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January, 2012

NEWS BULLETIN
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Transportation Secretary announces
fourth round of TIGER Grants

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced the availability of funding for transportation projects under a fourth round of the TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grant program. TIGER 2012 will make $500 million available for surface transportation projects having a significant impact on the nation, a metropolitan area, or region. The previous three rounds of the TIGER program provided $2.6 billion to 172 projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. During the previous three rounds, the Department of Transportation received more than 3,348 applications requesting more than $95 billion for transportation projects across the country. As in previous rounds, high-speed rail and intercity passenger rail projects remain eligible for funding. TIGER 2012 provides for the possibility of up to $100 million being used toward these projects. TIGER 2012 will also continue to encourage the development of transportation projects in rural areas, providing $120 million for rural transportation projects. Like the first three rounds, TIGER 2012 grants are for capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure and are to be awarded on a competitive basis. Projects will be evaluated on primary criteria that include safety, economic competitiveness, livability, environmental sustainability, state of repair and short-term job creation. Pre-applications are due February 20 and applications are due March 19. Click http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2012-01996_PI.pdf to view the Notice of Funding Availability.


Maersk Line changing
makeup of management team

COPENHAGEN — Maersk Line reports it has updated its organization and set a new team of executive managers. New to the management team - and Maersk Line - is Jakob Stausholm, former Group CFO of the global facility provider ISS. Also new on the team are Vincent Clerc, currently responsible for Maersk Line’s Asia - Europe trade, and Bill Allen, head of Group HR. Lucas Vos continues as member of the executive team, but takes on new responsibility. With immediate effect, the executive management of Maersk Line will consist of CEO Søren Skou, CCO Lucas Vos, COO Morten Engelstoft (continues in current position) Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer Jakob Stausholm, CFO Peter Rønnest Andersen (continues in current position), Chief Product & Yield Officer Vincent Clerc, and acting Head of HR Bill Allen, who is also Head of Group HR. Mr. Stausholm is the only new member of the executive team who has been recruited from outside the group. Prior to working as Group CFO for ISS he has held a number of CFO positions around the world for Royal Dutch Shell.


APL performance report finds
94 percent Trans-Pacific on time rate

SINGAPORE — APL, the world’s seventh largest container shipping carrier, has announced that its on-time performance in the Trans-Pacific trade was 94 percent last year. In its final year measure of 2011 vessel reliability, the carrier said that APL ships missed their arrival window just 15 times out of 234 port calls to the US West Coast. The delays were due to inclement weather and port congestion. The report measures reliability on the five Asia-to-US West Coast services operated exclusively by APL vessels. APL is a unit of Singapore-based Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), global shipping and logistics company.


Crowley set to begin
Houston/Puerto Rico LCL run

HOUSTON — To better serve customers shipping to Puerto Rico from the U.S. Gulf, Crowley Maritime Corp. will launch a new weekly express less-than- containerload (LCL) service from Houston in early February that will get shippers’ cargo to Puerto Rico in 11 days. Additionally, any cargo needing to be shipped into the Caribbean from Puerto Rico can be relayed to surrounding islands – including Antigua, St. Kitts/Nevis, Anguilla, St. Eustatius, St. Bart's, Montserrat and Saba. Crowley’s new Houston-to-Puerto Rico schedule is as follows: Each Wednesday, LCL shipments will leave Houston for arrival in San Juan, Puerto Rico, 11 days later. Crowley’s first express consolidation loads will depart on Wednesday, Feb. 8.


Port of Bellingham kicks off
'View from the Bridge' contest

BELLINGHAM — As demolition and environmental cleanup continue on the former Georgia-Pacific mill site, the Port of Bellingham points out that one of the best places to watch is the Chestnut Avenue Bridge on Bellingham’s waterfront. The port invites the public to capture this ever-changing view with a photograph, painting or other artistic medium as part of the “View from the Bridge” contest. The port also welcomes historic submissions showing the site’s past operations and activities. This contest is free to enter and open to everyone. Rules and online entry form available at www.portofbellingham.com/photocontest. Deadline to enter is May 31. Winners will be notified in June and selected submissions will be on display at the Squalicum Boathouse during the Haggen Family 4th of July Celebration at Zuanich Point Park.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, January 30, 2012

WSF plans public hearings
on Mukilteo terminal upgrade plans

MUKILTEO — The Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries Division (WSF) reports the Mukilteo ferry terminal is deteriorating and major repairs are needed to continue to provide safe and reliable ferry service. Those interested in learning more about plans to improve or upgrade the terminal are invited to review and comment on the latest environmental documents at upcoming meetings and/or online. WSF and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) released a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) that evaluates four different alternatives to improve safety and operations at the terminal. The alternatives include fixing the existing terminal, building a new terminal in the current location or relocating the terminal east of the existing site. The Mukilteo/Clinton ferry route is the state’s busiest route for vehicles, and has the second highest annual ridership, serving more than four million riders in 2011. Passengers taking the route are expected to increase 73 percent by 2030. There will be public hearings and an extended period of time to review and comment on the draft EIS. The 45-day comment period runs from Jan. 27 through Mar. 12. All comments will be included in the final EIS and will be considered when WSF selects a preferred alternative. Public hearings have been scheduled in Mukilteo and on Whidbey Island. At each meeting there will be a brief presentation at 6 p.m. and opportunities to review project information. Representatives from WSF, FTA and other partner agencies will be on hand to answer questions. A court reporter will record testimonies during the public hearing portion of the meetings.


Horizon works deal with DOJ
over false oil record keeping

CHARLOTTE, NC — Horizon Lines, Inc. has announced that its Horizon Lines, LLC operating subsidiary has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, under which the ocean cargo carrier will plead guilty to two counts of providing federal authorities with false vessel oil record-keeping entries on a containership in the U.S. West Coast-Hawaii service. Under the agreement, which is subject to court approval, the company will pay a fine of $1.0 million and donate an additional $500,000 to the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation for environmental community service programs. The company also has agreed to be placed on probation for three years and institute an environmental compliance plan. The charges stem from the improper use of an oily water separator and related inappropriate record keeping on the HORIZON ENTERPRISE, an American-flag containership that sails between Tacoma, Oakland and Honolulu. Oily water separators are used to remove oil from bilge or wastewater, so that the water can then be legally discharged into the ocean.


Mitsui announces plans
to scrap five tanker vessels

TOKYO — Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced a decision to scrap five double-hull tankers (four VLCCs, one Suezmax) by the end of March. Scrapping of two vessels is already completed, and preparations are under way to start dismantling the other three. All five tankers were crude carriers launched before 1998. MOL, as one of the world’s leading crude oil transport operators, is moving ahead to rejuvenate its fleet, upgrade the quality of its services, and solidify its position in the market, where it expects mid- and long-term growth. Meanwhile, the vessels will be scrapped at yards that conform to the “Guidelines to sell vessels for scrapping from an environmental viewpoint” stipulated by MOL.


US railroads set to spend
$13 billion on improvements

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has announced that the nation’s major freight railroads are projected to invest a record $13 billion in capital expenditures in 2012 to expand, upgrade, and enhance the nation’s freight rail network. The freight railroads also expect to hire more than 15,000 employees this year, replacing retiring workers and adding new positions nationwide. With hundreds of infrastructure projects underway nationwide, privately owned freight rail networks are maintained through continued investments that have reached record levels in the past three years. These investments include expenditures such as intermodal terminals that facilitate truck to train freight transport; new track, bridges and tunnels; modernized safety equipment; new locomotives and rail cars, and other components. In recent years, railroads have been spending roughly 17 percent of their annual revenue on capital expenditures.


Crowley moving operations
to larger Miami location

MIAMI — Crowley Maritime Corporation's Miami-based liner services and logistics personnel, along with those from subsidiary Customized Brokers, are relocating to a new office and warehouse in the heart of the Miami import-export community at 10205 NW 108 Avenue, Suite 1 effective Jan. 30. The groups will continue offering their full suite of shipping and logistics services in a collaborative, solutions-oriented way from the new facility, which is more than 123,000 square feet and offers increased yard space to store containers. Despite the physical move, the telephone numbers for each group remain the same: Logistics (305) 463-4800; Liner Services (305) 470-4000; Customized Brokers (305) 471-8989.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, January 27, 2012

Port of Vancouver, USA
unveils new Centennial website

VANCOUVER, USA — The Port of Vancouver USA reports it has launched a Centennial website in an effort to share the port's history with the local community in an informative and interactive environment. Founded on April 6, 1912, the port has served as a global gateway for the past century – creating jobs and economic growth through leadership, stewardship, and partnership in marine and industrial development. The website, themed “A Century of Possibilities,” was created in addition to the port’s current website, highlighting the port’s first 100 years. Because strong connection with the local community is a key element of the port’s early and continued success, the website’s primary focus is on user-friendly interactivity with the people who have supported the port since its origin.
As part of the year-long celebration, the site invites visitors to share their personal stories and photographs of the port by clicking the “Send us your port memory” icon. These documents may be displayed on the website’s front page, with the hope of generating widespread discussion. Over the next 12 months, the Centennial website aims to immerse visitors in the port’s various milestones, and to think about tomorrow while honoring the past, present, and the future. Community members can visit the site and add their voices to the discussion by going to www.portvanusa.com/centennial, or by going to www.portvanusa.com and clicking on the Centennial website icon on the front page. Comments can also be emailed to the port at info@portvanusa.com.


Sea-Tac Airport sets new
passenger mark during 2011

SEATTLE — A record 32.8 million passengers passed through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in 2011, a four percent increase from 2010. Included in that number were nearly three million international passengers, the most ever in the airport’s history. The total 2011 passenger figure of 32,819,796 beat the previous record set in 2008, and far exceeded the one percent increase the port had forecasted for the year. The port’s seaport cargo facilities also had a strong 2011, handling just over two million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) – the second consecutive year that more than two million containers passed through the harbor.


