Greg Tuthill:

Fostering future leaders through education and advocacy

A shipping industry veteran with nearly 36 years of experience, Greg Tuthill has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to the maritime industry throughout his career and has played a pivotal role in fostering future leaders through education and advocacy. As Chief Commercial Officer of SeaCube Container Leasing Ltd., one of the largest global container leasing companies, he is responsible for the development and implementation of evolving business strategies designed to further SeaCube’s vision of being the customer’s first choice for refrigerated intermodal equipment while also driving company growth. Greg has served on the board of the Containerization and Intermodal Institute (CII) since 2020.

Armed with a passion for the sea, he embarked on a journey that has taken him from the deck of ships to the helm of industry leadership. From his early days as a student at the State University Maritime College at Fort Schuyler, N.Y., Greg knew that the maritime world was his calling. "I've always been enthusiastic about maritime," he says, tracing his initial fascination with sailing in his youth to a lifelong commitment to the industry.

Greg began his career in 1988 with American President Lines, Ltd. (APL), where he held several positions in sales and marketing. In 1997, he moved on to NYK Line, where he spent more than 16 years in various leadership roles developing deep expertise in management and operations. After NYK, he became Vice President President of TOTE Logistics. In 2015, Greg returned to APL as Head of Operations for North America and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer for CMA CGM when it acquired APL. In 2018, Greg joined SeaCube in his current role as Chief Commercial Officer. 

Reflecting on his journey, Greg credits his mentors for empowering him with opportunities to grow. “I have had many mentors in my career who had the trust and the confidence in me with the conviction that I would succeed in many positions at the executive level. This has been instrumental in shaping my career. And that has afforded me the ability to advance in theMaritime Industry .  I have gratitude and feel very privileged for all those career opportunities that were presented to me along the way.”

Greg is drawn to the educational and developmental aspects of the maritime industry. He is active in many industry associations, including the New York Maritime Alumni Association as the first vice president, as a past Pacific Maritime Association director,  as a previous  board member of the Ocean Carrier Equipment Management Association (OCEMA).

His involvement underscores a deep-seated commitment to nurturing the next generation of maritime professionals—a passion that led him to join the board of CII. "I always say, ‘we need to build the bench’," says Greg, “One way to do that is through outreach. CII has been very proactive, coordinating with colleges and universities around the country to provide prospective professionals with opportunities. The ongoing collaboration from a scholarship standpoint is also an important element that draws people into the industry.”

At CII, Greg champions initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between academia and industry, promoting scholarships and internships to attract young minds to maritime careers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he oversaw the development and execution of a well-attended webinar designed to underscore the importance of collaboration between corporations and academia to ensure the next generation of supply chain leaders are prepared to move the industry forward.

“I resonate deeply with CII's mission to recognize and reward young people interested in the maritime and intermodal industries. This aligns perfectly with my passion for shaping the future. Being on the CII board not only fulfills my goal of contributing to this mission but also allows me to stay engaged in industry discussions, events, and connect with fellow industry members,” says Greg.

Greg remains inspired by the dedication and creativity of his peers on the CII board. “CII has such a professional, dedicated and committed board. And it's so refreshing to be part of a group that is enthusiastic and motivated to expand the organization without straying from the core mission. It's a real pleasure to serve on the board,” says Greg.

Looking forward, Greg envisions a promising future for the maritime industry. Emphasizing the significance of seizing opportunities and broadening horizons, he says: “Someone once told me, 'Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.' With that in mind, my advice would be to not hesitate to explore new opportunities, even if they are outside your comfort zone. Never fear taking on a new role, new tasks, a new job, or doing something you haven't done before because through these experiences, you will grow.”