Qiang Gao

Qiang Gao was promoted to senior vice president, Asia at Matson Navigation, and named senior vice president of Matson in February 2021. He spends half his time in Matson’s Oakland office and the other half in Asia, where he is responsible for all business operations and development in China and Asia, except for Matson’s Okinawa operation.

Gao joined Matson’s market planning team in 2003. He was named director, Asia, and opened Matson’s China offices in Shanghai and Ningbo as it initiated China service beginning in 2005. Gao was promoted to vice president, Asia in 2012 and oversaw Matson’s growth from its two small start-up offices to a workforce of more than 120 employees in five offices – the original two, plus offices in Xiamen, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. Gao’s leadership has proven to be a major factor in Matson’s success as the service leader in the Transpacific trade. He was a critical member of the leadership team that developed and launched two new services, CLX+ and AAX, in 2020.

Prior to Matson, Gao had 15 years of experience in international shipping, logistics, and cross-border trade in China and the U.S., including roles with MeetChina.com, Booz Allen, Bechtel, and Tianjin Marine.

Gao obtained a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Nanking University, a master’s degree in economics from Acadia University, and a Ph.D. in transportation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).