News

Clark Joins NC Ports as Chief Operating Officer

May 25, 2017

Wilmington, N.C. – North Carolina Ports is pleased to announce the arrival of industry veteran Brian E. Clark as its new Chief Operating Officer. At North Carolina Ports, Clark will apply his extensive experience to further improve the operational excellence at the Port of Wilmington and Port of Morehead City. Specifically, he will direct and coordinate the activities of the line and staff components of all terminal operations. He will also oversee the execution of the infrastructure investment plan. His operational best practices will contribute to the development of business strategy and indirectly assist in the expansion of the Ports’ global customer base.

“We have already established a great on-terminal experience for our customers at North Carolina Ports,” said Executive Director, Paul J. Cozza. “As we continue to grow, it is absolutely vital to our success to reinforce the operational efficiencies we’ve become famous for. Brian’s key leadership role will help us navigate that growth tomorrow and into the future.”

Clark has over twenty years of expertise in the maritime industry having worked in senior positions on the operations side with industry leaders. Prior to his role as Chief Operating Officer, Clark served as Managing Director for APM Terminals at Port Elizabeth. During his time with APM Terminals, he was responsible for directing the overall operations of a 350-acre marine terminal with on-dock rail facilities, handling almost 500 vessel calls, 800,000 marine lifts, 150,000 intermodal moves and in excess of 1,000,000 gate moves annually. In addition to his time at Port Elizabeth, Clark also spent four years as Project Director for APM Terminals at Mobile’s container terminal touting a focus on design, contracting and execution of its development.

“Brian joining the Ports represents the continued strengthening of our senior management team as the organization prepares for the future,” said Chairman of the North Carolina State Ports Authority Board of Directors, Tom Adams. “Couple that with an existing talented management group, and North Carolina Ports are well positioned to handle continued growth. We are truly the Port of Progress.”

Clark’s addition comes on the heels of four major container service announcements at the Port of Wilmington in the last four months. To prepare for this growth, North Carolina Ports has ordered two New Panamax ship-to-shore cranes with an option to purchase two more from designer Shanghai Zhenjua Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (ZPMC). Between the new cranes, turning basin expansion project, various berth improvements, and the expansion of the container yard, North Carolina Ports will pump over $150 million into its infrastructure over the next few years.

These infrastructure improvements and service additions complement operational excellence at North Carolina Ports. The Port of Wilmington has one of the highest crane productivity rates on the United States East Coast with more than 45 moves per hour in each of its post-Panamax cranes. On the ground, its truck turn times are approximately 18 minutes (from pedestal to pedestal) for a drop-off and an average of 30 minutes for drop-off and pickup. Its efficiencies lead to a congestion-free port committed to supporting a customers’ global supply chain needs.

About North Carolina Ports

North Carolina’s Ports in Wilmington and Morehead City, plus inland terminals in Charlotte and in Greensboro, link the state’s consumers, businesses and industry to world markets, and serve as magnets to attract new business and industry to the State of North Carolina. Port activities contribute statewide to 76,000 jobs and $700 million each year in state and local tax revenues.