More than decade in the making, the Maine International Cold Storage Facility marks a new chapter for Portland — and Maine — just as the U.S. cold storage market is taking off.
Matthew Burns’ work has included offshore wind power development in Searsport and Portland’s steady growth in container shipping. At MDOT, he’ll continue to be the point person for efforts to develop a wind port facility.
The improvements will help the shipping container facility keep pace with growing volumes. Unlike most U.S. and European ports, the Portland International Marine Terminal is handling more cargo.
Portland has seen steady growth with Eimskip continuing to serve international markets, bringing imports of fresh salmon from Iceland and the Faroe Islands.
Soli DG, a South Portland-based consultancy led by husband and wife Patrick and Janeen Arnold, was contracted by the MPA in 2008 to work on developing Maine’s ports.
Matthew Burns, former deck officer and Maine Maritime Academy graduate, is now executive director of the Maine Port Authority after serving in an interim role for the past year.
"Our goal is to be in the ground this fall," George Campbell, partner and advisory board chairman at Yarmouth-based Treadwell Franklin, said Tuesday of the planned waterfront facility.
"It’s a great opportunity to run an incredible operation," Maine Port Authority CEO Jonathan Nass told Mainebiz of his new role at the Port of Gulfport. His tentative start date as CEO and executive director is June 1.