News

**Morristown, NJ** – Ports America, the nation's leading marine terminal operator and stevedore, recently appointed Nipul Patel as its new Chief Financial Officer. In this role, Nipul will oversee all aspects of the company’s financial operations and strategy including leading sales, marketing, and business development teams, and identifying new market opportunities.

Nipul is an accomplished finance executive who brings 20+ years of experience within public and private equity environments. For the past five years, he served as CFO of Array Technologies, a publicly traded company with annual revenues ~$1.6B and a market cap of $4B. He has significant experience in leading a company through high growth and significant change – Array more than doubled in revenue during his tenure, from $650M to $1.6B. Simultaneously, Nipul navigated supply chain challenges, volatile steel prices, two acquisitions, two debt financings, and an IPO process and related team build-out. 

Previously, he held leadership roles in FP&A at two publicly traded electronics companies: Benchmark Electronics and Avnet. Nipul gained foundational training from Honeywell Aerospace, CBIZ, Goodrich Aerospace, Henkel, and Arthur Andersen. He earned his BS in Business Administration from Miami University, his MBA from Case Western Reserve University, is a CPA and a Six Sigma Green Belt.

“Nipul’s extensive experience in financial management and complex corporate strategy offers Ports America key perspectives that will propel the business’s competitive positioning and allow us to continue on the path towards asset and service optimizations,” said Matthew Leech, President and CEO. “Nipul’s approach to leadership is aligned with Ports America’s culture and values, making him a natural fit for our organization.”


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Nipul Patel Appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ports America

JERSEY CITY, NJ— As the devastating collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore reverberates through the nation and we grieve the lives lost and the families impacted by this tragedy, Ports America has been working with federal, state, and local partners around the clock to coordinate efforts to support the local community and keep essential cargo moving in and out of Baltimore. 

Designing marketplace solutions to minimize supply chain disruption and allow our customers to receive cargo without modifying their processes are fundamental to Ports America’s identity as a diversified ports and logistics solutions provider in the global supply chain. As a key gateway for trade in the US, Ports America recognizes that the continuity of business presently hinges on access to rail. 

Thus, Ports America Chesapeake, Public-Private Partner of the Maryland Department of Transportation and Maryland Port Administration (MDOT & MPA), is leveraging intermodal partnerships with Norfolk Southern at the Port of Baltimore. Using local drayage services to transport cargo to their nearby intermodal transfer facility, Norfolk Southern has introduced a dedicated rail service to divert export cargo and return Baltimore-bound imports for release.

This week, rail service transporting freight between Baltimore to New York and New Jersey will begin to mitigate temporary service disruption. Additional services are being evaluated and will be communicated with our stakeholders as information becomes available.


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Ports America Partners with Norfolk Southern for Intermodal Supply Chain Solutions

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) As the devastating collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore reverberates through the nation and we grieve the lives lost and the families impacted by this tragedy, Ports America has been working with federal, state, and local partners around the clock to coordinate efforts to support the local community and keep essential cargo moving in and out of Baltimore. 

Designing marketplace solutions to minimize supply chain disruption and allow our customers to receive cargo without modifying their processes are fundamental to Ports America’s identity as a diversified ports and logistics solutions provider in the global supply chain. As a key gateway for trade in the US, Ports America recognizes that the continuity of business presently hinges on access to rail.

Thus, Ports America Chesapeake, Public-Private Partner of the Maryland Department of Transportation and Maryland Port Administration (MDOT & MPA), is leveraging intermodal partnerships with CSX at the Port of Baltimore, with dedicated rail services to divert export cargo and return Baltimore-bound imports for release. Our on-dock railyard at the Seagirt Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) also offers direct services and seamless connections for our customers in the face of the present crisis and is facilitating the flow of export and import cargos through the Baltimore market.

This week, rail service transporting freight between Baltimore to New York and New Jersey will begin to mitigate temporary service disruption. Additional services are being evaluated and will be communicated with our stakeholders as information becomes available.


