News Briefs – Page 6 – Pacific Maritime Magazine

Coast Guard Sector Alaska Helps Battle Tanker Fire

The Coast Guard responded to a fire aboard the tank vessel Atlantic Lily at the Port of Anchorage on Nov. 18. At about 10 p.m. on the date of the incident, thick, black smoke was seen billowing from the exhaust stack of the 600-foot foreign-flagged tank vessel, following by a loud boom and flames, according to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard said that it responded to the emergency by deploying fire hoses and extinguishing the flames, and that Anchorage Fire Department and Port of Alaska personnel arrived on scene shortly after to provide support. The vessel was reportedly transferring…

Port of Prince Rupert Building New Berth, Extends Terminal Contract

Canadian Transport Minister Omar Alghabra on Nov. 16 announced an investment of nearly $75 million under the federal National Trade Corridors Fund to increase capacity at the Port of Prince Rupert. Trigon Pacific Terminals, which owns and operates a Prince Rupert bulk commodity terminal, is also expected to contribute to the project, bringing the total combined investment to $163.1 million, according to the Canadian government. The funding, according to Transport Canada, would support the construction of a second berth at the Port of Prince Rupert terminal. “This second berth will help reduce congestion and increase the port’s capacity to export…

New U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Superintendent Named

The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Maritime Administration on Nov. 12 announced the appointment of Rear Admiral Joanna M. Nunan (U.S. Coast Guard, Ret.) as the next superintendent of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Nunan, who spent more than three decades in the U.S. Coast Guard, has commanded units at every level both afloat and ashore. She was expected to begin work at the academy by the end of the year. Nunan retired earlier this year as the Coast Guard’s deputy for personnel readiness. In that role, she oversaw the Coast Guard’s personnel enterprise, including the recruitment, training, support…

West Coast Ports Participate in Conference on Sea Level Rise

Port officials from around the U.S. and overseas gathered virtually in November to discuss the impacts of climate change and sea-level rise. Port of Oakland Executive Director Danny Wan delivered the welcoming remarks at the Storms, Flooding and Sea Level Defense Conference, which was hosted by the Propeller Club of Northern California in collaboration with the Society of American Military Engineers. The conference, now in its fifth year, is the product of collaboration between California ports, including those in Oakland, San Francisco, Long Beach and Los Angeles. “The Port of Oakland as well as all California ports are literally on…

Westwood Shipping Lines Begins Participation in Green Marine Program

Puyallup, Washington-based Westwood Shipping Lines is the latest company to take part in Green Marine’s environmental certification program geared toward the maritime sector in North America, it was announced Nov. 7. Green Marine President David Bolduc lauded Westwood Shipping Lines’ participation. “Having Westwood Shipping Lines on board further boosts Green Marine’s presence among the ship owners with operations on the Pacific Northwest Coast and bodes well for this region’s sustainable future,” Bolduc said. “By joining this voluntary initiative, Westwood Shipping Lines is further strengthening its commitment to sustainability by choosing to benchmark its efforts, as well as take part in…

Maritime Security Challenges Discussed During Conference in Victoria, BC

The biennial Maritime Security Challenges conference (MSC22) was held in Victoria, BC Canada from Nov. 14-16 under the theme of “Pacific Seapower: Strategic Competition in the Indo-Pacific.” This year’s conference, which covered the subject of maritime security through a blend of academic theory and real-world current events, was hosted by The Navy League of Canada and The Royal Canadian Navy, with the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies as a partner. The Honolulu-based Center for Security Studies is a U.S. Department of Defense institute that was launched in 1995. It addresses both regional and global issues with a…

Maersk Line, Claimant Settle Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Maersk Line Ltd. and Hope Hicks, a former midshipman on the Maersk ship Alliance Fairfax, have resolved Hicks’ litigation against the company filed in June for sexual assault and harassment during her cadet Sea Year in 2019. Sea Year is the federal service academy’s mandatory training program. Attorneys for Hicks and MLL have mutually agreed that neither side will disclose details of their agreement, all parties said in a Nov. 18 announcement. Maersk Line is a U.S.-based subsidiary of A.P. Moller - Maersk, the global integrated logistics company. “It is important to me that my case has brought greater awareness…

TSA Lowers Online Renewal Enrollment Fee for TWIC, HME Applicants

The Transportation Security Administration is lowering the online renewal enrollment fee for those who have a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), the agency announced Nov. 4. The enrollment fees for Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) and TWIC applicants who keep a current Security Threat Assessment (STA) for the comparable program are being reduced, the TSA said. Those renewing for the TWIC online now pay $117.25 instead of the in-person fee of $125.25. TWIC applicants who have a current HME or Free and Secure Trade (FAST) STA now have a lowered enrollment fee of $93 instead of $105.25. Commercial drivers with a…

NW Seaport Alliance, eModal Launch Online Trucker Appointment Dashboard

In an effort to help supply stakeholders get real-time capacity information at maritime terminals in Seattle and Tacoma, the Northwest Seaport Alliance and technology platform Advent eModal have launched an online Trucker Appointment Capacity Dashboard, the NWSA announced Nov. 4. The dashboard helps to alert trucking firms of available container pickup and drop off appointments at port terminals, giving them more room and control to plan out dual transaction appointments, allowing for quicker turn times and lowering the amount of time a truck is idling at the port and how long cargo dwells on the docks. There are more than…

New Zealand Boat Builder Opens Seattle Manufacturing Plant

New Zealand-based boat building company Stabicraft has expanded its operations by opening a manufacturing plant in Seattle. The news was reported in late November by New Zealand news and information website Stuff. Stabicraft, which is continuing to build aluminum boats in New Zealand, has also opened a Seattle location due to increased sales in the U.S, chief executive David Glen has said, and plans to focus on efforts on manufacturing and growth into the American market. “We see considerable growth opportunity in the USA,” was quoted by Stuff as saying. “We have been successful in growing our sales there, but…