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April, 2010
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, April 30, 2010
Port of Portland Executive Director
offers views to Senate Subcommittee
PORTLAND Bill Wyatt, executive director for the Port of
Portland, testified before a Senate Subcommittee April 29, to
emphasize the importance of seaports to the nations exports
and to identify existing transportation infrastructure
constraints that threaten to hamper growth. Mr. Wyatt joined
fellow port officials and industry leaders involved with trade
and transportation for a hearing titled, Doubling U.S.
Exports: Are U.S. Seaports Ready for the Challenge? The
session was convened by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, chair of the
Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global
Competitiveness. He identified four primary challenges for moving
forward: the poor condition of ground transportation
infrastructure, deferred maintenance and improvement of
waterways, lacking investments in terminal infrastructure at
seaports, and limited industrial property near seaports for
export and import facilities. He also cited the availability of
containers and equipment as a going concern but as a
commercial problem more than a policy problem. Mr. Wyatt offered
up a series of recommendations and solutions to these challenges,
such as establishing a national freight strategy, creating an
office focused on freight mobility and dedicating federal funds
to freight projects in the surface transportation authorization
bill. He also advocated funding for waterway improvements,
incentives for investment in freight rail service and removal of
obstacles to brownfield remediation and redevelopment. He
expressed support for the Presidents National Export
Initiative and encouraged Congress to stimulate U.S. exports
through the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement.
Washington Senator supports
national freight mobility plan
WASHINGTON, DC Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell
(D-WA) called for the development of a national freight mobility
plan to support President Barack Obamas goal to double
exports in the next five years. In a letter to President Obama,
Sen. Cantwell proposed adding the Secretary of Transportation to
the roster of officials in the Presidents
export cabinet, because of the critical role of
transportation infrastructure in moving exports. And at
yesterdays Senate Finance Committee hearing
Doubling U.S. Exports: Are U.S. Sea Ports Ready for the
Challenge? Sen. Cantwell called for infrastructure
improvements throughout the transportation supply chain,
including road, rail, and sea transportation, and for the removal
of bottlenecks to rapidly increase exports. Washington state
boasts one of the most robust export economies in the nation. In
2009, Washington was fourth in the nation for exports and first
in the nation for exports per capita. In 2009, Washington state
exported $51 billion worth of goods. One in three Washington jobs
depends on trade. Last month, Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani
and Port of Tacoma Executive Director John Wolfe sent Commerce
Secretary Gary Locke a letter with concrete ideas to support
export expansion. The suggestions included soliciting comments
from stakeholders throughout the nation, leading the Export
Promotion Cabinet to work with other federal agencies to address
shortage of export containers and employee international trade
specialists with expertise in logistics.
WL Ross/Greenbrier
work new railcar lease deal
LAKE OSWEGO, OR WL Ross & Co. LLC (WL Ross) and The
Greenbrier Companies (Greenbrier) have announced that newly
formed WL Ross - Greenbrier Rail Holdings LLC (WLR - GBX) has
acquired a lease portfolio of nearly 4,000 railcars valued at
approximately $230 million. WLR - GBX is owned by affiliates of
WL Ross for the purpose of acquiring railcar assets in North
America to be managed by Greenbrier. Greenbrier will receive
management and other fee income and incentive compensation tied
to the performance of the portfolio. WLR - GBX intends to seek
additional opportunities to acquire railcar lease portfolios
utilizing this structure.
Fleet Management Ltd. hit
with pollution indictment
WASHINGTON, DC A federal grand jury in Corpus Christi,
Texas, has returned an indictment charging Fleet Management
Limited with obstruction of agency proceedings, making false
statements and failing to keep accurate pollution control
records, the Justice Department announced. Fleet Management
Limited of Hong Kong is charged with one count of failing to
maintain an accurate oil record book as required by the Act to
Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS), a U.S. law which implements
the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from
Ships, commonly known as "MARPOL;" one count of making
false statements to the U.S. Coast Guard; and one count of
obstruction. If convicted of all counts, the company may be
punished with a fine of up to $3 million. The two individuals,
Prem Kumar, a ship superintendent for Fleet Management Limited
and Prasada Reddy Mareddy, the second engineer of the M/V
LOWLANDS SUMIDA, have both been charged with conspiracy. Mr.
Kumar was also charged with obstruction of a Coast Guard
investigation. If convicted of the conspiracy charge, both face
up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. If convicted
of obstruction of justice, Mr. Kumar faces up to 20 years in
prison and a $250,000 fine.
Baltic Trading Limited
takes delivery of vessel
NEW YORK Baltic Trading Limited, a drybulk company focused
on the spot market, has announced that it has taken delivery of
the BALTIC PANTHER, a 2009-built Supramax vessel. The BALTIC
PANTHER is the second vessel to be delivered to the company under
agreements signed in February 2010 to acquire four 2009-built
Supramax drybulk vessels from an unaffiliated third party as well
as two Capesize newbuildings from another unaffiliated third
party. The BALTIC PANTHER is expected to be delivered to its
charterer, Oldendorff GMBH and Co. KG., on or about May 1, 2010
to commence a spot market-related time charter for 11 to 13.5
months. The rate for the spot market-related time charter will be
based on 95 percent of the average of the daily rates of the
Baltic Supramax Index (BSI), an index published by The Baltic
Exchange reflecting the average freight rate for six major
Supramax time charter routes, as reflected in daily published
reports. Hire will be paid every 15 days in arrears net of a five
percent brokerage commission, which includes the 1.25 percent
commission payable to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited.
Baltic Trading will not be responsible for voyage expenses,
including fuel.
NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Cruise season underway
at Port of Seattle terminals
SEATTLE The 2010 cruise season got underway April 26, with
the arrival of Holland America Line's ms AMSTERDAM at the Smith
Cove Cruise Terminal. A record 223 vessels are expected this
season, bringing an estimated 858,000 passengers to Seattle. The
ports cruise business creates thousands of jobs and
millions in revenue, boosting the economy while using new
technology that protects the environment. Per an agreement
between the port and the cruise lines, all cruise ships that
homeport in Seattle will use either low-sulfur fuel or shore
power while docked. Smith Cove Cruise Terminal can provide shore
power for two ships at once, eliminating the need to run engines
while at berth. Seattles cruise industry is responsible for
more than 4,447 jobs, $425 million in annual business revenue,
and nearly $19 million annually in state and local tax revenues.
"K" Line vessel attacked
by high-speed pirate boats
TOKYO Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. has announces that the
owned vessel of its subsidiary company VLCC ISUZUGAWA, Panama
flag, Indian/Philippine crew, was attacked and fired on by
pirates in high-speed boats at Arabian Sea Position Lat :17
degrees 57 minutes North / Long : 065 degrees 55 minutes East,
around 11:15 JST on Sunday, April 25. The ship sustained minor
damage to the hull, but accelerated and took evasive maneuvers.
After about 60 minutes, the pirates ended the pursuit. No
injuries were reported in the attack, and no oil leaked from the
hull. ISUZUGAWA continues its intended voyage to Japan for
discharging cargo operation under its own power.
Ports America taps Svendsen
as new chief process officer
ISELIN, N.J. Ports America Group (Ports America) recently
announced the appointment of Claus Michael Svendsen to the
position of chief process officer. Mr. Svendsen, who joins Ports
America as of May 1, will report directly to President and CEO,
Michael Hassing and be responsible for activities and actions
currently under the Program Office as well as defining,
structuring, and further optimizing Ports Americas
processes. Mr. Svendsen has more than 10 years of experience in
the maritime industry. He has held various functional,
operational, organizational restructuring and commercial
leadership roles throughout Europe and Asia within Scandlines and
A.P.Møller Maersk, most recently as Scandlines CPO, group
senior vice president, where he was responsible for the
turn-around of the company through Change Management Projects and
restructuring of the organization and processes.
Vessel Chief Engineer cleared
in 'Magic Pipe' pollution case
HOUSTON A jury in Houston federal court has cleared Greek
maritime officer Ioannis Mylonakis of charges that he engineered
the dumping of oil tanker waste off of the Texas coast in early
2009, according to the Berg & Androphy law firm. The jury
rejected claims by U.S. Department of Justice Environmental
Crimes Section that Mr. Mylonakis, as chief engineer of the
40,000-ton M/T GEORGIOS M, ordered his crew to use a so-called
"magic pipe" to bypass pollution control equipment and
discharge sludge and oily waste into the seas near Houston and
Corpus Christi, Texas. Mr. Mylonakis is represented by lead
attorneys Joel Androphy and Kathryn Nelson, of Berg &
Androphy, of Houston, and assisted by George M. Chalos and George
A. Gaitas, of the Chalos & Co., P.C., of New York. Eight
crewmembers testified for the government that Mr. Mylonakis
orchestrated the magic pipe bypass during his tenure on the
vessel. The defense team demonstrated that the crew misled the
government about the involvement of Mr. Mylonakis in return for
grants of immunity. The jury found that the Filipino crewmembers
were not credible. In an extraordinary ruling, presiding Judge
Kenneth Hoyt struck the testimony of the U.S. Coast Guard Marine
Safety Lab's expert chemist, ruling it confusing and irrelevant.
Coast Guard warns boaters
to stay clear of large passenger vessels
SEATTLE The Coast Guard reminds mariners and recreational
boaters to avoid approaching large passenger vessels (LPV), such
as cruise ships and Washington State Ferries, whether these
vessels are underway, moored or at anchor. An LPV is defined as
any cruise ship, auto ferry or passenger ferry over 100-feet in
length, carrying paying passengers. This includes Washington
State Ferries and Alaskan Marine Highway ferries. The security
zones enforced by the Coast Guard are a 500-yard radius around
all LPVs and are necessary to enhance public and maritime safety.
These security and safety zones are in effect at all times
whether or not the Coast Guard is present. Specifically the Code
of Federal Regulations states that: When within a large passenger
vessel security and safety zone all vessels must operate at the
minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course and must
proceed as directed by the on-scene official patrol or large
passenger vessel master. No vessel or person is allowed within
100-yards of a large passenger vessel that is underway or at
anchor, unless authorized by the on-scene official patrol or
large passenger vessel master. No vessel or person is allowed
within 100-yards of a large passenger vessel that is moored. To
request authorization to operate within 100-yards of a large
passenger vessel that is underway or at anchor, contact the
on-scene official patrol or large passenger vessel master on
VHF-FM channel 16 or 13.
NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Port of Everett adds
new rail loading ramp
EVERETT In an effort to enhance its cargo handling
capabilities and attract new business, the Port of Everett
recently built a new rail loading ramp at its terminal
facilities. The 70-ton ramp supports cargo operations by aiding
in the loading and unloading of wheeled cargo, such as military
tanks, farming and mining equipment, onto and from rail cars.
Certified welders on the ports Marine Terminals maintenance
crew constructed the ramp to meet U.S. Military design
specifications. The Port of Everetts facilities handle a
wide variety of roll-on roll-off cargo, also known as RoRo cargo.
This cargo mix includes heavy machinery for the construction and
mining industry, such as excavators and bulldozers, as well as
heavy equipment for the farming industry, such as tractors. By
using the ramp, the port can better serve its current customers
and attract new business. The ramp allows crews to drive
machinery on and off rail cars, in turn saving time and money,
increasing capacity and providing a safer alternative to lifting
with a crane or other cargo handling equipment.
ATA Truck Tonnage Index
jumps again during March
ARLINGTON, VA The American Trucking Associations
advance seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index
increased 0.4 percent in March, following a revised 0.3 percent
decrease in February. The latest improvement put the SA index at
109.2 (2000=100), which is the highest level since November 2008.
The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in
tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal
adjustment, equaled 116.4 in March, up 19.1 percent from the
previous month. Compared with March 2009, SA tonnage jumped 7.5
percent, which was the fourth consecutive year-over-year gain and
the largest increase since January 2005. For the first quarter of
2010, SA tonnage was up 4.9 percent compared with the same period
last year.
Panama Canal Authority
to hold line on tolls in 2010
PANAMA CITY The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced
it will not adjust tolls in 2010. On April 26, 2010, the ACP
Board of Directors approved a proposal to modify the Panama Canal
pricing structure. The adjustments are scheduled for January
2011. This proposal modifies the pricing structure for all canal
segments: container, dry bulk, liquid bulk, vehicle carriers,
reefers, passenger, general cargo, and others. For the container
segment, the ACP proposes a change in the way tolls are
calculated, with a slight price adjustment to the capacity
charge, and an additional new charge that would only apply to the
number of loaded containers aboard the vessel at the time of
transit. In June 2009, the ACP provided temporary measures to
help users mitigate the effects of the economic crisis. Once
these measures reached their term, they were extended until April
30, 2010, at the industrys request. In view of the current
world economic situation, the ACP has decided not to proceed with
a tolls adjustment in 2010 and set January 2011 as the new date
for implementing the tolls presented in this proposal.
Congressman holds hearing
on Coast Guard diversity progress
WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, (MD-07),
Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation, convened a hearing Tuesday regarding Civil Rights
programs and diversity initiatives in the United States Coast
Guard. The hearing examined a report by the Government
Accountability Office (GAO) concerning changes made by the Coast
Guards Civil Rights Directorate. The Subcommittee also
examined diversity at the Coast Guard Academy. Consultants at
Booz Allen Hamilton made 53 recommendations in an assessment of
the Coast Guard Civil Rights Services released in early 2009. The
Civil Rights Directorate reported that it has implemented 52 of
Booz Allen Hamiltons 53 recommendations. However, the GAO
report indicated that implementation of these recommendations may
not be fully completed. The report argues that achieving
long-term changes in the Civil Rights Directorate requires
development of a clear vision of outcomes to be achieved by
reform, and of measurable steps that can be used to assess
progress toward the achievement of these outcomes.
CMA CGM Group
boosting Iraq service
MARSEILLES The CMA CGM Group has announced the April 30
opening of its newly renovated deep water quay in Umm Qasr port.
This quay is dedicated exclusively to CMA CGM vessels and
equipped with the most modern cargo-handling facilities, allowing
CMA CGM a complete autonomy in the handling of its containers
into and out of Iraq. Due to these new facilities and for the
first time in Iraq, CMA CGM will be able to offer its customers a
direct reefer service. The CMA CGM Group offers a weekly service
from Umm Qasr port to Khor Fakkan - UAE (two vessels of 880 TEU)
providing worldwide connections to main CMA CGM services. Present
in Iraq since 1978 without interruption, CMA CGM has three
offices in Baghdad, Basra and Umm Qasr and offers door-to-door
transport solutions to and from Iraq.
NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, April 26, 2010
Construction begins on
new WSF 64-car ferry
SEATTLE Construction of the states second Kwa-di
Tabil Class (64-car) ferry officially got underway April 19, at
Todd Pacific Shipyards (Todd) in Seattle. Washington State
Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Secretary Paula Hammond and
Assistant Secretary for Washington State Ferries (WSF) David
Moseley were on hand to help Todd officials commemorate the
event. Secretary Hammond struck the first arc weld on the keel
signifying the start of construction of the second vessel of the
class. The first Kwa-di Tabil Class Ferry, CHETZEMOKA, was towed
to Todds subcontractor, Everett Shipyard, earlier this
month for final outfitting, system testing and sea trials. The
CHETZEMOKA is scheduled to go into service on the Port
Townsend/Keystone route late summer after several weeks of WSF
sea trials and crew training. In October 2009 WSDOT awarded a
$114 million contract to Todd to build two more 64-car ferries,
in addition to the CHETZEMOKA. Todd is working with over 30
significant subcontractors and creating or preserving some 360
jobs for highly skilled workers. The contract contains an option
to build a fourth vessel, which WSDOT must exercise by May 31,
2011. The fourth vessel would be either a 64-car ferry or 144-car
ferry depending on the availability of funds.
Port Metro Vancouver
plans for cruise season start
VANCOUVER, BC Holland Americas M/S AMSTERDAM will be
the first cruise ship of the 2010 cruise season to call at Port
Metro Vancouver when it arrives on April 25, and the first of 58
scheduled calls expected to connect to the ports new shore
power system. The ship will arrive in Vancouver after sailing
from Petropavlovsk, Russia as part of a 114-day Grand World
voyage. The shore powr system, completed in 2009, is a $9-million
initiative by the Government of Canada, the British Columbia
Ministry of Transportation, Holland America Line, Princess
Cruises, BC Hydro and Port Metro Vancouver which will reduce
greenhouse gas emissions in Vancouver by up to 3000 tonnes/year.
It was also a key component in Port Metro Vancouvers Air
Action Program, which was recognized recently with an ecoFREIGHT
Sustainable Transportation Award at Globe 2010, an international
conference focussed on environmental issues. Despite forecasting
declines this year to just under 600,000 passengers and 179 ship
calls from 898,473 passenger and 256 ship calls last year, Port
Metro Vancouver remains highly optimistic about its future cruise
business.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics
takes bite out of emissions
OSLO Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL), a global
shipping and logistics company, reports it managed to cut its
green house gas emissions by 32 percent last year. The company
also cut its sulphur dioxide emissions (SO2) emissions by 135,000
tonnes in a nine year period from 2000 to 2009, an amount nearly
equal to all the SO2 emissions from road vehicles in the United
States for an entire year. These figures are contained in the
company's 2009 Environmental and Social Responsibility Report
(www.2wglobal.com/esr), the shipping industrys first
emissions inventory report to receive 3rd party verification that
it conforms to the accounting requirements of ISO 14064-1 and The
Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol).
APL taps Gene Seroka
as President in Americas
SINGAPORE APL has announced that Gene Seroka has been
named its new president in the Americas. Mr. Seroka, a
21-year-veteran of the company, replaces John Bowe who is leaving
in June. Until recently the Regional Vice President for the
Middle East, Mr. Seroka will relocate to the companys
regional headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. Hell be
responsible for all of the shipping, intermodal transportation
and terminal activities of APL, the worlds fourth-largest
carrier. APL is the principal business of container
transportation and logistics company NOL Group. Mr. Seroka, who
joined the company in 1988, has a management background in both
container shipping and logistics. He has worked in five countries
for NOL. He holds a bachelors degree in Marketing and a
masters in Management, both from the University of New
Orleans. In his new role, hell be the companys top
executive in one of its most important markets. Many of
APLs largest customers are based in the Americas. The
company operates a number of marine terminals in the U.S. and is
one of the largest users of intermodal rail transportation.
Alaska Airlines adding flights
from Portland/Seattle to Hawaii
SEATTLE Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air has announced
expanded service to Hawaii and Mexico and new service between San
Jose, Calif., and Los Angeles that will strengthen international
connections with the airlines alliance partners. Alaska
Airlines will inaugurate daily service between San Diego, Calif.,
and Kahului, Maui, beginning Oct. 1, and daily seasonal service
between San Diego and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, starting Nov. 12,
2010. It will also begin seasonal flying between Portland, Ore.,
and Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii, four times a week starting
Nov. 12. Additionally, it will add a second flight between
Seattle and Kona that will operate thrice weekly from Nov. 11 to
April 10, 2011. These new flights are in addition to the new
daily service between Portland and Honolulu the carrier recently
announced.
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, April 23, 2010
Port of Tacoma calls for
Hylebos Creek project bids
TACOMA The Port of Tacoma marks Earth Day by calling for
bids to enhance and restore a premier habitat site near Hylebos
Creek. Plans for the 23-acre site on Marine View Drive include
excavating contaminated and unsuitable soils and creating
freshwater and intertidal marsh, forested upland and riparian
habitat. The port bought the former Parsons property in 2005 for
future habitat mitigation and restoration. Its tidally influenced
location at the mouth of the salmon-bearing Hylebos Creek makes
it especially valuable as restored habitat. It also sits next to
habitat sites restored by other organizations, providing broader
environmental benefit by connecting several restored areas along
the creek. Plans for the port property are divided into five
separate projects to fulfill current or future habitat
restoration requirements. Designs for the projects, however, took
into account the whole parcel to provide the most valuable
environmental benefit. When the restorations are complete, the
property will provide about 23 acres of freshwater and intertidal
marsh, forested upland and riparian habitat along Hylebos Creek.
It will provide resting and feeding areas for young salmon before
they head out to Puget Sound, as well as a home to native plants,
water birds and other wildlife. The sites design,
restoration and ongoing monitoring is expected to cost about $12
million. This call for bids seeks a contractor to remove
contaminated and unsuitable soils, fill and grade a former gravel
mine, demolish structures from a former concrete recycling
facility, create suitable habitat and plant native vegetation to
meet local, state, tribal and federal requirements. Bids are due
May 12. Find maps, descriptions of the habitat and updates on its
progress at http://www.portoftacoma.com/hylebos-creek.
