Ports & Maritime
Empowering transport, connectivity and the energy transition
Jacobs is the premier ports and maritime service provider. We provide clients with value-added consulting, planning and engineering services for maritime infrastructure.
We’ve developed long-term, trusted relationships with clients around the globe in the containerized, bulk, general cargo, oil and gas and cruise/ferry industries, as well as for port authorities, governments and the world’s leading naval forces. Our specialists address top-of-mind issues, including decarbonization, electrification, resiliency, sea-level rise, infrastructure life extension, renewal and beyond.
Our port and maritime professionals have navigated the world’s largest and most complex programs, bringing in-depth understanding of the complex nature of maritime infrastructure, backed by global knowledge and local experience.
What we do
Jacobs delivers across all sub-sectors including containers, dry and liquid bulk, break bulk, cruise and ferries and defense. Our logistics experience and knowledge of intermodal terminals further enhance how we serve clients in these sub-sectors. We also provide coastal modelling and engineering, port and marine structural and civil engineering, marine and waterway gates, barriers and dry docks.
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Decarbonization and Energy Transition
We work alongside clients to assess impact and develop sustainable, long-term strategies and low-carbon solutions for decarbonization. We plan, design and implement changes to their energy and operational infrastructure, achieving net zero and low carbon emissions. Concurrently, we lead in energy transition for ports, providing solutions such as alternative fuels and offshore infrastructure. From strategic planning and analyzing performance, through practical advice and infrastructure modernization, we draw upon our detailed industry knowledge.
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Digital and Data
We empower clients to unlock digital and data-enabled solutions. For example, automated design can increase efficiency and safety in project delivery. Digital twins provide clients with the ability to visualize key aspects of their projects, enabling better decision-making, risk mitigation and program optimization.
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Resiliency
Our approach to maritime resilience empowers governments, cities and private sector clients to survive, recover, adapt and thrive in today’s ever-changing environment. Our approach addresses a wide spectrum of challenges, including climate change, extreme weather, natural disasters, urbanization, aging infrastructure, energy, cybersecurity and supply chain complexities.
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Asset Management
We assist facility owners and operators as they navigate the challenges of aging marine assets. Our unwavering commitment to quality begins with rigorous structural evaluations and meticulous data acquisition, forming the foundation for superior marine engineering, analysis, design and construction. We pioneered using engineers as diving inspectors, developing many inspection-based guides and standards.
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Advisory
We work to secure funding for clients, expedite delivery, address governance and risk allocation, support economic studies and business cases, assist purchase and sale decisions and engage with stakeholders. Our consulting and advisory services draw on lessons learned from delivering hundreds of programs around the world.
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Program Management
We work with clients to execute the world’s most iconic infrastructure and drive transformative change. Our capabilities include program management, project controls, digital and information technology, risk, assurance, construction management, commercial and cost.
Explore our projects
Jacobs delivers tailored solutions worldwide. Our global portfolio of projects has supported clients across containers, dry and liquid bulk, break bulk, cruise and ferries and defense opportunities.
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Port of San Francisco Waterfront Resilience Program
Preserving and fortifying the 100-year-old Embarcadero Seawall for earthquake safety, flood protection, resilience and sea level rise adaptation.
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King Abdulaziz Port Mega-Container Hub Transformation
Growth is the current trend in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Saudi Ports Authority have their eyes set on changing the future of logistics with their expansion plans for the King Abdulaziz Port Mega-container hub.
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Port of Gulfport Restoration Program
Reimagining a resilient port for tomorrow in Gulfport, Mississippi.
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Temaiku Land and Urban Development
The project included development of a conceptual land use plan to address resilience issues impacting the atoll, including rapid urbanization, limited water supply, ecosystem services and an increasing risk of land inundation from king tides.
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Amrun Chith Export Facility
The innovative method used to construct the Chith Export Facility improved safety, costs, had scheduling benefits and minimized environmental impact.
