May-June 2023 – Page 4 – Pacific Maritime Magazine

Auto Import Business Launches at Port of Portlan

A new auto import business launched at the Port of Portland’s Terminal 6 in early March. At its onset, longshore workers unloaded about 3,100 General Motors vehicles from the ro/ro vessel Dong-A Metis at Berth 601, the majority of which were routed to points in the inland U.S. via rail. Portland has said that it anticipates welcoming four ships each month, bringing about 160,000 GM vehicles through the port each year. “From the longshore workers unloading the ships to the folks moving the imports to rail cars destined for the Midwest, this new business further solidifies the port as a…

Study: California Ports a Major Economic Generator for U.S.

A new study prepared by Washington, DC-based economic consulting firm BST Associates concludes that California has evolved into a distribution center for U.S. trade with Pacific Rim nations partly because of its geographic location, but also because such a large portion of the trade is consumed locally. Port directors from across California shared the study with state policymakers on Feb. 15 for Ports Day 2023, annual day of advocacy by the California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA). They were joined by dozens of state policymakers to highlight the impact California ports have on driving the economy forward. “Each year, California…

West Coast Shipyards: Jobs Big and Small in the Works

West Coast shipyards have been busy recently with everything from minor maintenance to major re-power projects. Some yards are also working on enhancing onshore operations and increasing their equipment’s capabilities. Pacific Maritime Magazine reached out to yards up and down the coast to find out the latest news on yard improvement and other projects. Some updates that stand out include managing double-duty operations; notable work with dual-fuel technology; challenging Tier 4 re-power jobs; the restoration of a historic wooden steamship, and installation of larger lifts and expanded drydocks. Seaspan Shipyards Seaspan, based in North Vancouver, British Columbia, has been busy,…