Executive Insights with Bethann Rooney - Director of Port of New York & New Jersey’s Port Department

“I want to wake up in a city that doesn’t sleep“
so goes the lyrics from the song “New York, New York” made famous by Frank Sinatra in the late 1970s..

While the Port of New York and New Jersey is not yet there in terms of 24-hour port operations, they have done themselves mighty proud by taking over the number 1 spot as USA’s busiest port from San Pedro Bay ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach..

The port of New York and New Jersey has maintained this lead since August 2022.. The gap in volume between New York and Los Angeles has been reduced by a whopping 87% in 2022 compared to 2005..

A proud moment indeed for the Director of Port Authority of New York & New Jersey’s Port Department Bethann Rooney who took over the position in May 2022.. Prior to that, Bethann was General Manager for Port Security for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey..

Bethann is a 28-year veteran in the maritime industry with a Master’s in International Transportation and a Bachelor’s in Marine Transportation from the State University of New York Maritime College and a qualified Third Mate..

Shipping and Freight Resource caught up with Bethann Rooney as part of the Executive Insights series where we discussed several aspects related to the port performance, volume handling, OSRA, USA national shipping line, labor negotiations with the ILA, and future plans..