portofseattle – Page 2 – Pacific Maritime Magazine

25 Jul

NWSA Sees Biggest Monthly Container Volumes of 2023

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, Opinioncontainervolumes, NWSA, portofseattle, portoftacoma

The Northwest Seaport Alliance saw its biggest container volume month of 2023 last month when it handled 252,232 units, according to data released by the alliance July 19. The NWSA, which is the marine cargo partnership jointly operated by ports of Seattle and Tacoma, also reported a 16.1% increase in June in full imports and an almost 5% jump in full exports last month over May. “Ocean service schedule consistency has improved at the gateway, helping drive the month-over-month improvement,” the NWSA said in a statement. Meanwhile, year-over-year statistics continue to reflect 2022’s pandemic-driven numbers and continued softening of import…

05 Jul

Port of Seattle Hires New Deputy Executive Director

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newskarengoon, newsmakers, portofseattle

Kitsap County Administrator Karen Goon has been hired as the Port of Seattle’s new deputy executive director. Goon, who starts her new position in mid-July, is taking over for retiring deputy Dave Soike, and will report to Executive Director Steve Metruck. “After conducting a thorough search amongst dozens of candidates throughout the country, Karen’s qualifications stood out in terms of the breadth and depth of her experience in the Puget Sound region,” Metruck said. “She brings decades of public service knowledge and experience that will help us deliver for the people of King County and the Port of Seattle’s customers…

16 May

Seattle Maritime Jobs Campaign Kicks Off

Mark Edward NeroNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsmaritimejobs, portofseattle

On May 11, Seattle-based maritime organizations, including the Port of Seattle, kicked off a local “Maritime Works” campaign drawing awareness to local opportunities for young adults looking for a high-wage career based in Puget Sound. For the first time, essential maritime career information is consolidated on one website, washingtonmaritimecareers.org, where multiple career paths are presented including contacts, wage scales, education requirements and necessary tools to get started. Campaign partners, including the Port of Seattle and Propeller Club, launched the campaign at the annual Seattle Maritime Breakfast. “Maritime and industrial businesses are part of Seattle’s future,” Port of Seattle Commission President…

14 Feb

Puget Sound Energy, Seattle Port Agree on Renewable Natural Gas Purchase

Pacific Maritime MagazineNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsportofseattle, pse, renewable

The Port of Seattle’s Maritime Division and Economic Development Department plans to buy over 240,000 therms of renewable natural gas from Puget Sound Energy in a move that’s expected to annually reduce carbon emissions by about 1,291 metric tons, the port announced Feb. 6. The port department said that it plans to use the renewable natural gas at all its facilities that use natural gas, including Pier 66, Terminal 91 and its maintenance facilities. “PSE’s Renewable Natural Gas program will immediately cut our own maritime division greenhouse gas emissions almost in half,” said Port Commissioner Ryan Calkins. “That reduction helps…

31 Jan

Port of Seattle Announces Organizational Changes

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsportadministration, portofseattle

The Port of Seattle on Jan. 13 announced some organizational changes, including the creation of engineering as its own port department and elevating Sandra Kilroy, the port’s senior director for environment and sustainability, and Janice Zahn, the director of engineering. Kilroy brings more than 30 years of experience in environmental and natural resource management, which encompasses wastewater management, habitat restoration and water quality. Zahn, who was assistant engineering director, brings more than 35 years of experience in the private and public sector engineering and project delivery in her new role as director of engineering. “One of the most fundamental challenges…

24 Jan

Seattle Port Commissioner Appointed to U.S. Travel, Tourism Advisory Board

Pacific Maritime MagazineNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsnewsmakers, portofseattle, ttab

Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman has been appointed to the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB), U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced Jan. 12. The board includes 32 leaders from businesses and organizations in the domestic travel and tourism industry. Members advise the secretary on how government policies and programs affect the travel and tourism industry and offer counsel on current and emerging issues to support sustainable industry growth. Felleman has been a vocal advocate for the Port of Seattle’s role as a regional and national tourism leader, particularly in developing ecotourism opportunities in and around Washington…

17 Jan

Port of Seattle Board Gets New Commission President, 1st of Color

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsportcommission, portofseattle, samcho

For the first time in its 111-year history, the Port of Seattle’s Commission will be led by a person of color with the selection of Sam Cho as president of the port commission on Jan 10. “I am honored and humbled to begin my term as Port of Seattle Commission president,” said Cho, who is also the commission’s youngest-ever president. “Thanks to the work of this commission, the port staff, major stakeholders and everyday community members, we are making real progress on making your port more efficient, sustainable, and a greater source of economic opportunity,” he continued. “I look forward…

10 Jan

WPPA Hires Port of Seattle’s ffitch as New Executive Director

Pacific Maritime MagazineNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsffitch, portofseattle, wppa

The Washington Public Ports Association has hired Port of Seattle Government Relations Manager Eric ffitch as its new executive director, the WPPA announced in December. Currently, ffitch oversees the port’s Washington state government advocacy efforts in Olympia, among other responsibilities. He has more than 13 years of experience in federal and state government relations, according to the WPPA, and has worked in the other Washington as Congressional staff for former-Rep. Jay Inslee, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici and Sen. Maria Cantwell. While in Sen. Cantwell’s office, he served as a lead staff member on the passage of a freight transportation package in…

13 Dec

Port of Seattle, Small Business Administration Team on Business Development

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online News, Terminal Operationsportofseattle, smallbusiness

The Port of Seattle and the U.S. Small Business Administration Pacific Northwest Region are teaming up to develop and nurture small businesses in the region via a Strategic Alliance Memorandum between the two agencies, the port announced Dec. 2. SBA Regional Administrator Michael Fong, District Director Kerrie Hurd, Port Commissioner Sam Cho and Port Executive Director Steve Metruck were present for the ceremonial signing of the agreement. Fong said that the SBA is excited to partner with the port to leverage their resources to reach more small business owners and entrepreneurs and create opportunities for them. “The Port of Seattle’s…

06 Dec

Port of Seattle Hires New Labor Relations Director

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online News, Terminal Operationslaborrelations, portofseattle

The Port of Seattle has hired longtime labor veteran Mikel O’Brien as its new senior director of labor relations, the port announced Dec. 1. O’Brien, who had been the port’s senior manager for labor relations since 2015, brings more than 25 years of human resource and labor relations expertise to the new role, 22 of which were with the port. She also worked in HR and labor relations in Utah and Washington state. As senior manager, she oversaw a team responsible for “negotiating and administering 24 collective bargaining agreements covering over 1,000 employees,” as well as managing compensation studies, serving…