February 2022 – Pacific Maritime Magazine

From the Editor: New Year’s Resolution

As we get into the swing of 2022, I’d like to wish you a Happy New Year. I truly hope that this turns out to be a great year for all sectors of the maritime goods movement industry, including shippers, BCOs, 3PLs, longshore workers, boat builders, tug operators, drayage firms, etc. 2021 was actually booming for some sectors in the industry, in particular a number of ports and terminal operators, which experienced record cargo movement. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the past couple of years have been tough on other sectors during COVID, which has shaken up the entire…

EPA Fines Container Ships Over Permit Violations in California

A Mediterranean Shipping Company container ship operating in California that was found to have violated U.S. Environmental Protection Agency inspection, monitoring and reporting regulations has been assessed penalties totaling more than $66,000, the EPA said. The MSC Aurora, which sails under the flag of Panama, was found to have violated EPA’s Vessel General Permit (VGP) issued under the Clean Water Act (CWA). From November 2016 to July 2021, the MSC Aurora failed to conduct required routine visual inspections for 11 voyages to Long Beach, Los Angeles and Oakland seaports, according to a November statement issued by the EPA. The MSC…

Port of Oakland to Receive $5 Million in MARAD Clean Energy Grants

Port of Oakland clean energy efforts are getting a $5.2 million boost from the federal government. The port said in late December that it has been chosen to receive grant funds from the Maritime Administration (MARAD) for electrical-power upgrades. The grant supports the port’s vision of eliminating emissions from maritime operations. “We’ve got an ambitious clean air goal,” port Executive Director Danny Wan said. “This grant from the Maritime Administration is an important moment in helping us take another step toward our goal of zero emissions from maritime operations.” The port said the funds could be used for three purposes: Construction of a fuel-cell site and a solar-panel installation with battery storage, Replacement of an electrical substation, and Connecting the substation to…

TTSI Takes Delivery of Zero Emission Battery-Electric Drayage Truck

Total Transportation Services Inc. in late December took delivery of a zero emission battery-electric truck, manufactured by Nikola Corporation, which makes heavy-duty commercial battery-electric vehicles (BEV) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV). The Nikola Tre BEV is designed for local deliveries up to 350 miles. TTSI, a Southern California-based port trucking company, said it plans to use the truck to expedite zero-emission transportation solutions at the Los Angeles and Long Beach seaports. “Nikola committed to make its first Tre BEV deliveries in Q4 2021 and it is a big honor to celebrate this milestone with our partner, TTSI, and dignitaries…

Port of LA Headed Toward Record Cargo Year, Data Show

As of late December, the Port of Los Angeles was on track to establish a new record for cargo throughput in 2021, processing more volume than any port in the Western Hemisphere, port data show. This was despite a dip in overall cargo numbers for November year-over-year. Eleven months into 2021, the port had processed 9,891,021 TEUs, 18.7% more than the same time last year. With two weeks left in 2021, the port was anticipating its final volume being about 10.7 million TEUs for the year, about 13% more than its previous record, which was set in 2018. The Port…

Long Beach Port Partnering on Tracking Tool, Other Measures, to Improve Flow of Cargo

The Port of Long Beach has revealed that it’s partnering with a U.S. technology firm to create a cargo data tool dubbed the “Supply Chain Information Highway,” with a soft launch planned for February. The platform, which is being developed by St. Louis-based UNCOMN, is designed to help shippers, ocean carriers, trucking companies and others in the supply chain securely connect to track cargo across all modes of transportation. “Shippers have two basic questions: Where’s my cargo? How do I get more visibility?” Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero said. “We’re developing a system of systems that complements…

POLB Receives $52M Rail Grant

The Port of Long Beach has been awarded a $52.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) to help fund development of an on-dock rail support facility, the port revealed in late December. The facility, now under construction at the port’s Pier B, is expected to enable the seaport to move more cargo by train, thereby improving efficiency and lessening environmental impacts. The project encompasses about 171 acres in the Harbor District. The existing Pier B rail facility serves as a storage and staging area for trains. The facility is primarily used by Pacific Harbor Line,…

Calif. Gov. Proposes $2.3 Billion in Goods Movement, Supply Chain Bottleneck Reductions in New State Budget

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Jan. 10 proposed allocating $2.3 billion for supply chain investments in the new state budget, with the funds earmarked to help address congestion and bottlenecks. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, California ports saw significant decreases in trade with record breaking impacts. But demand rose as consumers grappled with adapting to a new world that revolved around remote work and virtual learning. The surge in cargo has created unprecedented challenges across the state’s coast. Over the past decade, the federal government has invested roughly $11 billion in the eastern Gulf coast ports, but only $1…

CMA CGM Finalizes Majority Purchase of Fenix Marine Services

French shipping company CMA CGM Group has finalized an agreement to become the sole owner of the Fenix Marine Services container terminal in Los Angeles, the company said Jan. 5. Under the agreement, which was initially announced in November, CMA CMM is acquiring 90% of the company from EQT Infrastructure III for an estimated $2.3 billion. The shipping company previously held a 10% stake in the terminal, but now has sole ownership and said that it plans to take over the operations of the facility with the goal of improving its service quality and invest in increasing container yard and…

Seaspan Corp. Secures Financing for 70-Vessel Newbuild Program

Independent containership owner and operator Seaspan Corporation has secured the last of its financings for its full 70 vessel newbuild program, including three vessels recently delivered, the company announced Jan. 5. The proceeds from the financings total about $6.9 billion and are to be drawn throughout construction of the newbuild program to fund a total investment of about $7.6 billion, the company said. Proceeds from the financing total about $1.4 billion and will be used to finance 10 15,000-TEU LNG dual-fuel newbuild vessels, according to Seaspan. “We have now concluded binding financing arrangements for our full newbuild program, solidifying our…