PEMA announces appointment of Head of Technology

​The Port Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA) has appointed Pat O’Leary as its first dedicated Head of Technology, a non-remunerated role to support the Association’s growing editorial output on key challenges facing the global ports and terminals sector. Formerly managing director of leading crane manufacturer Liebherr’s Maritime Cranes division, O’Leary officially became PEMA's Head of Technology on January 1, 2020.

O'Leary’s core tasks will be to support and co-ordinate the work of PEMA’s three technical committees: Safety & Environment, Automation & Control Technologies, and Equipment Design & Infrastructure.

By working closely with the committees’ respective chairs and members, O'Leary will add his extensive experience to the wide-ranging knowledge that already exists within the Association. Furthermore, through stepping up PEMA’s editorial output, the Association hopes to extend the reach of PEMA members’ expertise for the benefit of the sector at large.

“We’re delighted that Pat is joining us to help support our growing output of information papers on pressing issues facing the global ports sector such as safety, sustainability, efficiency and innovation,” says PEMA President and Chairman of the Board, Ottonel Popesco.

In recent years, PEMA has increased the number of papers and reports it releases – a trend that PEMA intends to accelerate in the years ahead. PEMA publications are available for download on the Association’s website here: pema.org/publications.

O’Leary, who retired from Liebherr at the end of 2019, has more than 40 years’ experience in the global ports and terminals sector. He joined Liebherr Container Cranes in 1978 where he served as Chief Electrical Engineer for more than 20 years overseeing the development of STS, RMG and RTG canes.

In 2001, he was appointed to the management board of Liebherr Container Cranes as technical director and as the managing director of Liebherr Maritime Cranes in 2006.