Robert D. Somerville, a native of Houlton, was named International Personality of the Year at the 10th Anniversary Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards, bringing home the only award open exclusively to non-Greeks. Somerville is the former Chairman of ABS, an international marine and classification society with operations in more than 70 countries.
Any non-Greek personality involved in shipping or the wider maritime world is eligible for the award. The winner must have stood out during the previous 12 months in terms of contribution to Greek shipping or the general maritime industry. The award was sponsored by the National Bank of Greece and presented by the organization’s chairman. An independent judging panel representing a broad cross section of the Greek shipping community assessed nominations and selected the recipients of all awards.
Somerville has received numerous awards in recognition of his contributions to maritime safety. He joined the ranks of prominent industry leaders when inducted into the prestigious International Maritime Hall of Fame at the United Nations in 2006. In 2007 the Chamber of Shipping of America awarded him the Admiral Halert C. Shepheard Award for his outstanding contributions to merchant marine safety. In 2009 he received both the Society of Naval Architect and Marine Engineers Vice Admiral Land Medal for outstanding accomplishments in the marine field and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Foundation’s Captain Emery Rice Medal in recognition of his support of maritime education.
Somerville currently serves as vice chairman of the Board of Trustees for Maine Maritime Academy, where he graduated with a of Science degree in Marine Engineering. He received an honorary Doctorate of Science from Maine Maritime Academy, an honorary Doctorate of Commercial Science from the Webb Institute and an honorary Doctorate from Cass Business School. He is a graduate of the Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.