AAPA taps Florida Congressman
as top port person of the year

ALEXANDRIA, VA — U.S. Congressman John Mica (R-FL) will be honored on March 20 as the American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) “Port Person of the Year” during the association’s 100th anniversary Spring Conference event, March 19-20, at The Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel. AAPA selected Rep. Mica to receive its most prestigious annual award based on his leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, six transportation subcommittees (several of which are crucial to America’s seaports), and his staunch support of maritime and port infrastructure policy and investment priorities. Nominated last fall for “Port Person of the Year” by both the Port of Jacksonville and the Port of New Orleans, AAPA’s Executive Committee approved Rep. Mica’s nomination at its Jan. 18 meeting in Tampa. AAPA anticipates more than 200 legislators, governmental staff members and port industry leaders and staff will take part in the two-day conference. Additionally, AAPA will hold its Centennial Celebration Dinner the evening of March 19 for more than 600 invited guests.


US rail traffic count
drops during week

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has reported a decrease in weekly rail traffic for the week ending January 7, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 274,862 carloads, down 3.7 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 193,812 trailers and containers, down 9.3 percent compared with the same week last year. Five of the 20 carload commodity groups posted increases compared with the same week in 2011, with metallic ores, up 29.2 percent, having the greatest gain. The groups showing a decrease in weekly traffic included: grain, down 20 percent; farm products excluding grain, down 18.5 percent, and iron and steel scrap, down 17 percent.


Inchcape Shipping Service
warns of Belgian port closures

CHAFFORD HUNDRED, UK — Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), a global maritime services provider, advises that a nationwide strike in Belgium on January 30, 2012 will close all ports in the country, with knock-on effects likely during the whole week. ISS anticipates that dockers, pilots, tugboats and locks operators will be involved, and that roadblocks with strike pickets will occupy all access roads to the ports. The company reports it has been unofficially informed that terminals will close from 06:00hrs on 01/30/2012 to 06:00hrs on 01/31/2012. Patrick Van Huffelen, general manager, ISS Port Services, said: “We advise shipowners and operators not to attempt to deliver any cargoes to Belgian ports on Monday, and we are warning that further disruption to schedules may continue into the week. Our offices will be running with a skeleton staff on Monday, however we will continue to offer advice and support to our clients on port congestion, the welfare of crews should they become stranded in port, and other related issues.”


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, January 26, 2012

Agricultural exports fuel rise
in Port of Tacoma totals for 2011

TACOMA — Increased exports of agriculture products helped boost the Port of Tacoma’s full containerized export volumes by 11 percent in 2011. Agriculture products account for more than half of the port’s full containerized exports. Leading agriculture exports through Tacoma include potatoes, hops and hay. The export of fresh or frozen potatoes through the state grew 106 percent in 2011 over 2010 levels, due to expanded export promotion efforts that helped fuel growth in international demand. Washington state is second behind Idaho in U.S. potato production and leads the nation in potato exports. The port’s total container volumes reached 1,488,799 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units), up two percent for 2011. Total international container volumes were up five percent for the year, while total domestic container volumes ( Alaska and Hawaii) were down three percent. Full import container volumes increased one percent for the year, reflecting the continued overall sluggishness of the U.S. economy. Breakbulk cargoes were up 68 percent, with industrial and agricultural equipment performing strong. Autos were up 34 percent, reflecting the growing strength of auto sales in the U.S. The port handled 162,434 autos. Log exports increased 45 percent and containerized lumber exports were up 33 percent, both driven by the construction boom in China. Grain exports were down four percent. Total tonnage was up five percent, to 17,270,252 tons. In 2012, the port forecasts a relatively flat year for container volumes. Log and lumber export volumes will depend largely on the strength of the Chinese economy and its real estate market.


Port of Port Angeles releases
fourth quarter Work Plan update

PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles reports the port's fourth quarter update of the 2011 Work Plan was presented to the port commission at the January 23, 2012 commission meeting. The 2011 Work Plan identifies key projects and tasks to be undertaken and accomplished this year. It also provides the port with a blueprint to meet its objectives and serves as a tool to measure progress. Go to: http://www.portofpa.com/about/documents/2011WorkPlanQ4Update.pdf to view the port's Work Plan progress for the fourth quarter of 2011.


Port of Newport powering down
marina dock for improvement project

NEWPORT — The Port of Newport reports that at 8:00 a.m. Monday, January 30, through Friday, February 3, electrical power will be disconnected from Port Dock 5 at the commercial marina. The gangway access to Port Dock 5 will also be closed. Dock 5 will be accessible only from Port Dock 3 by a temporary connecting dock. Disruption of the commercial marine fueling facility is not anticipated during this time. Upgrades at Port Dock 5 include replacing the existing timber support header, which connects the access pier to the existing gangway, with a new steel support header, and replacing the gangway and landing float. Work also includes replacing six, 14-inch diameter creosote wooden piling with two, 20-inch diameter steel pipe piling to provide support for the new header.


SSA Mexico on-line with
Tideworks terminal software

SEATTLE — Tideworks Technology®, Inc., a provider of full-service terminal management and planning software solutions, has announced SSA Mexico (SSAM) has gone live with the new Forecast by Tideworks customer service web portal at its dedicated container terminal in the Port of Manzanillo, the largest container terminal in Mexico. The website provides terminal customers, including ocean carriers, trucking companies, customs brokers and beneficial cargo owners (BCOs), with one-stop access to vital terminal and cargo information. From the Forecast by Tideworks website, depending on their user profile, customers can: check on the status of containers, create and edit bookings, request email, log terminal service requests, such as Customs inspections, view vessel schedules, get instant access to terminal news, run a variety of reports and more.


Music Initiative to entertain
Sea-Tac Airport passengers

SEATTLE — The Sea-Tac Airport Music Initiative, Experience the City of Music -- a cooperative effort by the Port of Seattle, Seattle Music Commission and PlayNetwork -- will launch this week to showcase the northwest region’s music culture and enhance the experience of millions of passengers who pass through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport each year. The Sea-Tac Airport Music Initiative, Experience the City of Music is a comprehensive program that enhances the traveler’s experience by utilizing speakers and screens airport-wide to feature a diverse variety of northwest music from the soulful sounds of Quincy Jones to the poignant lyrics of Eddie Vedder. Travelers will also hear artist-read public announcements, enjoy curated videos on terminal and baggage claim monitors, and listen to a multi-channel web radio player available through the free airport Wi-Fi network.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Washington Governor announces
tentative deal in Longview labor dispute

OLYMPIA — Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire has announced that EGT and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union reached a tentative settlement on pending legal issues surrounding labor disputes at EGT’s grain export facility in Longview. “We are pleased to announce that after a series of discussions convened by Governor Gregoire, the ILWU and EGT have reached a tentative settlement to resolve the pending legal matters between the parties and the Port of Longview,” said EGT CEO Larry Clarke. “While the parties are still working to finalize certain conditions over the next several days, we are optimistic we can resolve the dispute and get on with the business of operating the facility. From the beginning, we had two core goals – to operate this 21st Century facility safely and efficiently and to ensure the entire Longview Community shares in the economic benefits this facility will provide. We are optimistic this process will help us reach both of these objectives.” “This is a win for the ILWU, EGT, and the Longview community,” said ILWU President Robert McEllrath. “I want to thank Governor Gregoire for her leadership in working with both parties to find common ground. The ILWU has eight decades of grain export experience in the Northwest, and we look forward to the opportunity to develop a positive working relationship with EGT.”


Port of Portland reports gains
in total tonnage for past year

PORTLAND — For the second year in a row, the Port of Portland handled the third most tonnage on record as 2011 totals improved upon results for 2010. Tonnage represents the total volume of all cargo that travels through the port. The year-end report shows a two percent increase, with approximately 13.4 million tons handled. Growth was driven primarily by container volumes, which improved by nine percent to nearly 200,000 TEU (twenty foot equivalent units). February 2011 marked the beginning of a 25-year lease of the port’s container terminal to ICTSI Oregon, Inc., and over the course of the year full import containers improved by five percent. Full export containers grew by 27 percent, representing a jump in demand for regional products heading to overseas buyers. Aside from
containers, most other cargo categories stayed flat or showed minor decreases. Grain remained essentially unchanged at 4.7 million tons. Mineral bulks – primarily potash used in fertilizer, and soda ash used in glass production – dropped by half of a percent, to 5.2 million tons. Breakbulk, which is typically steel slab and steel rail, dipped 2.6 percent, with 941,120 tons. The port also handled the first shipments of logs for export since 1997. Auto imports lagged due to effects of the earthquakes and tsunami in Japan, and more recently flooding in Thailand. Disruptions to parts suppliers caused domino effects throughout the supply chain at factories, ports and dealerships. The 234,048 vehicles handled by Portland in 2011 represented an 11.5 percent decrease. Just recently, the port began exporting Ford vehicles to South Korea for the first time. Detailed 2011 statistics are available online at www.portofportland.com.


Port of Seattle Police
net CALEA accreditation

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle Police Department has earned national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), only the second port police agency in the nation to ever receive the endorsement. CALEA reviews 177 different standards of police performance for a period of eighteen months. In addition, an assessment team conducts an onsite visit to judge department operations, procedures, policies, training, community outreach and compliance with appropriate regulations. In its report, CALEA stated, “The agency is very professional and oriented toward responsible law enforcement practices. Department personnel strive to be approachable and to serve the public in a helpful and considerate manner.” Less than one percent of police agencies statewide, and only two percent nationally, have received the CALEA accreditation.


