SC Ports CEO inducted into International Maritime Hall of Fame

October 7, 2021

South Carolina Ports President and CEO Jim Newsome is being inducted into the prestigious International Maritime Hall of Fame in recognition of his impressive career in the maritime industry.

“The inductees are industry leaders representing a broad spectrum of the global shipping industry,” Edward Kelly, executive director of the Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey, said of the inductees being honored tonight in New York City. “They have won the respect of the international shipping community based on their successes and professionalism and are much deserving of this distinguished honor.”

2021 Inductees:

  • Jim Newsome, president and CEO, South Carolina Ports Authority, Charleston, S.C.
  • Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO, Celebrity Cruises Inc., Miami, Fla.
  • James R. Mara, president emeritus, Metropolitan Marine Maintenance Contractors’ Association, Rutherford, N.J.
  • Dr. Nikolas P. Tsakos, president and CEO, Tsakos Energy Navigation Corp., Athens, Greece
  • Lois K. Zabrocky, president and CEO, International Seaways Inc., New York City

Newsome has served at the helm of South Carolina Ports since 2009, working to ensure the Port of Charleston remains globally competitive as a top 10 U.S. container port.

During his tenure, Newsome has significantly enhanced port operations and grown the port’s cargo base with strategic investments, resulting in cargo volumes doubling in a decade.

Newsome has successfully undertaken vital infrastructure projects. Most notably, SC Ports opened the first container terminal in the country in March 2021 — the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal — adding significant capacity to the East Coast port market at a time it is most needed in the supply chain.

Port growth continues to spur economic development, with SC Ports creating 1 in 10 jobs in South Carolina.

Newsome is the longest serving head of a major container port in the U.S. Before assuming the helm of SC Ports in 2009, he was the president of Hapag-Lloyd (America) Inc. and previously worked with Nedlloyd Lines.

“Jim’s impressive career in the maritime industry spans his time in container shipping and more than 12 years as CEO of SC Ports,” SC Ports Board Chairman Bill Stern said. “Jim has dedicated his time and talents to ensuring that SC Ports continues to grow above the market. He has truly made a significant and lasting impact on South Carolina’s economy and supply chain. We all benefit greatly from his leadership.”

Newsome received his bachelor’s degree in transportation and logistics and his MBA from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He remains very involved with the University of Tennessee, serving on the Dean’s Advisory Council of the University of Tennessee Haslam College of Business.

Newsome established the Mr. and Mrs. James I Newsome Jr. Scholarship for supply chain management students and has mentored students in the Global Supply Chain Institute in the Haslam College of Business. The university honored him with the Distinguished Service Award for his exemplary contributions to both the logistics field and the Haslam College of Business.

Newsome has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance’s Roger Milliken Defender of Manufacturing Award, DC Velocity’s Logistics Rainmaker Award, and the Containerization and Intermodal Institute’s Connie Award.

About South Carolina Ports Authority

South Carolina Ports Authority, established by the state’s General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport and intermodal facilities in Charleston, Dillon, Georgetown and Greer. As an economic development engine for the state, Port operations facilitate 225,000 statewide jobs and generate nearly $63.4 billion in annual economic activity. SC Ports is soon to be home to the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast at 52 feet. SC Ports is an industry leader in delivering speed-to-market, seamless processes and flexibility to ensure reliable operations, big ship handling, efficient market reach and environmental responsibility. Please visit www.scspa.com to learn more about SC Ports.