Iain MacIntrye – Shipping Gazette
Well-renowned, former senior shipping executive, Sandy Gibson, passed away on June 12 aged 75 years.
Commencing his career as an apprentice cadet with Union Steam Ship Company in 1959 and subsequently gaining his Masters’ Certificate, Mr Gibson came ashore to assume the role of cargo superintendent for Wilhelmsen Line.
He helped establish major shipping agency Seabridge New Zealand and
became its managing director, while also serving seven years as a Port of
Wellington director.
A member of the Wellington and Auckland branches of the New Zealand Company of Master Mariners and Master of the New Zealand Company, Mr Gibson became Ports of Auckland (PoAL) operations general manager and then Axis Intermodal general manager before retiring in 2005.
In a statement prepared for the Shipping Gazette, PoAL said its staff were saddened by the loss.
“He is remembered as a genuinely good guy, known for his calmness under pressure, his immense knowledge of the industry and his supportive and respectful character,” stated the port company.
“He was a significant figure in PoAL’s history, well-liked by customers, port stakeholders, colleagues and employees.
“Many at the port remember Sandy because of the time he took with people.
He was never too rushed to stop and chat. He was also always ready for a bit of fun and mischief.
“Sandy was instrumental in establishing PoAL’s Graduate Cadet Programme in 2008 which saw a number of young people enter the ports industry as a new career and who subsequently moved onto other industry-related positions in New Zealand and overseas.
“He was always giving of his time and his knowledge and had the sharpest mind, even in his later years. He visited the port at least once a year to collect his beloved PoAL calendar and to catch up on the performance of various shipping lines and their services and any changes in the industry.
“In 2018 he even came to the port to welcome in our newest set of container cranes. He loved the shipping and logistics industry and he was a true gentleman.
“In honour of his memory we are flying our flags at half-mast.”