Ports America Group (Ports America) announced today that its board of directors has named Michael F. Hassing as the company's president and chief executive officer.

Hassing, 51, has served since 2008 as chief executive officer of Scandlines GmbH, one of Europe's largest ferry operators. Prior to that, 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, and 25 years with A.P. Møller-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.

Christopher Lee, founder and managing partner of Highstar Capital, a leading independent infrastructure investor and owner of Ports America, spoke about the benefits of adding such high-caliber talent to the Ports America team: “We believe that Michael's extensive experience in the maritime industry along with his strong execution skills, his international experience and his track record in building stakeholder value-for customers, employees, and shareholders-make him the ideal CEO for Ports America," Lee said. "We are pleased to welcome him to Ports America, where he will build upon the company's track record as North America's leading marine terminal operator and stevedore."