GT USA HIRES COMMERCIAL MANAGER FOR NEW U.S. HEADQUARTERS AT PORT CANAVERAL
GT USA is pleased to announce the hiring of Joe Cruise as commercial manager at the company’s new container and multipurpose cargo terminal.
With more than three decades of experience in the international and domestic shipping and ports industry, Cruise will be responsible for leading and managing all sales activities for GT USA.
Capitalizing on a strong international reputation, Gulftainer announced the creation of GT USA in 2014, signing a historic 35-year agreement to develop and operate a multipurpose cargo and container terminal at Port Canaveral, Fla. Gulftainer is the largest privately owned, independent terminal operator and logistics company in the world.
“As GT USA launches operations this spring, Joe will play a key role in developing our strategic relationships with shipping lines and cargo enterprises,” said Peter Richards, who is overseeing the company’s U.S. expansion in his role as managing director of Gulftainer Group.
“Joe brings a wealth of knowledge about Florida and industry opportunities for markets that would benefit from the growth of the Gulftainer Canaveral Cargo Terminal,” Richards said.
Cruise most recently served as vice president of customer care for Trailer Bridge Inc., in Jacksonville, Fla., where he was responsible for supply chain improvement. During his tenure at Trailer Bridge Inc., Cruise also led and developed pricing strategies, interfacing with Fortune 100 companies to small businesses. He also has held marketing, planning and senior financial analyst roles for Crowley Maritime Corporation and United States Lines, Inc. Cruise holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialization in finance from the University of Florida.
GT USA is investing $100 million in Gulftainer Canaveral Cargo Terminal’s new state-of-the-art container terminal, infrastructure, equipment and workforce. The expansion into the United States is part of parent company Gulftainer’s strategic vision to increase its global portfolio and triple its throughput to 18 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) within 10 years