From the Editor: Goodbye, Mike Conroy

From the Editor: Goodbye, Mike Conroy

I’d like to take a moment to bid a fond adieu to Mike Conroy, who spent a number of years as the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations (PCFFA) and its sister organization, the Institute for Fisheries Resources. Also, as most longtime readers of Pacific Maritime’s sister publication, Fishermen’s News, know, Mike wrote the PCFFA’s monthly Fishermen’s News column after he became the organization’s executive director. Not only his columns were always well thought out, they delved into issues that typically weren’t covered elsewhere in the pages of this magazine, or anywhere else, for that matter. In September, Mike left…
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Maersk Orders Six Methanol-Powered Container Ships

Maersk Orders Six Methanol-Powered Container Ships

As part of its effort to meet net-zero emissions goals, global ocean carrier Maersk has ordered six more green methanol-fueled vessels that are to be built by Hyundai Heavy Industries, the company announced Oct. 5. Planned for delivery by 2025, the new order of six roughly 17,000 TEU-vessels brings Maersk’s green methanol vessel total to 19 ships. The company said that it has a goal of net-zero emissions across the entire business by 2040 with “tangible near-term targets for 2030 to ensure significant progress,” including a 50% drop in air emissions per transported container in Maersk Ocean fleet compared to…
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Air Emissions Spike at LA and Long Beach Ports, Bottlenecks Blamed

Air Emissions Spike at LA and Long Beach Ports, Bottlenecks Blamed

The Los Angeles and Long Beach seaports experienced unprecedented spikes in air emissions in 2021, according to newly released air emissions inventories released by the ports Oct. 6. Both seaports attributed the emissions increase to supply chain bottlenecks brought on by pandemic-driven cargo volumes, resulting in cargo ships waiting at anchor. In Los Angeles, diesel particulate matter rose 56% in 2021, while nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides surged by 54% and 145%, respectively, data show. “The environmental impact of a congested supply chain was evident last year,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka remarked. “The backlog of ships…
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Calif. Transportation Secretary Visits Port of Oakland

Calif. Transportation Secretary Visits Port of Oakland

The Port of Oakland hosted California State Transportation Agency Secretary Toks Omishakin in late September for a tour of port operations and a talk about facility upgrades and sustainability projects, including those related to zero emissions and renewable energy. “The Port of Oakland is a critical link in our state and national supply chain,” Omishakin said. “As California makes historic investments in our supply chain infrastructure under Gov. Gavin Newsom, I look forward to continue working with the Port of Oakland to help create a safer, cleaner, more efficient and more equitable goods movement system that continues to power our…
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Seattle International Propeller Club Chapter Named Port of the Year

Seattle International Propeller Club Chapter Named Port of the Year

The International Propeller Club’s Port of Seattle chapter has been selected as the 2022 Port of the Year by the International Propeller Club, the chapter announced Oct. 4. Seattle Propeller Club Vice President Heather Haugland accepted the during the 96th Annual International Propeller Club Convention, held Sept. 20-22 in Athens, Greece. “The Seattle Propeller Club was recognized for a variety of accomplishments, but particularly our resiliency and creativity throughout the pandemic to remain active, as well as our recent, strong growth in membership,” said Club President Tosca Pinder, who credited the club’s board members who volunteer their time to make…
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Port of Seattle Launches Hiring Effort

Port of Seattle Launches Hiring Effort

The Port of Seattle said in late September that it has kicked off an effort to hire for various positions throughout the seaport and airport, particularly police officers, bus drivers, skilled trades and capital projects positions. The hiring effort comes as the port anticipates a heightened demand in the future trade and travel, with plans for $4 billion of infrastructure construction at the seaport and airport in the next five years, the port said. Roles in skilled trades range from capital project managers and leaders to engineers, and construction roles, the port said. “As the port serves the region now…
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Coast Guard Cutter Douglas Denman Commissioned in Alaska

Coast Guard Cutter Douglas Denman Commissioned in Alaska

The U.S. Coast Guard’s newest 154-foot fast response cutter, Douglas Denman, was officially commissioned Sept. 28 in Ketchikan, Alaska. Vice Adm. Andrew J. Tiongson, commander of Coast Guard Pacific Area, and Rear Adm. Nathan A. Moore, commander of Coast Guard 17th District, were on hand to formally accept the cutter, named in honor of a man who helped crew members evacuate a sinking USS Colhoun after it was attacked by an aircraft in 1942. Denman was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart medals and served in the Coast Guard for 20 years before retiring in 1961 as a senior…
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Homeland Security Port Grants Awarded To Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa

Homeland Security Port Grants Awarded To Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa

About $3.5 million in funding from the Department of Homeland Security’s 2022 Port Security Grant Program is expected to enhance supply chain resiliency in Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa, the U.S. Coast Guard announced Sept. 30. The grant program, one of four under the Federal Emergency Management Agency, aims to offer money to public and private entities to help pay for efforts that improve security and protection of vital maritime systems. “Many businesses and agencies in Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa have been successful in applying for these port security grants over the years, which has certainly helped in bolstering…
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Port of Los Angeles Awards $1.32 Million in Grants

Port of Los Angeles Awards $1.32 Million in Grants

About $1.3 million in Port of Los Angeles grants have been given to 36 organizations for programs that help those in the Los Angeles Harbor area. This year’s port Community Investment Grant Program awardees included the Boys and Girls Club of the Los Angeles Harbor, which plans to use the funding toward its Port Ocean and Land Awareness Program offering youths maritime, fishing and other water-related learning. Grants also went to Cabrillo Beach Youth Sailing for its sailing enhancement programs and the Wilmington Teen Center for its field trips to the port and area wetlands. “We are pleased to increase…
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Port of Brookings Harbor Seeks New Manager

Port of Brookings Harbor Seeks New Manager

The Port of Brookings Harbor is seeking qualified candidates for the role of port manager at the Southern Oregon seaport. Applicants must have at least five years of management experience and knowledge and experience in public port operations or similar, preparing and managing a public budget, successful demonstration of leadership in “a complex public-facing operation,” marinas, boatyards and RV parks, property and facility management, among other related matters. The candidate should have at least four years of college emphasizing management and finance, experience with state and federal laws related to port operations and how they impact the district, as well…
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