UP Portland Service Unit
posts lowest reportable injury rate

PORTLAND — Union Pacific Railroad employees in Oregon capped a decade of safety improvement in 2011 by achieving a 1.38 reportable injury rate, the best performance on record for the Portland Service Unit which includes Union Pacific operations across Oregon and Washington and into northern Idaho. Employees surpassed their previous best rate of 1.72, established in 2010, by 19.75 percent. From 2002-2011, Union Pacific employees across the company improved their reportable injury rate by 52 percent. A company's reportable injury rate is the total number of injuries reportable to the Federal Railroad Administration per 200,000 worker hours, which is equivalent to 100 employees working a full year.


CSX Corporation sees gains
in earnings during fourth quarter

JACKSONVILLE, FL — CSX Corporation has announced fourth quarter 2011 earnings of $0.43 per share, versus $0.38 per share in the same period last year. This represents a 13 percent year-over-year improvement in earnings per share and a fourth quarter record. The results were driven by revenues of nearly $3.0 billion, operating income of $841 million and an operating ratio of 71.5 percent. For the full year, CSX generated record performance in revenue, operating income, operating ratio and earnings per share. Revenues increased 10 percent to $11.7 billion, operating income rose 11 percent to $3.4 billion, the operating ratio improved to 70.9 percent, and earnings per share improved 24 percent to $1.67.


NEWS BULLETIN
Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Portland Airport posts gains
in passenger/cargo numbers

PORTLAND — Travel at Portland International Airport continued growing in 2011, totaling 13.7 million passengers. Air cargo volumes also continued increasing with 213,964 tons of freight and mail shipped through PDX. The 3.7 percent passenger increase over 2010 was spurred by expanded PDX air service options for travelers. Spirit Airlines began service at PDX, providing two daily nonstop flights to Las Vegas. Seasonal flight improvements included JetBlue Airways’ service to Boston, and Horizon Air’s routes to Billings and Missoula. JetBlue also increased service to Long Beach. The 2.3 percent cargo growth over 2010 was influenced by the launch of Asiana Cargo nonstop service connecting PDX with Korea and beyond. The all-cargo service aboard a Boeing 747 freighter offers connecting air cargo service throughout Asia, including destinations like Osaka, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Penang. The service is estimated to generate nearly $27 million annually in local business activity and some 80 jobs.


Sea-Tac earns recognition
as top on-time airport for 2011

SEATTLE — For the second year in a row, flight tracking company FlightStats honored Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as the winner of its 2011 On-time Performance Award in the category of major international airports. Sea-Tac also finished as a finalist in the category for major North American airports. FlightStats documents the on-time performance of airlines at airports worldwide, and annually honors the outstanding achievers. Airports are recognized for delivering the highest percentage of departures from the gate less than 15 minutes after the published scheduled departure time. Sea-Tac achieved a 2011 on-time performance record of 86.28 percent. The average on-time performance was 71.02 percent for the category of major international airports, which includes airports that have a significant number of trans-oceanic or international departures spanning at least three continents with at least 91,250 departures operated annually (250 departures per day).


ATA Truck Tonnage Index
up during month of December

ARLINGTON, VA — The American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index jumped 6.8 percent in December after rising 0.3 percent in November 2011. The latest gain put the SA index at 124.5 (2000=100) in December, up from the November level of 116.6. For all of 2011, tonnage rose 5.9 percent over the previous year – the largest annual increase since 1998. Tonnage for the last month of the year was 10.5 percent higher than December 2010, the largest year-over-year gain since July 1998. November tonnage was up 6.1 percent over the same month last year. The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 116.4 in December, which was 0.8 percent above the previous month. ATA calculates the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership and has been doing so since the 1970s. This is a preliminary figure and subject to change in the final report issued around the 10th day of the month. The report includes month-to-month and year-over-year results, relevant economic comparisons, and key financial indicators.


Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics
opening new office in Moscow

OSLO — Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics has opened a new office in Moscow in addition to its current presence in St Petersburg. The Moscow office, located on Kalanchevskaya street 16, close to Leningradskiy railway station, will be run by Boris Kaportsev, corporate account manager for rolling equipment customers, and Dmitri Vostrikov, corporate account manager for auto customers. WWL has been operating in Russia since 2003, establishing a fully owned branch office in St Petersburg in 2009. The St. Petersburg office will continue to be the WWL head office in Russia.


CSX Corporation changing
makeup of executive team

JACKSONVILLE, FL — CSX Corporation has announced the appointments of Oscar Munoz as executive vice president and chief operating officer and Fredrik J. Eliasson as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective immediately. Mr. Munoz replaces David A. Brown, who is no longer with the company. The company reports its decision to make this change is unrelated to CSX’s financial condition. Mr. Munoz has been executive vice president and chief financial officer of CSX since 2003, responsible for all financial, strategic planning, information technology, procurement and real estate activities. Prior to joining CSX he held senior leadership roles at PepsiCo, Coca-Cola and AT&T. Succeeding Munoz as chief financial officer is Mr. Eliasson, a 16-year veteran CSX executive. He was vice president of sales and marketing for CSX’s chemicals and fertilizer business and previously headed the emerging markets business. Before that, he was vice president of financial planning and analysis, overseeing all aspects of planning, forecasting and economic analysis activities.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, January 23, 2012

Coast Guard Port Captain
closes Oregon bars Sunday

ASTORIA — The Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) Sector Columbia River, in Astoria issued the closure of the Yaquina Bay bar and the Columbia River bar, due to hazardous conditions Sunday. The bar closure applies to all vessels and any request to transit the bars prior to reopening must be approved by the COTP, Sector Columbia River. Mariners may contact the Coast Guard on VHF-FM Channel 16 or Sector Columbia River by telephone at (503) 861-6211 for further information or to request crossing. The Coast Guard will re-evaluate the bar closure on an ongoing basis and will re-open the waterway as soon as the offshore weather improves. The Coast Guard understands the effects these closures have on commerce and will make every effort to re-open these waterways as soon as they are considered safe for navigation.


NYK vessel runs aground
near Pohang, Korea

TOKYO — NYK Line reports that on January, 19, the bulker GLOBAL LEGACY became stranded 100 meters from shore at Pohang, Korea. The vessel is operated by NYK Global Bulk Corporation which is subsidiary of NYK Line. The GLOBAL LEGACY was anchored at Pohang waiting for cargo when it was dragged by strong wind and hit break water. The vessel's fuel tank was damaged, and NYK is collecting information as to its quantity.


Inchcape teams with VPS
for vessel anti-piracy protection

CHAFFORD HUNDRED, UK — Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), a global maritime services provider, and Vessel Protection Solutions (VPS) have announced the launch of a new anti-piracy partnership that will provide protection for vessels and their crews while operating in known piracy regions. The solutions will provide customers with systems that are designed to combat RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) and small arms fire. ISS and VPS will provide customers with a comprehensive range of advanced, high-tech protective countermeasures, including:
· Light Armour System against Shaped Ordnance (LASSO) -- A high tensile steel mesh that short circuits an RPG projectile rendering its explosive shape charge inert.
· Ramor 500 -- Specially designed light-weight, armoured steel that offers comprehensive protection to the bridge and vessel’s access points. The armour is able to withstand multiple hits from high velocity rifle rounds including AK47.
· Composite Armour -- A range of ultimate lightweight armour protection that has been designed specifically for the maritime industry. Products include fully certified Lloyds approved ballistic doors, weapon cabinets and removable ballistic panels.
· Anti-Ballistic Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) -- Certified Body Armour, Helmets, Hard Armour Plates and Soft Armour panels which have been specifically designed for maritime applications.


IMO boss meets with UN exec
to discuss anti-piracy cooperation

LONDON — IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu met with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday, January 20 2012, at UN Headquarters in New York, to discuss matters related to IMO’s work and cooperation between the UN and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to combat Somalia-based piracy. It was the first time the two had met after Mr. Ban’s reappointment as secretary-general of the United Nations and Mr. Sekimizu taking the office of secretary-general of IMO. The meeting followed the endorsement of IMO’s work in this area, reiterated in November 2011 by the Security Council and the recent report of the Secretary-General (S/2011/662 of 25 October 2011), in which the UN Secretary-General encouraged UN Member States and multinational organizations to consider how they could contribute further to address the root causes of piracy, including through developing land-based initiatives to strengthen Somali and regional maritime and law enforcement capacity. Mr. Ban agreed with the view of Mr. Sekimizu that capacity building in Somalia and neighbouring countries should be enhanced through cooperation between IMO and UN, UN specialized agencies and other relevant international organizations. This initiative will build on IMO’s existing capacity-building activities under the Djibouti Code of Conduct, funded by the Djibouti Code Trust Fund. Mr. Sekimizu further informed Mr. Ban about plans to organize a Counter-piracy Capacity-building Conference on 15 May at IMO Headquarters, as well as a high-level policy debate on arms on board to take place on the first day of the 90th session of the Maritime Safety Committee on 16 May. Mr. Sekimizu encouraged high-level participation to these events from the UN.


