Port of Everett Longshore Workers Give Back

Port of Everett Longshore Workers Give Back

Port of Everett dockworkers recently brought some holiday cheer to their community, donating over 300 wrapped presents to a local school and providing dinners to local charities. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 32 workers helped 18 families and 44 children at Hawthorne Elementary School. This is the second year the union has teamed up with the school on the gift-giving program, something the union started during the pandemic. They also gave more than 100 turkeys and hams to area organizations. “The members of ILWU Local 32 are committed to making a difference in our community,” said Mark Hoekendorf,…
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San Pedro Bay Ports’ Container Dwell Fee Again Delayed

San Pedro Bay Ports’ Container Dwell Fee Again Delayed

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach announced Monday that they plan to delay implementing their planned “Container Dwell Fee” until Dec. 27. The news comes as both ports reported a combined 46% decline in the amount of cargo lingering at terminals since announcing the fee Oct. 25. Harbors leaders plan to review the start of the fee again after another week of data monitoring. The fee has been repeatedly put off for a week at a time since November. Ports officials announced the fee in October in an effort to curb the growing stacks of boxes waiting at…
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Oakland Harbor Turn Basin Widening Plan Moves Forward

Oakland Harbor Turn Basin Widening Plan Moves Forward

A report on widening the Oakland Harbor turning basins so that bigger container vessels can come to the Port of Oakland is moving forward. The public can weigh in on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers San Francisco District’s draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment until Jan. 31. San Francisco District Commander Lt. Col. Kevin Arnett called the draft a major milestone in an ongoing effort “to catch waves of new ships for the East Bay.” "Back in 2009 we celebrated deepening Oakland Harbor to minus-50 feet to allow for bigger, longer ships, and to ensure the port's benefit…
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Austal USA To Assume Lease of Marine Group Boat Works at Port of San Diego

Austal USA To Assume Lease of Marine Group Boat Works at Port of San Diego

Alabama-based shipbuilder Austal USA is poised to take over the lease of Marine Group Boat Works at the Port of San Diego, a move that would allow the company to concentrate on repairing vessels for the U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command and Coast Guard. Port commissioners recently approved the lease, which encompasses a 15-acre site near the U.S. Naval Base San Diego with a new dry dock “designed specifically to handle small surface combatants and other small to medium size ships,” according to the company. “Austal USA’s presence is growing across the United States, and this latest expansion of facilities…
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August Imports Up, Exports Down at U.S. West Coast Ports: PMSA

August Imports Up, Exports Down at U.S. West Coast Ports: PMSA

The nation’s two busiest seaports, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, saw gains in imported cargo in August, up 1.4% from the same time a year ago and by 17.5% from the pre-pandemic level of August 2019, according to Pacific Merchant Shipping Association’s latest West Coast Trade Report. “What’s worth noting is that, through the first eight months of this year, the two ports handled 1,270,524 more inbound loaded TEUs than they had in the comparable period in 2019, before anyone had ever heard of COVID-19,” according to the report. The Port of Oakland also saw an increase…
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Bellingham SeaFeast Highlights Waterfront and Maritime Culture

Bellingham SeaFeast Highlights Waterfront and Maritime Culture

More than 500 people are expected to attend Bellingham SeaFeast 2021 in Bellingham, Wash. on Oct. 30, an outdoor event spotlighting the region’s waterfront and maritime sector. This year’s theme is “Feast of our Seas.” Attendees will be able to check out the new 9,000-square-foot Fishermen’s Pavilion, stroll the spooky Harvest Harbor Walk, meet local fishermen, learn about marine resources, eat seafood and buy from area fishing families at Bellingham Dockside Market. Guests are encouraged to wear a family-friendly costume and go trick-or-treating at various vendors on the Harbor Waterfront Trail. The Pavilion will feature performances from local musicians Timothy…
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August Cargo Volume at Port of Los Angeles Just Short of Record

August Cargo Volume at Port of Los Angeles Just Short of Record

The Port of Los Angeles moved 954,377 TEUs last month, narrowly short of the 961,833 TEUs handled by the port in August 2020, according to new numbers released by the port Sept. 15. The port saw 485,672 TEUs in imports last month, about 6% less than it did in August 2020 when retailers rushed to replenish low stocks of goods. Meanwhile, the port moved 101,292 TEUs in exports last month, a 23% drop from the same time last year, and saw 367,413 TEUs in empty containers processed through their docks, a surge of 17% from August 2020. So far, the…
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Annual AAPA Convention Set for Later This Month

Annual AAPA Convention Set for Later This Month

The American Association of Port Authorities will hold its annual convention and expo from Sept. 26-29 in Austin, Texas. The three-day event will feature various keynote speakers, including Thomas B. Crowley, Jr., chairman and CEO at Crowley Maritime Corporation; former NFL running back Emmit Smith; Christopher Smith, senior vice president of policy, government and public affairs at Cheniere LNG; and Michael Lichte, vice president of milk optimization and customer relations for Dairy Farmers of America. AAPA Chairman of the Board Mario Cordero and AAPA President and CEO Christopher Conner will also discuss the state of the industry. “There is great…
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BAE Systems Nets $90.2M U.S. Navy Contract

BAE Systems Nets $90.2M U.S. Navy Contract

The U.S. Navy recently awarded BAE Systems a $90.2 million contract to maintain and upgrade the amphibious transport dock USS San Diego. The work on the 684-foot-long vessel - which is set to start in September at BAE System’s shipyard in San Diego - encompasses the underwater hull, ballast tanks system, amphibious well deck area and upgrades to the living areas for up to 800 mariners and marines. The work is expected to take more than a year to finish. “The upcoming USS San Diego project is a major event in the service life of the ship, expanding its capability to execute a…
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Annual Fleet Blessing & Memorial Service Cancelled

Annual Fleet Blessing & Memorial Service Cancelled

The Blessing of the Fleet and Memorial Service - an annual tradition honoring locals involved in the fishing industry who have died since 1941 - will not take place on Memorial Day this year as a safety measure against COVID-19. At the request of the families, the Charleston Fisherman's Memorial Committee will include the names of the honored deceased to plaques in the Charleston Fisherman’s Memorial Garden for 2020 and 2021. Bill Ainsworth, "Killer" Kent Atwater, Philip J. Gray, Mark A. Gray and Jack L. Hutchens will be added to the “In Memory of Charleston Fisherman.” Wayne James Clemens, Joe…
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