PMM Online News – Page 100 – Pacific Maritime Magazine

01 Jun

Port of Long Beach to Update Public on Pier B On-Dock Project

Pacific MaritimeNews, PMM Online News

The Port of Long Beach will update the public on the latest development on the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility project in a virtual meeting planned for June 2. Construction is expected to start in 2023 for the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility, the cornerstone of the port’s $1 billion rail program, allowing more cargo from terminals to move by train instead of by truck. The port says moving goods by rail will help curb truck traffic and be faster and greener. The port anticipates the project to be finished in 2032, with the first set of arrival,…

01 Jun

International Crew Members Receive COVID-19 Vaccines at San Pedro Bay

Pacific MaritimeNews, PMM Online News

Nearly 500 international crew members from 27 ships coming into the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles were recently given the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine for COVID-19 for free, thanks to a partnership with the Port of Long Beach, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services and the National Guard. “Supply chain workers have been on the frontline of this pandemic since the beginning,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Frank Colonna. “We need to vaccinate as many people as possible, and we’re pleased to see that vital work happening in our harbor. I’m so proud…

01 Jun

USCG, NOAA, Border Protection Investigate Illegal Fishing Vessels

Pacific MaritimeNews, PMM Online News

Members of the U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have been cracking down on illegal commercial tuna fishing vessels operating out of the State of Washington during the summer. The agencies have discovered eight “paper captain” violations in the area since 2019. Law 46 USC §12131 states that a documented vessel must be commanded by a U.S. citizen, but a number of fishing boats have been using foreign nationals to serve as captain of U.S. commercial fishing boats while fraudulently listing U.S. subordinates as captains on paper. Violators could face up to five…

01 Jun

Major U.S. West Coast Ports See Imports Rise in March, PMSA Data Show

Pacific MaritimeNews, PMM Online News

The U.S. West Coast’s five major ports posted an 87.4% spike in imports in March when compared to the same time a year ago, according to data recently released by the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association. Combined, ports in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma moved more than 1.135 million in imported TEUs last month, which is more than the 605,895 TEUs in March 2020 and 735,947 TEUs in March 2019. Meanwhile, exports at West Coast ports have been trending downward, handling a combined 426,932 TEUs. That’s 0.7% less than the 429,765 TEUs posted in March of last year…

28 May

Port of Bellingham to Launch Free Passenger Ferry Service

Pacific MaritimeNews, PMM Online News

Starting June 3, the Port of Bellingham will offer passenger-only ferry service between Point Roberts Marina and the Bellingham Cruise Terminal for free on Mondays and Thursdays. Passengers are encouraged to make reservations at www.portofbellingham.com/pointrobertsferry, as space will be limited. The ferry will accept guests without reservations if there are no-show passengers. Point Roberts Ferry is allowing up to six bikes each ferry trip, and they should be included in the reservation. Transit links in Bellingham are near the cruise terminal at Fairhaven Station. For more information, visit http://www.ridewta.com/. Ferry and WTA connections require passengers to wear face masks, and will…

28 May

Name for New Long Beach Bridge Announced

Pacific MaritimeNews, PMM Online News

Long Beach International Gateway will likely be the name of the newly built bridge that connects the Port of Long Beach to the surrounding area. The moniker was announced Monday by Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell and Senator Lena A. Gonzalez, two Long Beach Democrats who organized a community survey earlier this month and used the results to jointly introduce Assembly Concurrent Resolution 88 designating the state highway route 710 where the bridge is located with the new name. A sign will be made if adopted by the State Legislature. “The community has spoken and they made a great choice,” O’Donnell said.…

28 May

Policy Letter on Tankerman PIC Endorsement Cancelled

Pacific MaritimeNews, PMM Online News

As of May 27, the Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing will cancel Policy Letter 01-17, Guidelines for Issuing Endorsements for Tankerman PIC Restricted to Fuel Transfers on Towing Vessels. The policy letter, published in March 2017, was a temporary measure that allowed those on newly inspected towing vessels to use a company-issued Letter of Designation to qualify serving as a PIC of a fuel transfer. This alternative satisfied the full requirements for an MMC endorsement as Tankerman PIC and offered flexibility while a rule was being crafted to include an LOD option on inspected vessels. The final rule published this…

28 May

Offshore Wind Projects Coming to Coastal California

Pacific MaritimeNews, PMM Online News

Offshore wind projects will be developed along California’s northern and central coasts, a move that could create another source of clean energy in the U.S. and generate thousands of new jobs, the Biden Administration announced this week. In the announcement, the White House specifically pointed to two areas as sites for offshore wind development: the Morro Bay 399 Area, where the creation of three gigawatts of offshore wind could be supported, and the Humboldt Call Area. This follows Biden’s larger plan to generate jobs through the creation of 30 gigawatts of domestic offshore wind by 2030. Creating renewable energy through…

25 May

Port of Long Beach Awards Sponsorships

Pacific MaritimeNews, PMM Online News

About 141 sponsorships totaling $409,430 were have been awarded by the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners for the promotion of arts, environment, social justice and historic preservation, the port has announced. Among the events being funded include the Puente Latino Association’s Dia De Los Muertos Cultural Event, Southern California Brass Consortium’s Front Lawn Concerts and Orange County Coastkeeper’s Native Oyster Restoration in Alamitos Bay. “It’s rewarding to see nonprofit organizations find creative ways to serve the community, especially during this historic health crisis,” said port Executive Director Mario Cordero. “We are proud to be able to support them during…

25 May

Feedback Sought for Coos County Mitigation Plan

Pacific MaritimeNews, PMM Online News

Coos County residents are invited to weigh in on the Coos County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan, which is in the midst of an update. The update involves a partnership with the county, seven cities, the Department of Land Conservation and Development, two port districts, two hospitals and a drainage district. The Steering Committee wants residents to talk about how natural hazards such as coastal erosion, drought, earthquake, flood, landslide, tsunami, wildfire, windstorm, and winter storms could potentially impact their homes and livelihoods. The feedback is expected to help shape the plan’s update and could lead to infrastructure improvement projects such…