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TEAM2100
Major flood risk management program is working to provide better tidal protection to London and Thames Estuary
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Dubai Water Canal
Jacobs worked with the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to deliver a 16-mile waterway, connecting Dubai Creek –adjacent to the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, a Ramsar designated wetland of international importance – with the Arabian Gulf.
Meet some of our team
Read more about the talent who make it happen every day.
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Patrick King, Vice President and Global Transport Market Director
Patrick King has more than 30 years of experience leading transportation infrastructure initiatives in North America, Central and South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. He provides solutions and technology oversight for the company’s $2.9 billion transportation portfolio encompassing airports, bridges, highways, marine and port facilities, mass transit and rail. With a deep interest in decarbonizing the transport sector, Patrick also helps coordinate cross-market synergies that support sustainable development and energy transition.
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Chris Best, Global Solutions Director for Ports & Maritime and Dry Bulk Global Principal
Chris Best has 28 years of experience specializing in marine structures including port and harbor projects and land-based support structures for projects globally including in Asia, Australia, Central America, Canada, and the U.S. Well-versed in port planning and greenfield and brownfield port developments, to debottlenecking, maintenance, remediation and demolition, today Chris serves as Jacobs Global Solutions Director for Ports & Maritime.
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Brian DeBaun, Asset Management Global Principal
Brian DeBaun has more than 15 years of experience managing marine and waterfront assets throughout their life cycles. His expertise includes above and underwater inspection, analysis, design of new construction, design of structural rehabilitation and preventative maintenance, and supervision of construction of marine and waterfront structures. Additionally, Brian is a seasoned project manager and is also skilled in drafting, cost estimating, permitting support and development of engineering reports.
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Erika Rosenstein, Group Leader of Ports & Maritime - New England
Erika Rosenstein has more than 16 years of experience founded in design development for structural rehabilitation of concrete, timber and steel structures that has expanded to include coastal resiliency and asset management for maritime infrastructure. She has worked on all phases of the project life cycle- leading multidisciplinary teams during planning, inspection, design and construction of projects focused specifically on seawalls, piers, wharves, bulkheads, boat launches, revetments and flood protection. Her passion projects find themselves at the intersection of the built environment and the water’s edge, and specifically in improving community connectivity to the water through the development and maintenance of public waterfront spaces.
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Maki Onodera, Maritime Resilience Global Principal
Maki Onodera is a maritime project manager with 22 years of experience in the planning, analysis, structural design, inspection and rehabilitation of waterfront structures. His experience also includes coastal resiliency and the incorporation of resiliency into the design of waterfront structures. He is well-versed in the full life-cycle of waterfront assets and has been involved in the planning, design, inspection, maintenance and rehabilitation of numerous waterfront structures, both locally and internationally. He is currently serving as the Global Principal for Maritime Resilience, the Ports lead for Jacobs’ Offshore Wind group, and the Regional Group Leader for the Ports & Maritime team in the Americas in the Northeast, where he leads a team of approximately 100 engineering staff based in New York City, Boston, Morristown, Philadelphia and Norfolk.
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Laurence Banyard, Maritime Energy Global Principal
Laurence Banyard is a Chartered Civil Engineer and experienced industry leader in ports and maritime projects. Currently responsible for winning and delivering ports and maritime engineering projects, Laurence also has extensive experience designing coastal and maritime structures, dredging and reclamation operations, ports, harbors, artificial islands, coastal developments, marinas, coast protection and beaches. Laurence has worked extensively in southeast Asia, the U.A.E. and the U.K. and has experience in St Lucia, Barbados, Cyprus, Malta, Seychelles, Morocco and Niger.
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Max Mozo, Cruise & Ferries Global Principal and Ports & Maritime Regional Market Solutions Leader – Americas East
Max Mozo has more than 27 years of experience in civil infrastructure and structural design projects, with a focus on ports and waterfront facilities. He currently serves as Jacobs Regional Solutions Leader, leading the ports practice for Americas’ East region. He has served as a project manager and structural engineer designing and managing dozens of waterfront projects worldwide. He’s successfully led the delivery of a multidisciplinary transportation project portfolio of over 400 projects across all delivery types, modes and client types. His understanding of all modes of transportation and experience managing on call contracts with multiple port authorities gives him a unique understanding of the interconnected nature of ports and their unique operational requirements.
