Peter Nash dies

One of the industry’s most
colourful characters, Peter
Nash, died at his home in
Liverpool on January 23 after
a brave fight against cancer.
Outspoken, articulate,
passionate about the industry
– and about fast cars – and
always prepared to stand
up for his principles, Nash
headed up Ahrenkiel Liner
Service, which entered the
Far East-SA trade during the
1980s.
Never one to hide his
feelings under diplomatic
phrases, he had that brash,
outspoken truthfulness
typical of the old Hong
Kong shipping brigands.
If you wanted a quote on
any issue, no matter how
controversial it was, or how
much others were concealing
their true opinions with a lot
of meaningless words, Peter
was the man to speak to.
FTW articles were that much
brighter with an injection of
Nash-speak.
Long-time colleague
at ALS, Terry Harding,
described Peter as a man
who had the courage of
his convictions. “During
the 1980s, the Conference
lines considered that the
South African/Far East
trading routes were their
sole domain, but Peter had
very different ideas and
wasn’t afraid to confront
them head-on,” Harding
told FTW. “During his
watch ALS provided an
alternative, efficient multipurpose
operation which
was supported by the likes
of Nissan, Alusaf, Hitachi
and the granite producers –
and was the envy of many
operators.
“To define his character
requires many adjectives
– exuberant, entertaining,
confrontational, hospitable
– but resolute, and he faced
his illness with those same
qualities, which baffled his
doctors.”
One event on his annual
calendar that he enjoyed
most was the ALS Christmas
party, said Harding,
“which I’m sure many of
your readers of that era will
fondly remember.”
Looking through the FTW
archives, we found an item
written on his retirement
in 1999 by FTW columnist
at the time, ‘Wharf Rat’,
which aptly sums up the
essence of who he was: “I
go to the Bryanston Club for
Peter Nash’s farewell party.
Peter has always been an
entertaining speaker and this
occasion was no exception; in
fact, it was probably the best
if not the saddest speech he’s
ever had to make, and was
full of funny and interesting
snippets from his experiences
over the years.
Searching for a suitable
comparison for Peter, I ask
Glencore’s John Stevenson
for his view. Interestingly
enough, he says Margaret
Thatcher. Whilst he can be
impatient, and doesn’t suffer
fools gladly, it is doubtful if
anyone else possessed the
strength of personality to
take ALS to where it is today.
An apt epitaph, Peter...
He will be remembered
with affection by the staff
of FTW.