Steamship Authority Names Mark Amundsen As Next Chief Operating Officer
David Creed •
The Steamship Authority announced Friday evening that Mark H. Amundsen has been named their new chief operating officer following over six years as the ferry service’s director of marine operations.
“Mark brings an extensive amount of experience and knowledge to the Steamship Authority, and I am pleased to continue to have him as a member of the team,” SSA general manager Bob Davis said.
The SSA said Amundsen was chosen from multiple qualified, internal candidates for the role and that he will assume his new position immediately. He takes over for Mark Higgins, who resigned from the position in November after less than two years on the job.
As the COO, Amundsen will be responsible for planning, directing, and overseeing all activities of the Marine Operations and Shoreside Operations departments, the Engineering Department, and the Operations and Communications Center.
“Amundsen will also work closely with the general manager to ensure that the vessel and shoreside operations teams collaborate to keep the Authority’s operations on schedule and manage communication channels, maintain and improve efficiencies, and focus on development plans,” the Steamship said in a release.
Amundsen joined the Authority in 2019 and has served as the director of marine operations and director of engineering and maintenance. Most recently, he has overseen the conversion of three vessels – the M/V Barnstable, M/V Aquinnah, and M/V Monomoy – at Alabama Shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, in preparation for bringing the offshore supply vessels into service for the Authority.
Amundsen has more than 30 years of experience in operations, strategic planning, technical management, and engineering in the international shipping industry. The SSA said his expertise includes strategic transportation business development, oversight of safety compliance, structuring and negotiating long-term contracts, cost control and purchasing elements, and presiding over dry dockings all over the world.
Amundsen received his bachelor’s degree in marine engineering at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Maine, and is a licensed chief engineer of steam and motor vessels.