Horizon Lines reports
first quarter numbers
CHARLOTTE, NC Horizon Lines, Inc. has reported results for
its fiscal first quarter ended March 21, 2010. On a GAAP basis,
the first-quarter net loss totaled $13.2 million, or $0.43 per
share, on revenue of $286.1 million. This compares with a net
loss of $10.0 million, or $0.33 per share on revenue of $272.4
million for the same period a year ago. The adjusted
first-quarter 2010 net loss was $12.0 million, or $0.39 per
share, after excluding charges totaling $1.2 million pre-tax, or
$0.04 per share after tax adjustment, for antitrust-related legal
expenses and for a voluntary separation program for certain union
employees. The adjusted net loss for the 2009 first quarter
totaled $4.7 million, or $0.15 per share, which excluded
antitrust-related legal fees and restructuring charges totaling
$53 million pre-tax, or $0.18 per share after tax adjustments.
US rail freight traffic
increases during week
WASHINGTON, DC Freight traffic on U.S. railroads is
continuing to show solid signs of recovery with carload freight
volume hitting its highest level since November 2008 during the
week ended March 27, 2010, the Association of American Railroads
reports. U.S. railroads originated 293,114 carloads during the
week, up 16.5 percent from the comparable week in 2009, but down
11.6 percent from 2008. This was the highest weekly carload total
since the week ended November 29, 2008. In order to offer a
complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR now reports
2010 weekly rail traffic with comparison weeks in both 2009 and
2008. Intermodal traffic totaled 210,914 trailers and containers,
up 12 percent from last year but down 5.3 percent compared with
2008. Compared with the same week in 2009, container volume
increased 14.4 percent and trailer volume edged up 0.3 percent.
Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume was up 2.1
percent while trailer volume fell 32.3 percent. Total volume for
the week was estimated at 31.7 billion ton-miles, up 17.4 percent
from last year but down 9.2 percent from 2008.
Genco Shipping extends
time charter for Handymax ship
NEW YORK Genco Shipping & Trading Limited has
announced that it has reached an agreement to extend the time
charter for the GENCO MARINE, a 1996-built Handymax vessel, with
STX Pan Ocean Co. Ltd. for approximately 11 to 13.5 months at a
rate of $20,000 per day, less a five percent third-party
brokerage commission. The time charter is expected to commence
following the expiration of the vessel's current time charter on
or about May 4, 2010 and is subject to the completion of
definitive documentation. Currently, Genco has approximately 65
percent of its fleet's estimated available days secured on
contracts for the remainder of 2010.
Port of Everett schedules
Working Waterfront Harbor tours
EVERETT The Port of Everett will partner with the Everett
Parks Department to kick-off its 2nd Annual series of Working
Waterfront Harbor Tours. The series consists of five tours
exploring the Everett waterfront. During each free tour, port
staff will host 75 guests on a ferry ride while providing a
unique look at the ports diverse roles along the
waterfront. Topics of discussion will include international
trade, property development, marina facilities, public access
amenities and environmental stewardship. This summer, the port
has expanded its program to include one extra tour and
alternative tour times to accommodate additional guests.
Furthermore, the port is offering three extended tours, traveling
down to the ports satellite shipping facility, Mount Baker
Terminal, which handles oversized airplane parts. This
seasons harbor tour dates include:
Wednesday, June 23 at 6:30 8 p.m. extended
tour
Wednesday, June 30 at 6:30 8 p.m. extended
tour
*Sunday, July 18 at 10 11 a.m.
*Sunday, Aug. 15 at 10 11 a.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 8 p.m. extended
tour
The ferry will board at the ports 10th Street Boat Launch
and Marine Park 15-minutes before each set departure time.
*Sunday guests must pay a $3 parking fee per vehicle. Space is
limited, and children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
To check availability and make seat reservations, call the Jetty
Island Kiosk at 425.257.8304.
NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Port of Tacoma sees jump
in intermodal container lifts
TACOMA In March 2010, the Port of Tacoma handled a total
of 30,716 intermodal container lifts at its four intermodal
yards, up 20 percent from its March, 2009 intermodal volume. It
also marks the highest monthly intermodal volume for the port so
far in 2010, and the most monthly intermodal lifts the port has
handled in the last 18 months. The port saw increases in both
international and domestic intermodal rail volumes in March. Two
major factors are the ports intermodal rail incentive
program, which encourages the use of rail for short-haul
containers, and the new Union Pacific domestic service that is
bringing new container volumes through the ports South
Intermodal Rail Yard. The Port of Tacoma has three dockside
intermodal yards and one near-dock intermodal yard. The
ports North Intermodal Yard, which opened in 1981, was the
first dockside intermodal rail facility on the West Coast.
Overall, the ports March year-to-date intermodal volumes
are down about two percent from 2009.
Port of Seattle offers reward
to ships burning cleaner fuel
SEATTLE In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth
Day, the Port of Seattle is highlighting its environmental
stewardship with one of its green initiatives, the At Berth Clean
(ABC) Fuels program. The program encourages carriers to burn
low-sulfur fuels (0.5 percent sulfur or less) in their auxiliary
engines while at berth in Seattle by providing an incentive of
$2,250 for each call during which ships comply with the fuel
requirements. ABC Fuels is a partnership that includes some of
the ports ocean carriers and the Puget Sound Clean Air
Agency. The ABC Fuels program began in 2009 and to-date has
eliminated more than 96 metric tons of sulfur dioxide emissions.
The low-sulfur fuel reduces sulfur dioxide emissions by 80
percent and diesel particulate matter by 60 percent. More than 60
vessels from nine carriers participate in the program.
Participating carriers include Hapag Lloyd, APL, China Ocean
Shipping Company (COSCO), Evergreen Line, Hamburg Süd, Maersk
Line, Matson Navigation, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess
Cruise Line.
Port of Vancouver, USA
welcomes HYPERION LEADER
VANCOUVER, USA The Port of Vancouver USA welcomed the
HYPERION LEADER, commanded by Capt. Quazi Mukit Hossain of
Bangladesh, on the vessel's maiden voyage to the United States on
April 16, 2010. Capt. Hossain and his 21-member crew were
welcomed to Vancouver by Gary Martinke, local agent for Inchcape
Shipping Services, Jay Orrell and Ann Tetreault of Subaru
America, and Craig Beatty of Cascade Awards along with port
representatives Lars Uglum, Addison Jacobs, Jonathan Eder, Alan
Hargrave, Leonard York and Sarah Ettl. The HYPERION LEADER was
built in Japan and launched March 25, 2010. The vessel is 623
feet in length and has a deadweight capacity of 14,381 metric
tons. The crew for the vessels first visit to the Port of
Vancouver USA is from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The vessel
is owned by Hyperion Maritime SA. and operated by Wilhelmsen SM.
Inchcape Shipping Services is the agent for the vessel. The ship
discharged 2,000 Subaru vehicles and loaded back 140 for Korea
while in port. After leaving Vancouver, the vessel sailed to Port
Hueneme to complete its discharge.
Diana Shipping inks
bulk vessel time charter
ATHENS Diana Shipping Inc., a global shipping company
specializing in the transportation of dry bulk cargoes, has
announced that it has entered into a time charter contract with
Daelim Corporation, Seoul, for one of its Panamax dry bulk
carriers, the m/v CLIO, at a gross charter rate of US$25,000 per
day for a period of minimum 23 to maximum 25 months. The charter
is expected to commence during the first half of May 2010. This
employment is anticipated to generate approximately US$17.3
million of gross revenue for the minimum scheduled period of the
charter. The m/v CLIO is a 73,691 dwt Panamax dry bulk carrier
built in 2005.
Holland America Line adding
ecosystems protection program
SEATTLE Holland America Line and Marine Conservation
Biology Institute (MCBI) announced a new partnership to promote
sustainable and compatible use of the oceans to protect the
world's marine ecosystems. Called "Our Marvelous
Oceans," the new program will start with a three-year
commitment that includes adopting sustainable seafood purchasing
onboard, new programming for guests and support for the MCBI
education program under which annual grants are made by MCBI to
graduate students and young scientists in historical marine
ecology. "Our Marvelous Oceans" will embrace three
elements: guest and staff education; support for marine
conservation biology research; and promotion of healthy marine
economic practices by identifying more sustainable choices for
the premium line's seafood menu offerings.
NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Port of Portland employees
eye move to new headquarters
PORTLAND Monday, May 3, will mark the first official day
in a new headquarters building for more than 450 Port of Portland
employees. Staff from the downtown Portland headquarters and the
airport terminal are consolidating in offices situated on three
floors built atop the new seven-story long-term parking garage at
Portland International Airport. A showcase for sustainable
practices, the 205,000-square foot office building incorporates
many state-of-the-art green technologies; its Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, gold rating is pending.
Visitors to the new buildings lobby will see what looks
like a large indoor garden but which actually is a functioning
indoor wetland. Called a Living Machine® system, this ecological
wastewater treatment alternative treats wastewater for reuse in
the buildings toilets and cooling tower. It is the largest
commercial office building with the Living Machine® system in
the western United States. Underneath the building, more than 200
pipes provide ground source heating and cooling in a closed loop
system, serving the passive radiant ceiling panel heating and
cooling inside. This is the first coupling of these heating and
cooling systems in the United States. Features like daylighting,
window glazing, fixed exterior shading, water-efficient fixtures,
and a 10,000-square foot eco-roof help save energy, water and
money. All combined, the building will use 75 percent less water
and 36 percent less energy compared to a standard building of the
same size.
Seattle-based seafood firm
hit with EPA civil penalty
WASHINGTON, DC Westward Seafoods Inc., the operator of a
seafood processing plant in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, will pay a
$570,000 civil penalty as part of a settlement agreement to
resolve alleged violations of the Clean Air Act and the Emergency
Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, the Justice Department
and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced. Under
the settlement agreement filed in federal court in Alaska,
Westward Seafoods, a Seattle-based company, will be required to
undertake four measures designed to improve the company's
environmental compliance. The agreement requires the company to
create a preventative maintenance and operations plan, develop
and implement an annual training plan for all employees
responsible for operating generating equipment, develop and
submit to EPA an organizational chart that outlines staff that
have environmental compliance responsibilities and develop
internal procedures for submitting required reports to federal,
state and/or local environmental agencies. The settlement
resolves a complaint that alleged that Westward Seafoods had
multiple violations of the Clean Air Act from 2002 until 2006.
The complaint alleged violations including the burning of
approximately 1.3 million gallons of diesel fuel with excessive
sulfur; operating three diesel generators while air pollution
control devices were inoperable, resulting in excessive emissions
of nitrogen oxides; and failing to respond to repeated requests
for information from state and federal inspectors.
