Henry Peterson is an experienced maritime professional serving as an Unlimited First-Class Ship Pilot with the Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New Orleans since 2010. In this role, he ensures the safe navigation of foreign-flagged vessels along the Lower Mississippi River.
Henry is a dedicated leader in the maritime community, currently serving on the Boards of Directors for the Associated Branch Pilots (since 2019), the New Orleans Board of Trade (since 2023), the Mississippi Valley Trade and Transport Council (since 2024) and the World Trade Center of New Orleans (since 2026). He also serves on the Louisiana Pilotage Fee Commission. Henry is committed to improving commerce and safety on the Mississippi River.
Before his tenure as a pilot, Henry worked in commercial shipping as a Third Mate aboard various vessels, including the M/T Maersk Rhode Island and the M/V Esplanade where he gained valuable experience in tanker and platform support operations. He also served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy Reserve Pilot Detachment Group from 2006 to 2014.
A graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, Henry holds a degree in Logistics and Intermodal Transportation and several key certifications and licenses.