GT USA CEO Peter Richards honored as Maritime Person of the Year by Propeller Club
Peter Richards, CEO of GT USA, the U.S. division of global port operator Gulftainer, has received the Maritime Person of the Year Award from the Propeller Club of Port Canaveral.
The honor from the Propeller Club of Port Canaveral, part of the network of International Propeller Club organizations, recognizes a person’s contributions to the maritime industry and local community. The club nominates the member of year for regional recognition to be chosen by leaders of Propeller Club chapters in the Southeast.
“Peter Richards is the ideal recipient for Maritime Person of the Year, foremost for bringing GT USA into our port community and increasing regional economic opportunities. We appreciate the time he has spent in supporting our local club,” said John Rice, President of the Propeller Club of Port Canaveral.
With more than 12 years of seagoing experience and 28 years of expertise in the operation and management of port facilities and container terminals, Richards has played a key role in building the global presence of Gulftainer, the largest privately owned, independent port operator in the world. In the past year, Richards has led the company’s expansion into the United States with the opening of GT USA to operate and manage Port Canaveral’s only dedicated container terminal.
“The opening of Canaveral Cargo Terminal to serve new partners in trade is a milestone not just for GT USA, but for all stakeholders at the port,” Richards said. “It is an honor to work with the Brevard County businesses and maritime professionals of the Propeller Club.”
GT USA’s Canaveral Cargo Terminal is able to turn around cargo between Port Canaveral and the Orlando area within one to two hours, the fastest transit time when compared to other container terminals in the state. StreamLines, N.V., part of the Seatrade Group, recently launched its new Blue Stream container service with Canaveral Cargo Terminal as its only U.S. port of call. The service ships refrigerated and dry cargo between Port Canaveral, Europe, the French West Indies and Central America.