Olympia Port Commission
adding two meetings
OLYMPIA The Port of Olympia Commission has decided to add
two additional regular meetings each month. The meetings will
occur from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Port Administration
Building, 915 Washington St. NE, on the Thursdays preceding the
commissions regular meetings, held on the 2nd and 4th
Mondays of each month (5:30 p.m. in the LOTT Board Room, Second
Floor, 111 Market Street). The purpose of the Thursday meeting is
to prepare for agenda items set for the following Monday meeting,
and to discuss any other items which the commission chooses to
place on the Thursday agenda. Notice of the meetings and agendas
will be provided as required by law. Meeting information and
agendas will also be available on the Ports website
www.portolympia.com. Dates of the Thursday regular meetings in
2010 are: April 22, May 6 and 20, June 10 and 24, July 8 and 22,
August 5 and 19, September 9 and 23, October 7 and 21, November 4
and 18, and December 9. As with any regular meeting, a Thursday
meeting may be cancelled at the commissions direction.
NOAA sets contract
for new survey vessel
WASHINGTON, DC The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) has awarded a $73.6 million American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act contract to Marinette Marine
Corporation located in Marinette, Wis., for the construction of a
new fisheries survey vessel, which will improve NOAAs
ability to conduct surveys for fish, marine mammals and turtles
off the U.S. West Coast and in the eastern tropical Pacific
Ocean. The vessel will be the fifth in a series of
state-of-the-art Oscar Dyson-class ships built for the agency.
The ship will be equipped with a full suite of modern
instrumentation for fisheries and oceanographic research,
including advanced navigation systems, acoustic sensors,
scientific sampling gear and extensive laboratories. The
high-tech ship will also produce much less noise than other
survey vessels, allowing scientists to study fish populations and
collect oceanographic data with fewer effects on fish and marine
mammal behavior. The ship will be operated by NOAAs Office
of Marine and Aviation Operations and will primarily support
NOAAs Southwest Fisheries Science Center.
Ceremony marks naming
of newest OOCL vessel
HONG KONG OOCL announced on April 13, the christening of
its newest vessel, the OOCL LONDON, the 15th SX class vessel
(8,063 TEU) in OOCLs line of 16 SX class vessels ordered
from Samsung Heavy Industries. The OOCL LONDON was named by
sponsor Lady Rebecca Jane Purves, wife of Sir William Purves,
former Group Chairman of HSBC. CC Tung, chairman and CEO of OOIL
Group, hosted the ceremony which was held at Samsung Heavy
Industries shipyard on Geoje Island. The OOCL London will be
deployed on the EU Loop C service, in response to the recovery of
demand on the Asia-Europe trade.
NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, April 19, 2010
Port of Bellingham meeting
to define director job description
BELLINGHAM What type of candidate is the Port of
Bellingham seeking for its new executive director? That's the
question Port Commissioners will address today, when the
commission has a special meeting to review and discuss a draft
job description for the port's top position. The commissioners
are working with executive search firm Waldron & Company,
which they hired in March to undertake a complete search process.
Since then, the firm has conducted interviews with community
stakeholders, port staff and the individual commissioners to
learn more about role of the executive director, the challenges
and opportunities facing the port and the necessary skills for
the position. At 3 p.m. Monday (April 19) in the Harbor Center
Conference Room, 1801 Roeder Avenue, the commission will review a
draft job description prepared by Waldron and is likely to
approve a final job description during the meeting. The meeting
is open to the public, although no public comment will be taken.
The port also has created an Executive Search Process web page to
keep the community informed. The web address is
www.portofbellingham.com\executivesearch.htm
Sea-Tac Airport adding
green recycling system
SEATTLE The Port of Seattle is continuing its efforts as
the "Green Gateway" with the debut of another
innovative environmental program - a centralized off-aircraft
recycling system that will reduce waste sent to landfills,
improve ramp safety, decrease air emissions, and save more than
$250,000 each year. Six pairs of large capacity (30 cubic yards)
computer-monitored compactors have been installed at convenient
locations for all airlines to access. The larger compactors allow
more collection while computer-monitoring provides alerts when
they are full, thus reducing the amount of pickup trips by 75
percent. Previously, airlines coordinated their own trash
pickups. The new system has resulted in 89 fewer pickups per
month and could reduce pickups to as few as one or two per month
at most locations. Reducing pickups also mean fewer vehicles on
the ramp which increases safety, reduces air emissions and saves
money.
CKYH Alliance summit meeting
results in several planned changes
TOKYO On April 15, CKYH Alliance (COSCO, K
LINE, Yang Ming, and Hanjin Shipping) announced complete success
of its 2010 Summit Meeting held in Zhenjiang, China. At the
annual CKYH Summit meeting, CKYH Alliance members, being all
fully aware of the severe challenges in the
post-crisis era, re-affirmed to further strengthen
the collaborative partnership and confirmed the direction of
future development. CKYH Alliance announced they would update the
name as CKYH - the Green Alliance which embodies its
strong determination on environmental protection. CKYH - the
Green Alliance calls for collective efforts of implementing
Green Shipping in order to fulfill the
responsibilities of Corporate Citizens. All Alliance members will
take further measures such as eco-steaming for energy-saving and
emission reduction, etc. To overcome challenges facing the
shipping industry, CKYH - the Green Alliance will continuously
harmonize its services to enhance its core competitiveness. At
the same time, all members will take positive action to take full
advantage of regional transship hubs, build up extensive feeder
networks, extend cooperation to the North/South trades & new
emerging markets, widen the scope of cooperation to other
sections of the Transport Chain by optimizing the alliances
resources such as terminals, chassis, inter-modal facilities and
equipment.
TriMet nets federal funding
for new US-made streetcars
WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood
and Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff have announced
that Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon
(TriMet) of Portland, Oregon will receive $2.4 million in federal
research funds to support the development of streetcar components
that will be made in the U.S.A. TriMet will use the funds to
support the development of a domestically-produced streetcar
propulsion system, as well as initial work to develop a streetcar
that can operate for short distances without power from overhead
wires, allowing the potential for streetcar service to be
introduced where historic, environmental, or other concerns limit
the installation of overhead wires. The work will be done by the
Clackamas, Oregon-based manufacturer Oregon Iron Works, the
parent company of United Streetcar LLC.
Coast Guard searching for
owner of bike found on ferry
SEATTLE The Coast Guard is searching for the owner of an
bicycle left on the Washington State Ferry (WSF) Kaleetan, after
the 9:05 p.m. sailing from Seattle to Bremerton, Wash., Thursday.
Coast Guard Sector Seattle was notified by WSF personnel after
they found an unclaimed olive green commuter bicycle and a white
helmet and conducted two full sweeps of the ferry without finding
the owner. Coast Guard Station Seattle launched a 41-foot utility
boat crew and Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles, Wash.,
launched an HH-65C Dolphin helicopter crew to search the ferry's
course in case the bicycle's owner fell overboard. Anyone with
information in this case is urged to contact the Coast Guard at
206-217-6002.
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, April 16, 2010
Coast Guard District Commander
temporarily relieved of duties
SEATTLE Rear Adm. Gary T. Blore, Commander, Thirteenth
Coast Guard District, has temporarily relieved Capt. Suzanne E.
Englebert of her duties as commander of Coast Guard Sector
Seattle, citing a loss of confidence in the officers
ability to command. The decision to relieve a commanding
officer is never easy and is taken very seriously," said
Blore. "Due to an unacceptable command climate this
commander no longer had my confidence to command an effective
unit. I firmly believe this decision was made in the best
interest of the unit and the Service. Pending a final
determination by the Commandant of the Coast Guard in Washington,
D.C., Capt. Scott Bornemann has been temporarily assigned to
command Sector Seattle. The Sector is conducting normal
operations.
Northwest firms in-line
for MarAd grant funds
WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. Department of
Transportations Maritime Administration (MARAD) has
announced $14.7 million in grant awards to help improve 17 small
shipyards in 16 states. The funds will help these shipyards
become more competitive by purchasing modern equipment and
training workers. The grants, which are part of the Assistance to
Small Shipyards program, will go to shipyards around the country
that provide essential services to commercial and government
ships. MARAD received over 160 grant applications requesting $180
million in assistance. The grants support a vital segment of the
Americas maritime economy and promote long-term job
creation and retention opportunities. Northwest businesses
included in the program are:
Puglia Engineering, Inc. (Bellingham, WA)- $1,333,267 for
floating drydock enhancements, 80-ton rough terrain crane and
coating equipment
Sause Bros., Inc. dba Southern Oregon Marine, Inc. (Coos Bay,
OR)- $173,749 for water blast system, sandblasting machine and
big top shelter
Pacific Fishermen Shipyard and Electric LLC (Seattle, WA)-
$643,095 for worker training program, sand blast paint and
booths, sand blast grit recovery systems, man lifts and 15-ton
crane
NASSCO begins construction
on thirteenth T-AKE vessel
SAN DIEGO General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly owned
subsidiary of General Dynamics, has begun construction of the
future USNS MEDGAR EVERS, the thirteenth ship of the U.S. Navy's
T-AKE program. The MEDGAR EVERS is named in honor of the U.S.
Army veteran and civil rights pioneer from Mississippi. The ship
is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in the second quarter of
2012. When it joins the fleet, the MEDGAR EVERS will be used
primarily to stage U.S. Marine Corps equipment abroad by the
Navy's Military Sealift Command. General Dynamics NASSCO employs
approximately 4,200 people and is the only major ship
construction yard on the West Coast of the United States. NASSCO
has delivered the first nine T-AKEs, which are also known as
Lewis and Clark-class ships. The shipyard also has construction
contracts for five additional T-AKEs for a total class of 14
ships. More information about NASSCO can be found at
www.nassco.com.
US rail freight traffic
continues upward swing
WASHINGTON, DC The Association of American Railroads
reports that for the fourth consecutive week, freight traffic on
U.S. railroads was up compared with the same period a year ago
during the week ended March 20. U.S. railroads originated 287,639
carloads during the week, up 4.3 percent from the comparable week
in 2009, but down 10.7 percent from 2008. In order to offer a
complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR now reports
2010 weekly rail traffic with comparison weeks in both 2009 and
2008. Intermodal traffic totaled 201,300 trailers and containers,
up 9.5 percent from last year but down 4.6 percent compared with
2008. Compared with the same week in 2009, container volume
increased 12.3 percent and trailer volume dipped 3.2 percent.
Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume was up 3.6
percent while trailer volume fell 33.1 percent. Total volume for
the week was estimated at 31.3 billion ton-miles, up 5.4 percent
from last year but down 7.7 percent from 2008.
Port of Seattle honors ties to Japan
with cherry tree planting ceremony
SEATTLE Members of the Japanese community, the Seattle
Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival and the Port of
Seattle joined together for a cherry tree planting ceremony at
Elliott Bay Park on Monday, April 12, 2010. The event
commemorated Japans first overseas mission to the U.S. in
1860 and the ratification of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Amity and
Commerce, and celebrated the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.
Two-way trade between Washington and Japan surpassed $11.4
billion in 2009, making Japan the Port of Seattles second
largest trading partner in air and sea cargo, said Port
Commissioner Rob Holland. We are grateful for our long
trade relationship with Japan, for the many business and cultural
relationships, and most of all for the friendship between our
countries. The cherry trees were provided by the Seattle
Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival as part of its
statewide campaign to plant 7,000 cherry trees. The five
Akebono cherry trees planted at Elliott Bay Park were
donated by the John Sato Foundation. Elliott Bay Park, located
between Myrtle Edwards Park and the Grain Terminal, is one of the
ports 22 parks and public access areas which are all
maintained by the ports landscaping crew using 100 percent
organic landscaping. The port incorporates environmental
stewardship into all its management strategies and business
decisions.
NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Oregon, Washington governors
form Columbia River Crossing panel
OLYMPIA/SALEM Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski and
Washington Governor Chris Gregoire have announced the appointment
of eight transportation experts to an independent panel to review
the Columbia River Crossing project. The governors convened the
panel to ensure that key project assumptions and methods are
reasonable for this one-of-kind transportation project.
Replacing the bridge over the Columbia River is essential
to maintaining the economies and enhancing the livability of the
communities in our two states. The project combines light rail,
bike and pedestrian facilities, and will improve the movement of
people and goods all in a little over five miles, said
Gregoire. The independent expert review will provide us
assurance that the project has the implementation and financial
plans in place to get the job done on time and on budget.
The CRC is an investment that is critical to the economy of
the entire Pacific Northwest because of its importance as the
major north-south transportation link of the western United
States, Governor Ted Kulongoski said We have selected
the members of this panel because they each bring key areas of
expertise to assess this unique project and ensure the project
meets our goals of improved flow of commerce and goods, new green
transportation alternatives for commuters, and improved safety at
the most dangerous interchange in Oregon.
The panel has been asked to:
Assess the implementation plan for the CRC project
Review the financial plan for the project
Review and evaluate post-construction performance measures
The panel will meet for the first time May 19-20, 2010, and will
meet at least three more times throughout the summer. The panel
is charged with reporting its findings to the governors by July
30, 2010.
Coast Guard holding vessel
while captain checked for intoxication
SEATTLE The Coast Guard Captain of the Port for Puget
Sound, Wash., has issued an order requiring the cargo vessel STX
DAISY to remain at anchor in Port Angeles. The Coast Guard
conducted a routine boarding of the vessel in the Strait of Juan
de Fuca early Wednesday morning and found that the vessels
master showed signs of intoxication. The STX DAISY, a 587-foot
Panamanian flagged vessel, was en route to Olympia, from Qingdao,
China, to load timber. The U. S. Attorneys office is
investigating the incident for evidence of a possible violation
of U. S. law.
Port of Seattle projects
environmentally friendly
SEATTLE The Port of Seattle reports it is a leader in
sustainability both economic and environmental
working each day to generate jobs and revenue in ways that also
protect the environment. While those efforts happen every day,
commissioners and staff took time April 13, to recognize the 40th
anniversary of Earth Day, highlighting efforts large and small
throughout the organization. The port commission authorized an
agreement with the Washington Conservation Corps, a statewide
Americorps program. Twelve young adults will work on wetland
mitigation projects at Sea-Tac Airport, gaining valuable work
experience and developing environmental leadership skills. The
ports recently-released annual environmental report details
many of the sustainable business practices used at all port
facilities, but one of the ports current capital projects
deserves special recognition. The consolidated rental car
facility currently under construction is the first LEED project
to be built by the Port of Seattle. Though the project is only
forty percent complete, 28 percent of materials used thus far are
recycled and 29 percent are locally-sourced. Those two
percentages will increase as the project is completed, but one
statistic is already eye-popping: 99 percent of the construction
waste generated has been recycled.
Freight Transportation Index
climbs again during February
WASHINGTON, DC The Freight Transportation Services Index
(TSI) rose 0.3 percent in February from its January level, rising
for the second consecutive month, the U.S. Department of
Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS)
reported. BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology
Administration, reported that the Freight TSI index has risen 3.6
percent over the last nine months, starting in June, after
declining 15.3 percent in the previous 10 months beginning in
August 2008. The index has increased in seven of the last nine
months. The index started 2010 with an increase of 0.7 percent in
the first two months. The Freight TSI measures the month-to-month
changes in freight shipments in ton-miles, which are then
combined into one index. The index measures the output of the
for-hire freight transportation industry and consists of data
from for-hire trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air
freight. The February Freight TSI of 96.9 is a 3.6 percent
increase from the recent low of 93.5 reached in May 2009. In May,
the index was at its lowest level since June 1997. The Freight
TSI is down 14.1 percent from its historic peak of 112.9 reached
in May 2006.
Port of Tacoma schedules
Earth Day bus tour
TACOMA The Port of Tacoma will host a free Earth Day bus
tour April 22. Celebrate Earth Day with a behind-the-scenes peek
at Port of Tacoma wildlife habitat and environmental projects.
The free narrated bus tour will include Gog-le-hi-te II wetlands
along the Puyallup River and property near the Hylebos Creek,
where construction will begin this year on what eventually will
become 23 acres of restored freshwater and intertidal marsh,
forested upland and riparian habitat. Visitors also will view the
ports pioneering tree in a box to prevent water
pollution. This pilot project is the first time the low impact
development technology has been used in an industrial setting.
Latest results show the native trees filter out 90 percent of
zinc from stormwater runoff.
Tour details: Thursday, April 22, 9:30 a.m. to about noon. Begins
and ends at the Fabulich Center, 3600 Port of Tacoma Rd.
Space is limited for this free tour, and reservations are
required. Children age six and older are welcome. Photo
identification is required for passengers 17 years of age and
older. This tour will involve minor hiking; comfortable shoes and
weather-appropriate clothing are recommended. Reserve your free
seat for the special April 22 Earth Day tour by calling (253)
383-9463 or e-mailing bustours@portoftacoma.com.
NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Port of Tacoma breakfast
to look at supply chain thrends
TACOMA Supply chain trends and an update on the Port of
Tacoma will be two of the major topics at the port's annual
breakfast on Wednesday, April 28. The event is being held at the
Hotel Murano in downtown Tacoma from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. The
program will feature remarks from Don Johnson, president of the
Port of Tacoma Commission, John Wolfe, the port's interim
executive director, and Scott Mason, president of ILWU Local 23.
In addition, Kate Vitasek, founder of Supply Chain Visions, will
provide keynote remarks about new supply chain trends and
challenges that are changing how companies operate. She will also
moderate a supply chain panel featuring:
Rocky Griese, Export and Logistics Manager, Costco Wholesale
John Keenan, President and COO, Horizon Lines
Linda Leary, President, Carlile Transportation Systems, Inc.
Dan Wall, Senior Vice President of Ocean Cargo Services,
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.
Attendance at the event is $20. For more information and to
register, contact Mariam Anderson at the World Trade Center
Tacoma at 253-396-1022 or manderson@wtcta.org.
Alaska Airlines to offer
second Portland to Hawaii flight
SEATTLE Alaska Airlines has announced it will add a second
nonstop flight between Portland and Hawaii, with year-round,
daily service to Honolulu beginning
Sept. 20, 2010. The airline already flies between Portland and
Kahului, Maui. Flights will be available for booking on April 15,
2010, at alaskaair.com or by calling
1-800-ALASKAAIR (1-800-252-7522 or TTY/TDD line 1-800-392-0228).
They are timed for convenient connections to and from Alaska
Airlines and Horizon Air points in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and
Washington. The new flights are operated with fuel-efficient
Boeing 737-800 aircraft, accommodating 16 passengers in first
class and 141 in the main cabin.
Washington Governor marks opening
of S. Royal Brougham Way bridge
SEATTLE Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and state and local
leaders gathered on Mariners opening day to celebrate two
achievements that mark significant progress toward replacing the
seismically vulnerable Alaskan Way Viaduct. Gov. Gregoire
celebrated the completion of the new S. Royal Brougham Way
bridge, a signature feature of the SR 519 Intermodal Access
project located between Seattles sports stadiums. The
bridge eliminates the at-grade crossing of the railroad tracks on
Royal Brougham for vehicles and pedestrians. The April 12th
bridge opening will be followed in May by the opening of the new
I-5/I-90 westbound off-ramp to S. Atlantic Street/Edgar Martinez
Drive S providing an important freight connection to the
waterfront and Port of Seattle terminals. Opening these two
structures this spring meets the state Department of
Transportations goal of completing the SR 519 project
before major construction begins this summer to replace the
southern mile of the viaduct. Gov. Gregoire, Port of Seattle
Commissioner Bill Bryant and Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani
signed a memorandum of agreement to commit $300 million in port
funding to the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement
Program. The funding is a critical share of the $3.1 billion
budget to replace the viaduct and completes the funding plan for
the proposed bored tunnel. The Port of Seattle also contributed
to the SR 519 project.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics
earns greenhouse gas emissions nod
OSLO Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, a global shipping and
logistics company, reports it has become the first shipping
company to receive formal 3rd party verification of its inventory
processes for greenhouse gas emissions. Guided by our
future vision of a zero-emissions supply chain, WWL has adopted
rigorous emissions inventory processes based upon the Green House
Gas (GHG) Protocol. This will enable us to better manage and
reduce carbon emissions and related costs from our
customers global supply chains, explained Kai Kraass,
COO of Ocean Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics contracted Det Norske Veritas AS
(DNV), the global independent provider of risk management
services, to provide an independent third-party limited assurance
verification that WWLs Ocean Transportation GHG inventory
conforms to the accounting requirements of ISO 14064-1 and the
GHG protocol.
