Ports America Group (Ports America) announced today that its board of directors has named Michael F. Hassing as the company's president and chief executive officer.
Hassing, 51, has served since 2008 as chief executive officer of Scandlines GmbH, one of Europe's largest ferry operators. Prior to that, Hassing spent nearly 30 years in various international container and logistics positions, including three years as chief executive officer of Samskip Group, an Iceland-based international logistics company, and 25 years with A.P. Møller-Maersk, most recently as managing director and chief executive officer of The Maersk Company Limited in the United Kingdom. He also served in various capacities with Maersk in Singapore, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Japan, and Denmark.
Christopher Lee, founder and managing partner of Highstar Capital, a leading independent infrastructure investor and owner of Ports America, spoke about the benefits of adding such high-caliber talent to the Ports America team:
"We believe that Michael's extensive experience in the maritime industry along with his strong execution skills, his international experience and his track record in building stakeholder value-for customers, employees, and shareholders-make him the ideal CEO for Ports America," Lee said. "We are pleased to welcome him to Ports America, where he will build upon the company's track record as North America's leading marine terminal operator and stevedore."
Ports America, headquartered in Iselin, N.J., is the largest independent marine terminal operator in North America, providing terminal management and a full suite of stevedoring and related services. Ports America, including its predecessor companies, has more than 85 years of experience operating American seaports. Its current business includes more than 80 terminals in 42 ports in North America, handling containers, roll on/roll off cargo, general cargo and cruise line passengers. As one of the largest employers of maritime labor in North America, Ports America employs more than 12,000 people each day at its operations, including full-time equivalent employees. For further information on Ports America, please visit its Web site: www.portsamerica.com.