Posted on January 3, 2024
Jonathan Daniels, who has led Port Everglades as CEO and port director since summer 2020, is moving to the top role at the Port of Baltimore.
He is set to become executive director of the Maryland Port Administration and the Port of Baltimore Feb. 5.
Brian Miller, deputy executive director for operations and logistics, has served as interim acting executive director of the Maryland Port Administration since June.
A Broward County spokeswoman said the recruitment process for the next Port Everglades director has not yet begun, adding a national search is forthcoming.
Accomplishments
In a note to port partners, Daniels said: ‘Nearly four years ago, I came to Port Everglades in the middle of the pandemic. There were no cruise ships in port and truck traffic was light. Today, the landscape looks very different with Disney Cruise Line transforming Terminal 4, six new super post-Panamax container gantry cranes, three warehouses replacing our outdated Foreign Trade Zone, a new jet fuel terminal and significant progress at Slip One. There is so much more on the horizon.’
Daniels said he is making the move with a ‘heavy heart and after careful deliberation.’
Confidence in the leadership and the staff
He thanked Port Everglades partners for their support and credited Broward County Administrator Monica Cepero for her ‘steady guidance and leadership,’ adding: ‘The confidence from the Broward County Commission is of the magnitude that few port directors enjoy.
‘Most importantly,’ Daniels continued, ‘I have no doubt that the professional staff will continue to lead and make decisions that will grow port operations in a way that we can all be proud of.’
Daniels came to Port Everglades after earlier serving as Port of Gulfport executive director.
Port of Baltimore
Baltimore has six state-owned, public marine terminals that handle autos, breakbulk, containers, cruise, farm and construction equipment, and forest products. The port handles more autos and farm and construction equipment than any other US facility. A 50-foot-deep channel allows it to accommodate some of the world’s largest container ships.
The port is one of Maryland’s leading economic generators with more than 15,300 direct jobs and more than 139,000 jobs in Maryland linked to it.
Baltimore’s cruise business, marketed by Cruise Maryland, includes five homeporting ships in 2024: Royal Caribbean International’s Vision of the Seas year-round, and Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Legend and Carnival Pride splitting the year. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky are scheduled to make a total of three calls.
