By Karen Robes Meeks The Port of Everett recently celebrated its new partnership with the cities of Arlington and Marysville with the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) that pave the way for the Cascade Industrial Center (CIC) to generate more jobs and bolster the region economically. The MOUs allow the port to leverage its resources and expertise in various areas such as financing, grants, planning and environmental support and regulatory strategy to help the center. The CIC area offers more than 1,700 acres of buildable manufacturing and industrial opportunity close to vital transportation arteries such as I-5, the port,…

By Karen Robes Meeks Stakeholders looking for progress reports on the Port of Vancouver USA’s Terminal 1 project can now visit the new dedicated website, www.discoverterminal1.com, to find out the latest information. The site presents background information and status updates and offers details about the terminal’s history, funding sources, key partners and upcoming events. “We’ve made a lot of headway on Terminal 1 in the past year,” said Jonathan Eder, executive project sponsor. “The AC Hotel by Marriot broke ground, the Vancouver Landing amphitheater planning is complete, and the design has been released for the northern portion of the site. We’re…

By Karen Robes Meeks This week, the Port of Redwood City Board of Port Commissioners approved a long-term plan to positively bolster the port’s economic and quality-of-life impact to the region. The 2020 vision consisting of 45 recommendations aims to optimize the land use, enhance infrastructure and operations, protect the environment and strive to expand the maritime and commercial business opportunities at the widely-known dry bulk port. According to the port, the vision also includes diversification opportunities for RO/RO and project cargo. The three-level vision was developed to guide the port for the next 25 years, starting with short-term plans…

By Karen Robes Meeks The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will host the first stakeholder advisory group meeting of the year on Jan. 15. The meeting will address the latest information on the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan 2017 Update and focus on gathering input on the recently released Draft Economic Rate Study and the potential Clean Truck Rate. The public meeting will take place 10 a.m. to noon at the Harbor Administration Building located at 425 Palos Verdes St., San Pedro, Calif., 90731. It will also be webcast live. For more details, visit cleanairactionplan.org.

By Karen Robes Meeks Timothy J. (TJ) Quandt is the Port of Olympia’s new senior harbor manager. Quandt comes to the port with strong maritime, business operations, and customer service experience. In his previous role at the Port of Port Townsend business manager, Quandt oversaw three marinas, a boatyard, a recreational vehicle park, and a fuel dock. He previously worked as an assistant harbormaster, hoist operator and commercial fisherman. "The port received many excellent applications for this position, and while the competition was close, we found TJ to be the best fit for the Port of Olympia,” said Executive Director…

By Karen Robes Meeks The Port of Hueneme recently acknowledged the arrival of Brusco Tug & Barge, Inc.’s new environmentally friendly tug, the Teresa Brusco. The new vessel – which has a Tier 3 engine and 61-ton bollard pull capability – replaces the Lulapin. It represents a nearly $10 million capital investment by the company. The cleaner tug will mean lower vessel emissions, including an 80 percent decrease in NOx. “This significant upgrade to Brusco’s fleet keeps with the Port’s commitment to environment – as the Greenest US Port and Green Marine-certified (a third party environmental verification program), we take the health…

By Karen Robes Meeks The Port of Camas-Washougal recently welcomed its newest port commissioner. According to the port, Cassi Marshall is a Clark County native who graduated from Prairie High School in Vancouver, Wash., and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in aero/astro-engineering from M.I.T. in Cambridge, Mass. Marshall worked as a structural dynamics engineer for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California before relocating to Camas. She spent the next 17 years, working as a student coordinator and executive assistant for the Washougal School District. She currently operates a business with her husband that uses her planning and resource management…

By Karen Robes Meeks Jack Burkman is the newest Port of Vancouver USA commissioner. He represents District 3. He was sworn in Dec. 30 at the port’s Administrative Office, as he began a five-year term. Over the last 30 years, Burkman has served the Clark County community as a three-term Vancouver City Councilmember and a 10-year Clark College Trustee. He is also involved in several boards, including the Regional Transportation Council, C-Tran, Portland Metro’s Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation, Fort Vancouver Regional Library, League of United Latin American Citizens, and the YWCA Clark County. According to the port, Burkman…

By Karen Robes Meeks Port of Bellingham Commissioner Michael Shepard will lead the commission for the coming year. Shepard was chosen by his peers to become president, while Commissioner Bobby Briscoe will take on the role of Vice President and Ken Bell that of Secretary. This year, commissioners will represent the port on the following local boards: • Whatcom Council of Governments: Bobby Briscoe • Washington Public Ports Association: Michael Shepard • Whatcom County Economic Development Investment Program Committee: Ken Bell • Western Crossing (Shared Port and Western Washington University Development Entity): Ken Bell Regular Port Commission meetings will now…