Port of Seattle, Small Business Administration Team on Business Development

Port of Seattle, Small Business Administration Team on Business Development

The Port of Seattle and the U.S. Small Business Administration Pacific Northwest Region are teaming up to develop and nurture small businesses in the region via a Strategic Alliance Memorandum between the two agencies, the port announced Dec. 2. SBA Regional Administrator Michael Fong, District Director Kerrie Hurd, Port Commissioner Sam Cho and Port Executive Director Steve Metruck were present for the ceremonial signing of the agreement.  Fong said that the SBA is excited to partner with the port to leverage their resources to reach more small business owners and entrepreneurs and create opportunities for them. “The Port of Seattle’s…
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Port of Seattle Hires New Labor Relations Director

Port of Seattle Hires New Labor Relations Director

The Port of Seattle has hired longtime labor veteran Mikel O’Brien as its new senior director of labor relations, the port announced Dec. 1. O’Brien, who had been the port’s senior manager for labor relations since 2015, brings more than 25 years of human resource and labor relations expertise to the new role, 22 of which were with the port. She also worked in HR and labor relations in Utah and Washington state.  As senior manager, she oversaw a team responsible for “negotiating and administering 24 collective bargaining agreements covering over 1,000 employees,” as well as managing compensation studies, serving…
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Port of Grays Harbor Chief Receives Service Award from PNWA

Port of Grays Harbor Chief Receives Service Award from PNWA

Port of Grays Harbor Executive Director Gary Nelson has been given a Distinguished Service Award by the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, the port announced Nov. 25. The honor, which was awarded to Nelson during PNWA’s annual convention on Oct. 12, spotlights those who made tremendous contributions to the region’s navigation, energy, irrigation and recreation communities, according to the port. Nelson has been with the port since 2000, overseeing the “historic growth and diversification of the marine terminals, the completion of Deeper Draft, and the addition and expansion of the port’s business portfolio to include the Satsop Business Park and Friends…
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West Coast Seaport Cargo Volumes Outpaced by NY/NJ, PMSA Data Show

West Coast Seaport Cargo Volumes Outpaced by NY/NJ, PMSA Data Show

In September, more imported containers went through the Port of New York and New Jersey than any other U.S. port, including the Port of Los Angeles, according to November edition of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association’s West Coast Trade Report. The report, released Nov. 18, shows that the Port of New York and New Jersey handled 423,424 imported TEUs, far more than the 343,462 TEUs handled by Los Angeles.    With outbound loaded and empty TEUs, the East Coast gateway moved a total of 842,219 TEUs, 18.6% more than the 709,873 TEUs handled in September by the POLA.   “It…
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Port of Everett to Celebrate New Terminal

Port of Everett to Celebrate New Terminal

On Thursday, Dec. 1, federal, state and local officials plan to celebrate the completion of the new 40-acre Norton Terminal at the Port of Everett with a ribbon-cutting event. The new $40 million terminal is the centerpiece of the port’s more than $100 million “Mills to Maritime” initiative aimed at bolstering cargo flow and jobs in the region. The event also celebrates the completion of the MTCA (Model Toxics Control Act) Third Interim Action Cleanup Project.  “This work transformed the former Kimberly-Clark mill site into a new 40-acre maritime hub to enhance the movement of commerce, restore jobs and keep…
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Long Beach Port Offering Free Charging for Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks

Long Beach Port Offering Free Charging for Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks

Heavy-duty electric truck drivers operating in the Port of Long Beach can now charge their trucks for free, thanks to the opening of two public charging stations at the port. The port announced Nov. 18 that it has collaborated with EV Connect to install the stations at the Clean Truck Program Terminal Access Center at 1265 Harbor Ave.  Heavy-duty electric trucks can use the charging station for up to two hours as long as they have paid their annual truck fees and are authorized to operate within the port. To use the charging stations, driver can either download the EV…
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Port of Seattle to Provide $4 Million for Maritime Training

Port of Seattle to Provide $4 Million for Maritime Training

To help nurture the next generation of maritime industry workforce, Port of Seattle commissioners agreed to invest $4.1 million over three years toward that effort, the port announced Nov. 18. The money is expected to be used to collaborate with employers and offer training and help to youths ages 16-24 and internship opportunities that could lead to entry-level full-time work, according to the port. Social services organization Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, sustainable development organization Washington Maritime Blue and private school The Polytech are expected to partner with the port on this pilot program, which seeks to aim resources at…
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Container Dwell Fee Again Delayed at LA, Long Beach Ports

Container Dwell Fee Again Delayed at LA, Long Beach Ports

Good news for ocean carriers: officials at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have again moved the start date to collect on a fee attached to imports lingering at terminals past their allotted time. The ports announced Nov. 18 that the tentative implementation date of the Container Dwell Fee is now Dec. 16, though this could change depending on how much progress is being made on moving older containers out of congested terminals. Since the start of the pandemic, both ports have seen record amounts of cargo on their docks, leaving ships at anchors and clogging up terminals.…
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Prince Rupert Port Authority, Global Ports Holding Seal Cruise Terminal Pact

Prince Rupert Port Authority, Global Ports Holding Seal Cruise Terminal Pact

Global Ports Holding Plc will operate the Northland Cruise Terminal at the Port of Prince Rupert for at least a decade and also operate the port’s shore excursion program, cruise scheduling and passenger services in 2023, the Prince Rupert Port Authority announced Nov. 14. The port authority and Global Ports have inked a 10-year terminal operating agreement that GPH expects to take over operations in 2023. Officials said the move could bolster the port’s presence as a cruise destination, especially on the Canadian west coast and Alaska. “This 10-year agreement signifies the wealth of opportunity that exists in the Alaskan…
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Port of LA’s October Cargo Numbers Tumble

Port of LA’s October Cargo Numbers Tumble

The Port of Los Angeles saw its October cargo volumes tumble 25% from the same time a year ago, moving 678,429 TEUs last month, according to new data released by the port Nov. 15. The port saw loaded imports for October down 28% to 336,307 TEUs and loaded exports down 8.7% to 89,722 TEUs when compared from October 2021 to October 2022, according to the new data. Empty containers last month also dropped 25% to 252,401 TEUs year over year. So far this year, the port has moved more than 8.54 million TEUs, down 6% from the first 10 months…
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