Ceremony marks keel laying
of new NASSCO MLP vessel

SAN DIEGO — On January 19, General Dynamics NASSCO hosted a keel laying ceremony for the first Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) ship at the company’s shipyard in San Diego. Pat Mills was the honoree for the ceremony. She is the wife of U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General Richard P. Mills, Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration. Mrs. Mills validated the keel laying by welding her initials into the ship’s structure. The steel plate with her initials will be permanently affixed to the ship’s keel, remaining with the vessel throughout its time in service. Delivery of the first MLP ship is scheduled for May 2013. The 765-foot long ship will be used as staging areas for the Navy and Marines. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus recently announced that this first MLP ship will be named MONTFORD POINT, for the North Carolina facility where 20,000 African American Marines were trained over seven years, starting in 1942.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, January 20, 2012

Ship exporting ford vehicles
departs from Port of Portland

PORTLAND — A ship loaded with the first Ford vehicles to be exported through the Port of Portland is now making its way across the Pacific Ocean, bound for South Korea. This initial export shipment marks the first of many at the Auto Warehousing Company (AWC) facility at Terminal 6 in Rivergate Industrial District. Longshore workers loaded the vehicles onto the M/V MORNING CAROLINE. The vessel had arrived in Portland with a delivery of Hyundai vehicles and left carrying Fords. Portland handled the first export of American-made Hondas to Japan back in 1988, but the port has specialized primarily in imports since it opened Oregon’s first auto terminal in the 1950s. Today, Portland facilities handle Hyundai, Honda and Toyota vehicles. In 2011, 234,048 autos moved over Port of Portland docks. Vehicle imports and exports provide local jobs for dockworkers, processors at accessorization facilities, and others employed in distribution and transportation throughout the supply chain. Each vehicle imported brings an estimated economic benefit of $278 to the region.


Alaska Airlines to resume
Portland to Bellingham flights

BELLINGHAM — The Port of Bellingham reports that Alaska Airlines has announced it will resume its summer flights from Portland, to Bellingham. The service will begin June 4 and operate through Aug. 25, 2012. Flights will depart from Bellingham at 6:30 a.m. and will return to Bellingham at 9:54 p.m. daily during this period. Alaska's sister carrier, Horizon Air, will operate the Portland flights to Bellingham with 76-seat Bombardier Q400 turboprops.


Port of Long Beach Oks deal
to lease Middle Harbor site to OOCL

LONG BEACH, CA — The Port of Long Beach has reached a tentative agreement on a 40-year, $4.6 billion lease with Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) for the Middle Harbor property, in what would be the largest deal of its kind for any U.S. seaport, Port of Long Beach Executive Director J. Christopher Lytle announced Thursday. The lease has been agreed to in principle by Hong Kong-based OOCL and its U.S. subsidiaries OOCL, LLC and Long Beach Container Terminal (LBCT). The agreement will go to the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners' Finance and Administration Committee on Monday, January 23, for review. The Middle Harbor terminal is projected to generate more than 14,000 new, permanent jobs throughout Southern California by 2020. The port is investing $1.2 billion to develop the new 300-acre-plus Middle Harbor terminal, while OOCL and LBCT will invest approximately $500 million in the latest cargo-handling equipment.


US railroads post
year-over-year gains

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has reported gains in 2011 rail traffic compared with last year, with U.S. railroads originating 15.2 million carloads, up 2.2 percent over 2010 and up 9.7 percent over 2009. Total U.S. rail intermodal volume in 2011 was 11.9 million trailers and containers, up 5.4 percent over 2010 and up 20.4 percent over 2009. In 2011, 14 of the 20 carload commodity categories tracked by AAR saw increases on U.S. railroads compared with 2010. The largest gains were: metallic ores, up 20.5 percent or 67,631 carloads; primary metal products, up 12 percent or 56,988 carloads; and petroleum products, up 11.1 percent or 36,811 carloads. The commodity with the biggest carload decline in 2011 from 2010 was grain, down 27,946 carloads or 2.4 percent. AAR also announced gains in December 2011 rail traffic, with U.S. railroads originating 1,134,580 carloads, up 7.3 percent over December 2010, which is the largest year-over-year monthly increase since January 2011. U.S. rail intermodal originations totaled 873,390 containers and trailers, up 9.4 percent over December 2010. This is the second-highest monthly intermodal average for any December in history. During December 2011, 16 of the 20 carload commodity categories tracked by the AAR saw increases compared with December 2010. AAR reported gains in weekly rail traffic for the week ending December 31, 2011, with U.S. railroads originating 245,666 carloads, up 1.9 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 181,217 trailers and containers, up 8.6 percent compared with the same week last year.


Seattle-based C.G. cutter
returns from counter drug patrol

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard Cutter MELLON, home ported at Pier 36 in Seattle, returned home Wednesday after a successful 84-day counter drug patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Central and South America. While patrolling international waters off the coast of Panama on Dec. 1, 2011, MELLON’s crew coordinated the efforts of a maritime patrol aircraft and an armed Coast Guard helicopter to interdict a suspected smuggling vessel. During MELLON’s nighttime pursuit of the vessel, a “go fast” boat typically used for smuggling, the fleeing suspects jettisoned 15 bales of cocaine in an attempt to lighten their vessel and escape. Despite their efforts, MELLON stopped the “go fast,” recovered 14 bales containing more than 700 pounds of cocaine, and detained three suspected smugglers. Commissioned in 1967, the multi-mission 378’ high-endurance cutter MELLON is tasked with counter-drug patrols off the coasts of Central and South America, fisheries enforcement in the Bering Sea, out of hemisphere patrols in support of national security policy, and search and rescue.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, January 19, 2012

Second Foss hybrid tug
heading to Long Beach/LA

SEATTLE — A second Foss Maritime Co. hybrid tug will soon be working the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Foss once again partnered with Aspin Kemp and Associates (AKA) to retrofit the CAMPBELL FOSS with this patented hybrid technology. The tug is the first vessel to be retrofitted with motor generators, batteries and control systems at Foss' Rainier, Ore. shipyard. The CAMPBELL FOSS will join its award-winning hybrid sister, the CAROLYN DOROTHY, which has been bringing cleaner air and greater fuel efficiency to Southern California communities since 2009. The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are partnering with Foss to bring the second hybrid to San Pedro Bay with help from a $1 million grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) under the AB 118 Air Quality Improvement Program (AQIP). The CAROLYN DOROTHY was introduced in the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles in January of 2009 as an innovative approach to reducing air pollution. Both the CAROLYN DOROTHY and the CAMPBELL FOSS are designed to retain the power and maneuverability of their non-hybrid Dolphin class sister tugs, while reducing emissions, noise and fuel consumption.


Seattle harbor delivers
over two million TEUs in 2011

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle reports the Seattle Harbor once again handled over two million TEU’s (20-foot equivalent units) with 2.03 million containers moving through the harbor in 2011. The record was broken in 2010 with 2.1 million TEU’s. 2011 is the third year the harbor has exceeded two million TEUs. Several factors contribute to the increase in container volume. Exports continued to increase in 2011, the port also saw the addition of new shipping lines, services, and trade lanes while empty container positioning remained strong. The Port of Seattle maintains four container terminals, with 27 cranes, 11 container berths up to 50 feet deep, along with close proximity to two major national rail hubs, and two major interstate highways within minutes of all terminals for efficient truck access. Cargo handled at the Port of Seattle’s Seaport generates over 135,000 jobs for Washington, and creates over $2 billion in annual business revenue for the region.


New World Alliance carriers
forming new Trans-Atlantic service

TOKYO — The New World Alliance (TNWA) – APL Co. Pte Ltd (APL), Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) and Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) - have announced the launch of a new Trans-Atlantic service connecting Europe and the UK with the US East Coast and Panama. The Americas Europe Express (AEE) service is TNWA's third dedicated Trans- Atlantic service. It offers multiple weekly sailings from major US and European ports, as well as competitive transit times from Latin America to North Europe via the trans-shipment hub in Panama. TNWA will deploy high reefer capacity ships with an average effective capacity of 3,200 TEU. APL will operate three vessels, and HMM and MOL will operate one vessel each. The AEE service rotation covers the following ports: Manzanillo (Panama), Charleston (US), New York (US), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Bremerhaven (Germany), Felixstowe (UK), New York (US), Charleston (US), and Manzanillo (Panama). APL SHANGHAI will be the first westbound sailing from Rotterdam on February 29, 2012. APL INDONESIA will sail eastbound from Manzanillo on March 5, 2012.


MOL announces creation
of portable liquid-level gauge

TOKYO — Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced that MOL and Musashino Co., Ltd. have jointly developed a portable liquid-level gauge for vessel fuel tanks, which reduces workload needed to measure a ship’s fuel level during bunkering and enables more accurate measurement. This will reduce the crew’s workload, and help prevent incidents such as fuel spills from overfilling. Even on vessels equipped with fixed liquid-level gauges, crews measure the liquid level manually by hanging sounding tapes into sounding pipes located on the deck, to help prevent overflow and to check bunkering volume during refueling. This operation must be done by a skilled crew, which creates additional burden on the crew as they must measure several tanks simultaneously. With the new liquid-level gauge, the pressure sensor, which is suspended into the fuel tank, senses changes in liquid-level pressure and detects the fuel level in the tank quickly and accurately. In addition, because of the function of wireless transmission, several tanks can be monitored on the ship’s computer at the same time. This improves the efficiency of fuel level measuring operations, reduces workload, and helps prevent overflows.


Railway Supply Institute
seeking scholarship applications

WASHINGTON, DC — The Railway Supply Institute (RSI) 2012/2013 Academic Year Scholarship Application is now available online at: http://rsiweb.org/rsi-scholarship/. Applications and other scholarship requirements are due April 20, 2012. Since 1989, the Railway Supply Institute Scholarship Program has provided a minimum of four annual scholarships to full-time students whose parents work throughout the rail supply community. An applicant must be currently enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited / post-secondary institution leading to an Associates or Bachelors degree. The applicant must expect to achieve at least Sophomore Status in his/her institution by the beginning of the 2012 / 2013 academic year. (High school students are not eligible for the RSI scholarship even with credit hours.) Ranking of applicants is based on grade point average, content of essay, letters of recommendations, community service, and work and school related activities. Those eligible for the scholarship must be the child or dependent of a current employee whose company is a member of the Railway Supply Institute or one of the Coordinated Mechanical Associations (CMA). These include: the Air Brake Association, Inc. (ABA), the International Association of Railway Operating Officers (IAROO), the Mechanical Association Railcar Technical Services (MARTS), and Locomotive Maintenance Officers Association (LMOA).


