Christopher J Connor News

Maritime Groups Pleased with WRDA 2020

It was an odd legislative journey, but ultimately one with a happy ending. That’s one way to sum up the rather tortuous process that led to the passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA). For the first time WRDA (usually reauthorized every two years) was not enacted as its own legislative bill. This time it was rolled into the massive government 2021 omnibus budget bill, the ‘‘Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021,’’ signed into law on December 27.Still, the WRDA text itself…

US Maritime Industry Seeks $3.5 Billion in COVID-19 Relief

In a joint plea to Congressional leadership and Treasury Secretary Steven Munchin this week a host of maritime transportation entities asked that $3.5 billion in COVID-19 relief funding be made available for the U.S. maritime transportation sector, citing “significant hardships” and “unique and unexpected challenges” posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.The letters ask Congress and the Administration to take immediate action to provide the whole of the maritime transportation system…

US Ports Seek COVID-19 Relief

America’s port authorities are advocating for relief to manage the “extremely negative impacts” on the seaport industry brought on by the coronavirus pandemic as U.S. policymakers begin negotiations on the next COVID-19 aid package.Among the port leaders’ advocacy efforts are letters sent Friday to U.S. House, Senate and Administration leaders, urging them to provide $1.5 billion for seaports to cover business-critical expenses that ports have incurred due to COVID-19. The letters…

AAPA Selects Christopher Connor as its New CEO

Former ocean carrier executive is association’s unanimous choice.The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), the unified and recognized voice of seaports in the Americas, announced today that it has unanimously chosen Christopher J. Connor as the association’s next president and chief executive officer.Mr. Connor, the former Global CEO of Wallenius Wilhemsen Logistics (WWL) will begin transitioning into his new role on September 23, eventually succeeding Kurt Nagle, AAPA’s president and CEO since 1995.Mr.

Wilhelmsen and Wallenius to Merge

Wilhelmsen and Wallenius have signed a letter of intent to establish a new ownership structure for their jointly owned investments. The new entity, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics ASA, will form a more efficient management structure and enable further synergies between the joint ventures. “The markets in which the jointly owned entities operate are going through rapid change and require a more agile and efficient business model. In addition to establishing a common owner and governance structure, the proposed merger is expected to enable synergies between USD 50-100 million by combining the assets and harvesting economies of scale, including more optimal tonnage planning…

Connor Named President & CEO of Wallenius Wilhelmsen

After six years as President & CEO of Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL), Mr Arild B. Iversen is moving into a new role as consultant to the parent companies and WWL. Christopher J. Connor, currently Deputy CEO & Chief Commercial Officer, will take over at the helm. Mr. Connor starts as President & CEO on June 21 and will be located at the company’s headquarters in Lysaker, Norway. With over 32 years of experience in the logistics industry, Mr. Connor has held a range of positions…