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Milind Desai, Ports & Maritime Global Principal
Milind Desai’s diverse background includes 30 years of experience focused on planning, managing and designing various challenging projects including transportation structures, port structures, seismic analysis and retrofit design and construction administration. Milind is experienced in managing multi-discipline teams and specialty subconsultants through the full project life cycle from planning and conceptual design, through design and services during construction. In addition, his hand-on experience of both operator and infrastructure requirements, enables his teams to react quickly to day-to-day tenant requests.
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Luce Bassetti, Coastal Resilience Director – Americas
Luce Bassetti is a coastal and port specialist with more than 19 years of experience managing regional and international coastal projects. She started her career with Jacobs as a coastal modeler, working on projects in North and South America and across Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. She later led Jacobs’ U.S. Coastal Resiliency Program before being appointed Americas Coastal Resilience Director, responsible for developing and driving the growth strategy for Jacobs’ coastal resilience market in the Americas. Luce specializes in analytical and numerical coastal modelling, met-ocean characterization, coastal design and coastal hazard assessments to enhance the resilience of coastal communities.
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Chris Lawrence, Ports & Maritime Global Principal
Chris Lawrence has 34 years of experience in project management, design, plans and specifications, and detailed cost estimating for capital improvements. He has an extensive background of managing major port projects and has led significant development or redevelopment programs and projects at most of the major container terminals throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern U.S. His project responsibilities range through all aspects of port development from initial planning and alternative development, through basic studies, design, and final construction. Further, Chris has specific expertise in the planning of intermodal facilities and support yards associated with many of these facilities.
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Duncan Kopp, Ports & Maritime Market Director – Americas
Duncan Kopp currently serves as Jacobs’ Vice President, Americas Market Director for Ports & Maritime. He has 17 years of experience in infrastructure development, focusing mainly on ports, terminals, and waterfront infrastructure around the world. Duncan works with clients to prepare and execute infrastructure development plans in support of their missions, business operations, and priorities. He has led U.S. state and federal grant applications resulting in over $150 million of awards, and has delivered projects funded by hundreds of millions of dollars from grant programs.
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Aldo Ferrufino, Ports & Maritime Regional Market Solutions Leader – Americas West
Jacobs U.S. West Regional Market Solutions Lead and Northwest Ports & Maritime Group Lead, Aldo Ferrufino is a seasoned and diversified port industry leader with over 25 years of proven track record holding senior positions in multiple organizations around the world in the technology, ports & logistics, engineering and construction industries. His experience ranges from startups to multinational companies, covering the development and delivery of multi-million-dollar port and marine infrastructure, its management and operations.
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Colin Emmitt, Ports & Maritime Regional Solutions Lead – Middle East
Colin Emmitt is a Marine Director based in the Middle East. He is also the Regional Solutions Leader for Ports and Maritime for the Middle East. Colin has over 30 years’ experience in the civil engineering industry, including coastal waterfront developments, flood protection, ports, harbors, marinas and water related engineering activities primarily design of coastal developments and coastal flood defense engineering. He also has extensive experience in the appraisal of tidal and fluvial projects and of tender and contract document preparation, primarily for maritime projects. He has experience in construction management and site supervision of maritime projects. Colin is based in Dubai, UAE and manages teams and projects throughout the Middle East.
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Alan Cowley, Ports & Maritime Regional Solutions Lead – Asia
Alan Cowley is a professional civil and structural engineer, who has specialized in maritime developments for the past 35 years. He’s served as project director for the development and planning of civil works related to shipyards, dry bulk terminals, liquid bulk terminal, heavy engineering yards and ports. Alan was trained in the U.K. before moving to Malaysia, where he has now been based for more than 27 years and today serves as Jacobs’ Regional Ports & Maritime Solutions Lead for Asia.
