Ports America Appoints New CEO

Board picks former chief of European ferry operator Scandlines, Michael F. Hassing
Ports America, the largest U.S. terminal operator, named a new president and CEO from outside its ranks on Thursday.

Its board appointed Michael F. Hassing, 51, who has been chief executive of Scandlines GmbH, one of Europe’s largest ferry operators, as its new chief executive.

Hassing succeeds Stephen Edwards, who had been with the predecessor company, P&O Ports, when it was acquired by DP World, the Dubai government-owned entity that was forced by an act of Congress to sell its U.S. ports and terminal activities to Ports America in 2006.

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.

He spent 25 years with A.P. Moller-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.

Ports America was acquired in 2007 by Highstar Capital, an independent investment group affiliated with the former AIG Group.

Ports America’s current business portfolio includes more than 80 terminals in 42 ports in North America, handling containers, roll-on, roll-off cargo, general cargo and cruise line passengers.

(Source: Journal of Commerce)