THE top man in the UK and Europe for Southampton Container Terminals owner Dubai Ports World has shocked the shipping industry by suddenly resigning.
Widely regarded as one of DP World's brightest stars, stunned staff were told of Patrick Walters' decision to quit earlier this week.
The official explanation is simply "personal reasons", although industry sources suggested he had become unhappy with DP World's management style.
The Daily Echo understands Mr Walters, pictured, who stays on until April, does not yet have another job to go to.
His decision to go brings to an end a meteoric career within DP World.
Managing director of SCT until October 2006, Mr Walters, who joined P&O in 1995, was one of the few senior executives to survive the £3.9 billion takeover by DP World.
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He was promoted to deputy regional director for Europe and north-west Africa after four years in Southampton and soon after promoted again to full regional director status.
During his time at the helm in Southampton he oversaw an unprecedented expansion of the business, with container volumes rising 35 per cent. Global shipping giant Maersk Line returned to Southampton during his tenure and he enjoyed a massive business win from rival Thamesport, when the Grand Alliance switched to SCT.
His resignation was announced to staff by DP World director Anil Watts in an internal memo this week, but no successor has been named. While he retained ultimate authority for SCT, he was replaced as managing director by Campbell Mason, who remains in post.
A spokesman for DP World said: "We are sorry to see him go but it is a personal decision. We wish him all the best."
SCT is the UK's number two container port and employs 750 staff. It is a joint venture between Southamp-ton docks owners ABP.
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