Diana shipping places order
for pair of Newcastlemax vessels
ATHENS Diana Shipping Inc., a global shipping
transportation company specializing in dry bulk cargoes, has
announced that it has signed, through its 100 percent owned
subsidiaries, two shipbuilding contracts with China Shipbuilding
Trading Company, Limited and Shanghai Jiangnan-Changxing
Shipbuilding Co., Ltd for the construction of two Newcastlemax
dry bulk carriers of approximately 206,000 dwt each for a
contract price of US$59 million per vessel. The company expects
to take delivery of the vessels during the second and third
quarters of 2012, respectively. The company is considering
obtaining pre- and/or post-delivery financing for the specific
acquisitions.
NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, April 12, 2010
Port of Portland schedules
proposed budget public hearing
PORTLAND The Port of Portland Commission will hold a
public hearing next Wednesday, April 14 on the ports
Proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2010-11 Budget which begins on July
1st. The budget reflects a projected slow economic recovery, flat
revenues and a transition from an unprecedented high capital
project activity level. Total port operating revenues and
operating expenditures are budgeted at $241.7 million and $172.8
million respectively for FY 2010-11, compared to the Adopted FY
2009-10 Budget of $239.7 million and $173.8 million. About $750
million in large multi-year port projects have been completed in
recent months or will be completed in the year ahead. They
include the second parking structure, the ports new
headquarters building, the extension of the north runway, the
baggage screening improvement project, and airfield deicing
system enhancements at PDX, as well as several General Fund
projects such as rail improvements in South Rivergate and the
Ramsey Rail Yard, marine terminal and berth improvements, and
several taxiway and runway improvement projects at the
ports general aviation airports. FY 2010-11 will also mark
the completion of the more than two-decade-long Columbia River
channel-deepening project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will
complete this project at least a year ahead of schedule, thanks
to an infusion of almost $30 million in federal stimulus money
last spring.
Newest Washington ferry
in Everett for final outfitting
EVERETT On April 3, 2010, Washington States newest
ferry, CHETZEMOKA, arrived at Everett Shipyard for final
outfitting and completion. Work will be completed at the Port of
Everetts Pier 3 North. The CHETZEMOKA was towed from Todd
Pacific Shipyards (Todd Shipyards) Seattle Shipyard to the
Port of Everett to commence its final building stage. The final
outfitting work to be complete by Everett Shipyard will include
the insulation, crew and passenger accommodations, galleys,
flooring and the addition of lifesaving and emergency evacuation
equipment. Everett Shipyards leases property from the Port
of Everett, and is utilizing part of Pier 3 to complete the
vessel work.
Hapag Lloyd vessel participates
in Port of Seattle clean fuels program
SEATTLE Hapag Lloyds Budapest Express made its first
call at the Port of Seattle on Friday, April 2 and became the
latest ship to participate in the ports At-Berth Clean
Fuels program (ABC Fuels). ABC Fuels is a partnership that
includes some of the ports ocean carriers and the Puget
Sound Clean Air Agency. The program encourages carriers to burn
low-sulfur fuels (0.5 percent sulfur or less) in their auxiliary
engines while at berth in Seattle by providing an incentive of
$2,250 for each call during which ships comply with the fuel
requirements. The ABC Fuels program began in 2009 and to-date has
eliminated more than 87 tons of sulfur dioxide emissions. The
low-sulfur fuel reduces sulfur dioxide emissions by 80 percent
and diesel particulate matter by 60 percent. More than 60 vessels
from nine carriers participate in the program. Participating
carriers include Hapag Lloyd, APL, China Ocean Shipping Company
(COSCO), Evergreen Line, Hamburg Süd, Maersk Line, Matson
Navigation, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruise Line.
Port of Longview welcomes
two new staff members
LONGVIEW The Port of Longview has announced two additions
to staff. The port welcomes new Environmental Manager, Lisa
Hendriksen, who is replacing retiring manager Judy Grigg. Ms.
Hendriksen has worked for many years in the environmental and
planning profession, most recently as planning manager for
Cowlitz County Building and Planning. The port also welcomes Kara
Metzger as the new purchasing manager. She comes to the port with
more than 13 years of exprience in procurement and contract
administration. Prior to joining the port, Ms. Metzger was
employed as budget analyst for the Cowlitz County Office of
Financial Management.
"K" Line continues string
of Port of Long Beach green awards
TOKYO Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. ("K" Line) has
been recognized once again for its contribution on behalf of
environmental conservation during the past year by the Long Beach
Board of Harbor Commissioners. The commission has been promoting
a voluntary ship speed reduction program to aid in curbing air
pollution from exhaust gas in certain designated offshore waters.
"K" Line has been given this award for five consecutive
years--2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010--by the port in
recognition of our company's excellent performance during each of
the preceding years. "K" Line was first honored with
this award in 2006.
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, April 9, 2010
Port of Camas-Washougal
closing book on lawsuit
WASHOUGAL, WA The Port of Camas-Washougal has announced it
has ceased legal proceedings against Riverwalk on the Columbia,
LLC. "We determined after a comprehensive financial analysis
of the business entity known as Riverwalk on the Columbia, LLC,
that there are no assets that would allow us to recover legal
costs, " said David Ripp, executive director. "Although
we're disappointed that the individuals involved forced us into
this legal process nearly three years ago, the port has acted
responsibly and with integrity. Riverwalk and its remaining
members, Mark Benson and John McKibbin, have not honored the
courts judgment to fully reimburse taxpayers for the attorney's
fees and costs associated with this lawsuit. We determined that
the fiscally responsible decision is to immediately conclude the
process and put it behind us."
Mitsui plans to begin
new service with "K" Line
TOKYO Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced a new
all-water service to expedite cargo moving from major Asian ports
to key destinations on the U.S. East Coast, via the Suez Canal.
From May 15, the "SVE" (South China/Vietnam - the US
East Coast) service will be jointly operated by MOL and
"K" LINE. MOL will provide two ships and
"K"LINE seven ships, with the average capacity of
approximately 5,500 TEU, replacing the existing service operated
by "K"LINE. The introduction of the new service will
enable MOL to offer direct connections from Vietnam/South
China/Singapore to the U.S. East Coast, including a call at
Jacksonville and brand-new coverage to Halifax, with competitive
transit times. Port rotation: Cai Mep (Tue/Wed) - Shekou
(Fri/Sat) - Hong Kong (Sat/Sun) - Yantian (Sun/Mon) - Singapore
(Thu/Thu) - Halifax (Tue/Wed) - New York (Thu/Fri) - Norfolk
(Fri/Sat) - Jacksonville (Sun/ Mon) - Savannah (Mon/Tue) -
Singapore (Sun/Mon) - Cai Mep (Tue)
US rail freight traffic
continues gains during week
WASHINGTON, DC Freight traffic on U.S. railroads was up
from a year ago during the week ended March 13, the third
consecutive week of gains on a year over year basis, the
Association of American Railroads reports. U.S. railroads
originated 287,837 carloads during the week, up 3.2 percent from
the comparable week in 2009, but down 12 percent from 2008. In
order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail
traffic, AAR now reports 2010 weekly rail traffic with comparison
weeks in both 2009 and 2008. Intermodal traffic totaled 203,626
trailers and containers, up 15.1 percent from last year but down
5.9 percent compared with 2008. Compared with the same week in
2009, container volume increased 19.4 percent and trailer volume
dipped 3.8 percent. Compared with the same week in 2008,
container volume was up 3.4 percent while trailer volume fell 37
percent. Total volume for the week was estimated at 31.3 billion
ton-miles, up 4.3 percent from last year but down 9 percent from
2008.
Genco inks deal
to extend time charter
NEW YORK Genco Shipping & Trading Limited has
announced that it has reached an agreement to extend the time
charter for the GENCO KNIGHT, a 1999-built Panamax vessel, with
Swissmarine Services S.A. for approximately 11 to 13.5 months at
a rate of $25,000 per day, less a five percent third-party
brokerage commission. The time charter is expected to commence
following the expiration of the vessel's current time charter on
or about April 23, 2010 and is subject to the completion of
definitive documentation. Currently, Genco has approximately 63
percent of its fleet's estimated available days secured on
contracts for the remainder of 2010.
Fourth of July event
returning to Bellingham
BELLINGHAM Despite cancellations of fireworks shows in
many communities, the expanded Haggen Family 4th of July
Celebration will return to Bellingham's Zuanich Point Park this
year. Haggen Food & Pharmacy stores, in partnership with the
Port of Bellingham and Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce
& Industry, will continue to be title sponsor of this year's
festivities on Sunday, July 4. Haggen has been the primary
sponsor of the Bellingham fireworks display, one of the largest
in the state, since 1995. Live music, children's activities and
vendor booths offering food, crafts and more - all introduced for
the first time last year - will be presented at Zuanich Point
Park during the hours leading up to the fireworks show. All
activities will be free, but vendors will charge for their wares.
Last year's Fourth of July festivities drew 10,000 people to
Zuanich Point Park, the Port of Bellingham estimated, and many
more watched the fireworks show from other locations along
Bellingham Bay. Businesses interested in sponsorship and vendor
opportunities may contact Sheila Connors of the
Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber at (360) 734-1330. Singers, musicians
and bands interested in performing may contact Marie Duckworth at
the Port of Bellingham, (360) 676-2500.
NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Ag Processing Inc.
plans Grays Harbor expansion
ABERDEEN, WA After a record year of soybean meal exports,
the Port of Grays Harbors largest shipper, Ag Processing
Inc. (AGP) has announced plans to expand their agriculture
product export facility at Washington States only
deep-water port on the Pacific Coast. Expansion will include
construction of on-site storage silos and infrastructure to
increase unloading capacity at the AGP Terminal 2 facility at the
Port of Grays Harbor. Over the past year, AGP conducted market
analysis and considered preliminary designs for the 13.5 acre
expansion. The expanded facility will provide a gateway
destination for soybean meal, grains, distillers grains, gluten
meal, and beet pulp pellets. Detailed engineering has begun and
construction is expected to begin this fall with operations
slated for early 2012.
Port of Bellingham backs
projects in local cities
BELLINGHAM Five local cities got an economic boost April
6, when the Port of Bellingham's Board of Commissioners approved
$80,000 in funds to support projects in Blaine, Everson,
Nooksack, Ferndale and Sumas. For the past six years, the port
has provided money through its Small City Economic Development
Fund to support economic development projects in Whatcom County
communities. During the 2010 budget process, Port Commissioners
directed staff to increase funding for the small cities program
because of its high value to the small cities. This year, the
port increased development fund support by $30,000 to a total of
$80,000. In 2009, the fund supported three small cities with
$50,000 in matching funds.
MarAd looking to expand
short sea shipping program
WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood
has unveiled a new initiative to move more cargo on the water
rather than on crowded U.S. highways. Under the
Americas Marine Highway program, the
Departments Maritime Administration (MARAD) will help
identify rivers and coastal routes that could carry cargo
efficiently, bypassing congested roads around busy ports and
reducing greenhouse gases. Under the new regulation, regional
transportation officials will be able to apply to have specific
transportation corridors and even individual
projectsdesignated by the Department of Transportation as a
marine highway if they meet certain criteria. Once designated,
these projects will receive preferential treatment for any future
federal assistance from the department or MARAD. The Marine
Highway initiative stems from a 2007 law requiring the Secretary
of Transportation to establish a short sea transportation
program and designate short sea transportation projects to
mitigate surface congestion. Earlier this year, Secretary
LaHood announced $58 million in grants for projects to support
the start-up or expansion of Marine Highways services, awarded
through the Departments TIGER grants program. Congress has
also set aside an additional $7 million in grants which MARAD
will award later this year. The final rule can be found on the
MARAD website at www.marad.dot.gov.
Navios Maritime Acquisition
buying fleet of 13 vessels
PIRAEUS Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation has
announced that it has signed a definitive agreement pursuant to
which it will acquire a 13-vessel fleet, comprised of 11 product
tankers and two chemical tankers. The aggregate purchase price is
$457.7 million, of which $123.4 million will be paid from
existing cash and $334.3 million from debt financing. Navios
Acquisition will also have options to purchase two additional
product tankers for $40.5 million per vessel. The purchase price
for the 13 vessels is payable in multiple installments. The
initial installment of $191.8 million will be paid on or about
the closing of the transaction, of which $30.1 million will be
paid from Navios Acquisition's existing cash and $161.7 million
from debt financing. The $265.9 million balance will be paid
using $93.3 million of available cash and $172.6 million of debt
financing. These amounts will be paid in installments as vessels
are constructed and delivered. The $334.4 million of acquisition
debt financing consists of three term loans aggregating to $277.0
million and a $57.3 million revolving credit facility.
Sea-Tac Link Light Rail
gives Mariner fans a break
SEATTLE Seattle-Tacoma International Airport invites
Mariner fans to "go green to the ballpark" with a 50
percent parking discount if you take Link Light Rail to Safeco
Field. Terminal Direct parking at Sea-Tac Airport offers the most
convenient access to the airport terminal and quick connection to
Link Light Rail. You'll park on the 4th floor of the airport
garage, an easy walk to the pedestrian bridge leading to the
SeaTac/Airport station. During the Mariners opening homestand
April 12 - 21, customers parking in Terminal Direct will enjoy a
$2 per hour rate. The discount period begins two hours before
game time and you get the chance to see the Mariner's game
without the hassle of downtown parking. Discounted parking is
available for up to eight hours and will automatically be
credited at the special rate when you exit the airport parking
garage. Catch Link Light Rail on the Terminal Direct parking
level and travel to the Stadium Station, where you're an easy
walk to Safeco Field. The airport's Terminal Direct parking is a
perfect way to make the connection to Link Light Rail and stay
out of the traffic hassles on game days.
NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Evergreen Line to reintroduce
US West Coast/Asia/Med service
TAIPEI Evergreen Line will enhance coverage of the U.S.
West Coast-Asia-Mediterranean trade routes by reintroducing a
20-port pendulum service for the region that will range from
Tacoma to Valencia, Spain, via the Far East, Middle East and Suez
Canal. The U.S. West Coast - Asia -Mediterranean (UAM) service,
starting on May 10 from Kaohsiung, will replace current
Asia-Pacific-North West Coast (PNW) and Far-East Mediterranean
(FEM) services, which were introduced last October as an interim
measure. The UAM service will operate with a total of 14 U-type
(5,364 TEU) vessels. The first vessel to depart will be 'EVER
UNISON 0132-104E' from Kaohsiung on May 10, 2010. The first
sailing from the Port of Tacoma will be May 23. The port rotation
is as follows: Tacoma - Vancouver - Tokyo - Osaka - Qingdao -
Shanghai - Ningbo - Kaohsiung - Hong Kong - Yantian - Tanjung
Pelepas - Colombo - Ashdod - Alexandria - Taranto - Genoa -
Barcelona - Valencia - Taranto- Colombo - Tanjung Pelepas -
Kaohsiung - Hong Kong - Yantian - Shanghai - Ningbo - Tacoma.
Seattle port board Oks
Spokane Street investment
SEATTLE Port of Seattle commissioners have voted to
authorize a $3.4 million investment in the Spokane Street
Widening Project. The ports contribution is the final
amount needed to fund the project, an improvement to the primary
east-west corridor that links port terminals to I-5 and I-90. Bus
riders and drivers alike will benefit from a new Fourth Avenue
South off-ramp that separates buses, cars, and trucks from three
rail crossings eliminating delays caused by trains moving
goods to markets across the country. Improvements to Spokane
Street will ease congestion during the major construction on the
viaducts replacement. The ports investment in the
Spokane Street Widening Project is part of the
organizations overall support of the Alaskan Way Viaduct
and Seawall Replacement Program.
Greenbrier seeks shelf registration
with Securities and Exchange
LAKE OSWEGO, OR The Greenbrier Companies has announced
that it has filed a $300 million universal shelf registration
statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC"). The registration statement is subject to
review by the SEC and has not yet been declared effective.
"We currently have no plans to offer or sell securities
under this registration statement," stated Mark Rittenbaum,
executive vice president and chief financial officer.
"Having a universal shelf registration statement in place
provides us with greater financial flexibility, and is a
proactive step which will help facilitate our ability to raise
capital which we may use for a variety of purposes, including but
not limited to, refinancing and repaying debt as well as funding
new opportunities." If and when declared effective by the
SEC, the shelf registration statement will remain effective for
three years and will give the Company the ability from time to
time to access capital utilizing various types of securities
including common stock, preferred stock, debt securities (senior
and subordinated), warrants, rights, units or a combination
thereof subject to business and market conditions and the
Company's capital needs. The terms of any offering under the
shelf registration statement will be described in a prospectus
supplement filed with the SEC.
Spyglass Vision Clinic
nets Port of Bellingham lease
BELLINGHAM The Port of Bellingham's Board of Commissioners
has approved a five-year lease with Spyglass Vision Clinic. The
optometry business will be located in the Bellwether Building in
the space formerly occupied by Bergsma Gallery. In addition to
offering comprehensive eye exams, the Spyglass Vision Clinic also
features a wide array of eye glass styles, including eye glasses
from European designers. Spyglass Vision Clinic is known for
offering distinctive eyewear that is not available in other
optometry practices. The business is currently located on North
State Street and it plans to be operating in its new location by
June 1, 2010. The business owner, Jeffrey A. Young, O.D., moved
to Bellingham in 2004 and opened Spyglass Vision Clinic in 2005.
He has been practicing optometry for nearly 20 years.
Diana Shipping investing
in containership project
ATHENS Diana Shipping Inc., a global shipping company
specializing in the transportation of dry bulk cargoes, has
announced that it has completed its investment of US$50 million
in the previously announced new project involving a company
formed for the purpose of investing in containerships. Due to a
change in the size of the offering, the investment by Diana
Shipping is equivalent to an interest of approximately 60 percent
of the common shares of the new company. The balance of the new
company's common shares were purchased by institutional and
accredited investors in a private transaction. The proceeds
raised in the private transaction from Diana Shipping and the
other investors are expected to be used primarily to invest in
containerships over the next 12-18 months.
NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, April 5, 2010
Port Tracker report predicts
box gains during summer
WASHINGTON, DC Import cargo volume at the nations
major retail container ports is expected to be up eight percent
in April compared with the same month a year ago, and solid
increases are expected to continue through the summer as the U.S.
economy improves, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker
report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett
Associates. U.S. ports handled 1.01 million Twenty-foot
Equivalent Units in February, the latest month for which actual
numbers are available. That was down six percent from January as
shipping hit its traditional slow point for the year but up 20
percent from the unusually low numbers seen during February 2009.
It was also the third month in a row to show a year-over-year
improvement after December broke a 28-month streak of
year-over-year monthly declines. One TEU is one 20-foot cargo
container or its equivalent. March was estimated at 1.02 million
TEU, a six percent increase over last year as spring products
began to head for store shelves. April is forecast at 1.07
million TEU, up eight percent from last year; May at 1.12 million
TEU, up seven percent June at 1.18 million TEU, up 17
percent; July at 1.24 million TEU, up 12 percent; and August at
1.32 million TEU, up 15 percent.
Moorage reservations being taken
at Port of Seattle's Fishermen's Terminal
SEATTLE In 2008, a two-year, $22 million remodel was
completed, bringing a whole new look for Port of Seattles
Fishermens Terminal. The newly dredged inner harbor now
sports brand new floating docks with individual finger piers at
each moorage slip, plus new utilities on the docks, with plenty
of space to maneuver your vessel making it easier for
recreational boaters. Reserve your space at Fishermens
Terminal and you get access to:
Recreational moorage available June 1 -Sept 15
Free parking, restrooms, self serve sewage & bilge water
pumpouts
Showers and new shore power available
Sorry, no live aboards
Moorage available for boats up to 150
Fishermens Terminal, historic home of the North Pacific
fishing fleet, is located on the Ship Canal at the southwest
corner of the Ballard Bridge adjacent to shops,
restaurants, and all the services boat owners need to keep their
vessels in good working order. Summer recreational moorage is
available from June to September, and slips are filling fast.
Long-term moorage may be available for recreation vessels as
well. For more information, including rates and availability,
boaters can call (206) 787-3395 Monday - Saturday, 7:00 a.m. -
5:00 p.m. or VHF 17. In addition, daily, monthly, and year-round
moorage is available for commercial vessels up to 250 feet.
NYK-TDG academy students
begin onboard training program
TOKYO The NYK-TDG Maritime Academy (NTMA) held a
preboarding ceremony on March 26 to launch onboard training for
the first 116 students enrolled at the academy. NTMA is jointly
run by NYK and business partner Transnational Diversified Group
(TDG). After completing one year onboard training on NYK vessels,
students will acquire a seaman's certificate of competency, and
be ready to start their careers as officers and engineers
operating on the world's oceans. The first students enrolled at
the academy when it opened in June 2007. They have now completed
their three-year academic requirements in line with the
educational curriculum defined by NYK. The academy offers a wide
range of maritime programs, including basic classes, training
courses using operational simulators and an engine plant, and
lectures on preparedness to be senior officers responsible for
safe navigation.
