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.
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.
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 continue to deliver for decades to come.” The port owns and runs three facilities that are the regional fishing industry’s core assets: Fishermen’s Terminal, the Maritime Industrial Center and Terminal…
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 on our momentum.” The terms call for the baseball team to complete an environmental impact report and secure public agency approvals within four years before board members would consider a…
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 Director Gene Seroka. “It’s particularly tragic that this accident occurred on the day of the ILWU’s annual ‘First Blood’ event, which honors those who have lost their lives working on…
