Don Aldridge, former U.S. Lines executive, dies

Aldridge is recalled as key figure as liner companies transitioned to containerships.    Funeral services will be held today for Don Aldridge, a shipping executive who played a key role in the transition from breakbulk to container shipping.
   “Don was one of the true pioneers of the container revolution,” said Harold Levy who had been chief counsel for the Trans-Atlantic Conference Agreement.
   Levy said Aldridge at various times was a senior executive at U.S. Lines, American Export Lines, Delta, Grace Lines, and Hapag-Lloyd and its U.S. agent U.S. Navigation Co.
   “Don also was employed as a consultant by various lines including Maersk Line, owing to his vast knowledge of the shipping business.”
   He “made the transition from break bulk shipping to container shipping and intermodalism and was a foremost designer of the Conference System as it evolved from breakbulk to container operations.”
   Visiting hours at Clark’s Funeral Home in Katonah, N.Y. are Wednesday afternoon and evening, and a mass will be said Thursday morning at St. Patrick’s Church in Bedford.
   Levy said that Aldridge was “universally known, respected and admired throughout the shipping industry and Governmental regulatory bodies including labor, shippers, forwarders and other stakeholders.
  “He was also a man of great integrity, intelligence, perseverance and determination, blessed with a wonderful sense of humor,” Levy added.
   Former Federal Maritime Commissioner Helen Bentley also recalled that humor and said, “Don Aldridge and Mike Diaz (another containerization pioneer who passed away last year) always will be my ‘Bobbsey Twins.’ May they enjoy each other in heaven as they did on earth entertaining and helping all of us.”
   “Indeed, when it came to his vocation, he was a man for all seasons with countless friends and always ready, willing and able to assist others,” said Levy.