sandiego – Pacific Maritime Magazine

08 Jul

100-Ton Marine Travelift Christened by Marine Group Boat Works

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online News#travelift, marad, mgbw, sandiego

San Diego boat repair and construction facility Marine Group Boat Works has installed a new 100-ton lift that can haul and move vessels to and from the water, the company announced July 3. Adding the 100-ton Variable Width Marine Travelift with a Tier 4 engine allows the company to serve a broader range of vessels without taking up too much room, the company said. “This is really about safely and efficiently maximizing space, especially with one of our busiest seasons upon us,” Marine Group Operations Director Eric Lundeen explained. “This new lift basically adds square footage to the facility without…

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…

30 Jan

Crowley Accepts Delivery of All-Electric Ship Assist Harbor Tug

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newscrowleymaritime, ewolf, masterboatbuilders, sandiego

Crowley Maritime’s first all-electric ship assist harbor tug could be operating in San Diego as early as this spring. Crowley announced Jan. 24 that it accepted delivery of eWolf, the electric tugboat designed by its engineering services team and built by Master Boat Builders at its Coden, Alabama shipyard. The new 82-foot tug is expected to curb 178 tons of nitrogen oxide, 2.5 tons of diesel particulate matter and 3,100 metric tons of carbon dioxide in the first decade of operations, according to Crowley. According to Environmental Protection Agency calculations, that’s equal to eliminating the use of 350,000 gallons of…

31 Oct

General Dynamics NASSCO Wins Ship Repair Contract Worth Up to $754 million

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsnassco, sandiego, usnavy

The work of maintaining, modernizing and repairing the USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) and USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) for the U.S. Navy is going to San Diego-based vessel design and build company General Dynamics NASSCO. The company announced Oct. 13 that it had secured the lucrative contract for an initial $15.6 million with options. If the options are all exercised, the contract would be worth a total of $753.8 million. It also would mean work through November 2030. The work is expected to be performed in both San Diego and Norfolk, Virginia. “NASSCO and our industry partners are looking…

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…

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.…

28 Feb

Austal USA Opens San Diego Ship Repair Facility

Karen Robes MeeksNews, News Briefs, PMM Online Newsaustalusa, navalbase, sandiego

Austal USA, a Mobile, Alabama-based ship manufacturer, has opened a new ship repair facility near Naval Base San Diego, the company announced Feb. 13. The facility is expected to offer “full-service repair, maintenance and modernization services for small surface combatants, unmanned and autonomous vessels, and auxiliary ships,” according to Austal, which is under contract for 13 military programs. Opening the facility was more than a year in the making. Austal USA finalized a property agreement on the 15-acre site and then, according to the company, spent more than $100 million to make several upgrades, including 678 feet of improved shoreline…