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Seattle Port Commissioners
Ok Century Agenda plan

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle Commissioners have adopted a draft road map to guide the port through the next 25 years. The Century Agenda, a strategic plan that sets long-term goals and five-year milestones designed to bolster the port’s role as an economic engine – starting with an overarching goal of generating 100,000 new jobs by 2036. The plan highlights the port’s role as one of the region’s most important economic development catalysts, but the goals cannot be achieved without strong, collaborative efforts with partners across the state. In the months to come, commissioners and port executives will be reaching out to the community to share the details of the strategic plan. Final adoption of the agenda is scheduled for September. Go to: http://www.portseattle.org/About/Commission/Pages/Century-Agenda.aspx to read the full agenda and offer feedback.


Corps warns of disruptions
due to Chittenden Locks repairs

SEATTLE — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District reports the 95-year old Hiram M. Chittenden Locks are showing signs of wear and tear from nature’s most destructive force, and repair work will cause visitor and vessel traffic closures near the end of January. Water has caused erosion along a portion of the small lock wall creating a scour. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, officials said the lock is safe and there is no immediate danger of failure, but the repair is needed to maintain the safe waterway and stop further erosion. A 2009 sonar survey detected an elongated scour hole and during a subsequent dive inspection, a void was noticed under the small lock foundation. To repair the monolith, the Corps contracted Redside Construction, Port Gamble, Wash., for $1.3 million to drive sheet piles adjacent to the wall. These sheet piles will act as armor, to prevent future erosion, and as forms so concrete can be pumped in to fill the
void. As part of the contract, riprap and quarry spalls will be placed in areas where channel scour occurred. The work is expected to take 60 days to complete and the locks are likely to close to all visitor and vessel traffic for a couple days during the last week of January. For more information and updates follow the Chittenden Locks on www.facebook.com/chittendenlocks and www.twitter.com/chittendenlocks.


NYK companies onboard
with Singapore Green Pledge

TOKYO — NYK Group South Asia Pte. Ltd. (NGSA) and NYK Bulkship (Asia) Pte. Ltd. (Bulkship Asia) have signed the Maritime Singapore Green Pledge. The Green Pledge is an initiative of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore through which maritime organizations pledge their commitment to promote and support clean and green shipping in Singapore. The MPA launched the Maritime Singapore Green Initiative on April 12, 2011, seeking to reduce the environmental impact of shipping and related activities as well as to promote clean and green shipping in Singapore. The initiative comprises three programs — “Green Ship,” “Green Port,” and “Green Technology.” At the signing ceremony, three tankers owned by Bulkship Asia — CHALLENGE PREMIER, CHALLENGE PARAGON, and CHALLENGE POLARIS — were recognized in the MPA’s Green Ship Program for the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) certification in December, and accorded the MPA’s Green Ship Certificate.


Troy Container Line to offer
direct service to Liverpool, Manchester

RED BANK, NJ — Troy Container Line, Ltd., a global NVOCC, has announced the launch of its new direct consolidation service to Liverpool and Manchester, England. The new Troy Container Line service will begin on Saturday, February 11 with a sailing from New York aboard the ATLANTIC CARRIER v 2353. It is a 10-day direct port of call in Liverpool. In addition to Liverpool and Manchester, the route will serve the United Kingdom’s Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bradford, Belfast, Coventry, Durham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hull, Leicester, Leeds, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nottingham and Sheffield. Troy Container Line will ship cargo from any of its 20 warehouses located throughout the United States via the new express service. The company also has the ability to pick-up from any door location within the United States for LCL cargo. The cargo will be received in the port of call in Liverpool, where it will be de-vanned and housed in private, custom-bonded warehouses.


Coast Guard announces winners
of Video of the Year contest

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Coast Guard has announced the winner of its 2011 Video of the Year contest, a contest that highlighted the year's most compelling cases from the work done every day by America's Coast Guard. The winning video features Coast Guard members partnering with Moody Garden's Aquarium and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to release eight Kemp's Ridley and two Loggerhead turtles off the coast of Galveston, Texas. The second place video features airborne canine training involving the Coast Guard and various law enforcement agencies in San Francisco. The third place video features a helicopter crew rescuing a man and his dog from their sailboat 120 miles southwest of San Diego. Voting for the annual contest was done by the public between Dec. 21, 2011 and Jan. 13. Each day of the contest people voted for their favorite videos by choosing “Like” on the Coast Guard's Facebook page or on the Coast Guard’s YouTube 2011 Videos of the Year playlist. Video of each case, as well as the Top 10 video compilation, is available for viewing and download from the Coast Guard visual information site at: http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=1481827.


NEWS BULLETIN
Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Jensen designed workboat
delivered to Port of Milwaukee

SEATTLE — Great Lakes Shipyard (Cleveland, OH) has completed construction of a Jensen-designed 60-foot work boat for the Port of Milwaukee. The vessel sailed from Cleveland and was delivered to the port today. The vessel was designed by Jensen, a Crowley Maritime Corp. company based in Seattle, to include general harbor work, icebreaking, salvage, and dive operation capabilities. The workboat is equipped with a DMW Telescopic Boom Marine crane; it also has specialized lighting and equipment for harbor security work. The workboat is powered by a single 405 HP Cummins QSK11 Tier II diesel engine and has a maximum speed of 10 knots. Great Lakes Shipyard was awarded the contract by the city in June 2011.


Pacific Northwest universities
in line for DOT grant funds

WASHINGTON, DC — Portland State University and the University of Washington are among 22 University Transportation Centers (UTCs) to receive $77 million in Department of Transportation grant funds to advance research and education programs that address critical transportation challenges facing our nation. The UTCs, which are located throughout the United States, conduct research that directly supports the priorities of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the participating universities are a critical part of our national transportation strategy. DOT’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), which administers the UTC program, used a competitive selection process to select ten University Transportation Centers (UTCs), two Transit-Focused UTCs, and ten Regional UTCs. The centers will advance U.S. transportation technology and expertise in research, education, and technology transfer. Each one of the selected UTCs will receive a $3.5 million grant which they must match with funds from non-federal sources. The 22 UTCs selected are all consortia, involving a total of 121 different universities.


Port Metro Vancouver seeking
waterfront committee applications

VANCOUVER, BC — Port Metro Vancouver, together with the City of North Vancouver, BC, is seeking applications from City of North Vancouver residents to fill a vacant volunteer community representative position on the North Shore Waterfront Liaison Committee (NSWLC). Application deadline is January 27, 2012. The NSWLC brings together North Shore municipal, First Nations, industry, Port Metro Vancouver, and community interests to discuss developments, identify concerns, provide suggestions, and facilitate two-way communication among respective constituencies about port transportation and operational issues on the North Shore. For more information, or to submit an application, go to: http://portmetrovancouver.com/en/community/CommunityLiaisonCommittees/nswlc/nswlc-newmembers.aspx


More union members ratify
new contracts with railroads

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads reports that members of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Blacksmiths, Iron Ship Builders, Forgers and Helpers; the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; and the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association have ratified new contracts with the nation’s largest freight railroads. The unions, which together represent approximately 9,000 employees in this bargaining round, began negotiations with the railroads’ bargaining representative, the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC), in January 2010. The railroads now have ratified agreements with 10 of the 13 unions in national bargaining, representing nearly 100,000 employees. Two other unions have reached tentative agreements that are still in the ratification process. The only union without a settlement, the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWE), has agreed with the railroads to extend the “cooling off” period until February 8, 2012, eliminating the immediate threat of a national rail strike. The railroads are making every effort to reach an agreement with the BMWE by February 8.


Womens' transportation association
taps Denver for annual conference

WASHINGTON, DC — WTS International, the association for the professional advancement of women in transportation, recently announced the selection of Denver, CO, for the location of their 2012 Annual Conference, the WTS' annual flagship event. The conference attracts more than 500 corporate and governmental industry leaders worldwide, including executives, CEOs, government administrators, and leading engineering authorities. Attendees gather to network, discuss the state of the world’s transportation infrastructure, strategize on advancing professionally through glass ceilings, and explore the local city’s successful municipal and private transportation and traffic projects. For more information on the 2012 Annual WTS Conference, visit www.WtsInternational.org or contact Margaret Mullins, WTS Operations Director, at 202-955-5085.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, January 16, 2012

Lou Johnson sworn in
as Longview Port Commissioner

LONGVIEW — At a special commission meeting last week Commissioner-elect Lou Johnson was sworn in for a six year term on the Port of Longview’s Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Johnson, a lifetime local resident, will represent the second district. As a second generation longshoreman, Mr. Johnson brings more than 30 years of cargo handling experience to the commission. He worked for ILWU Local 21 for 30 years, loading and unloading cargo vessels before taking his current position as a marine clerk with Local 40. Throughout his career he served in several union leadership positions, often working as a liaison between the port and union. Commissioner Johnson fills the seat vacated by Dan Buell, who retired from the board in 2011.


Port of Everett taps Madura
as new director of Security

EVERETT — Ed Madura has been promoted to director of security for the Port of Everett. He has been with the port for four years and serves as chairman of the technologies and communications subcommittee of the maritime security committee, as well as vice chairman of the Local Area Planning Committee. He served two years with the Snohomish County Emergency Management Department as a program manager for preparedness and mitigation. He operated as the Emergency Operations Center manager on five federally declared disasters. Mr. Madura also served 30 years in the U.S. Coast Guard as a mechanic, engineer, boat coxswain, boarding officer, EMT, small arms instructor, marine inspector and retiring as the senior investigating officer out of the Seattle area. He currently volunteers as the Everett Flotilla Commander of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.


