Lidinsky joins FMC

Lidinsky joins FMC    The Federal Maritime Commission said Richard A. Lidinsky Jr. has been sworn in as a commissioner for a term to expire on June 30, 2012.
   Lidinsky was nominated by President Barack Obama on June 18 and confirmed by the Senate on July 24.
   A 37-year maritime industry veteran, he began his career as a congressional aide on the U.S. House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee, and was legislative counsel at the FMC’s Office of General Counsel from 1973-75.
   In 1975 the Maryland Port Administration appointed him to be director of tariffs and national port affairs, as well as counsel. While representing the Port of Baltimore on both regional and national port organizations, he was a key architect of the port protection sections in the Panama Canal Treaty Implementing Legislation and the Shipping Act of 1984. He also helped negotiate on behalf of the port one of the first U.S.-China trade agreements.
   In 1985 Sea Containers Ltd., the global maritime manufacturer and container leasing company, recruited Lidinsky to establish its Washington office. As vice president for governmental affairs until 2006, he secured contracts with the Pentagon to supply military equipment from Sea Containers’ factory in Charleston, S.C. He also served as a member of the Sealift Transportation Committee of the National Defense Transportation Association; as board director and on the defense, transportation and port security committee of the British-American Business Association; and as a high-level expert to the U.S. NATO Delegation on the Ports and Intermodal Transportation Committee from 1995-2005.
   Most recently, he worked as an attorney and international trade consultant in private practice.
   Lidinsky said he looks forward to collaborating with his fellow commissioners, participating in the many challenging decisions and issues facing the commission, “particularly during this time of severe economic downturn facing the entire maritime industry.”