News Briefs – Page 2 – Pacific Maritime Magazine

14 Mar

Study: California Ports a Major Economic Generator for U.S.

Karen Robes MeeksNews Briefs, PMM Online News, Terminal Operationscalifornia, capa, ports

Ports in California account for billions in tax revenue and millions of jobs in the United States, according to a new study prepared by Washington-based consulting firm BST Associates. The study was first shared with state lawmakers in February for Ports Day 2023, a yearly day of advocacy for the California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA). According to the study, California ports generated $416 billion in trade value in 2020, $38.1 billion in tax revenue, and an estimated 3.1 million jobs, including over 800,000 export-related jobs and close to 2.3 million import-related jobs. These jobs, according to the study, create…

14 Mar

Auto Import Business Launches Port of Portland’s Terminal 6

Karen Robes MeeksNews Briefs, PMM Online Newsportofportland, terminal6

Port of Portland's Terminal 6 has begun processing hundreds of new auto imports, the Oregon port announced March 6. Earlier this month, dockworkers received about 3,100 General Motors vehicles built in China and South Korea, including Buick Envision, Buick Encore and Chevrolet Trailblazers from the ro/ro cargo vessel Dong-A Metis at Berth 601. Most were routed by Burlington Northern and Union Pacific to inland destinations within the U.S., the port said. “From the longshore workers unloading the ships to the folks moving the imports to rail cars destined for the Midwest, this new business further solidifies the port as a…

14 Mar

Coast Guard Cutter Munro Returns from Alaska Patrol

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

After 105 days, the crew members of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro have returned to their Alameda homeport after a 10,000-nautical mile patrol in Alaska, the agency announced March 8. During the patrol, crew members of the 418-feet long Legend-class national security cutter joined forces with the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement on two dozen commercial fishing vessel boardings as part of efforts to ensure sustainable fishing practices and federal compliance, the agency said. “The continued existence of these fisheries depends on a healthy and productive ecosystem,” Capt. Rula Deisher, Munro’s commanding officer, said. “As a federal law enforcement…

14 Mar

Port of Prince Rupert Export Logistics Project Moves Forward

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online News, Terminal Operationslogisticsproject, princerupert, ridleyisland

The Ridley Island Export Logistics Project at the Port of Prince Rupert “is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects,” a determination recently made by Canada’s federal authorities, the Prince Rupert Port Authority announced March 2. The determination completes the federal environmental review process, a prerequisite that allows federal officials to consider the authorizations necessary to move forward on the project, which consists of “an integrated ecosystem of large-scale bulk and breakbulk transload facilities, intermodal rail yard, and a container storage yard” at the south end of Ridley Island. The project allows for the handling of plastic pellets, cereal…

14 Mar

POLA Seeks Input on Oil Terminal and Wharf Improvement Project

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online News, Terminal Operationsmotems, nopis, pola

The Port of Los Angeles is seeking feedback on a Notice of Preparation/Initial Study (NOP/IS) of a Draft Environmental Impact Report released for the Berths 148-151 (Phillips 66) Marine Oil Terminal and Wharf Improvement Project. A virtual public meeting via Zoom is expected to take place at 5 p.m. on March 15, giving stakeholders an opportunity to comment on the NOP/IS. Located at A Street in Wilmington, the project calls for upgrades to liquid bulk terminal wharves at Berths 148-151 that comply with Marine Oil Terminal Engineering and Maintenance Standards, which include replacing the timber wharf at Berths 150-151 with…

07 Mar

From the Editor: Oil Spill Aftermath

Mark Edward NeroFrom the Editor, News, News Briefs, PMM Online News

The massive oil spill that accidentally dumped tens of thousands of gallons of crude oil in the waters off the Southern California coast in October 2021 may have been cleaned up and forgotten about by some, but the ramifications continue to be felt by shipping companies involved in the incident. Case in point: on March 1, the oil pipeline’s owner, Texas-based Amplify Energy, said that it had reached a $96 million settlement with various parties over the spill. The oil company has maintained that as a result of negligent conduct, an estimated 25,000 gallons of crude oil were discharged from…

07 Mar

Vessel Owners Must Report Harassment, Coast Guard Says

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsharassment, uscg

Owners, masters or managing operators of a vessel are now required to report complaints or incidents of harassment and sexual harassment and assault to the U.S. Coast Guard, according to Coast Guard Investigative Service Director Jeremy Gauthier. In a March 1 Marine Safety Information Bulletin Gauthier said recent law changes mandate that the vessel’s responsible entity must report misconduct to the Coast Guard. Bystanders, survivors and others would be able to report incidents through a CGIS Tips App or at CGISTIPS@uscg.mil. There’s also a 24/7 watch that can field sexual misconduct reports through the National Command Center at 202-327-2100. The…

07 Mar

2022 Cargo Volumes Down at Major West Coast Seaports: PMSA Data

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online NewsNWSA, pmsa, TEUs

The U.S. West Coast’s five major seaports collectively saw their total volumes fall in 2022, while total volumes rose at major U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast ports, according to the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association’s latest West Coast Trade Report, released Feb. 23. West Coast’s Big Five – the Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach, Port of Oakland and the Northwest Seaport Alliance’s Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma – saw total cargo numbers drop 5.6% (-1,480,468 TEUs), while East Coast ports rose by a combined 3.7% (+989,111 TEUs) and three Gulf Coast ports gained a combined…

07 Mar

Port of Bellingham Purchases 6-Acre Complex

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newslandpurchase, portofbellingham

In an effort to grow its industrial business, the Port of Bellingham has acquired from Fiber Glass Systems, LP a six-acre complex encompassing a half-dozen buildings with about 71,000 square feet of industrial and office area, the port announced Feb. 28. The new complex at 742 Marine Drive is less than a mile away from port land and buildings close to Squalicum Harbor. Built between 1925 and 2008, the property includes 2-ton to 4-ton hoists and 240 v/3 phase and 480 V/3 phase power, the port said. “Expanding industrial areas is a priority for the port,” Port Executive Director Rob…

07 Mar

Coast Guard Sector Juneau, Contractors Recover Submerged Tugboat

Mark Edward NeroNews, News Briefs, PMM Online NewsCoastGuardSectorJuneau, GastineauChannel, Tagish

A partly submerged tugboat at the National Guard Dock in Gastineau Channel, Alaska has been recovered, the U.S. Coast Guard revealed Feb. 28. The Coast Guard contracted salvage firm Melino’s Marine Services to remove the tug by using a barge-and-crane system from Bellingham, Wash. After recovery of the tugboat Tagish, the vessel was secured on the beach at the guard’s dock in Gastineau Channel on Feb. 19, according to the Coast Guard. Contractors then dewatered and defueled the 107-foot tugboat prior to it being dismantled and placed on a barge for final disposal out-of-state. “The Coast Guard’s mission during this…