Associated Global Systems
promotes Jared Lehnick

NEW HYDE PARK, NY — Associated Global Systems (AGS), a U.S.-based transportation and logistics provider, has announced that Jared Lehnick has been promoted to director, Western Region. In this position, Mr. Lehnick will have responsibility for all company operations, service control and sales in the 14 state Western Region. Since joining AGS in 2003, Mr. Lehnick has held several positions including service supervisor, regional service coordinator and regional service manager for the Western Region, which was expanded to include the Rocky Mountain Region. In these positions along with other special project assignments, he has made a strong contribution to the region and the company. In his new position, Mr. Lehnick would also have a key role in supporting the company's efforts to streamline functions relating to operational processes and rolling out national account programs. The company's offerings include a full range of domestic and international time-definite deliveries, warehousing, inventory control, recovery and return, import management and incoming freight services.


ATA responds to death
of past president, Donald Schneider

ARLINGTON, VA — American Trucking Associations President and CEO Bill Graves, on behalf of the industry, has expressed their condolences and sympathy for the family of Donald Schneider, chairman emeritus and former president and CEO of Schneider National Inc., following news of his passing. “The transportation and logistics industry has lost one of its most passionate and influential voices,” Mr. Graves said. “Don Schneider was a visionary, bringing business acumen and technology to blaze a trail and set the standard in the modern day development of our industry. “Don’s commitment to this industry, and to the cause of safety, were and will continue to be an inspiration to ATA and to the industry as a whole,” Mr. Graves said. “Trucking owes a debt of gratitude to Don for helping to shape this industry and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”


Boeing employees support
California nonprofit groups

SEAL BEACH, CA — The Boeing Company has announced that the Employees Community Fund (ECF) of Boeing California has awarded nearly $400,000 to 11 Southern California nonprofit organizations for innovative projects that will promote environmental stewardship. The grants, known as the Crystal Vision awards, come from California-based Boeing employees through their support to ECF. The Crystal Vision awards were created in 1990 as a way for ECF of Boeing California to provide an added boost to nonprofit organizations by seeking and funding unique projects that extend beyond the nonprofits’ core missions. The annual grants focus on a particular theme, with 2011’s being environmental education and stewardship. The grants were formally presented during a recognition event in Seal Beach in December, with the funding period extending through 2012.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, January 13, 2012

Port of Everett taps Bearman
as new Marina Director

EVERETT — Jeff Bearman began this week as the Port of Everett’s new Marina director. Mr. Bearman’s career has been spent primarily managing marinas in Hawaii, he has more than 20 years experience with both public and private marinas. Mr. Bearman replaces former Acting Marina Director Scott Grindy, who left the port to pursue other opportunities. Mr. Grindy had been with the Port of Everett for eight years. Mr. Bearman will work with the port staff to ensure the marina constituents continue to be well informed about marina-related issues. He will oversee all the management and maintenance of the marina.


First PDX advisory committee meet
set for January 19 in Portland

PORTLAND — The inaugural meeting of the Portland International Airport (PDX) Community Advisory Committee is from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19 at the Port of Portland Headquarters, 7200 NE Airport Way, 8th floor Chinook Conference Room. The public is invited and public comment is welcome. The 30-member advisory committee is an outgrowth of the Airport Futures planning process – a three-year planning process which created a long range plan for PDX. This committee is charged with providing meaningful input on airport-related planning and development, and overseeing the implementation of Airport Futures. The committee is sponsored by three entities: City of Portland, Port of Portland and City of Vancouver. The group plans to meet quarterly. This first CAC meeting will provide context for the ongoing committee activities. Agenda highlights include a look at current PDX planning and construction projects, discussion about how to review airport development in the future, and review of the committee’s mission and work plan. Additionally, committee members will participate in a getting-to-know you exercise and hear a natural resource progress report.


Commerce Department report finds
US exports drop during November

WASHINGTON, DC — The November 2011 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services report by the Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that U.S. exports of goods and services in November 2011 decreased 0.9 percent from October 2011 to $177.8 billion, with this month’s exports of consumer goods ($15.7 billion) the highest on record. U.S. imports of goods and services increased by 1.3 percent to reach $225.6 billion, causing the U.S. trade deficit to increase by 10.4 percent to reach $47.8 billion in November 2011. Petroleum imports increased 31 percent, while crude oil imports rose by 6.5 percent. The increase was largely caused by rising prices. American goods and services exports in the first 11 months of 2011 were up 15 percent, or $251.5 billion, from the same period in 2010, to reach $1.93 trillion, putting the U.S. on track to meet the Obama administration’s National Export Initiative targets and exceed a record $2 trillion in exports for 2011. This consists of gains in sectors that support U.S. jobs, such as automotive vehicles, where U.S. exports of passenger cars increased nearly 24 percent, or $8.3 billion, in the first 11 months of 2011.


US rail freight traffic count
posts gains during week

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has reported gains in weekly rail traffic, with U.S. railroads originating 287,137 carloads for the week ending Dec. 24, 2011, up 11.9 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 217,952 trailers and containers, up 22.9 percent compared with the same week last year. Sixteen of the 20 carload commodity groups posted increases compared with the same week in 2010, including: crushed stone, sand and gravel, up 59.7 percent; nonmetallic minerals, up 39.6 percent, and petroleum products, up 36.4 percent. The groups showing a decrease in weekly traffic included: coke, down 2.6 percent, and grain, down 2.4 percent.


Newport Coast Guard team
responds to Yaquina Bay collision

SEATTLE — Crewmembers from Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay in Newport, rescued six boaters in upper Yaquina Bay on Thursday. Station Yaquina Bay launched a 25-foot response boat crew after receiving a report of a vessel collision at approximately 3 p.m. The crew arrived on scene to find two pleasure craft, each carrying three boaters, pinned together as a result of the collision. Three boaters from one vessel suffered injuries and were transferred to local EMS on shore. The remaining three boaters remained on scene after not suffering any injuries. A second 25-foot response boat crew launched to assist the initial crew with transporting the three remaining boaters to shore. The response boat crews later separated the pleasure crafts and towed them to South Beach Marina in Newport.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, January 12, 2012

Port Tracker report predicts
box moves to be static in January

WASHINGTON, DC — With the holiday shopping season over, import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports should be nearly flat during January compared with the same month last year, but significant year-over-year increases are expected this spring, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. U.S. ports followed by Global Port Tracker handled 1.25 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units in November, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available. That was down 2.1 percent from October since most holiday merchandise was already on the shelves but up 1.2 percent from November 2010. One TEU is one 20-foot cargo container or its equivalent. December was estimated at 1.21 million TEU, up 5.9 percent from a year ago. January 2012 is forecast at 1.21 million TEU, up one-tenth of 1 percent from January 2011. February, historically the slowest month of the year, is forecast at 1.06 million TEU, down 3.3 percent from a year ago. March is forecast at 1.2 million TEU, up 10.5 percent from last year; April at 1.26 million TEU, up 3.8 percent; and May at 1.3 million TEU, up 0.9 percent. The total for 2011 was estimated 14.86 million TEU, up 0.7 percent from 2010’s 14.75 million TEU. Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by the consulting firm Hackett Associates, covers the U.S. ports of Long Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Hampton Roads, Charleston and Savannah on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast. The report is free to NRF retail members, and subscription information is available at www.nrf.com/PortTracker or by calling (202) 783-7971. Subscription information for non-members can be found at www.globalportracker.com.


Horizon Lines completes
debt-to-equity conversion

CHARLOTTE, NC — Horizon Lines, Inc. has announced that it has completed the mandatory debt-to-equity conversion of approximately $49.7 million of the company’s 6.00 percent Series B Mandatorily Convertible Senior Secured Notes (the “Series B Notes”). The mandatory conversion reduces debt, lowers annualized interest payments and is expected to increase the value of the company’s shares outstanding. Under the terms of the company’s recapitalization plan that was undertaken in October 2011, the Series B Notes are mandatorily convertible into shares of common stock or warrants in two equal installments on the three-month and nine-month anniversaries of their issuance, subject to certain conditions. In accordance with these terms, on January 10, 2012, the company mandatorily converted approximately $49.7 million of the Series B Notes at a conversion rate of 54.7196 shares of common stock (reflecting the 1-for-25 reverse stock split of the company’s common stock effective December 7, 2011) per $1,000 principal amount of Series B Notes. Approximately $18.5 million of the Series B Notes were converted into 1,014,839 shares of common stock with the remainder being converted into warrants exercisable into shares of common stock. The distribution of common stock and warrants was based upon the U.S. citizenship verifications of the holders of the Series B Notes. Foreign holders, or holders who did not provide proof of U.S. citizenship, received warrants exercisable by U.S. citizens into an applicable quantity of common stock. All fractional interests were paid in cash. Subject to certain conditions, the remaining approximately $49.7 million in aggregate principal amount of the Series B Notes is scheduled to be mandatorily converted into shares of common stock and warrants in July 2012. The Series B Notes will be automatically converted into 6.00 percent Series A Convertible Senior Secured Notes due 2017 on October 5, 2012 if the company is unable to effect mandatory conversion before then.


