New Port of San Diego Commissioner Sworn In

New Port of San Diego Commissioner Sworn In

The San Diego City Council has appointed public affairs specialist Sid Voorakkara as the Port of San Diego’s newest commissioner, replacing Commissioner Emeritus Rafael Castellanos, who resigned in January. Voorakkara was sworn in Feb. 20 to the seven-member board that governs the port by Councilman Kent Lee. Voorakkara is a senior partner at ArroyoWest, LLC, which offers communications, public affairs, and strategic planning services to the public and private sector. He’s also a commissioner of California’s Health, Safety and Workers’ Compensation Commission. Previously, he was field director at the United Nations Foundation, deputy director for external affairs at the California…
Read More
BRIX Marine Launches New Survey Boat

BRIX Marine Launches New Survey Boat

BRIX Marine has launched the Lugudi Barana, a new, modern 3011-CTC survey boat, the Port Angeles, Wash.-based vessel manufacturer said March 4. The new vessel has a 30-foot hull length, a 28-foot waterline length and a lightship weight of about 9,500 pounds. It also features 5086 alloy aluminum hull skins, 5052 alloy aluminum interior transverse frames and longitudinal T-bars, according to the company. The boat also features self-bailing aluminum decks, watertight bulkheads and anodes for cathodic protection, as well as various accessories for surveying, such as an extended “T” transom, welded aluminum handrails and a generator-driven hydraulic system, said BRIX…
Read More
Marine Group Boat Works Welder Honored by Manufacturers & Technical Association

Marine Group Boat Works Welder Honored by Manufacturers & Technical Association

Ana “Annie” Oryall, welder and shipfitter with Marine Group Boat Works, has been honored by the California Manufacturers & Technical Association with the association’s Emerging Leader Award, San Diego-based MGBW announced March 4. The award, given March 5 in Sacramento, spotlights females in manufacturing who showcase “strong leadership potential and inspire others through their dedicated work,” according to Marine Group. Oryall, who is one of six women in the company’s structural team of 71 welders, has been involved in building and refitting more than two dozen naval steel and aluminum workboats, dive boats and training vessels, as well as a…
Read More
Port of Long Beach Dedicates 2 New Fireboat Stations

Port of Long Beach Dedicates 2 New Fireboat Stations

Long Beach port and city officials recently dedicated two new Port of Long Beach fireboat stations that they say enhance the Long Beach Fire Department’s waterside and landside emergency response capabilities, thereby better safeguarding visiting ships, cargo and waterfront workers. The facilities – Fireboat Station 15 and Fireboat Station 20 – are the products of a $109 million Port of Long Beach program to preserve business continuity, security and economic interests. The dedication ceremony was held March 1 at Station 15. With an anticipated lifespan of 50 years, both stations were approved for construction by the Long Beach Board of…
Read More
Port of Oakland No. 1 in Annual Reefer Cargo

Port of Oakland No. 1 in Annual Reefer Cargo

The Port of Oakland moved $7.1 billion worth of refrigerated cargo in 2023, making it No. 1 in TEU volumes for reefer exports in the U.S. last year, the port announced Feb. 21. The Northern California seaport saw its reefer export numbers rise by 4.1% last year to 18.3%, while the nation’s total volumes for reefer exports tumbled by 20%. The port added that it has ranked first among U.S. seaports in international reefer export TEUs for seven straight years, moving perishable products such as beef, pork, fruit, dairy and vegetables, the port’s top reefer exports to overseas destinations such…
Read More
Port of Olympia Completes First Phase of Budd Inlet Cleanup Effort

Port of Olympia Completes First Phase of Budd Inlet Cleanup Effort

The Port of Olympia on Feb. 28 said that it has completed a significant milestone in its efforts to clean up legacy contamination in Budd Inlet. The port has finished the first phase of Budd Inlet research vessel operations and sediment testing, which started Jan. 8 under the supervision of consultant Dalton, Olmsted and Fuglevand, and involved collecting samples from more than 100 targeted locations for lab analysis. “The completion of sediment testing at our Sub-Area 1 location in and around the East Bay area signifies our commitment to environmental stewardship and community well-being,” project manager Jonathon Wolf said. The…
Read More
APM Terminals Upgrades Pier 400 Los Angeles Terminal Fleet

APM Terminals Upgrades Pier 400 Los Angeles Terminal Fleet

A newly upgraded electric vehicle fleet is now operating at Pier 400 within the Port of Los Angeles, APM Terminals announced Feb. 27. The terminal operator spent close to $1 million to transition 28 vehicles with combustion engines to new, all electric Volkswagen ID.4s. Pier 400 also put in a Level-3 dual-port DC fast charge station and four Level-2 dual port charging stations to help support the electric fleet, APM Terminals said. The company also said that it plans to add four more Level-2 dual-port charging stations that the public would be able to access. “Pier 400 is taking proactive…
Read More
BC Ferries Releases Conceptual Renderings of New Vessels

BC Ferries Releases Conceptual Renderings of New Vessels

BC Ferries has released two conceptual drawings that depict what its newest set of ferries would look like when they begin service in 2029 on the most active routes to and from Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver. The renderings, released Feb. 26, offer some insight on the seven new ferries, whose basic design is being developed with naval architect LMG Marin AS. The design centers around maximum efficiency and greenhouse gas emission reduction and would feature engines that can use bio- and renewable fuels, a battery-hybrid propulsion system to enable vessels to convert to full battery-electric operation when the shore…
Read More
Centerline Logistics Acquires JMB Shipping

Centerline Logistics Acquires JMB Shipping

Seattle-based maritime transportation services provider Centerline Logistics has acquired maritime asset holding firm JMB Shipping from investment firm JMB Capital Partners Lending, giving Centerline ownership and control of sought-after Jones Act maritime assets such as liquid tank barges and tugs, Centerline Logistics announced Feb. 26. “JMB Shipping's assets are among the most unique and desirable in the coastal Jones Act market,” Centerline Logistics CEO Matt Godden said. “Given the growing emphasis on domestic energy security, these assets have been, and will remain, crucial additions to Centerline's fleet.” Before the acquisition, which closed Feb. 23, Centerline leased and managed the JMB…
Read More
Port of San Diego, Partners Enter Agreement on Cargo Movement Projects

Port of San Diego, Partners Enter Agreement on Cargo Movement Projects

The Port of San Diego, Caltrans (the California Department of Transportation) and SANDAG (the San Diego Association of Governments) have entered into an agreement that would allow them to fund and advance two projects that seek to help improve cargo movement and public access. San Digo’s Port Commission announced Feb. 15 that it approved the collaborative agreement and about $2.2 million in funding for the Harbor Drive 2.0 and Vesta Bridge projects. The project is being funded by the port and Caltrans, which in June was awarded an $18.5 million grant from the California Transportation Commission through its Trade Corridor…
Read More