January-February 2024 – Page 2 – Pacific Maritime Magazine

CAPA Elects Zortman President, Cordero VP

The California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA) announced Nov. 7 that Port of Redwood City Executive Director Kristine Zortman has been elected president of the organization. Zortman, who was previously CAPA’s vice president, was elected to the role by unanimous vote at the organization’s annual meeting. Also during the meeting, Port of Long Beach Chief Executive Officer Mario Cordero was elected vice president and Port of Los Angeles Deputy Executive Director of Stakeholder Engagement David Libatique was elected treasurer. “For over 80 years, our organization has been at the forefront of the most pressing issues facing our state’s economy and…

ONE Completes Majority Purchase of TraPac, Yusen Terminals

It’s official: Ocean Network Express (ONE) has acquired a majority stake in the TraPac and Yusen container terminal operators and vessel stevedores in Los Angeles and Oakland. ONE announced Nov. 6 that it has secured the regulatory approvals required for a 51% stake in TraPac and YTI, as well as a 20% stake in Rotterdam World Gateway (RWG). It’s a move that strengthens ONE’s presence on the U.S. West Coast, North Europe and Southeast Asia. The acquired West Coast terminals alone have a combined capacity of 4.3 million TEUs per year, according to ONE. RWG operates a highly automated container…

Port of Vancouver USA Sets Vehicle Processing Record

The Port of Vancouver USA has set a new record for the number of Subaru vehicles it has processed in a single month, the port said Nov. 16. More than 13,500 Subaru vehicles were processed at Terminal 4 in October, highlighting the largest-volume month in automaker’s 30-year history at port. Crosstreks, Foresters, all-electric Solterras and other models crossed the port’s dock from Oct 1-31. It all added up to 13,529 total vehicles—surpassing the previous high-mark of 12,900 vehicles set in July 2022. “This record-breaking month solidifies the Port of Vancouver USA’s position as the largest gateway in North America for…

Gunderson Marine Awarded $43 Million Contract to Support U.S. Antarctic Program

Portland-based vessel fabrication business Gunderson Marine has been awarded a $43.5 million contract by the U.S. Army to develop equipment for research in the Antarctic. Gunderson has been retained to design and build a steel pier barge to support operations at McMurdo Station for the National Science Foundation’s U.S. Antarctic Program. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work on this critically important project with great organizations like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the National Science Foundation,” Gunderson Marine President Marvin “Dee” Burch said. “This is only the beginning of Gunderson Marine diversifying into other markets since…

Port of Seattle Establishes Environmental Legacy Fund

The Port of Seattle Commission in mid-November adopted an order establishing a new dedicated account into which the port would deposit property tax dollars for use in addressing historical industrial pollution on its properties. The commission has said that the new account, known as an Environmental Legacy Fund, ensures that the port can achieve its mission, vision and goals for a sustainable, equitable region, while responsibly allocating its resources. The port is also said to be actively working on 18 environmental remediation projects to improve water quality, support salmon and marine mammal recovery and restore habitat. Many of the projects are…

Federal Maritime Commissioner Asks Biden to Incentivize Decarbonization

A member of the Federal Maritime Commission has written to President Biden, asking him to take action to incentivize decarbonization in the maritime industry. In a letter dated Nov. 7, FMC Commissioner Luis Sola said that the maritime industry is challenged by a lack of policies incentivizing decarbonization, and that although work is underway to achieve carbon-zero emissions, there’s “substantial need for leadership and financial assistance in the industry to reach ambitious targets for eliminating ship carbon emissions.” The letter continues: “I believe our industry needs an alternate marine fuel coalition comprised of expert individuals to determine the appropriate standards…

B.C.’s Port of Vancouver Reports Record Cruise Year

British Columbia’s Port of Vancouver has wrapped up its busiest cruise season on record, according to data released by the port Oct. 23. The final cruise ship of the 2023 season, Holland America Line’s Koningsdam, departed the Canada Place cruise terminal at the Port of Vancouver in late October, marking the end of a robust year for the local cruise industry. The Port of Vancouver welcomed an estimated 1.25 million passengers in 2023, a new record and a 54% increase compared to 2022. This includes 15 of Canada Place’s 20 busiest days ever for cruise passengers, all occurring in the…

BC Ferries to Upgrade Bowen Island Terminal

BC Ferries said in late November that it plans to invest about $3.7 million to refresh aging infrastructure at Snug Cove on Bowen Island, to maintain safe and reliable operations. The British Columbia ferry operator said that the “terminal life extension project” is anticipated to begin Jan. 8, 2024 and is expected to be completed by the end of March 2024. The Snug Cove terminal on Bowen Island is used extensively by daily commuters, school-aged children, residents, emergency services and tourists. It is comprised of one minor berth that services the route to Horseshoe Bay (Metro Vancouver), providing the island’s…

Calif. Ports Highlight Green Shipping Corridors, Trade Partnerships at APEC Summit

The California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA) in mid-November hosted an event that featured state government officials, foreign dignitaries and California port leaders discussing global trade partnerships and green shipping corridor programs. During the event, which was held in conjunction with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in San Francisco, California port executives pledged to advance the state’s commitment to zero-emission port and shipping activities, and developing partnerships along vital trade corridors that power the global economy. The state’s two-way trade with APEC member economies totaled $536 billion last year, or 77.2% of all California trade—and served as a platform…

Study: Seaspan Shipyards Contributes More Than $5.7 Billion to Canada’s GDP

Under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), Seaspan Shipyards has contributed more than $5.7 billion to Canada’s GDP through its shipbuilding and repair, refit, and maintenance activities, according to a recent socio-economic study conducted by Deloitte Canada. Additionally, Seaspan is expected to contribute an additional $20.7 billion to Canada’s GDP through 2035, according to the study, which highlights the economic benefits of rebuilding the shipbuilding industry in Canada since the NSS’s introduction in June, 2010. The results of the study were released Nov. 23 by British Columbia-based Seaspan. The National Shipbuilding Strategy is a Government of Canada program operated by the…