Port of Bellingham to Host Marine Trades Job Fair

Port of Bellingham to Host Marine Trades Job Fair

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

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

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…
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Auto Import Business Launches Port of Portland’s Terminal 6

Auto Import Business Launches Port of Portland’s Terminal 6

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…
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Port of Prince Rupert Export Logistics Project Moves Forward

Port of Prince Rupert Export Logistics Project Moves Forward

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…
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POLA Seeks Input on Oil Terminal and Wharf Improvement Project

POLA Seeks Input on Oil Terminal and Wharf Improvement Project

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…
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Coast Guard Cutter Munro Returns from Alaska Patrol

Coast Guard Cutter Munro Returns from Alaska Patrol

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…
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From the Editor: Oil Spill Aftermath

From the Editor: Oil Spill Aftermath

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…
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Vessel Owners Must Report Harassment, Coast Guard Says

Vessel Owners Must Report Harassment, Coast Guard Says

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

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

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…
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Port of Bellingham Purchases 6-Acre Complex

Port of Bellingham Purchases 6-Acre Complex

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…
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