PMM Online News – Page 143 – Pacific Maritime Magazine

24 May

Alaska Coast Guard Promotes Safe Boating Week

Karen Robes MeeksNews, PMM Online News

This week, the US Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary throughout Alaska are promoting safe boating practices in recognition of National Safe Boating Week, a pre-Memorial Day campaign to help lower boating deaths and accidents. "Boating safety is of paramount importance," said Paul Webb, Coast Guard 17th District search and rescue specialist. "With the ever-changing weather in Alaska the only thing that we have control over is how we prepare. Preparing for a worst-case scenario grants you a better chance of survival and allows the Coast Guard valuable time that you may not otherwise have." Last year, the Coast Guard…

21 May

Oakland Imports Up

Karen Robes MeeksNews, PMM Online News

The Port of Oakland says its import business continues to grow despite tariff increases. Last month, the port saw its busiest April in history, with imports jumping 7 percent when compared to the same period last year while exports rose 1.7 percent. Although the numbers are up, there’s still cause for concern since the Trump Administration raised tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese imports from 10 percent to 25 percent, according to the port, which counts China its biggest trading partner. “We entered this year with uncertainty over the trade outlook, so we’re gratified by the solid performance of import…

21 May

Domestic Maritime Impact Celebrated at Seattle Breakfast

Karen Robes MeeksNews, PMM Online News

Washington Senator Maria Cantwell joined business and government leaders from around the region on Friday, May 17, at the Seattle Maritime Festival Breakfast, presented by the Seattle Propeller Club in collaboration with the Port of Seattle, to celebrate the importance of the domestic maritime industry, which sustains 22,500 local jobs, and announce a 34 percent growth in domestic maritime jobs created in the State of Washington. According to the findings of a new report conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on behalf of Transportation Institute (TI), the domestic maritime industry in Washington ranks sixth among all American states for jobs and labor…

21 May

Long Beach Grants Top $400k

Karen Robes MeeksNews, PMM Online News

Earlier this month, the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners awarded 153 sponsorships totaling $419,060 to promote the arts, environment, social justice and historic preservation. The funds went to events such as the Century Villages at Cabrillo Community Resources Fair, the Khmer Girls in Action Yellow Lounge Cultural Arts Showcase, the Long Beach Playhouse Radio Hour Fundraiser and the Long Beach Veterans Day Parade. “With the sponsorship program, the port is honored to be in a position to help local organizations support vibrant programs and beneficial projects throughout our community,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Tracy Egoscue. “The sponsorships…

21 May

Hawaii Sees Largest Cruise Ship

Karen Robes MeeksNews, PMM Online News

Earlier this month, Honolulu received its largest ever cruise vessel to call in its harbor. Royal Caribbean Cruise’s Ovation of the Seas made its first visit May 2, carrying approximately 5,000 passengers, which is “double what Honolulu Harbor typically sees from other cruise vessels visiting Honolulu,” according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT), which facilitated ground transportation within harbor property. The extra-large arrival prompted HDOT to release alerts cautioning the public on traffic delays on Nimitz Highway/Ala Moana Boulevard near Pier 2 during Ovation’s short stay as passengers left and boarded the cruise vessel.

17 May

Seattle’s Maritime Economy

Karen Robes MeeksNews, PMM Online News

Seattle area fishing and recreational boating industries are significant revenue and job generators, according to a new economic report released by the Port of Seattle. Approximately $671.3 million and 7,000 direct jobs come from commercial fishing facilities on port property, while almost $729 million and more than 3,600 jobs derive from recreational boating related facilities. “Port of Seattle properties related to fishing and recreational boating continue to thrive and anchor economic prosperity while providing over 10,000 good paying, family wage jobs in this region,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Peter Steinbrueck. “This economic impact report confirms that these industries can…

17 May

Oakland to Stay in Port Business

Karen Robes MeeksNews, PMM Online News

Port of Oakland officials assured shipping executives in a letter sent earlier this week that the port remains committed to growing its maritime business. This comes shortly after the commission agreed to a term sheet that would allow the Oakland Athletics to move forward on plans for a 35,000-seat stadium with nearby housing at the port’s Howard Terminal. “In partnership with you, we’ve achieved great things at the Port of Oakland,” the port said in a letter signed by President of the Board of Port Commissioners Ces Butner and Port Executive Director Chris Lytle. “The plan now is to build…

17 May

Longshore Worker Killed

Karen Robes MeeksNews, PMM Online News

An International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) worker has died and another was seriously injured Wednesday in an industrial accident at a Port of Los Angeles container terminal. The incident involving a top loader container handler happened around 7:25 a.m. at Fenix Marine Services at Pier 300, according to the port. The injured worker was taken to Harbor UCLA Medical Center. The employees’ names have not yet been released. “My heart goes out to the families of the victims of this tragic accident and to all the brothers and sisters of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union,” said Port Executive…

17 May

John Lockwood Wins Maritime Achievement Award

Karen Robes MeeksNews, PMM Online News

This morning, May 17, retired US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Lockwood was awarded the 67th annual Puget Sound Maritime Achievement Award for his exemplary service to the Puget Sound maritime industry. The award was presented to RADM Lockwood by RADM Steve Metruck, current Executive Director of the Port of Seattle and former Commander of US Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, at the annual Seattle Maritime Festival Breakfast. RADM Lockwood has worked in the Seattle maritime industry for more than 17 years, following a distinguished career in the United States Coast Guard. Overall, he has more than 50 years of…

17 May

‘New’ Cranes for Everett

Karen Robes MeeksNews, PMM Online News

This week, Foss Maritime headed to the Port of Los Angeles to pick up two gantry cranes, formerly installed at the Everport Terminal, that will be used at the Port of Everett’s upgraded South Terminal. The cranes are a key component of the $57 million modernization project, which will allow the port to accommodate the next generation of over-dimensional cargo, including aerospace parts for the new 777X. “The completion of this upgrade will add another full-service berth at the Port to accommodate project, bulk, breakbulk, high and heavy and containerized cargoes,” said Carl Wollebek, the port’s chief operating officer. “We…