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…
Read More
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…
Read More
Port of Long Beach Provides Nearly 12,000 COVID Shots to Mariners

Port of Long Beach Provides Nearly 12,000 COVID Shots to Mariners

After an 18-month effort, the Port of Long Beach on Dec. 31 wrapped up its COVID-19 vaccination program, which saw close to 12,000 shots given to mariners serving on cargo ships visiting the San Pedro Bay. “We are proud to have sponsored free vaccines for sailors visiting the port,” Port of Executive Director Mario Cordero said. “The port is about more than just moving cargo, it’s about the people who move the cargo and keeping them healthy and safe.” The program – run jointly by the port, the National Guard and the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services…
Read More
POLB Channel Deepening Project Receives Federal Authorization

POLB Channel Deepening Project Receives Federal Authorization

The Port of Long Beach’s Channel Deepening Project is one of the U.S. projects included in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022, the newly signed law by President Joe Biden that allows funding for flood control, navigation and ecosystem-related projects, it was announced Dec. 28. Long Beach’s channel deepening effort is among five navigation projects in the country that passed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ “rigorous planning process to make the cut for construction authorization under the new water resources law,” the port said in a statement. Long Beach and the Army Corps are jointly funding the…
Read More
Port of LA Reports Soft November Cargo Numbers

Port of LA Reports Soft November Cargo Numbers

The Port of Los Angeles last month saw its overall cargo numbers drop by 21% year over year, moving 639,344 TEUs in November, according to new data released by the seaport Dec. 14. Los Angeles processed 307,080 TEUs in loaded imports in November, falling 24% from the same time last year. The number of empty containers coming through the port also dropped 26% from November 2021 with 242,148 TEUs. However, the POLA also saw a 9% increase year over year in loaded exports last month with 90,116 TEUs, data show. So far this year, the port has processed 7% fewer…
Read More
Port of Everett Named WPPA Port of the Year

Port of Everett Named WPPA Port of the Year

The Washington Public Ports Association has named the Port of Everett as the 2022 recipient of its Port of the Year award, which is given to a member port for demonstrative success in the industry, the port announced Dec. 12. The award, which was presented Dec. 9 at the association’s annual Conference Awards Breakfast at the Hotel Murano in Tacoma, spotlighted Everett’s leadership in innovation in the community and the industry. “Washington Public Ports Association is so proud of the Port of Everett, and all the incredible work they have done over such diverse lines of business,” said Patsy Martin,…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More