Nominations being accepted
for annual Connie Awards
HOLMDEL, NJ The Containerization & Intermodal
Institute (CII) is seeking nominations for the annual Connie
Awards. Named for the container, the Connie Award has been
presented every year since 1972 to those who have made
outstanding contributions to the containerization and intermodal
industry, including those involved with rail, shipping, ports,
importers and exporters, 3PLs, technology, government officials
and the media. This year's events will take place on September
30, 2010, in Long Beach, CA, and December 6, 2010, in Newark, NJ.
All nominations must be received by April 23, 2010. To nominate a
person or company, contact CII Executive Director, Barbara
Yeninas, at execdir@containerization.org or visit
www.containerization.org/nominations.htm. In addition to the
awards, CII will present scholarships to deserving students
studying logistics or transportation. To celebrate CII's 50th
anniversary, CII is offering special discounts on "The Box
That Changed The World" books detailing the first 50 years
of containerization. Any company that would like to become
involved in sponsoring a scholarship or purchasing books should
contact Barbara Yeninas at ExecDir@containerization.org or (732)
817-9131.
ATA backs DOT plan
to battle distracted driving
ARLINGTON, VA The American Trucking Associations (ATA)
applauds Transportation Secretary LaHood for his ongoing
dedication to combating distracted driving. ATA strongly supports
the Department of Transportations (DOT) proposal of a
permanent rule to prohibit text messaging on handheld devices by
interstate commercial truck and bus drivers. Many ATA member
fleets have already adopted company policies designed to reduce
distractions while driving and manufacturers of in-cab
communication devices include mechanisms that lock
out the device or system while the vehicle is in motion.
ATA supports states efforts to ban texting by automobile
drivers and will continue to work with affiliated state trucking
associations and stakeholder groups to make that happen. As proof
of the trucking industrys highway safety progress, over the
last 5 years the truck-involved fatality rate has declined 22
percent, the truck-involved injury rate has declined 25 percent,
and both are at record lows.
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, April 2, 2010
Vessel capacity hearing
set for April 8, in Portland
WASHINGTON, DC Commissioner Rebecca F. Dye, as Fact
Finding Officer, will conduct hearings concerning vessel capacity
and equipment availability in the United States export and import
liner trades. In order to reach out and provide an opportunity
for face-to-face discussion for as many U.S. exporters and
importers, carriers, ports, and other industry participants as
possible, the Fact Finding Officer will hold hearings in
locations around the country. Commissioner Dye urges anyone
wishing to participate in these hearings or offer information
relevant to the development of the record in this proceeding to
contact her office at (202) 523-5715, or email
factfinding@fmc.gov. The first scheduled hearings in this
proceeding will be held on April 6 -7, 2010 in San Francisco,
California and April 8, 2010 in Portland, Oregon. These hearings
will be conducted in closed, non-public sessions as authorized by
the Commission's Fact Finding Order. Future hearing locations and
schedules will be developed primarily based on the location of
persons who have expressed interest in participating and offering
their testimony or documents. The Fact Finding Officer's initial
report is due June 15, 2010, therefore it is important that
interested parties contact the Fact Finding Officer as soon as
possible. In addition to having an opportunity to participate in
hearings, parties interested in contributing to the record in
this proceeding may also do so by phone, by email, or by
scheduling a meeting with the Fact Finding Officer at the
Commission's Washington, DC headquarters. Information voluntarily
submitted in this proceeding will be treated as confidential to
the fullest extent permitted by law.
AAPA taps Reixach
as new board chairman
ALEXANDRIA, VA At its annual Spring Conference on March
22, the American Association of Port Authorities
(AAPA)-representing the interests of seaports throughout the
Western Hemisphere-elected A.J. "Pete" Reixach Jr.,
executive port director and chief executive officer of Port
Freeport, Texas, to serve as the international trade
association's 2010-11 chairman of the board. Mr. Reixach is
slated to be installed as chairman for a one-year term on the
final day of AAPA's 99th annual convention, set for Sept. 19-23
in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He will assume the AAPA chairmanship
from Michael A. Leone, port director of the Massachusetts Port
Authority, who began his one-year term as the association's
chairman in October 2009.
Port Metro Vancouver
earns environmental honor
VANCOUVER, BC Port Metro Vancouver was selected as the
2010 recipient of the ecoFREIGHT Transportation Award at the
recent 2010 GLOBE Conference on March 23, 2010. The award
recognizes shippers, carriers, and other transportation service
providers that include sustainable transportation choices in
their environmental strategies, and demonstrate a leadership role
in addressing the impact of freight transportation on the
environment. Port Metro Vancouver reports it is committed to
conducting operations in a responsible and sustainable manner
that safeguards and promotes continual protection of the
environment, through a number of initiatives. The port is working
towards effectively reducing greenhouse gas and other emissions,
resulting from transportation activities in Canada, successfully
incorporating sustainable transportation choices in their
environmental strategies, and actively being environmentally
conscious/responsible in the production processes through its Air
Action Program, Canada Place Shore Power, Differentiated Harbour
Dues Program, Environmental Requirements through its Truck
Licensing Program, and the Land Side Air Emissions Inventory.
US rail freight traffic
shows gains during week
WASHINGTON, DC Rail freight volume on U.S. railroads is
continuing to show some signs of recovery, with both carload
freight and intermodal traffic during the week ended March 6
registering gains from last year, the Association of American
Railroads reports. U.S. railroads originated 285,160 carloads
during the week, up 3.7 percent from the comparable week in 2009,
but down 11.5 percent from 2008. In order to offer a complete
picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR now reports 2010
weekly rail traffic with comparison weeks in both 2009 and 2008.
Intermodal traffic totaled 212,296 trailers and containers, up
17.9 percent from last year and up 2.9 percent compared with
2008. Compared with the same week in 2009, container volume
increased 22.6 percent and trailer volume slipped 3.2 percent.
Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume was up 15.3
percent while trailer volume fell 36.2 percent. Total volume for
the week was estimated at 31.1 billion ton-miles, up 5.1 percent
from last year but down 8.3 from 2008.
Federal government to remove
remaining vessels from Suisun Bay
WASHINGTON, DC The federal government has announced that
it would remove the remaining 52 ships that are currently moored
in the Suisun Bay as part of an agreement with environmental
groups that was filed in federal court in Sacramento, Calif., the
Department of Justice and Department of Transportation announced.
The Department of Transportations Maritime Administration
(MARAD) has already begun removing obsolete ships from Suisun Bay
for recycling, including four ships that have been removed since
November 2009 and a fifth that was removed March 31. The
agreement outlines MARADs commitment to remove 20 of the
ships that are in the poorest condition prior to Sept. 30, 2012.
NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Foss Maritime earns
ISO 14001 designation
SEATTLE Foss Maritime has earned the ISO 14001
environmental certification to use as a blueprint to achieve its
zero trace corporate goal. With its new
certification, Foss entire marine division, both shoreside
and marine, moves to the forefront of American maritime companies
that have publicly committed to sound environmental practices and
continual improvement, bringing in outside auditors to certify
their safety, quality and environmental (SQE) processes. The SQE
audit, which incorporates ISO 14001, was conducted by
ABS(American Bureau of Shipping), an international classification
society with headquarters in Houston, Texas. The ABS SQE
certification program allows ship owners to demonstrate adherence
to the highest levels of safety, quality and environmental
standards. The ISO 14001 Standard is an internationally accepted
specification for environmental management systems created by the
International Organization for Standardization to help
organizations minimize how their operations affect the
environment and comply with related laws, regulations and
requirements.
Maritime Administration inks
increased piracy advisory
WASHINGTON, DC The Maritime Administration has issued
advisories to U.S. ships in the waters off the Horn of Africa and
in the Indian Ocean. The warnings advise that pirate activity
could increase between now and May, due to the end of the
Northeast monsoon season and increased range of recent pirate
attacks. The Maritime Administration advisories provide guidance
and information to the U.S. maritime industry on the risk of
operating ships in the affected areas. With the end of the
monsoon season, calmer weather and seas create a greater
opportunity for pirates to operate their skiffs further away from
shore and larger base ships. This area of activity has expanded
to more than 1,000 nautical miles off the Horn of Africa into the
Indian Ocean. The Department of Transportations Maritime
Administration routinely issues advisories, which usually warn of
possible hazards and inform ships at sea of the measures they can
take to avert danger. The text of the advisory can be found at
the Maritime Administration web site, www.marad.dot.gov.
Crowley takes home award
from Toyota Logistics Services
JACKSONVILLE, FL Toyota Logistics Services recently
presented Crowley's Puerto Rico/Caribbean liner services group
with its Award for Excellence in Quality in the marine division
for 2009. It was the eighth consecutive year the company has
received recognition from Toyota. During the meeting in Long
Beach, Calif., John Douglass, senior vice president and general
manager, Puerto Rico/Caribbean services accepted the award on
behalf of Crowley. Crowley reinvests profits to maintain and
enhance the car decking on its vessels. The vessels are equipped
to stow up to 240 vehicles per voyage in protected and dedicated
auto decking space. A team of auto checkers and traffic
specialists play a large role in ensuring that load lists are
correct and documentation is complete prior to sailing.
Additionally, the company has reserved, fenced terminal space for
approximately 225 Toyota vehicles located directly across from
the vessel-loading ramp, minimizing the need for terminal transit
of Toyota vehicles.
FreeSeas announces
new vessel time charters
PIRAEUS, Greece FreeSeas Inc., a transporter of dry-bulk
cargoes through the ownership and operation of a fleet of eight
Handysize vessels and two Handymax vessels, has announced new
charters for three of its vessels. The M/V FREE ENVOY, a
1984-built, 26,318 dwt Handysize vessel, has been chartered for a
time charter trip of approximately 35 days at a daily rate of
$22,500. The M/V FREE GODDESS, a 1995-built, 22,051 dwt Handysize
vessel, has been delivered in direct continuation to its existing
charterers for an additional time charter trip of approximately
40 days at a daily rate of $15,000. The M/V FREE NEPTUNE, a
1996-built, 30,838 dwt Handysize vessel, has been chartered for a
time charter trip of approximately 60-100 days at a daily rate of
$25,000.
Aegean Marine Petroleum
completes bunkering firm deal
PIRAEUS, Greece Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. has
announced that it has completed its previously announced
acquisition of Verbeke Bunkering N.V., a leading physical
supplier of marine fuel in the Antwerp-Rotterdam-Amsterdam (ARA)
region, the world's second largest bunkering market.