News Briefs – Pacific Maritime Magazine

25 Feb

SF Bay Ferry Reaches Passenger Milestone

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsferries, sfbayferry

More than a million passengers have taken the Alameda Seaplane ferry route since it debuted on July 1, 2021, San Francisco Bay Ferry and the City of Alameda announced Feb. 12. The weekday Alameda Seaplane ferry route linking Alameda Point to downtown San Francisco has averaged about 1,500 riders daily, the second busiest weekday service on the SF Bay Ferry system. Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft called the milestone a huge accomplishment. “Our dedicated ferry riders … know that Seaplane offers an unbeatable commute – less than 20 minutes to San Francisco with … bike-friendly access,” Ashcraft said. “The City…

25 Feb

Delta Marine, Artemis Technologies Partnering on eFoiler Vessels

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsartemis, daltamarine, efoiler

Seattle-based boat builder Delta Marine Industries is partnering with Artemis Technologies on the production of eFoiler vessels that would operate in the Puget Sound, the companies announced Feb. 16. Both parties have signed a memorandum of understanding allowing them to leverage their expertise to bring zero-emission ferries to market in the Pacific Northwest. “Partnering with Artemis Technologies allows us to bring world-leading electrification and foiling expertise to our region,” Delta Marine Vice President Michelle Jones said in a statement. “By building these ferries locally, we are supporting Washington’s clean energy objectives and fostering innovation in the U.S. maritime sector.” Artemis,…

25 Feb

Cargo Dwell Times Improve at LA, Long Beach Ports

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefsdwelltimes, pmsa, pola, polb

The average time that cargo lingers at the Los Angeles and Long Beach seaports before it leaves the docks by train improved in January, according to data released Feb. 13 by the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association. The twin seaports saw dwell time data improve for rail-bound cargo containers, falling from an average of 6.23 days, down from 6.53 days in the prior month, the data said. That’s after dwell time jumped in October 2024. Meanwhile, truck-destined container dwell times stayed consistently low, according to PMSA. Data shows that cargo moved by trucks spent an average of 3.25 days at the ports…

25 Feb

Port of LA Posts Best January on Record

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newscargo, pola, TEUs

The Port of Los Angeles kicked off 2025 with the best January for cargo in its history. The nation’s busiest seaport handled 924,245 TEUs in January, its busiest on record, and an 8% jump from January 2024, according to data released Feb. 19. “This January milestone adds to a great run of strong volume, with the last seven months averaging more than 927,000 container units,” port Executive Director Gene Seroka said during a recent media call. “A strong economy, along with importers bringing in cargo as a hedge against tariffs and ahead of Lunar New Year, were key factors in…

25 Feb

Seaspan Investing $2.5 Million in Maritime Skills Training for Indigenous People

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsaccess, seaspan

Canadian shipbuilder Seaspan is investing $2.5 million into a five-year program that would give Indigenous people in the Vancouver, BC area the chance to pursue apprenticeships and training for careers in the maritime industry. Seaspan is teaming up with Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services (ACCESS) on the program, which would support: Increasing skills and providing technical training such as metal fabrication, welding, bridge watch and other shipbuilding trades. Reaching out to high schools with plans by ACCESS to host “sampler programs” with five lower mainland school districts to introduce students to the trades and offer skills training. Funding emergency relief…

18 Feb

Port of Oakland Commission Chooses 1st Female Executive Director

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsnewsmakers, portofoakland

Port of Oakland Chief Operating Officer Kristi McKenney has been named the port’s next executive director, making her the first woman to serve in the leadership role in the port’s 98-year history, it was announced Feb. 14. The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners unanimously Feb. 13 voted to sign McKenney to a three-year contract, succeeding Danny Wan, who is expected to retire on Feb. 28. McKenney, who began her career at the Northern California seaport as an environmental planner, has stepped into various roles at the port, including assistant aviation director, interim executive director and chief operating officer, a position…

18 Feb

Saltchuk Co-Launching Transport, Logistics Talent Development Program

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newspuertorico, pupr, saltchuk

Seattle-based Saltchuk Resources said Feb. 13 that it’s teaming up with the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico (PUPR) to establish a “talent development program,” which is expected to bolster education and career development in Puerto Rico’ transportation and logistics industry over the next decade. Under a Memorandum of Understanding, both parties have agreed to create programs and nurture industry relationships to attract, retain and train professionals in Puerto Rico and the greater Caribbean area. The Talent Development Program is set to begin later this year, according to Saltchuk. The program is being launched with $200,000 in funding, with the potential…

18 Feb

Port of Long Beach Has Strongest-Ever January Volumes

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newscontainervolumes, polb, TEUs

The Port of Long Beach kicked off 2025 with its busiest January for cargo in port history, reflecting shippers sending goods in anticipation of potential tariffs from China, Mexico and Canada, the port revealed Feb. 13. The nation’s second-busiest seaport (after the Port of Los Angeles) processed 952,733 TEUs last month, soaring 41% from January 2024, according to port data. The previous record was set in January 2022. The port said that it saw a 45% spike in imports year over year with 471,649 TEUs in January, while exports jumped 14% to 98,655 TEUs. Empty containers rose 45.9% to 382,430…

18 Feb

New Oxnard Harbor District Board President Sworn In

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsnewsmakers, oxnardharbordistrict, portofhueneme

Longtime port and community advocate Jess J. Ramirez has been sworn in as the new president of the Oxnard Harbor District Board of Directors, the five-member body governing the Port of Hueneme. Ramirez, who previously served as the board’s vice president, took the leadership reins from Commissioner Celina L. Zacarias in mid-January. “I am very proud to serve the people of the Oxnard Harbor District for one last term,” Ramirez said in a prepared statement. “During this term, I look forward to continuing to build community.” Ramirez has more than five decades of experience as a member and leader in…

18 Feb

Trigon Secures Deal for Hydrogen-as-Ammonia Exports

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsprincerupert, trigon, ufez

Prince Rupert, British Columbia-based Trigon Pacific Terminals Ltd. said Feb. 12 that it has agreed to work with the Ulsan Free Economic Zone Authority (UFEZ) on a framework that would further develop hydrogen-as-ammonia exports between Canada and South Korea. The Ulsan Free Economic Zone is an industrial hub in South Korea specializing in automotive, shipbuilding, petrochemicals and emerging green industries. Both parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that has Trigon supporting the development of receiving terminals in Ulsan, South Korea, according to the announcement. “Trigon has been actively advancing development of a Canadian West Coast export corridor for the…