Continuing with our meet SLASPA’s staff series, this week we introduce you to Mr. Adrian Hilaire, Director of Seaports, a Port professional with over 20 years in the Port, Marine and Maritime Industry. Mr. Hilaire has the overall responsibility for vital Seaport Operations Department and the Marine Department of SLASPA. This is a very important function as these departments are responsible for ensuring that the receipt, storage and delivery of cargo, pilotage of vessels, and the management of marine activities in the various seaports of Saint Lucia. He ensures that these roles are conducted professionally and in the most cost effective and efficient manner.

Mr. Hilaire holds a Master of Science Degree in Maritime Affairs, with a specialization in Port Management from the prestigious World Maritime University, a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Management Studies from the University of the West Indies, a Diploma in Port Management with accreditation in managing cargo operations from the North West Kent College, a Diploma in Watchkeeping Navigation from the Canadian Coast Guard College, an Apprentice Pilot Certificate of Education from the Caribbean Maritime Institute and has been exposed to various training in International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, the International Safety Management (ISM) Code and on the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.

This Port professional is not only impressively academically qualified but extremely well rounded having moved up the ranks from an apprentice pilot to currently the Director of Seaports. His journey began in 1989 when he joined SLASPA as an Apprentice Pilot. During the period 1992 to 1995, he served first as a Marine Cadet on Container vessel Leanna then as 3rd Mate on Petroleum Tanker Lucy PG and on LNG Tanker, Carib Gas 7 to gain the requisite hands on experience to become a fully qualified Pilot which he did in 1998. In February 2000, he was promoted to the Senior Pilot position where he piloted the largest cruise and cargo vessels coming into Port Castries and Port Vieux Fort. In 2006, he left St Lucia for Sweden to undertake eighteen months of intense study at the World Maritime University returning to SLASPA in November 2007 where he was then appointed as Coordinator of Seaports and Maritime Affairs. Within one month of his appointment he was promoted to act as Director of Seaports in December 2007 and in January 2010, Mr. Hilaire was confirmed as SLASPA’s Director of Seaports.

Mr. Hilaire has not taken his responsibility lightly having attained several notable milestones under his directorship including, the implementation of an Occupational Health and Safety System at Port Castries that minimizes the risks associated with cargo operations in SLASPA’s multifunctional facility, revamping the logistical framework associated with the delivery of reefer and other classification of containers at Port Castries, which has resulted in improved service quality and delivery at the seaport. He also serves as Chairman of the Port Award Committee of the regional organization Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC) spearheading the research and development of a paper on the selection and calculation of performance indicators that can be used to assess the productivity of PMAC member ports. Considered an expert is his field in the region, he currently serves an overseas lecturer with the Caribbean Maritime Institute outreach program.

He is passionate about the development of young persons. A firm believer in self development he serves as mentor to many young persons seeking to enhance their careers. Despite all  is achievements to date, he proudly expresses that his greatest achievements are the loves of his life, daughter Kourtney and son Deshaun who he loves spending quality time with.