Ships Asked to Curb Night Anchorage Moves Around Canada’s Gulf Islands

Ships Asked to Curb Night Anchorage Moves Around Canada’s Gulf Islands

In an effort to lower the impact of trade on its coastal communities, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is asking commercial vessel operators anchoring around British Columbia’s Gulf Islands to curb arrivals and departures at night. Starting July 1, the port authority has encouraging ships operators to conduct arrivals and departures in the area between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. as a way of curbing noise. A six-month trial is being conducted before a permanent decision is made. The time window is part of a larger effort to reduce trade impact on communities. In 2022, more than 75 night vessel…
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California Ports Receive Infrastructure Grants

California Ports Receive Infrastructure Grants

The Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland and Stockton seaports last week announced that they have received grants from the State of California to fund several infrastructure projects that they say would improve the supply chain. Of the $1.5 billion in grants announced by California Transportation (Caltrans) Secretary Toks Omishakin, the Port of Los Angeles is receiving $233 million, which goes toward funding the POLA’s Maritime Support Facility (MSF) Improvement and Expansion Project, the Rail Mainline/Wilmington Community & Waterfront Pedestrian Grade Separation Bridge and improvements to the State Route 47/Seaside Avenue and Navy Way Interchange. “This nearly quarter-billion-dollar investment in critical…
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Port of Long Beach Releases Concept Plan for Offshore Wind Facility

Port of Long Beach Releases Concept Plan for Offshore Wind Facility

The Port of Long Beach on May 9 announced its concept proposal for Pier Wind, a floating offshore wind facility centered around supporting companies involved in future renewable energy efforts along the West Coast. The vision for Pier Wind includes a $4.7 billion facility featuring as many as 400 acres southwest of the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge. The port says that the project would contribute to the state’s efforts to create 25 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2045 and help lower the national expense of offshore wind power by 70% by 2035. “Imagine fully assembled wind turbines capable…
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Port of Oakland, Japanese Officials Discuss Decarbonization Efforts

Port of Oakland, Japanese Officials Discuss Decarbonization Efforts

Port of Oakland leaders strengthened ties with major trading partner Japan and their joint efforts to green seaport operations during a recent meeting with officials from the Japanese Ministry and the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA). The meeting, revealed by the port on May 5, builds on a March clean energy trade mission to Japan that included the Port of Oakland, which sends 16% of its exports to Japan. On that mission, officials shared ways to address climate change, bolster green energy efforts and develop new investment and trade opportunities. Japan is said to be working toward making all its…
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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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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 Seeks Comment on Navigation for Portage Bay Bridge

Coast Guard Seeks Comment on Navigation for Portage Bay Bridge

The U.S. Coast Guard is asking the public, and mariners in particular, to weigh in on navigation at Portage Bay Bridge in Seattle. The agency has issued a public notice for Washington Department of Transportation’s request to replace the bridge near Lake Union and is looking for vessel and facility owners and operators and others in the maritime community to discuss navigation needs that the proposed bridge project should meet. “This includes but is not limited to mariners' requirements for horizontal and vertical navigation clearances, placement of bridge protective systems, bridge lighting systems and various other safety measures,” the agency…
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ILWU, PMA Contract Talks Continue

ILWU, PMA Contract Talks Continue

Talks continue between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association, who jointly said Feb. 23 that they “remain hopeful of reaching a deal soon.”  Both sides have been negotiating since May 10 for a new agreement that covers over 22,000 dockworkers at 29 ports along the U.S. West Coast. While representatives agreed not to publicly talk about negotiations, both sides emphasized that ports on the West Coast continue to operate. “The parties have reached a tentative agreement on certain key issues, including health benefits, and remain committed to resolving remaining issues as expeditiously as possible,” according…
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Container Dwell Time Continues to Drop at LA, Long Beach Ports, PMSA Says

Container Dwell Time Continues to Drop at LA, Long Beach Ports, PMSA Says

The amount of time that cargo lingering at the Los Angeles and Long Beach seaports continued to fall in January, according to new data released by the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association on Feb. 21. The average dwell time in January was 3.2 days for cargo departing by truck, a drop from the average peak time of 8.4 days in November 2021. Meanwhile, the average dwell time in January for rail-bound cargo was 4.3 days, a decrease from a peak of 16.5 days in August 2022. The new average times are now closer to pre-pandemic average times, PMSA said. During the…
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