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Sam Watkin, Technical Director and Maritime Section Leader – Australia and New Zealand
Sam Watkin has extensive experience in the delivery of ports and maritime projects, including delivery of complex and major port infrastructure projects around the globe including the Salina Cruz harbor development in Mexico and the Amrun project in Northern Queensland. Sam leads our maritime team in Brisbane and has focused the team on working collaboratively and closely with our clients to achieve the delivery of successful project outcomes to foster long term relationships. Sam has a strong focus on constructability having developed held several international site roles on major projects including the construction works of the world’s largest offshore caisson breakwater in Costa Azul, Mexico, constructing coastal defenses in Tarawa, Kiribati and developing artificial beaches in Doha, Qatar.
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Rick Robertson, Program Manager
Rick Robertson is an accomplished leader, problem-solver and innovator with over 36 years of experience in pivotal, award-winning programs. He has lived and worked in several countries, including Egypt, Sri Lanka, Panama, Israel and Greece. Rick started his career as a geotechnical engineer but quickly earned crucial cross-over skills and market-leading experience in roles as a construction manager, resident engineer and engineering manager. While his roles and locations changed constantly, there was one common dominator in his career: Rick has always taken on the greatest global challenges. Through his expertise and leadership, he's helped to shape the major program landscape and entrench Jacobs’ status as a pioneer.
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Michael Gebman, Gates & Barriers Lead – Americas
Michael Gebman is an engineer with 23 years of experience in design, construction, project management and resident engineering for large scale marine and transportation infrastructure projects including: storm surge barriers, flood gates, sea walls, U.S. Navy pier structures, bridges, subway stations, tunnels, floating structures, bridge foundation demolition and full-scale structural testing.
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Robert Garrity, Director of the Engineering Dive Group
Robert (Bob) Garrity is an accomplished principal engineer diver with more than 25 years of experience in underwater and topside inspection (condition assessment), structural analysis, and design of marine structures. Bob has been the senior project manager for large waterfront facility projects and has led multidisciplinary teams for design and construction services for shipyard projects. He has extensive experience with repairs and construction of new marine structures in addition to dredge engineering, permitting, construction monitoring, and dredge studies including hydrographic surveys, and dredge volume calculations.
Read our latest news
From new project wins and milestones to reports, podcasts and industry insights, discover what we’re up to.
From our newsroom
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News
A View on the Future of Ports Decarbonization: A Q&A with Aldo Ferrufino
Helping our ports & maritime clients with their decarbonization and modernization journeys, Aldo Ferrufino brings lessons learned from more than 25 years of international experience on multi-million-dollar port and marine infrastructure programs, port operations and technologies. In this Q&A, Aldo talks about the energy transition, explores where ports are headed, and highlights how data solutions will play a role in decarbonization efforts.
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Charting a Path Toward a Decarbonized Future for the Port of Cleveland
We’re working with the Port of Cleveland on a comprehensive electrification master plan for a more connected, sustainable future. In this article, read how we’re supporting planning, modelling, grid optimizations and more to bring the port closer to its net zero goals.
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Jacobs Designed South Brooklyn Marine Terminal Breaks Ground to Become a Hub for Offshore Wind
Construction at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT) broke ground, marking a significant milestone in the transformation of this historic port facility. The SBMT is set to become a hub for offshore wind on the U.S. East Coast and is critical for New York to reach its renewable energy goals. Read on to see how Jacobs is supporting this vital program.
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Creativity and Connectivity — A Power Partnership for the Energy Transition: A Q&A With Laurence Banyard
Jacobs’ Global Principal for Maritime Energy, Laurence Banyard, shares his insightful lessons on disruptive industries, diverse cultures and the power of global connectivity.
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News
Exams Aren’t Everything: A Q&A with Choy Keen Yap
Choy Keen talks career, challenges and joys at work.
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News
Building a Better Reef – the Coral Arks Story
Our professional divers work on the coolest projects. What if we told you that we’re helping to preserve and restore corals and other reef ecology in the waters off Vieques, Puerto Rico using innovative, synthetic mini-reefs referred to as “Coral Arks”?