BTS freight transport index
climbs during month of November

WASHINGTON, DC — The amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry rose 0.1 percent in November from October, rising after one monthly decrease, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics' (BTS) Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI). BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that at 109.5 the level of freight shipments, measured by the Freight TSI, declined slightly from the recent peak achieved in September, but still remained higher than any other month since July 2008. The Freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in freight shipments by mode of transportation 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. Shipments in November 2011 (109.5 on the index) were at the second highest level since July 2008 (109.9) after reaching the highest level in more than three years in September (109.6). July 2008, the previous high, was followed by six straight months of decline. After dipping to a recent low in April 2009 (94.3), freight shipments increased in 21 of the last 31 months, rising 16.1 percent during that period. For the first 11 months of 2011, freight shipments measured by the index were up 2.4 percent.


AAR releases 2011 edition
of railroad facts publication

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has released the 2011 Edition of Railroad Facts – the rail industry statistical reference book. The publication notes that in 2010 rail traffic began to recover from recession-related decreases of 2009, which helped railroads bring equipment back into service and hire employees. Despite revenues below 2008 record levels, capital expenditures for the Class I railroads totaled $9.8 billion, as railroads continued to spend private capital to expand infrastructure and purchase equipment. Railroad Facts contains more than 80 pages of facts and statistics for 2010, as well as historical data on critical aspects of railroad business, including: finance, operations, plant and equipment, employment and compensation, fuel consumption and costs. Railroad Facts also contains a profile of each major U.S. Class I railroad, Amtrak, major Canadian railroads, and large Mexican railways. Copies of the publication can be purchased online at www.aar.org, where it can be found at Statistics & Publications – Publications – Online catalog for $5 for AAR members, and $20.00 for non-AAR members.


Coast Guard medevacs sailor
from USS RONALD REAGAN

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard medevaced a 22-year-old sailor off the USS RONALD REAGAN near Port Townsend, Wash., Tuesday. Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles, Wash., launched an MH-65C Dolphin helicopter crew at 7:30 a.m., arriving on scene at approximately 8:10 a.m. The sailor was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, arriving at 8:39 a.m., and reported to be in stable condition. The USS RONALD REAGAN is scheduled to moor at Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Wash at 1:30 p.m., where it will undergo a year-long Dock Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA) at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF). "It is an honor to be in the position to help our partners and it's especially rewarding to be there for our Navy Shipmates, said Capt. Tony Hahn, Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Air Station/Sector Field Office Port Angeles. "The medevac case this morning is a great example of our interoperability and how we compliment each other's tremendous capabilities."


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Tarleton named president
of Seattle Port Commission

SEATTLE — Commissioner Gael Tarleton has been elected president of the Port of Seattle Commission. Commissioner Tarleton was elected to the board in 2007. Commissioner John Creighton, who began serving in 2006, will be vice president. Commissioner Tom Albro will serve as secretary. Commissioner Tarleton and Commissioner Bill Bryant were also sworn in for their second term in office. Commissioner Tarleton was sworn in by El Centro de la Raza Director Estela Ortega; former U.S. Senator Slade Gorton presided over Commissioner Bryant’s oath of office. Commissioners also passed a motion recognizing Human Trafficking Awareness Day, which will be recognized nationally today. As many as 17,500 people, many women and children, are trafficked into the United States each year. The port is joining King County and the City of Seattle in taking action to raise awareness of the crime and to take steps to eradicate it.


FMC wants industry input
on Chinese bond coverage for NVOCCs

WASHINGTON, DC — The Federal Maritime Commission proposes to amend its rules regarding the amount of bond coverage required in its optional China Bond Rider for Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carriers (NVOCCs). The proposed rule is intended to provide NVOCCs with the ability to post a bond with the commission that satisfies the equivalent of 800,000 Chinese Renminbi, for which the equivalent dollar amount has fluctuated since the regulation was first adopted by the Commission. Comments or suggestions are due on or before March 12, 2012. Address all comments concerning this proposed rule to:
Karen V. Gregory, Secretary
Federal Maritime Commission
800 North Capitol Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20573-0001
Phone: (202) 523-5725
For more information, visit the commission's web site at: http://www.fmc.gov/


Boeing reaches new level
of Next-Generation 737 production

RENTON — Boeing reports it has successfully achieved a production rate of 35 airplanes a month for the Next-Generation 737, with the delivery of the first airplane produced at the new rate to AWAS Aviation Services, Inc. Norwegian Air Shuttle will lease the airplane from AWAS. The 35th airplane to be built at the new rate rolled out of the factory yesterday. Employees will focus on stabilizing the production rate at 35 a month while investments are underway to go up in rate to 38 737s a month in second quarter 2013 and 42 a month in the first half of 2014. Leaders of the 737 program acknowledged employees' contributions to achieving the record rate at an employee celebration at the Renton factory. The program also celebrated securing production of the 737 MAX at the Renton factory.


Carriers ink agreement
covering new VLCC pool

TOKYO — A pool agreement governing the formation of a new VLCC pool has been signed by the four partners: MITSUI O.S.K. LINES, LTD. / PHOENIX TANKERS PTE. LTD., A.P. MØLLER - MÆRSK A/S (Maersk Tankers), SAMCO SHIPHOLDING PTE. LTD., and OCEAN TANKERS (PTE.) LTD., SINGAPORE. Nova Tankers Pool will operate a combined fleet of around 50 VLCCs by the end of 2012 with an average age of three years. The pool is expected to become operational in early February.


US Coast Guard assists
Iranian mariners in distress

WASHINGTON, DC — The Coast Guard Cutter MONOMOY, assigned to Commander, Task Force 55, rendered aid to six Iranian mariners who were aboard a distressed vessel in the North Arabian Gulf Tuesday. At approximately 3 a.m. local time, MONOMOY was operating in the area when it was hailed by flares and flashlights from the Iranian cargo dhow, YA-HUSSAYN. The dhow’s master requested assistance from MONOMOY indicating the engine room was flooding and deemed not seaworthy. MONOMOY immediately launched their small boat and approached the YA-HUSSAYN. Two persons were rescued from the vessel and four from a life raft tied off to the dhow’s stern. The six Iranian mariners were transferred to MONOMOY and were provided water, blankets and halal meals. Halal meals are in accordance with Islamic law and are stored aboard U.S. Coast Guard ships to provide to Muslim mariners in distress. An emergency medical technician from MONOMOY treated an injured YA-HUSSAYN crew member. Fortunately, his injuries were not serious and there was no requirement for him to be medically evacuated. Later in the day, the six mariners were transferred by smallboat from MONOMOY to the Iranian Coast Guard vessel NAJI 7.


NEWS BULLETIN
Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Kunkle new commissioner
at Port of Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE, WA — Stroud W. Kunkle has been sworn is as a Port of Moses Lake Commissioner representing District 2, which principally covers Cascade Valley, the Larson area and the west side of the City of Moses Lake, Washington. Commissioner Kunkle was elected to his first term last November. He is a long-time resident and civic leader in the community. He has been director and member of the Moses Lake Business Association, Community Services of Moses Lake, Moses Lake Rotary, trustee of the Big Bend Community College Foundation and a three-term member of the Moses Lake School District Board of Directors. New officers have also taken their place on the port commission. Commissioner Mike Conley will serve as president and David "Kent" Jones will serve as vice president. Commissioner Kunkle will serve as secretary.


Safmarine taps Grant Daly
as new chief executive officer

COPENHAGEN — Safmarine has announced the appointment of Grant Daly as its new CEO, effective February 1, 2012. Mr. Daly, is currently Safmarine’s head of MPV (Multi-Purpose Vessel) unit. He replaces Tomas Dyrbye, who has been Safmarine’s CEO for the past two and a half years. NMr. Daly joined Safmarine 17 years ago after graduating from the University of Stellenbosch with a Bachelor of Economics degree. The appointment of a new Safmarine CEO follows the announcement, in October 2011, of the Maersk Liner Business’ intention to integrate the corporate and regional management activities of Safmarine into those of the Maersk Line, while retaining and growing a separate Safmarine brand and operating model. Safmarine will continue to have its own independent pricing, capacity, sales and customer services structure, supported by more than 1,400 Safmariners located in 130 countries around the world. As new CEO, Mr. Daly will be based at the new Safmarine headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark where he will report to Hanne B. Sørensen, Maersk Line’s chief commercial officer.


Diana Oks purchase
of two container ships

ATHENS — Diana Containerships Inc. has announced that it has signed two Memoranda of Agreement with APL (Bermuda) Ltd. for the purchase of two Panamax container vessels, the m/v APL SARDONYX and the m/v APL SPINEL. The APL SARDONYX is a 1995-built vessel of approximately 4,750 TEU capacity and the APL SPINEL is a 1996-built vessel of approximately 4,750 TEU capacity. The purchase price for each vessel is US$30 million. The expected dates of delivery from their previous owners to the company for both vessels are within the first quarter of 2012. Each of the two vessels is chartered to APL (Bermuda) Ltd., or to a guaranteed nominee or to another entity of the NOL Group with similar or better net worth than APL (Bermuda) Ltd. for a period of minimum 24 months plus or minus 45 days at a daily rate of US$24,750. The employment of the two vessels is anticipated to generate approximately US$33.5 million of gross revenues for the minimum agreed period of the charters.


