Mississippi State Port Authority News

Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld has announced Jonathan Daniels as the new executive director of the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Maryland Port Administration. Daniels comes to Maryland after serving as chief executive officer and director at Port Everglades in Broward County, Fla., and has more than 30 years of port and economic development experience.Daniels will begin in his new position February 5, taking over from Brian Miller, who has been serving…

The Mississippi State Port Authority (MSPA) Board of Commissioners has named Jon Nass the new CEO and executive director of the Port of Gulfport, following a national search led by Tim McNamara, head of Odgers Berndtson’s Transportation and Infrastructure Practice in Washington, D.C. His tentative start date is June 1.“After nearly an eight-month process, the MSPA Commission is very pleased to announce we have selected a new executive director to lead the Port of Gulfport team,” said MSPA President E.J. Roberts.

Edison Chouest Offshore locating shipbuilding operations, TopShip, LLC, in Gulfport, Miss. Gov. Phil Bryant and officials from Edison Chouest Offshore, an offshore energy service and supply company, officially announced today the company is locating shipbuilding operations at the Port of Gulfport in Gulfport, Miss. The project represents a $68 million corporate investment and will create 1,000 full-time jobs. Edison Chouest Offshore’s new Gulfport operations, TopShip, LLC, will be located at the Port of Gulfport’s new inland port on Seaway Road.

The Mississippi State Port Authority was notified by the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) that the Port of Gulfport has been designated as a Strategic Seaport by the Commander, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC). With this designation, America’s military will be able to utilize the Port of Gulfport for cargo and equipment shipments. This announcement adds to South    Mississippi’s extensive military installations and capabilities. This designation is an important step in the Port of Gulfport’s long-range strategy to become one of the country’s top-tier diversified ports. The Port’s revitalization efforts include the $570million restoration and expansion project…

New Orleans builds enviable cruise traffic on top of a carefully crafted business plan. It may surprise you to learn that, on the lower Mississippi River, cruise traffic now accounts for over one fifth of all revenue at the Port of New Orleans, a major cargo hub. With recently modernized terminals, able to handle big ships, the Crescent City last year accommodated over a million cruise passengers, setting its fourth straight record. How they did it is perhaps more impressive than what they have created…

Port industry veteran Don Allee will assume control of the Port’s Cruise and Tourism Division in January, following the retirement of current Director J. Robert Jumonville. Jumonville, who will retire in January after 25 years at the Port, oversaw the planning and construction of all three Julia St. Cruise Terminals, including the present consolidation of the two terminals into one modern terminal completed in 2011. Jumonville was also instrumental in the design and construction of the Erato Street Cruise Terminal and Parking Garage Complex…

The Port of New Orleans has signed on as a sponsor for the 9th annual Oilseed & Grain Trade Summit, taking place here October 7-9, 2014, at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans. The Summit is reportedly the largest annual industry event that convenes buyers, sellers and global leaders in the oilseed, protein meals, vegetable oils and feed grains sectors, and includes discussions on the challenges and opportunities of logistics and transportation in the agriculture sector. Port of New…

McDermott International, Inc. (NYSE: MDR) said that one of its subsidiaries has signed a lease agreement with the Mississippi Development Authority and the Mississippi State Port Authority for the exclusive right to operate a spoolbase and marine operations base in the Port of Gulfport. McDermott expects the facility, designed to serve projects from the Gulf of Mexico, will be available in early 2016. The new facility in Gulfport, located on the Mississippi coastline, will be used to fabricate steel pipe stalklines through advanced welding processes for use in offshore Reeled pipelay operations. The new 50 acre facility will feature…

Gulf Coast Shipyard Group, Inc.—a manufacturer of a variety of ocean-going and inland marine vessels for commercial and military markets as well as the Trinity Yachts brand— has announced its expansion by signing a three-year lease with one-year options with the Port of Gulfport. Specifically, Gulf Coast Shipyard Group will use 400 linear feet of dock space on the Port’s East Pier and 15,000 square feet of warehouse space to outfit the dual fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered vessels it is building for Harvey Gulf International Marine.

Following a national search, the Board of Commissioners of the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport selected Jonathan Daniels as the port’s new executive director. Daniels comes to the Port of Gulfport from the Port of Oswego in upstate New York where he served as executive director since 2007. Prior to joining the Port of Oswego he served as the president and chief executive officer of Eastern Maine Development Corporation, where he oversaw the day-to-day operations and development efforts of the six-county economic development district.

Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta and Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway (TTW) Administrator Michael D. Tagert signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to foster economic growth, spur international trade and promote the All-Water Route (the route from Asia to the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts via the Panama Canal). During an official ceremony in Point Clear, Alabama, both parties affirmed their commitment to mutual growth and cooperation. Renewable after two years, the ACP-TTW agreement will allow for joint marketing ventures, information sharing and technological interchange. Based in Columbus, Mississippi, the TTW is a four-member interstate compact consisting of the States of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta and Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport (MSPA) Executive Director/CEO Donald R. Allee launched a strategic partnership in Panama by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to increase economic growth, spur international trade and promote the “All-Water Route” (the route from Asia to the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts via the Panama Canal). During an official ceremony, both parties, joined by Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, affirmed their commitment to mutual growth and cooperation. Renewable after five years, the first-ever ACP-MSPA agreement will allow for joint marketing ventures, information sharing and technological exchange.

AAPA is finalizing programs and securing industry experts for both the Port Administration Seminar and the Information Technology Seminar. These two important disciplines will be covered thoroughly as independent seminars, coming together for two sessions, one on eCommerce and another on Electronic Policy. These two groups will also come together for continental breakfasts, breaks and lunches. AAPA seminar host, the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport, is planning an Evening Cruise & Reception Aboard "The Gulf Islander" for both groups on Thursday evening, April 5. The program for the Port Administration Seminar has been carefully assembled to cover the latest trends and challenges in port administration.

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has named Gary LaGrange, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Port of New Orleans, as Chairman of the AAPA Board for 2004-2005. "Gary LaGrange is extremely well respected by his colleagues in the port industry," said AAPA President Kurt Nagle. "He was unanimously elected to be Chairman of the Board by port officials throughout the Western Hemisphere. Gary LaGrange took leadership of the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans in 2001. A native of South Louisiana, LaGrange came to New Orleans after serving as Executive Director of the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport.

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has named Gary LaGrange, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Port of New Orleans, as Chairman of the AAPA Board for 2004-2005. "Gary LaGrange is extremely well respected by his colleagues in the port industry," said AAPA President Kurt Nagle. "He was unanimously elected to be Chairman of the Board by port officials throughout the Western Hemisphere. Gary LaGrange took leadership of the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans in 2001. A native of South Louisiana, LaGrange came to New Orleans after serving as Executive Director of the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport.