President’s Message

Ports compete with one another for cargo and customers, but the port industry competes with countless other industries for federal dollars. Unity and solidarity amongst ports is essential for continued success.

Innovation and an adaptive response will allow U.S. ports to quickly provide energy resources to Europe and improve America’s geopolitical energy position.

Signs of a post pandemic ‘new normal’ are slowly beginning to emerge. For sure, life on the other side of the “once-in-a-century” experience we’ve all been living through will be different. COVID-19 has changed much. The important takeaway is that we look at the pandemic through a panoramic lens that encompasses the entire industry.

By Chris Connor, President & CEO, AAPA I think we can all agree that it has been a dreadful winter for many in the Western Hemisphere. It seems like nearly every day there’s yet another storm approaching, or record low temperatures gripping the country. Spring signals increased hope of not only better weather, but more importantly, increased vaccination levels and ...

By Chris Connor, President & CEO, American Association of Port Authorities As you are probably aware, AAPA sold its building in Alexandria and we have now fully vacated the premises as of October 23. It was quite an undertaking to clear out; it has been the Association’s home since 1984, and you can just imagine the amount of ‘stuff’ we ...

By Chris Connor, President & CEO, American Association of Port Authorities As this edition of Seaports Magazine reaches your home or office, I will have reached my one year anniversary at the helm of AAPA. And what a year it has been! It would be natural to launch into a few paragraphs about the magnitude of the coronavirus, and how ...

As our nation has begun to take steps toward a re-opening of the economy, it is important to call attention to the fact that our ports won’t be re-opening – simply because they never shut down.

Change – even when you know it’s coming – is never an easy thing.

AAPA President and CEO Chris Connor shared his perspectives about the impacts of COVID-19 in this interviewed that aired April 25.

I’m thrilled to be a part of this association and to have the chance to champion the efforts of promoting seaports throughout the Western Hemisphere.