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Veteran maritime industry professional Dalgaard to steer expansion of Gulftainer in high-growth global markets
Peter Richards appointed to Executive Board and to lead company's expansion in United States
Sharjah-UAE: 29 February, 2016
Gulftainer, the world's largest privately-owned, independent port operator based in the UAE has announced the appointment of Flemming Dalgaard as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Group. Former CEO Peter Richards will now serve on Gulftainer's Executive Board and lead the expansion of the company's footprint in the United States as Chief Executive Officer of Gulftainer USA.
As outgoing CEO of Gulftainer, Peter Richards has implemented the company's diversification strategy, and helped to shape the once small port operator into the international integrated logistics provider it is today. He also played an instrumental role in expanding the company's global footprint further into the Middle East, Europe, Asia and North and South America.
Badr Jafar, Chairman of Gulftainer's Executive Board, and CEO of Crescent Enterprises, said: "In his 30-year career with the company, Peter Richards has spearheaded efforts to ensure Gulftainer's transition from a home-grown UAE company into an international player in the global port operations business. The Board has great confidence in his abilities to further accelerate our growth within the US market, and we wish him many more productive years with the Gulftainer family."
Speaking on the appointment of his successor, Peter Richards said: "Given his experience in the industry and his previous position as Gulftainer's CEO for International Operations, Flemming Dalgaard brings a wealth of industry experience to his new role as CEO of the Gulftainer Group. As we continue to expand worldwide, his global industry knowledge and strong customer relationships will prove invaluable in consolidating this growth."
Dalgaard joined Gulftainer in August 2015 to manage its international operations. In his new role as CEO of the Group, he is mandated to oversee the strategic growth of the company, which currently operates and manages ports and logistics businesses in the UAE and internationally across Iraq, Brazil, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and the USA.
With over 30 years in the international maritime industry, Dalgaard also served as Senior Vice President for Group Strategy at DP World and CEO for DP World Europe and Russia region. In a previous role, he was Managing Director at Maersk Line in the UK.
Gulftainer has recorded consistent growth year-on-year over the past decade, averaging more than 12%, compared to global market growth of 8.6% during the same period.
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About Gulftainer
Gulftainer is the largest, privately-owned, independent port operator in the world. Established in the emirate of Sharjah, UAE in 1976, Gulftainer is a rapidly expanding, dynamic ports and logistics company now operating in various parts of the world.
In the UAE, Gulftainer operates two main ports on behalf of the Sharjah Port Authority - Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT) and Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT). As the Company's flagship terminal. Khorfakkan was recognised by the Journal of Commerce as the fastest terminal in the MENA region and third in the world. In April 2015, Khorfakkan Container Terminal was named Shipping Port of the Year at the ITP SCATA Logistics ME awards.
The Gulftainer Group also operates and manages ports and logistics businesses in several other countries, including the Iraq Container Terminal, the Iraq Project Terminal and Umm Qasr Logistics Centre in Iraq, Karachi in Pakistan, Recife in Brazil, Tripoli in Lebanon, Istanbul in Turkey and in the Northern Container Terminal in Jeddah, the Jubail Islamic Port and the Jubail Container Terminal in Saudi Arabia, where Gulftainer acquired 51 percent stake in Gulf Stevedoring Contracting Company (GSCCO) in June 2013. The Company's most recent facility, Canaveral Cargo Terminal opened in Florida in the USA in June 2015, following the signing of a 35-year agreement, making Gulftainer the first Middle Eastern port management company to operate in the United States.
In December 2015, Gulftainer was conferred the prestigious 'Port Operator Award' at the Lloyd's List Middle East & Indian Subcontinent Awards 2015.
Currently handling an annual throughput of 6.5 million TEUs, Gulftainer aims to expand its global portfolio to reach 35 terminals across five continents, in order to support ambitious targets.
For further details, please visit www.gulftainer.com
For further information, please contact:
Kathryn Bradley
Gulftainer
+9716 5128888
Kbradley@gulftainer.com
Christy Abraham
APCO Worldwide
+971 55 1342859
cabraham@apcoworldwide.com
© Press Release 2016