PIL Withdraws  from Transpacific Market

PIL Withdraws from Transpacific Market

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines (PIL) has withdrawn from the transpacific market as part of a strategic review of its business. The company had been operating four services between China and the West Coast, as well as a single service from Vietnam to Long Beach via China – all trades that have been hard hit by the China-US trade war as well as the more recent Covid-19 virus outbreak. PIL had been in a vessel-sharing partnership with several other carriers, including Wan Hai Line and Cosco Shipping, on some of the routes.
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China Delivers Another LNG Carrier for Yamal Project

China Delivers Another LNG Carrier for Yamal Project

China’s Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding has delivered the 174,000 cubic meter capacity LNG carrier LNG Merak to a joint venture formed by Mitsui OSK Lines and China COSCO Shipping Corporation as the second of four gas tankers it is building to support Russia’s Yamal LNG project in the Arctic. Completed to Lloyd’s Register classification rules, and to be managed by MOL LNG Transport (Europe) Ltd, the new ship will be used to transport LNG from transshipment terminals in Europe to LNG receiving terminals in Asia. It is the 12th LNG carrier built in China to be operated by MOL and follows a…
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Foss Maritime Tugs Escorts USNS Mercy

Foss Maritime Tugs Escorts USNS Mercy

By Karen Robes Meeks Foss Maritime’s tugboats Alta June, Bo Brusco, and Arthur Foss as well Foss company AMNAV’s Patricia Ann, met and guided the USNS Mercy into Berth 93 at the Port of Los Angeles. “Foss is proud and honored to assist this important vessel into port,” said Paul Hendriks, general manager of the Foss Southern California Office. “Leading the way were Captains John Strunk, Ryan San Jose, Stan Sato and Drew Kerlee (AMNAV), who have a combined 85 years of experience providing safe operations in the harbor.” The 1,000-bed USNS Mercy arrived Friday morning to take on non COVID-19 patients and relieve hospitals dealing with the…
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Port of Seattle’s Terminal 46 to Support Field Hospital

Port of Seattle’s Terminal 46 to Support Field Hospital

By Karen Robes Meeks The Port of Seattle and The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) has made portions of Terminal 46 open for trailers, container equipment and storage to help the US Army’s Field Hospital 10, which is being established at Century Link Exhibition Center. The temporary field hospital will serve patients not affected by COVID-19 to help area hospitals respond to the health crisis. “The NWSA’s approved licensee to operate cargo operations at T-46, Foss Maritime, is uniquely situated and qualified to work with military, hospital, health, and other stakeholders to provide the necessary services as requested,” said Commissioners John…
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Kenneth Duncan Joins Port of Long Beach

Kenneth Duncan Joins Port of Long Beach

By Karen Robes Meeks Maersk executive Kenneth W. Duncan is the new director of commercial operations for the Port of Long Beach. Duncan will take over for Noel Hacegaba, who was promoted to Deputy Executive Director of Administration and Operations in 2017. Duncan’s oversight will encompass the port’s Business Development, Tenant Services and Operations, and Security Services divisions. Prior to coming to the port, Duncan served as vice president of lifestyle and apparel sales for North America at A.P. Moller-Maersk, where he oversaw an accounts portfolio with an annual revenue of more than $2 billion, according to the port. He…
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Port of Port Townsend Hires New Operations Manager

Port of Port Townsend Hires New Operations Manager

By Karen Robes Meeks Terry Khile has been named the Port of Port Townsend’s new operations manager, replacing business manager T.J. Quandt, who left earlier this year to work for the Port of Olympia. In the newly created role, Khile will be tasked with overseeing all port facility operations, including three marinas, upland shipyard and the Jefferson County International Airport, as well as 17 port employees. “This is a great move for the port and for Terry,” said Executive Director Jim Pivarnik. “Terry knows the operations of the port forwards and backwards. He’s held just about every job here over…
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COVID-19 Crisis Prompts Port of Seattle to Delay Cruise Season

COVID-19 Crisis Prompts Port of Seattle to Delay Cruise Season

By Karen Robes Meeks The Port of Seattle announced Tuesday that it will delay the launch of cruise season until the public health emergency is resolved. “At a time when Governor Inslee has ordered all Washingtonians to ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy,’ we must consider public health and safety above all else,” said Port of Seattle Commission President Peter Steinbrueck. “The eventual return of our cruise season is something we fully expect as an important contribution to living wage jobs, local small businesses, and our region’s economic recovery. We also recognize the critical role Seattle cruise plays in supporting the Alaska…
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Young Brothers Enacts Safeguards

Young Brothers Enacts Safeguards

By Karen Robes Meeks This week, Young Brothers – a company that handles freight and transportation needs for the Hawaiian Islands – implemented additional safeguards to operate under heightened COVID-19 alert. In a message to customers dated March 19, the company said that for the time being it would eliminate cash and check transactions in favor of credit card payment taken over the phone and require advance reservations to eliminate walkups at the pier. Shippers with no reservation will be turned away. The company will not allow customers to box or shrink-wrap pallets onsite, so mixed and palletized cargo must…
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Port of Olympia Implements New Changes Amid COVID-19

Port of Olympia Implements New Changes Amid COVID-19

By Karen Robes Meeks Heeding Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-at-home order, the Port of Olympia’s offices will be closed to the public until April 8 and regular port commission meetings and work sessions have been postponed until the order is lifted, the port announced this week. Staff coverage will be limited in the port’s administrative offices, with most working remotely. The commission will only convene if a commission decision is required. Meetings will be conducted via GoToMeeting (http://portolympia.com/89/Commission) to maintain social distance. Swantown Marina will continue to operate but business will be done by phone, email or through its website as…
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