Stan Barer, a low-profile but major figure in US shipping, has died at the age of 82.

Saltchuk Resources, which Barer helped co-found with nine other investors nearly 40 years ago, announced on social media that he died in his Seattle home on Tuesday night.

A cause of death was not disclosed, but Barer had been fighting cancer.

"During the past six years, Stan fought a courageous battle with cancer, repeatedly overcoming low odds," Saltchuk said in a LinkedIn post.