posd – Pacific Maritime Magazine

08 Jul

Crowley Christens Its First All-Electric Tug at Port of San Diego

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newscrowley, ewolf, posd

The nation’s first fully electric-powered ship assist tugboat is now operating in the Port of San Diego. Logistics, marine and energy solutions firm Crowley Maritime announced June 25 that it has christened the eWolf, an 82-foot vessel constructed by Master Boat Builders in Coden, Alaska, that can deliver 70 tons of bollard pull and includes a “fully integrated electrical package for battery energy storage by ABB with advanced technology for mariner safety.” The eWolf is able to operate fully on electric power daily with the help of a new microgrid shoreside charging station. “The eWolf is a historic milestone in…

19 Mar

SSA Marine Debuts Electric Forklift at San Diego Port Terminal

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsposd, ssamarine, zeroemissions

One of the biggest zero-emissions heavy-duty forklifts operating in the U.S. has been introduced at the Port of San Diego’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal. Terminal operator SSA Marine announced March 6 that the 55,000-pound capacity Wiggins Yard eBull battery electric forklift has begun service at the Southern California port terminal. Partly funded by California’s Clean Off-Road Equipment (CORE) voucher program, the forklift is the first of six zero-emissions cargo handling equipment pieces expected to be rolled out at the terminal over the next 12 to 18 months; the port says that it has already finished initial electrical infrastructure installation necessary…

12 Mar

New Port of San Diego Commissioner Sworn In

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsnewsmakers, posd, sandiego

The San Diego City Council has appointed public affairs specialist Sid Voorakkara as the Port of San Diego’s newest commissioner, replacing Commissioner Emeritus Rafael Castellanos, who resigned in January. Voorakkara was sworn in Feb. 20 to the seven-member board that governs the port by Councilman Kent Lee. Voorakkara is a senior partner at ArroyoWest, LLC, which offers communications, public affairs, and strategic planning services to the public and private sector. He’s also a commissioner of California’s Health, Safety and Workers’ Compensation Commission. Previously, he was field director at the United Nations Foundation, deputy director for external affairs at the California…

05 Mar

Port of San Diego, Partners Enter Agreement on Cargo Movement Projects

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newscaltrans, posd, sandag, sandiego

The Port of San Diego, Caltrans (the California Department of Transportation) and SANDAG (the San Diego Association of Governments) have entered into an agreement that would allow them to fund and advance two projects that seek to help improve cargo movement and public access. San Digo’s Port Commission announced Feb. 15 that it approved the collaborative agreement and about $2.2 million in funding for the Harbor Drive 2.0 and Vesta Bridge projects. The project is being funded by the port and Caltrans, which in June was awarded an $18.5 million grant from the California Transportation Commission through its Trade Corridor…

06 Feb

Port of San Diego CEO, Board Member Resign

Pacific Maritime MagazineNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsnewsmakers, posd, sandiego, Stuyvesant

Six months after being unexpectedly placed on leave, Joe Stuyvesant has stepped down as president and CEO of the Port of San Diego, a role he had served in since February 2021. Days later a longtime port commissioner, Rafael Castellanos, also resigned. Both officials’ departures were effective immediately. Stuyvesant, who was placed on administrative leave in July, officially ended his tenure Jan. 21 after the Board of Port Commissioners accepted his resignation. When asked why Stuyvesant was placed on paid administrative leave, a port official told PMM Online last summer that the POSD was unable to provide additional information, as…

24 Oct

Port of San Diego Approves Pier Improvement Project

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsimperialbeachpier, posd, sandiego

The Port of San Diego is moving forward on a $1.5 million utility piping and pile replacement project at Imperial Beach Pier. Port commissioners approved the improvement project Oct. 10, and hired San Diego-based Reyes Construction to do the work, which would involve replacing two piles, repairing utility lines and conduits, rewiring lighting and electrical panels, removing corrosion and other related improvements. The project is part of the port’s larger investment in Imperial Beach Pier. The POSD has spent about $3.5 million on the pier since 2020, including new artistic activity placards, distance markers encouraging the public to walk the…

19 Sep

U.S. Navy Releasing Leased Acreage to Port of San Diego

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsposd, sandiego, usn

The U.S. Navy has agreed to relinquish its lease of a 3.4-acre site to the Port of San Diego, paving the way for potential commercial and recreational development along the North Embarcadero, the port revealed Sept. 12. The two sides struck a deal on the 1220 Pacific Highway property that the port inherited from the city of San Diego that the Navy has leased since 1949. The lease was to expire in 2049, but the deal allows the port to be able to use the land now for possible development. Under the lease termination agreement, the port would offer $5.75…

22 Aug

Southern California Ports Avoid Tropical Storm Damage

Mark Edward NeroNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newshurricane, pola, polb, posd, tropicalstorm

The major seaports in Southern California mostly avoided being damaged by Tropical Storm Hilary, a downgraded hurricane that blew over much of the western parts of the state last weekend. Between the ports in San Diego, Long Beach and Los Angeles, none reported suffering any noteworthy damage. “The Los Angeles Harbor Department is fully operational with no reported impacts at this time,” the Port of L.A. said in an Aug. 21 statement. “Container terminals are open and operating.” The POLA also said in the same statement that the Los Angeles Pilot Service is monitoring commercial traffic and working with the…

25 Jul

Port of San Diego CEO Put On Paid Leave; Interim Leader Appointed

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online NewsJoeStuyvesant, posd, RandaConiglio, sandiego

Randa Coniglio, who previously served as the Port of San Diego’s first female president and CEO, returned to the leadership role July 17 after former President and CEO Joe Stuyvesant was placed on administrative leave earlier this month. During closed session July 14, port commissioners appointed Coniglio as acting president and CEO “for an undetermined amount of time,” according to port Public Information Officer Brianne Page. The closed session took place with a 24-hour notice, the port said. Board Chairman Rafael Castellanos did not participate because of a personal commitment and Board Vice Chair Sandy Naranjo recused herself from participating.…

31 Jan

Port of San Diego Debuts Two Cruise Ships Using Shore Power at Same Time

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newscruiseships, posd, shorepower

The Port of San Diego is now able to accommodate two cruise ships using shore power at the same time. The seaport announced Jan. 13 that it was able to allow two cruise vessels, the Disney Wonder and the Insignia, to simultaneously plug into shore power for the first time. The port, which debuted in 2010 its first shore power outlet for cruise terminals, was able to double its plug-in capacity, thanks to a $4.6 million port investment to finish the project with the help of Cochrane Marine, LLC and San Diego County-based Baker Electric, Inc. “Having two shore power…