Robert Hambleton

Combining over 35 years of Container Terminal experience, (of which a combined 20, have been with Hutchison, APM Terminals and Associated British Ports), with five years serving as a Captain within the UK Armed Forces, (having been trained at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst), and a solid academic background, I have had the privilege of leading teams and organisations, working across seven different countries in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Asia. This experience included Terminal Business Development in Italy, Russia, Greece, Ireland, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Turkey combining specific knowledge of operational and commercial activities with a diplomatic approach to Government Departments and Institutions. Despite the challenges during and after the 2011 Arab Spring in Egypt, as the Chief Commercial Officer of the Suez Canal Container Terminal, strong growth was established. My role as the CEO of the Cai Mep International Terminal in Vietnam, saw treble digit growth over an 18-month period, lifting it to the then capacity of over I.2 million TEU's; a tribute to the combined efforts of staff and shareholders (Private and State). It is recognised that customers will, quite rightly, continue to seek optimum value, within the ever increasing competitive environment. Between 2017 and 2019, as the CEO, I led the transition from APMT's ownership of APMT Izmir to SOCAR Terminal (The State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic), focusing on the management of the major stakeholders (including the past and present owners), legal requirements and financial projections, whilst delivering volume growth, operational excellence and the highest safety standards. After a short time as the MD with Gulftainer in KSA, I moved to Iraq as the MD responsible for running and developing TiL's facility (The Basra Multipurpose Terminal), leaving in December 2024.