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Ports America's Intermodal Partnership with CSX for Supply Chain Solutions

In the world of the maritime industry, where colossal ships dock and millions of tons of cargo are moved with precision, the power of the digital landscape is often overshadowed by the enormity of our physical operations.

However, as the maritime industry continues to evolve, so does our need to stay relevant in the digital space. That’s why Ports America has taken the opportunity to sail into a new digital frontier and bring website visitors an enhanced user experience.

Marine terminal operations are colossal in scale and crucial to global trade. This means that the interfaces through which clients, stakeholders, and the public engage with our organization need to be seamless, intuitive, and reflective of the monumental role Ports America plays in the world economy. 

A well-designed website is more than just a digital calling card, it’s a way for Ports America to connect with global audiences and a place for us to conduct business efficiently and seamlessly.

We’ve reached an era where first impressions are often digital. Recognizing the importance of this digital first impression, the redesign of portsamerica.com aims to achieve several objectives, such as enhancing user online experience, improving site navigability, reinforcing our core values, and defining our brand identity as an international trade enabler and the premier supply chain logistics solutions provider in the US.

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portsamerica.com: Digital Transformation

Two weeks ago I attended the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) 2023 Annual Conference and had the honor of participating on a panel, "State of the Maritime Industry,” with other maritime executives, to discuss the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities affecting the global maritime sector. The panel covered important topics such as sustainability initiatives, port infrastructure developments, regulatory changes, and international trade dynamics. As I reflect on the conversations we engaged in at the conference, one of the major topics we considered during this panel was “are we ready for tomorrow?”  which, to me, resonated more to the tune of “are we equipped to contend with the dynamic supply chain challenges of national demand?”

According to AAPA, seaports and maritime partners sustain over 31 million American jobs and generate $5.4 trillion in economic activity annually. The United States is dependent on international trade which underpins our economy.
In early 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), released a new version of freight flows forecast data, showing that, between 2020 and 2050, U.S. freight activity will grow by fifty percent in tonnage.

Specifically, container trade handling underpins the entire U.S. economy. In 2022, U.S. container ports handled close to 63 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), and in 2023, following post-COVID adjustments, U.S. container ports will handle just under 60 million TEUs. By 2040, the U.S. expected containerized trade volume will approach 100 million TEUs.

Policy makers need to understand now how these forces are likely to play out to ensure adequate and timely investment into transport infrastructure that will continue to provide the backbone of U.S. economic development.

Anything that affects the flow of containerized goods will be economically detrimental and present risk to the nation. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the major issues in supply chain infrastructure and how cargo concentration is a volatile risk shared throughout the United States trade corridors. Despite the decrease in volume that relieved supply chain pressure since its peak in July 2022, very little has been achieved to correct the fundamental issues or causes for the crisis.

It is clear that the U.S. needs a national container logistics strategy to develop a demand driven infrastructure plan with a long-term outlook to 2040 and beyond. We cannot simply continue to handle all of the expected growth through the top 6-7 largest container gateways in the U.S. and get the cargo to the customer’s door efficiently. What trade flow disruption during the pandemic has taught us is that it is simply not good enough to have a deep waterway and a port that can handle the volume when this only creates severely strained inland systems. By distributing cargo loads across a greater number of ports, we will simultaneously de-risk the intensity and de-risk the problem of any single port being constrained or not functioning efficiently.

When looking at the big picture, the solution does not only lie in deconcentrating port systems. There is a dire need for a comprehensive supply chain infrastructure plan to get cargo to the customers door. By working together to reinforce intermodal supply chain logistics and create resilient and efficient inland systems, we can ensure cargo gets to the customer’s door efficiently. There are significant challenges ahead to ensure we are partnering with key stakeholders including cargo owners, port authorities, regulatory agencies and liner companies to build dock-to-door supply chains which are sustainable and resilient.

