News Briefs – Pacific Maritime Magazine

28 Mar

Port of Hueneme Selects New CFO/CAO

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newscao, cfo, portofhueneme

Financial veteran Austin Yang is the new chief financial officer and chief administration officer for the Port of Hueneme, the port announced March 8. Yang, who has been with the port since 2014, brings to the position more than two decades of experience in the private and public sectors, including auditing, investment banking, manufacturing and global logistics, according to the port. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from California State University, Long Beach and his Master of Business Administration from Marshall University in West Virginia. He is also licensed certified public accountant. In a statement, Yang said…

28 Mar

FMC Checking for Compliance with Per Diem Charges Ruling

Pacific Maritime MagazineNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsfmc, perdiem, vocc

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…

28 Mar

Oakland Port Mandating Zero Emissions Plans for Cargo-Handling Equipment

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsportofoakland, zeroemissions

Tenants who operate cargo-handling equipment at the Port of Oakland will now need a plan to convert that equipment to zero-emission equipment, according to a new environmental ordinance approved March 9 by the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners. Under the ordinance, tenants are required to submit an equipment conversion plan by Dec. 31. “The entire port board is committed to decarbonizing operations at port facilities,” Port Board President Barbara Leslie said. “This ordinance calls for our seaport tenants to develop a plan to reach zero emissions from cargo-handling operations.” Members of the port environmental staff are expected to look over…

28 Mar

Dwell Times for Truck Cargo Down, Rail Cargo Up at LA/Long Beach Ports: PMSA

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsdwelltimes, pmsa

The length of time containers lingered at the Los Angeles and Long Beach seaports before leaving by truck fell in February from the previous month, according to new data released March 23 by the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association. The numbers mirror the drop in overall cargo volumes, PMSA said, with the dwell time for truck-bound cargo averaging 2.9 days last month, down from 3.2 days in January. Also, about 7.9% of containers stayed past five days at terminals last month, lower than the from 9.8% the prior month. Meanwhile, cargo destined to move by train stayed on terminals an average…

28 Mar

Mariner Credentials Lost in the Mail? Here’s How to Lower Risks, NMC Says

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newscredentials, nmc

It could take as many as 21 days for mariners to receive their completed credentials through the mail from the National Maritime Center, and without being able to track them, credentials could be lost or returned. In a March 20 announcement, the National Maritime Center reminded mariners of ways to lower the risk of lost credentials. One is to check the mariner’s address for accuracy and legibility. If the address changes after submitting the application, call the Customer Service Center at 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662) as soon as possible. Another is to look into expedited mailing options. E-mailing one’s application is preferable,…

21 Mar

Coast Guard Cutter Steadfast Returns Following Drug Patrol

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newscutter, steadfast, uscg

After 69 days in the Eastern Pacific Ocean providing anti-narcotics enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Steadfast has returned to its homeport in Astoria, Oregon, it was announced March 16. During the patrol, crew members of the 210-foot medium endurance cutter interrupted drug activity in three instances, preventing the flow of over 7,500 pounds of cocaine worth $85.6 million from reaching the U.S., the Coast Guard said. In one instance, the crew traced a suspected narcotics-smuggling ship with help from a Mexican Navy surveillance aircraft and aircrew and sent a boat crew and helicopter aircrew while Mexican forces tracked it,…

21 Mar

Port of LA Inks MOUs with Tokyo, Yokohama Ports

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsenvironment, pola, tokyo, yokohama

The Port of Los Angeles will be able to collaborate with the Port of Tokyo and the Port of Yokohama on environmental matters under a pair of newly signed Memorandum of Understanding agreements, the POLA announced March 16. The agreements allow the seaports to share best practices on sustainability initiatives, including the digital advancement of the supply chain to make operations more efficient and lower the impact to port operations. “The MOUs signed this week between the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Tokyo, and the Port of Yokohama epitomize the strong relationship between California and Japan and our…

21 Mar

February Cargo Volumes Drop at LA, Long Beach Ports

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

The Los Angeles and Long Beach seaports saw cargo volumes for February drop year over year, according to newly released data by the two seaports. Last month, the Port of LA moved 487,846 TEUs, a 43% drop from February 2022, an all-time record, the port said March 17. Loaded imports during the month fell 41% to 249,407 TEUs, while loaded exports dipped 14% to 82,404 TEUs year over year. Empty containers also dropped 54% to 156,035 TEUs, POLA data show. So far in 2023, Los Angeles said it has handled 1,213,860 TEUs, a 30% drop when compared to the same…

21 Mar

UWL, Swire Shipping Add New Port Call

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsswireshipping, uwl

A new port call for export refrigerated cargo in Busan, Korea on the Sun Chief Express service has been added to meet rising customer demand, third-party logistics company UWL and merchant shipper Swire Shipping announced March 16. The new Busan call aligns with a newly adjusted Sun Chief Express schedule to bolster efficiency, the companies said. The new service now includes Seattle, Busan in South Korea, Haiphong, Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. “Many clients have expressed a strong preference for a return to the shorter Ho Chi Minh-Seattle eastbound voyage, as the service was initially conceived, as well as…

21 Mar

Port of Bellingham to Host Marine Trades Job Fair

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsjobfair, marinetrades, portofbellingham

The Port of Bellingham has announced the return of its Marine Trades Job Fair, set to take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 4 at Fishermen’s Pavilion. Those participating in the job fair include the Alaska Marine Highway System, San Juan Sailing, LFS Marine & Outdoor, Phoenix Processor LP, Turn Point Marine, Trident Seafoods, Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, Tri-County Diesel Marine, Birdon, All American Marine, Alaskan Leader Fisheries, People AK, Seafarers International Union, Schooner Zodiac, Westwind Marine, the Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County, Seaview Boatyard, Mantle Industries LLC, Northline Seafoods, and Employment Security / Worksource. “Marine trades…