LIBERTY MARITIME CORPORATION
PHILIP J. SHAPIRO
As the President and CEO of LSG and its related companies, Mr. Shapiro heads one of the largest independent privately held US flag pure dry bulk shipping companies. The Liberty fleet has distinguished itself as an outstanding carrier of US origin overseas food aid shipments for various US government agencies including the Departments of Agriculture, State, and Defense over the last twenty one years. In addition, the Liberty fleet has carried cargo for many multi-national grain houses and is the largest food aid carrier for the United Nations' World Food Program. The company has operated foreign flag vessels as well as its current US flag bulk carrier fleet in the foreign commercial trades as well during the course of its history.
In 2004, he founded Liberty Global Logistics LLC (LGL), a diversification for the Liberty Group into the international roll on/roll off car and truck vehicle commercial trade. By bringing the MV Alliance New York, a 2005 built PCTC vessel into the US flag registry, Liberty provided the United States Departments of Defense and Transportation with the then newest and most modern commercial vessel in its Maritime Security Program. LGL is planning a further expansion into the PCTC trade with two more sisterships on order for delivery in 2009 and 2010, respectively.
Prior to founding Liberty in 1988, Mr. Shapiro served as Vice President and General Counsel of Apex Marine Corporation, which at that time was the the largest privately owned US tanker owner/operator with over 26 ships. Before joining Apex Marine, he practiced corporate and real estate law for two years with a New York City law firm.
Born on December 8, 1952 in New York City, Mr. Shapiro was raised in Great Neck, New York and graduated from Great Neck North Senior High School in 1970. He attended Columbia University in New York City, graduating in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. In 1975, he enrolled in the Hofstra University Law School, receiving his Juris Doctor degree in 1978 and was then admitted to practice law by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York as well as by the United States District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
Mr. Shapiro currently serves as a Director on a number of corporate and charitable boards including the National Maritime Historical Society, the United Seamen's Service, and the American Maritime Congress. He is an elected member of the American Bureau of Shipping and serves on its North American Committee as well as its ABS Council. Mr. Shapiro is also an Associate Trustee of the North Shore - Long Island Jewish Hospital Health System, the largest health care provider on Long Island, and a member of its Executive Associate Trustee Committee.
In 1998, he was named Management Man of the Year by the Maritime Port Council of Greater New York and Vicinity. In 2001, he received the Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) award from the United Seamen's Service for his distinguished service and outstanding contribution to the American shipping industry. In 2002, he was presented with the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his leadership of and achievements in the international shipping community. Most recently, he received Hofstra University's Distinguished Service Award in 2007.
He has often appeared before congressional committees and administrative agencies as a spokesmen for the US flag shipping industry. Most notably, he was the dry bulk shipping sector's representative to President Reagan's Commission on the Merchant Marine and National Defense and one of three industry representatives selected to serve on President Clinton's Maritime Policy Working Group, headed by then Secretary of Transportation Federico Pena, which developed the government's Maritime Security Program which was subsequently enacted into law by the United States' Congress.