Interim Calif. State University Maritime Academy President Appointed

Interim Calif. State University Maritime Academy President Appointed

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…
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FMC Checking for Compliance with Per Diem Charges Ruling

FMC Checking for Compliance with Per Diem Charges Ruling

The Federal Maritime Commission announced in late March that it was “actively seeking information” to confirm that ocean carriers and marine terminal operators are complying with the law following a decision it issued addressing when per diem detention charges can be billed. In its decision issued last December regarding “TCW Inc. v. Evergreen Shipping Agency Corp. & Evergreen Line Joint Service Agreement,” the Commission stated that the charging of per-diem when a port was closed, and equipment could not be returned, was unjust and unreasonable. In the recent TCW v. Evergreen case, the Commission ordered Evergreen to “cease and desist…
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Puget Sound Energy, Seattle Port Agree on Renewable Natural Gas Purchase

Puget Sound Energy, Seattle Port Agree on Renewable Natural Gas Purchase

The Port of Seattle’s Maritime Division and Economic Development Department plans to buy over 240,000 therms of renewable natural gas from Puget Sound Energy in a move that’s expected to annually reduce carbon emissions by about 1,291 metric tons, the port announced Feb. 6. The port department said that it plans to use the renewable natural gas at all its facilities that use natural gas, including Pier 66, Terminal 91 and its maintenance facilities. “PSE’s Renewable Natural Gas program will immediately cut our own maritime division greenhouse gas emissions almost in half,” said Port Commissioner Ryan Calkins. “That reduction helps…
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Husky Terminal Joins ICHCA as Corporate Member

Husky Terminal Joins ICHCA as Corporate Member

Tacoma-based Husky Terminal and Stevedoring is one of the newest members of ICHCA International, a London-based not-for-profit whose aim is to bolster cargo handling and cargo flow’s safety, productivity and efficiency, the association announced Feb. 8. ICHCA has NGO (non-governmental organization) status with the International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization and other U.N. agencies, which allows ICHCA “to monitor, contribute to and guide the development of regulations that impact both cargo handling and transport around the globe” on behalf of its members. “We are excited to join the ICHCA community to reaffirm our commitment to safe and sustainable operations,” Husky…
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Long Beach Container Terminal Plans to be Emission-Free by 2030

Long Beach Container Terminal Plans to be Emission-Free by 2030

Long Beach Container Terminal on Feb. 9 released its Net Zero Action Plan to make its operations emission-free by 2030. The Net Zero Plan includes goals toward further greening operations and investing an estimated $200 million, much of it toward zero-emission equipment and infrastructure, along with renewable energy such as on-site power generation, according to the company.  LBCT is already using electric dual-hoist cranes, battery-operated container ground movers and other clean-energy cargo handling equipment, which has resulted in annually lowering greenhouse gas emissions by over 80% while quadrupling annual capacity to 3.3 million containers, according to the company. “LBCT continues…
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Removal Planned for Tug Submerged at National Guard Dock in Alaska

Removal Planned for Tug Submerged at National Guard Dock in Alaska

Weather permitting, work to remove a partly submerged tugboat at the National Guard Dock in Gastineau Channel, Alaska, was expected to be underway this month, the U.S. Coast Guard said Feb. 7. The Coast Guard contracted salvage firm Melino’s Marine Services to perform the work of removing the tug by using a barge and crane system that came from Bellingham. Once removed, the tug is expected to be moved by barge to an out-of-state disposal site. The tug had been partly submerged with an oil sheen since at least Dec. 29 when Coast Guard Sector Juneau first received word on…
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WETA Board of Directors Gets New Member

WETA Board of Directors Gets New Member

Pippin Dew is one of the new members of the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority Board of Directors, taking over for the departing Anthony Intintoli, it was announced Jan. 12. “Ferry service has always been such an integral part of the Vallejo community and the expansion of the system has brought those same benefits to residents and businesses throughout the region,” Dew said. “I’m looking forward to furthering that progress.” Dew, a realtor who was appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, served on the Vallejo City Council from 2014 through 2022. Dew currently serves as president of…
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MARAD Making Nearly $20 Million Available for Small Shipyards

MARAD Making Nearly $20 Million Available for Small Shipyards

Small shipyards along the West Coast may be able to upgrade their facilities and provide workforce training, thanks to $20 million of federal fiscal year 2023 funding made available by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD). Announced Jan. 19, MARAD’s Small Shipyard Grant Program offers grants that could go toward training employees or buying new equipment, including U.S.-made manufacturing equipment. “Small shipyards play vital roles in their local economies and our national economy,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “With these funds, we are helping small shipyards across the country train their workers, modernize their equipment and improve…
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Long Beach Port Seeks Input on Proposed World Oil Terminals Project

Long Beach Port Seeks Input on Proposed World Oil Terminals Project

The Port of Long Beach is asking the public to weigh in on a World Oil Terminals project to put in two more oil storage tanks at its Pier C facility, the port announced Feb. 1.  That input is expected to be included in an environmental impact report for the project, which calls for the company to build and run two new 25,000-barrel petroleum storage tanks for crude oil, “with internal floating roofs with new tank foundations and piping connections to existing facility infrastructure, including the truck loading racks,” according to the port.  Third-party customers would be able to lease…
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Glosten Chosen to Design San Francisco Bar Pilots Station Boats

Glosten Chosen to Design San Francisco Bar Pilots Station Boats

The San Francisco Bar Pilots transportation escort service has chosen naval architecture and marine engineering company Glosten to design low-emission station boats, it was announced Jan. 23. Seattle-based Glosten is said to be working on a propulsion feasibility study for the vessels, two of which are planned for service in 2024 and a third vessel planned for 2025. The vessels are expected to be compliant with California Air Resources Board requirements. “We are pleased to work with Glosten to design our new cutting-edge station boats,” San Francisco Bar Pilots President John Carlier said. “These new vessels will allow the Bar…
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