From staff and wire reports
John C. Driscoll will take over as head of the Alabama State Port Authority in Mobile, the agency announced Monday.
He will replace longtime Alabama state docks director Jimmy Lyons on June 1. Driscoll most recently worked as maritime director of the port in Oakland, California, and he worked for shipping companies Sea-Land Service, Maersk Line and CMA CGM before that.
Lyons, who has worked as chief executive at the state port in Mobile for more than two decades, will officially retire at the end of the year.
“I’ve observed over the years John’s incredible contributions to the industry,” Lyons said. “His abilities were affirmed through our extensive assessment of his body of work and my conversations with those who have worked with him. I am confident John will be an excellent fit for our seaport, our management team, and our employees, and I personally look forward to the transition.”
The Alabama State Port Authority owns and operates the State of Alabama’s deep-water port facilities at the Port of Mobile, currently the 11th largest U.S. Seaport by total trade.
The Port Authority’s facilities alone handled over 26 million tons of cargo in 2019. The Authority’s container, general cargo and bulk facilities have immediate access to two interstate systems, five Class 1 railroads, and nearly 15,000 miles of inland waterway connections.