Virginia Maritime Association names David White EVP

David C. White, vice president of the Virginia Maritime Association (VMA), who has produced the VMA’s International Trade Symposium for 15 years, has been named executive vice president of the VMA, succeeding Arthur W. Moye.    David C. White has been selected to serve as executive vice president of the Virginia Maritime Association (VMA) and the Hampton Roads Shipping Association, effective April 16.
   White is replacing Arthur W. Moye, Jr., who has served as executive vice president of the VMA (previously Hampton Roads Maritime Association) since 2004, the VMA said.
   Moye will continue to serve the VMA though 2018 as the director of external affairs.
   Established in 1920, the VMA is a business organization comprised of over 450 companies that strives to enhance the competitiveness and promote commerce through Virginia’s ports.
   White joined the VMA as an administrator in 2003 and has served as vice president since 2008.
   He currently serves on the executive committee of the National Waterways Conference, is the secretary and treasurer of the National Association of Maritime Organizations and is chairman of the Virginia Harbor Safety Committee.
   “David has the experience and respect for the VMA’s 98-year history and the vision needed for the future,” VMA President and Board Member Scott Wheeler said. “He is professional and informed, I do not believe a better choice could have been made for the leadership of the Virginia Maritime Association.”
   White has produced the annual International Trade Symposium for 15 years, attracting industry business leaders to the Port of Virginia to network, conduct business, and to address the most pressing issues of the day.
   The 2018 International Trade Symposium, “Trends & Disruptors in Global Logistics,” will be held in Norfolk May 9-May 11. Hosted by the VMA and American Shipper, the 15th annual symposium will address major factors that will significantly impact shipping, logistics, and operations within the maritime industries.
   “We’re looking forward to another successful year at the International Trade Symposium,” White said. “We consistently hear from the participants that we seem to strike the right balance on delivering good content from the right people.”
   White said the VMA’s priority right now is on deepening and widening the channels. “Were very pleased the Army Corps of Engineers has agreed with us that it’s in the nation’s interest to deepen our channels to 55 feet and to widen them,” he said. “That would allow us to maintain competitive advantage all these years of offering the deepest water on the East Coast, and provide savings for importers and exporters by taking advantage of ultra-large containerships fully loaded.”
   The plan outlining the national economic benefits of the project to deepen and widen Norfolk Harbor was approved by the Corps in January to take its next step forward, with the project now moving forward to its final review by the Corps in June.
   “The port’s channels and harbor are already 50 feet deep and the largest containerships in the Atlantic trade are calling Virginia,” the Virginia Port Authority said. “Deepening to 55 feet and widening the channel to 1,300 feet will allow for the big ships to load to their limit and make way for two-ship traffic.”