Philadelphia, PA — On Monday, May 19, 2025, the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia and the Embassy of Chile in Washington, D.C., hosted a distinguished luncheon and award ceremony at The Union League of Philadelphia to celebrate Robert W. Palaima, who was awarded the Order of Bernardo O’Higgins—one of Chile’s highest civilian honors granted to non-Chilean citizens.
Presented by His Excellency Juan Gabriel Valdés, Chilean Ambassador to the United States, the award recognizes Mr. Palaima’s lifelong commitment to fostering international trade, economic development, and cultural diplomacy between Chile and the United States, particularly in the Greater Philadelphia region.
A transformative figure in maritime commerce, Robert W. Palaima served as President of Delaware River Stevedores, Inc. (DRS) for over three decades, reshaping the company into a vital force along both sides of the Delaware River. Under his leadership, DRS became a major stevedore of bulk, breakbulk, perishable, and containerized cargoes, significantly increasing the competitiveness of the Ports of Camden, Philadelphia, and Wilmington through innovative labor agreements and operational reform.
A native of Chicago, Mr. Palaima is a graduate of Colgate University (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) and an Edward R. Murrow Fellow at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He began his professional career with the Illinois Department of Business and Economic Development and later joined Lavino Shipping Company before rising to lead DRS in 1990. He retired in 2021 following a 31-year tenure as President.
Throughout his career, Mr. Palaima has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the inaugural Forty Under Forty Award from the Philadelphia Business Journal (1993), the Friend of Chile Award from the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce (2007), and the Legion of Honor Humanitarian Award from the Chapel of Four Chaplains (2013). In 2022, he was named Man of the Year by the World Trade Association of Philadelphia.
He also served as Chairman of the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce for 16 years, where he championed trade and cultural relations with Chile. His efforts helped preserve the region’s leadership in the importation of Chilean fresh fruit and supported growth in Chilean wine, salmon, and IT sector exports. Among his proudest moments was welcoming then-President Michelle Bachelet of Chile to Philadelphia in 2015.
Mr. Palaima currently resides in Horsham, Pennsylvania with his wife, Wendy, and remains active in civic and maritime affairs. He serves on the Board of Managers of the Seamen’s Church Institute and the Board of Governors of the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay and contributes to the missions of the World Affairs Council and the Consular Corps Association.