While I am proud of the progress we are making as a company, I also recognize our need to engage more directly with our intermodal counterparts and our colleagues in Congress to mobilize a comprehensive effort for all key players in the nation’s supply chain infrastructure because the risks presented are both an economic issue and a national security issue.

Only by adopting a demand driven forecast of what our needs are from a trade perspective coupled with understanding what our needs are from a market perspective, we can build the appropriate capabilities and capacity to serve our needs in 2040 and beyond.

We at Ports America believe in the power of progressive thinking and looking at the big picture. It is this very mindset that has guided our success as a company, pushing us to not only adapt, but to lead, to set benchmarks, and to challenge the status-quo.

For Ports America, this means that the development and operation of asset based marine container terminals is the core to our business strategy and our key to continued growth. This by itself is not enough, we need to engage more directly with beneficial cargo owners leveraging our assets to develop products and solutions for these customers while continuing to provide safe and efficient service to our liner customers.

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State of the US Maritime Industry - UPDATE FROM AAPA 2023 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Jersey City, NJ – Ports America, the nation's leading marine terminal operator and stevedore, recently appointed Rob Kusiciel as its new Chief Commercial Officer. In this role, Rob will oversee all aspects of the company’s commercial operations and strategy including leading sales, marketing, and business development teams, and identifying new market opportunities.  Rob joins Ports America from Cargomatic and brings with him over 20 years of experience in overseeing the planning, direction, and management of operational and strategic activities of global supply chains, logistics, and procurement networks, leading him to develop a vast network of logistics industry leaders internationally.

His previous professional experience also spans various leadership roles at CMA-CGM, Lowe’s, Honeywell, and Walmart. As a recognized thought leader and subject matter expert, Rob places a relentless focus on attaining operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives using lean principles and driving the coordination of projects through their lifecycle.

“With Rob at the helm of our commercial strategy, I am confident that Ports America will achieve new heights and strengthen our commitment to excellence for our customers,” said Matt Leech, President and CEO of Ports America. “Rob’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for the organization as we work to expand our market reach and fortify our position in the industry.”

Rob received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Illinois Chicago, has sat on a range of boards and committees within the supply chain and transportation logistics industry, and holds several honors and accolades including being inducted into the International Maritime Hall of Fame from the Port of New York & New Jersey in 2016.

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Rob Kusiciel Appointed as Chief Commercial Officer of Ports America

**Jersey City, NJ** -- Ports America, the leading marine terminal operator and stevedore in the United States, recently announced the appointment of Matthew Hoag as the new Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. In addition to this role, he will also have direct responsibility over Pacific and Gulf operations.

Matt has over 25 years serving in various senior leadership roles internationally, most recently leading Global Operations & Engineering at DP World. He has an extensive track record in conducting operations reviews and process optimizations, setting operations policy and standards, improving terminal performance, commercial relationships, introducing revenue enhancing initiatives, and reducing costs for terminals worldwide. He has also served in roles managing safety, commercial activities, customer service, finance, human resources, and port security, as well as relationship management with the ILA and ILWU.

At Ports America, Matt will be focused on increasing terminal efficiencies throughout its 33 ports and 70 locations, strengthening the organization’s operational excellence, maintenance and engineering, infrastructure, procurement, and IT solutions and delivery.

As an advocate of “best practices” Matt will work closely with Ports America President and CEO, Matthew Leech, to bring standardization to processes across terminals by supporting productivity through information sharing and collaborative innovation.

“Matt Hoag’s reputation and global portfolio of leading and enhancing terminals brings unique insights and perspectives to Ports America. I have the utmost confidence in his ability to drive operational efficiencies with ingenuity and strategic development across the organization,” said Leech. “Ports America is in a position for considerable growth, and we are well equipped to contend with the growing demands of the national supply chain.”

Matt holds a B.S. from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, and served as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy Reserve for 18 years.