Bermuda Container Line announced today the retirement of John Wight as chairman of the company’s board of directors after 15 years in the role.

George Hutchings, BCL’s deputy chairman, has been elected as the company’s new chairman.

“It has been a great honour and privilege to serve as chairman,” Mr Wight said. “This Bermudian-owned and operated weekly shipping service on our ship, the Oleander, between New York/New Jersey and Bermuda is critical to the island. The company has an excellent management team and staff and I wish George much success in his new role.”

One of the highlights of Mr Wight’s time as chairman was the key role he played in presenting Bermuda’s case to the US after the Trump administration proposed a $1.5 million charge on Chinese-built vessels calling at US ports that would have threatened the island’s critical supply line of imports from the US.

Mr Wight told a US Trade Representative investigation in Washington in April last year that the cost of the charge would amount to $76 million for BCL, more than double the company’s annual revenue. He described US imports as Bermuda’s “economic lifeline”.

Weeks later the US amended its proposal, sparing small vessels and shorter routes from the massive fees, effectively exempting Bermuda.

“The entire board is deeply grateful to John for his wise and steadfast leadership of BCL over the past 15 years,” Mr Hutchings said.

“His dedication and guidance have been instrumental to the company's success. As I assume this role, I look forward to working closely with the board to build on that strong foundation and to help guide BCL into the future.”

Mr Hutchings, who joined the BCL board in January this year, has had a career in the insurance industry. He stepped down as chief operating officer of the energy mutual Everen in 2023, but remained as special adviser until his retirement at the end of that year.

Mr Hutchings added: “The Oleander's service remains vital to Bermuda's residents and businesses, and I am committed to ensuring that it continues to serve the island with excellence.”