Seattle and Tacoma port officials recently joined ILWU Local 19 president and the head of local terminal operator SSA Terminals in breaking ground on Terminal 5, a modernization project that will allow the facility to handle larger cargo ships carrying up to 18,000 TEUs. Ships carrying 14,000 TEUs already visit the North and South harbors regularly. Activity at Terminal 5 means an estimated 6,600 new direct jobs and over $2 billion in business activity. Port officials approved $340 million in construction funds, while SSA Terminals invested up to $160 million toward the project. “Four years ago this August, our two ports announced the joining of our operations in order to better compete on a global scale,” said Clare Petrich, Port of Tacoma commission president and co-chair of The Northwest Seaport…
The Port of Oakland is handling bigger vessels with never-seen-before container volumes, a result stemming from shipping lines merging more cargo on larger ships, according to the port. The port is seeing volumes up by 5.5 percent compared to last year. It is handling an average load of 1,767 TEUs per vessel, the highest container move count in its history, which is 9 percent more than last year and 50 percent greater than 10 years ago. Some vessels are moving as many as 2,500 containers when they are in Oakland, challenging terminals to operate at a highly productive rate. “Ships still depart within 24 hours of arrival and harbor truckers are usually getting in and out with their container loads in less than 80 minutes,” said Port of Oakland Maritime…
Shipping trade publication Asia Cargo News recently announced that the Port of Long Beach had been named the “Best West Coast Seaport” in North America at the 33rd annual Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain Awards in Hong Kong. The port has garnered “Best Green Seaport” last year from Asia Cargo News, which annually celebrates industry leaders for “service quality, innovation, customer-relationship management and reliability.” Supply chain professionals and others judge the nominees. “We’ve invested $4 billion in modernization projects over the last 10 years, in a program designed to provide our supply chain partners with the services and facilities they need to move their goods rapidly and efficiently,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Tracy Egoscue. “It’s great to see customers satisfied, and we would like to thank Asia Cargo News for the award.”
The Port of Long Beach recently feted over 135 shipping lines for voluntarily taking part in the port’s Green Flag Incentive Program. The program, which launched in 2005, honored ocean carriers who reduced speeds to lower than 12 knots as they approach within 20 or 40 nautical miles of the port. The act of slowing down vessels has resulted in the prevention of 45,000 tons of greenhouse gases and 1,000 tons of air pollution in general annually. “Our shipping line partners play an important role in our efforts to improve air quality at the Port and our surrounding communities,” said Tracy Egoscue, President of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners. “We’ve made dramatic reductions in air pollution emissions thanks to the industry and its enthusiastic cooperation.”
Three derelict vessels that may have posed a risk of sinking during a severe storm have been removed from Honolulu Harbor, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation Harbors Division. Earlier this month, the Kulamanu was towed from Pier 7 and to Kalaeloa Harbor, where it is being prepared for sea disposal, while fishing vessels Manaloa and Pacifica were moved from Pier 12 to a contractor. “We have initiated steps to remove risks that could hamper the recovery of the Harbors during the hurricane season,” said Deputy Director Derek Chow, Hawaii Department of Transportation Harbors Division. “Mariners need to know the HDOT will also pursue owners to the full extent of the law to recover the expenses incurred by the State.” Removing the three vessels cost HDOT $748,350.
Harbor commissions at the Port of Los Angeles recently passed a $1.6 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2019-2020. The port says that the spending plan aligns with priorities in its 2018-2022 Strategic Plan, with extra emphasis on sound financial management. “Diligently pursuing the Port’s Strategic Plan objectives while maintaining financially sound management practices is our top priority for this budget,” said Marla Bleavins, deputy executive director and chief financial officer, whose team developed the proposed budget for consideration and approval by the Harbor Commission. The budget will include $144.4 million for capital improvement projects, nearly 59 percent more than the last fiscal year. About $64.7 million is set aside for terminal improvements, while $38 million will go to maritime services, $11.7 million to upgrades related to transportation and $8.5…
The Port of Everett took a significant step in reclaiming the vacant Kimberly-Clark (K-C) mill site this week when the port commission agreed to use its eminent domain authority to acquire up to 67-acres of this deep-water property. Commissioners said it is in the public’s best interest to obtain the land to support maritime commerce, economic development, international trade and support to the Department of Defense and other branches of the U.S. government. “The urban deep-water Port is a key public facility that should be open to all types of commerce. This property is a prime example why the Washington State Legislature created the Port Districts Act in 1911, Port Commissioner Tom Stiger said. “The creation of this act, and the Port a few short years later was a reaction…
Seventy-seven area high school and college students received scholarships totaling $100,000 from the Port of Long Beach earlier this month. They were honored at the Port’s sixth annual “Celebrating Education” event, which took place at the Long Beach Marriott as part of World Trade Month. The event also spotlighted the port’s newest crop of 25 high school summer interns, and the 22 local teachers newly trained in engineering education in the port's externship program. “The Harbor Commission has a longstanding belief in leveraging the port’s position as the second-busiest container seaport in the United States for positive changes in our industry and our community,” said Tracy Egoscue, president of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners. “The Academy of Global Logistics at Cabrillo High School successfully combines academics and industry-relevant…
Los Angeles World Airports Deputy Executive Director and Comptroller Wei Chi has returned to the Port of Long Beach, this time as its new director of finance. The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners approved the hiring earlier this month. Chi has a mix of private and public sector experience. He was a senior executive with BP and ARCO before becoming an assistant chief financial officer for the Long Beach port. He was a member of the executive team that led the San Pedro Bay Ports’ Clean Trucks Program financial goals. While working for LA World Airports, Chi oversaw the implementation of an ambitious $14 billion overhaul of LAX, including the expansion of the airport’s international terminal, the modernization of three domestic terminals and several airfield improvements.
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 are just another way the port sustains our commitment to the city of Long Beach.” The port has awarded more than $9 million in sponsorships since 2007.
