The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners presented the Port of Long Beach’s highest recognition, the Honorary Port Pilot Award, to Jon F. Hemingway, Chief Executive Officer of SSA Marine, in a ceremony Thursday, July 21.
Hemingway becomes the 76th recipient of the award, which is presented by the Port to business and political leaders who have made significant contributions to international trade and the maritime industry.
The Port has presented the award to CEOs of leading corporations, prime ministers, ambassadors, members of Congress, Cabinet officials and presidents, including President Ronald Reagan.
Hemingway’s company, Seattle-based SSA Marine, and its affiliates provide cargo-handling and transportation services at more than 150 seaport facilities worldwide, including four shipping terminal operations that move about half of the cargo at the Port of Long Beach.
Hemingway, who began his career with SSA Marine in the mid-1980s, has overseen a major expansion of SSA’s services, from the West Coast into the U.S. Gulf and Atlantic Coasts, Latin America, Asia and Africa. Hemingway serves as chief executive officer, president and director of more than 50 SSA Marine affiliates and serves on the board of directors of more than 20 joint ventures.
“The Port is proud to present Jon Hemingway with this prestigious award,” said Port Executive Director Richard D. Steinke. “It is fitting that on the Port’s Centennial anniversary we honor someone whose vision and extraordinary leadership will help shape our industry for decades to come.”
The Honorary Port Pilot Award was established in 1954 by the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners to recognize significant contributions to the advancement of world trade. It was last awarded in 2007 to Soo Ho Cho, President of Hanjin Shipping Co. To see all the previous winners, go to www.polb.com/portpilotaward.
The award is named for the harbor port pilots who courageously guide cargo ships safely in and out of the port under all conditions, in good weather and bad.
-PMM Staff
