North Carolina Ports have appointed the former manager of APM Terminals, Brian E. Clark, as their new Chief Operating Officer (COO).
At North Carolina Ports, the industry veteran is said to »further improve the operational excellence at the Port of Wilmington and Port of Morehead C[ds_preview]ity«, North Carolina Ports announced. Specifically, he will direct and coordinate the activities of the line and staff components of all terminal operations. He will also oversee the execution of the infrastructure investment plan.
»As we continue to grow, it is absolutely vital to our success to reinforce the operational efficiencies we’ve become famous for. Brian’s key leadership role will help us navigate that growth tomorrow and into the future.«
Executive Director, Paul J. Cozza
Clark has over twenty years of expertise in the maritime industry having worked in senior positions on the operations side with industry leaders. Prior to his role as Chief Operating Officer, Clark served as Managing Director for APM Terminals at Port Elizabeth. In addition to his time at Port Elizabeth, Clark also spent four years as Project Director for APM Terminals at Mobile’s container terminal touting a focus on design, contracting and execution of its development.
»Brian joining the Ports represents the continued strengthening of our senior management team as the organization prepares for the future,« said Chairman of the North Carolina State Ports Authority Board of Directors, Tom Adams.
Infrastructure investments
Clark’s addition comes on the heels of four major container service announcements at the Port of Wilmington in the last four months, the Port Authority added. To prepare for this growth, North Carolina Ports has ordered two New Panamax ship-to-shore cranes with an option to purchase two more from designer Shanghai Zhenjua Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (ZPMC). Between the new cranes, turning basin expansion project, various berth improvements, and the expansion of the container yard, North Carolina Ports will pump over $150 million into its infrastructure over the next few years.
North Carolina’s Ports are located in Wilmington and Morehead City, plus inland terminals in Charlotte and in Greensboro. According to the announcement, port activities contribute statewide to 76,000 jobs and $700 million each year in state and local tax revenues.
