Port of Los Angeles to lose its leader

While the Port of Los Angeles has yet to issue a statement, shippers have been told by city government that the executive director will step down in November.

According to recently-elected Mayor Eric Garcetti, the departure of Geraldine Knatz “will be a smooth transition,” but change at the top is rarely that easy. Just ask the Port of Long Beach, which has been conducting an executive search for a new chief since last May.

As noted in Logistics Management both San Pedro Bay mega-ports have not only been facing increasing challenges from West Coast competitors, but also from East Coast ports seeking to leverage their position when the Panama Canal expands in 2015.

The new director will also have to work with the new Mayor in resolving a dispute with Long Beach over a controversial rail yard project, while keeping ocean carrier business from drifting over to its neighbor.

Finally, we will miss Ms. Knatz. Over the past eight years, she has presided over a port that has won the world’s respect for its innovation on both environmental and business fronts.

Good luck, Geraldine.