and the German built, diesel class vessel, and her crew of 44, disappeared in the area around 240 nautical miles area off the coast of Patagonia, near the San Jorge Gulf. A search was officially called off on 30 November.

US – 722 Consulting LLC (722) is pleased to announce that Dan Doyen has joined the company as Senior Vice President of Air Hub Operational Planning and Solutions. 722 provides clients around the world with logistics and operational advice, with a special focus on the parcel sector. Dan has 40 years’ experience in this sector, and is a recognized expert in airport parcel operations. Dan spent 35 years with UPS, where he was instrumental in the planning and implementation of the UPS Worldport hub in Louisville, KY.

US – Crowley Maritime Corporation announced that Ketra Anderson has been named vice president of safety, security, quality and environmental stewardship (SSQE), replacing Paul Manzi, who has been named vice president of the company’s new Alaska Tankers group. Anderson, will be based in Seattle, Wash., and report to Carl Fox, senior vice president, corporate services.

As vice president of SSQE, Anderson is responsible for the strategic leadership of the company's individual safety, security, quality and environmental stewardship and sustainability. Under her direction, the SSQE team will provide expert support in the development of corporate-wide programmes, policies and guidelines to enhance Crowley's safety culture.

Photo: Hunter Harrison who has died age 73.