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James J. White
Executive Director
Maryland Port Administration
 

James J. White was appointed executive director of the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) by Governor Martin O’Malley, effective August 1, 2007.   In this role, Mr. White oversees the six public marine terminals at the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore.  Mr. White has returned to a position he previously held from 1999 through 2005.  During that time, Mr. White led the MPA and the Port of Baltimore to tremendous heights, establishing records in cargo volume and value.  He was also successful in securing several long-term contracts that kept many good-paying jobs at the Port.   Following the events of September 11, 2001, Mr. White oversaw the development of a security program that transitioned from a focus on preventing port-related crimes to preventing acts of terrorism.        

“When Jim entered the private sector (in 2005), he left the Port of Baltimore in the best shape of its 300-year history,” said Governor O’Malley.  “He compiled an impressive list of newly signed long-term contracts, a solid strategic business plan, and a great working relationship with every side of the maritime industry, from labor to shipping interests around the globe.  Jim has a proven track record.”   

Some key milestones achieved under Mr. White’s tenure as MPA Executive Director include:

  • Developing a 20-year agreement with Wallenius Wilhelmsen to establish the Port of Baltimore as the shipping line’s North Atlantic hub for roll on/roll off units, automobiles, and project cargo.  The agreement is the largest in the history of the Port of Baltimore.

  • Additional long-term agreements with Evergreen, Amports, Mercedes, UPMKymmene, Mediterranean Shipping Company, and Atlantic Container Lines.

  • Developing the 55-acre Masonville vehicle processing facility.

  • Constructing new warehouse facilities for forest product customers.

  • Developing a new, 100 percent-dedicated cruise terminal to improve cruise operations and free needed space for cargo at the Dundalk Marine Terminal.

  • Adding funding for critical-need dredging projects. 

After leaving the MPA in 2005, Mr. White served as senior vice president and chief operating officer for New Jersey-based Ceres Terminals, a stevedoring and terminal operations company with major port operations in North America and Europe.       

Mr. White joined the MPA in 1993 as director of operations and executive vice president of Maryland International Terminals (MIT), the MPA’s private operating company that offers cargo-handling services to ocean carriers.  From 1995 until his appointment as executive director in 1999, Mr. White served as MPA’s deputy executive director, director of operations and president of MIT.  In his role as deputy executive director and director of operations, he was accountable for all day-to-day operations at the Port of Baltimore and directed lease negotiations with all Port customers.  He acted as a liaison with ILA labor leadership and port customers to promote a cooperative partnership with all the Port’s clients. 

Mr. White’s extensive maritime experience began with Puerto Rico Marine Management, Inc. (PRMMI) in 1975 and included subsequent work with Sea Train (1977 to 1982), where he was North Atlantic operations manager; and Concorde Nopal (1982 to 1985), where he served as vice president of operations. Before joining the MPA in 1993, Mr. White re-joined PRMMI and became that company’s general manager for North America.   In that capacity, he was responsible for a budget of $123 million.  He negotiated all stevedoring, terminal and port authority contracts and determined operating standards and procedures for North America.

Mr. White is a past president of the North Atlantic Ports Association. He is a graduate of Wagner College in Staten Island, New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Economics.