Articles – Page 2 – Pacific Maritime Magazine

Port of LA Signs Collaborative Agreements with Japanese, Swedish Ports

The Port of Los Angeles in mid-March entered into separate Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) with the Port of Tokyo and the Port of Yokohama to collaborate on sustainability and environmental issues. The agreements were signed by Port of LA officials during the weeklong 2023 California Japan Clean Energy Trade Mission summit. The MOUs with the two ports call for cooperation and sharing of best practices on environmental and sustainability initiatives, including the digitation of the supply chain to optimize efficiency and reduce port operational impacts. “The MOUs signed this week between the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Tokyo,…

Labor Negotiations Impacting Traffic at West Coast Ports

The months-long contract negotiations between leaders at Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union appear to be strained, and that’s affecting business at the biggest and busiest port complex in North America. Negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement began in May, 2022 between PMA, which represents 70 ocean carriers and terminal operators at 29 West Coast ports and the ILWU, which has tens of thousands of members at over 60 local unions in California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Hawaii. The contract covers more than 22,000 dockworkers. The two sides issued a joint press release on Feb.…

UWL Opens New Seattle Office, Adds Port Call with Swire

In response to what they say is increased customer demand, 3PL services provider UWL and Singapore-based shipping company Swire Shipping on March 16 announced the addition of a new port call for export refrigerated containers in Busan, South Korea on the Sun Chief Express shipping service. The new port call coincides with a recent adjustment to the Sun Chief Express schedule, which UWL said was made to increase efficiency while also adding the Busan call. The new service rotation is now Seattle – Busan, South Korea – Haiphong, Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam – Seattle. “Many clients have expressed…

Interim President Named for California State University Maritime Academy

California State University (CSU) Interim Chancellor Jolene Koester has appointed retired Navy Reserve Vice Admiral Michael J. Dumont to serve as interim president of California State University Maritime Academy. Dumont is expected to begin in his position on July 7, and would serve in that capacity until a new president is appointed by the CSU Board of Trustees. He most recently served as deputy commander, U.S. Northern Command and vice commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) where, under the direction of the president of the United States and the secretary of defense, he was responsible for overseeing…

Coast Guard Base Seattle: An Expansion Update

The U.S. Coast Guard’s proposal to expand Base Seattle has set off a buzzsaw of issues among port neighbors and regulatory agencies – federal, state and local. The Guard has been challenged across numerous fronts. A common message is that while most people support the Coast Guard’s mission and acknowledge the need for expansion and modernization at Base Seattle, the Guard’s current draft proposal, released in October, is drastic, a steam roller that flattens everything in its path. Consider: “Coast Guard land acquisition under any of the alternatives would result in direct, significant adverse impacts associated with displacement of existing…

Study: California Ports a Major Economic Generator for U.S.

A new study prepared by Washington, DC-based economic consulting firm BST Associates concludes that California has evolved into a distribution center for U.S. trade with Pacific Rim nations partly because of its geographic location, but also because such a large portion of the trade is consumed locally. Port directors from across California shared the study with state policymakers on Feb. 15 for Ports Day 2023, annual day of advocacy by the California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA). They were joined by dozens of state policymakers to highlight the impact California ports have on driving the economy forward. “Each year, California…

SAFE Boats Unveils Autonomous Hydrographic Survey Vessel

Bremerton, Wash.-based boat builder SAFE Boats International in late March announced the introduction of its new autonomous hydrographic survey vessel: Merlin. The 23-meter semi-displacement monohull design was developed in collaboration with marine autonomy developer Mythos AI, equipment supplier Echo81 and World Marine Design. SAFE Boats International says that it has exclusive rights to build the design at its Tacoma-area large-craft production facility. “Merlin will be a Jones Act-compliant all-aluminum hull powered by a twin Volvo Penta D13 Hybrid-ready System with IPS,” the company said in a statement. “For a zero-emission power package, the Merlin can accommodate forward-thinking hydrogen technology supplied…

Port of Prince Rupert Export Logistics Project Moves Forward

The Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) said in early March that its Ridley Island Export Logistics Project (RIELP) has reached a significant milestone: receipt of its final determination of the federal environmental effects evaluation review. “Federal authorities have determined … that the Ridley Island Export Logistics Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects,” the port said in a March 2 statement. “This concludes the federal environmental review process, which is a prerequisite for the federal authorities to consider the required authorizations for the project to proceed.” The export logistics complex, which is planned for the southern end…

Coast Guard Sector Juneau, Contractors Recover Submerged Tugboat

A partly submerged tugboat at the National Guard Dock in Gastineau Channel, Alaska has been recovered, the U.S. Coast Guard revealed on Feb. 28. The Coast Guard contracted salvage firm Melino’s Marine Services to remove the tug by using a barge-and-crane system from Bellingham, Wash. After recovery of the tugboat Tagish, the vessel was secured on the beach at the guard’s dock in Gastineau Channel on Feb. 19, according to the Coast Guard. Contractors then dewatered and defueled the 107-foot tugboat prior to it being dismantled and placed on a barge for final disposal out-of-state. “The Coast Guard’s mission during…

Container Handling Equipment: 2023 Update

The global container handling equipment (CHE) market is estimated to reach $10.16 billion by 2030, according to Straits Research. The drive to cut emissions, improve efficiencies and keep people safe are some of the top trends that are influencing the market’s effect on ports around the world. The U.S. is forecast to see significant growth with its abundant electric vehicle infrastructure facilities, coupled with government support. While going all-electric is the predominant trend, a variety of new technologies are coming online for CHE uses. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, as part of their San Pedro Bay Ports…