Department of Commerce
schedules India trade mission

WASHINGTON, DC — Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sánchez has announced he will lead the department’s first-ever ports and maritime technology industry trade mission to India, February 20-24. Representatives from 14 U.S. firms that provide state-of-the-art cargo handling equipment, port security, and maritime technology equipment will visit Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai. In 2011, the Government of India announced a new shipping sector policy that entails an investment of $66 billion in the port sector and $27 billion for the shipping sector. There are currently 200 ports across India; this new policy proposes to increase India’s port capacity from 1 billion tons to 3.2 billion tons by 2020. Participating firms will gain market insights, make industry contacts, solidify business strategies, and advance specific projects with the goal of increasing U.S. exports to India. The mission will include one-on-one business appointments with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors, and joint venture partners; meetings with regional government officials; and networking events. This mission is the first in a series of events planned for 2012 designed to expand U.S. export opportunities within India’s infrastructure sectors. Commerce Secretary John Bryson will lead a high-level trade mission to Delhi, Jaipur, and Mumbai, March 25-30. For more information on this mission, visit http://www.export.gov/IndiaMission2012. For additional information, visit http://www.export.gov/trademissions


International Chamber of Shipping
inks flag state performance table

LONDON — The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published its latest annual Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table - see www.ics-shipping.org/flag-performance.htm. The Table collates various data available in the public domain. Under the supervision of ICS's member national shipowners' associations, the presentation of the Table for 2011 has been modified slightly in order to address feedback from governments. However the purpose is the same: to encourage shipowners to examine whether a flag state has substance before using it and to encourage them to pressure their flag administration to effect any improvement that might be necessary. ICS believes that a balance has to be struck between the commercial advantages of shipowners selecting a particular flag and the need to discourage the use any flag that does not meet its international obligations. While it is shipping companies that have primary responsibility for the safe operation of their ships it is the flag state that must enforce the rules.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, January 9, 2012

Foss Maritime earns patent
for hybrid propulsion/energy system

SEATTLE — Foss Maritime Company and Aspin Kemp & Associates (AKA) with their technology partner XeroPoint Energy, have received U.S. patent protection for their hybrid propulsion and energy management system. Foss, which owns and operates one of the largest tug and barge fleets on the U.S. West Coast, partnered with AKA, a Canadian system integrator and marine engineering company, in developing this technology. The hybrid propulsion and energy management system has been proven to significantly reduce emissions, fuel consumption and equipment maintenance for marine vessels. The award-winning hybrid technology draws energy from various sources to optimize system operations across a wide range of propulsive load demands. Foss built the first hybrid tugboat, CAROLYN DOROTHY, and has successfully converted a second vessel, CAMPBELL FOSS, to a hybrid at its shipyard in Rainier, Oregon. Both of these vessels use the AKA energy management system to provide Green Assists(TM) to customers in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, California. The hybrid propulsion and energy management system is patented under U.S. Patent 8,062,081 and additional international patents are pending.


The Greenbrier Companies reports
fiscal first quarter numbers

LAKE OSWEGO, OR — The Greenbrier Companies has reported results for its fiscal first quarter ended November 30, 2011. Revenues for the first quarter of 2012 were $398.2 million, double the $198.9 million realized in the prior year's first quarter. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $37.6 million, or 9.4 percent of revenue, compared to $16.7 million, or 8.4 percent of revenue in the first quarter of 2011. Net earnings attributable to Greenbrier for the quarter were $14.5 million, or $.48 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $2.3 million, or $.11 per share, in the prior year's first quarter. New railcar deliveries in the first quarter of 2012 were 3,300 units, compared to 1,050 units in the first quarter of 2011. During the first quarter, the company received orders for 1,600 new railcars. Subsequent to quarter end, orders were received for 2,400 additional units, valued at approximately $240 million. Greenbrier's new railcar manufacturing backlog as of November 30, 2011 was 13,300 units with an estimated value of $1.1 billion, compared to 8,100 units with an estimated value of $580 million as of November 30, 2010. The company ended the quarter with $21 million of cash and $209 million of committed additional borrowing capacity. On December 12, 2011, the company's North American revolving line of credit was increased by $30 million to a total of $290 million under existing provisions of the credit agreement.


Diluted earnings per share
down for Schnitzer Steel

PORTLAND — Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. has reported diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.25 for its fiscal 2012 first quarter ended November 30, 2011. This compares with diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.64 in the first quarter of fiscal 2011. During the quarter, heightened global macroeconomic concerns, stemming primarily from the European debt crisis, resulted in a significant slowdown in customer buying patterns which was followed by a sharp decline in sales prices. The stronger market in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 carried forward higher average inventory costs into the first quarter and as a result, first quarter operating margins were compressed significantly as average inventory costs did not decline as quickly as cash purchase prices for scrap. Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. is one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of recycled ferrous metal products in the United States with 56 operating facilities located in 14 states, Puerto Rico and Western Canada. The business has seven deep water export facilities located on both the East and West Coasts and in Hawaii and Puerto Rico. d testing will take place at Crescent Bay beginning in fall of 2012, with vessel delivery scheduled for May 2013.


Assistant Secretary of Commerce for IA
receives ceremonial swearing-in

WASHINGTON, DC — Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sánchez administered the oath of office to Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Import Administration (IA) Paul Piquado at a ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Mr. Piquado has been serving in the role since his Senate confirmation on October 21, 2011. As part of the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, IA enforces U.S. trade laws and agreements to ensure that U.S. workers and industries have the opportunity to compete on a level playing field. Mr. Piquado has served the Obama Administration with distinction as the Import Administration’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations since 2010. He previously served the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for five years as the executive director of the Office of Trade Policy for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and principal advisor to Governor Ed Rendell on international trade and investment policy matters. During this period Mr. Piquado also served as an advisor to the U.S. Trade Representative’s Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee on Trade.


AAPA sets workshop coverning
public/government relations

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) Public and Government Relations Workshop in Houston, Feb. 28-29, 2012, will examine how communications and government relations practitioners can persuasively articulate the value of seaports to community residents, business leaders and policymakers. This includes advocating for port authority property development, investments in transportation infrastructure, and programs geared to attract business, create jobs, improve the environment, increase trade and help ensure the success of port projects. The 1½-day program, hosted by the Port of Houston Authority, will also address ways in which port authorities can communicate with government agencies and legislators at all levels to secure maximum funding and favorable policy decisions to more efficiently move freight and passengers to and through their facilities. Specific workshop sessions will assess: opportunities to reach out to and engage America’s urban populations; create allies among policymakers and influencers; collaborate with economic development interests; utilize social media; communicate in a crisis; and plan successful community-wide special events. More information about AAPA’s Public and Government Relations Workshop is available at www.aapa-ports.org (click on the “Programs & Events” tab).


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, January 6, 2012

Port of Portland Commission
sets review hearing for PTIP

PORTLAND — Port of Portland Commissioners will review and receive input on the 2012 Port Transportation Improvement Plan (PTIP) at a public hearing on Wednesday, January 11 during the regularly scheduled commission meeting. The commission meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. and the hearing will follow discussion with the port commission on transportation needs and a funding strategy to address passenger and freight mobility in the Portland region. As a transportation agency reliant on elements of the transportation system developed and managed by others to support its mission, the port carefully plans its support of projects that will enhance market access for Port customers and businesses in the region and state. The PTIP identifies, outlines and prioritizes 5, 10 and 20-year marine, air, road, rail, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian transportation improvement projects. Ninety-two projects were identified for the 2012 PTIP. Projects are identified through transportation studies from master plans, property development and region-wide mobility needs studies conducted by the Port and other local, regional, and state agencies. Updated annually and requiring approval by the Port of Portland Commission, the PTIP helps prioritize funding requests. In the past three years, it has assisted in generating more than $86 million in local, state and federal grants and loans for the port and other agencies. After the public hearing, the PTIP will be revised if necessary and submitted for commission approval in February. Once approved, the PTIP is provided to Metro and the Oregon Department of Transportation for inclusion in the Regional Transportation Plan. Copies of the draft plan can be accessed via the port website at http://www.portofportland.com/Trade_Trans_Studies.aspx


Dick Marzano named president
of Tacoma Port Commission

TACOMA — Port of Tacoma commissioners have named Dick Marzano to lead the 2012 commission. Commissioner Marzano, who was elected to the Tacoma Port Commission in November 1995, succeeds Commissioner Connie Bacon as president. The port’s five commissioners serve four-year terms. Officer positions rotate yearly.
2012 Port of Tacoma Commission:
· Dick Marzano, president
· Don Meyer, vice president
· Clare Petrich secretary
· Don Johnson, first assistant secretary
· Connie Bacon, second assistant secretary
Commission meetings and study sessions are open to the public. They are held in Room 104 of The Fabulich Center at 3600 Port of Tacoma Rd. Meetings also are available for viewing live and on demand from the port's website: http://www.portoftacoma.com.


Foss Maritime joining team
to build new Columbia River ferry

SEATTLE — Foss Maritime Company reports it is joining with Washington state and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation to build a state-of-the-art replacement for an aging 63-year-old ferry that's been a vital cross-Columbia River transportation link. The unique partnership between Foss and the Washington State Department of Transportation includes the Confederated Tribes whose members will participate in the vessel's final assembly work. The new ferry will replace the MARTHA S., which launched in 1948. The Keller Ferry crosses the Columbia River at its confluence with the Sanpoil River from Ferry County and the Colville Indian Reservation on the north bank to Lincoln County on the south. Approximately 60,000 vehicles travel each year on the Keller Ferry, which is a link in a rural highway, State Route 21. According to Foss officials, the construction will commence in early 2012 at the company's Rainier, Ore., shipyard, on the Columbia River near Longview. There, the vessel's aluminum hull and systems will be constructed and pre-fabricated, then sectioned into three modules and shipped by road transport to the final assembly site located at Crescent Bay on Lake Roosevelt. Final assembly and testing will take place at Crescent Bay beginning in fall of 2012, with vessel delivery scheduled for May 2013.


Rail freight traffic count
climbs during week

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has reported gains in weekly rail traffic, with U.S. railroads originating 304,377 carloads for the week ending Dec. 17, 2011, up 11.7 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 233,322 trailers and containers, up six percent compared with the same week last year. Fourteen of the 20 carload commodity groups posted increases compared with the same week in 2010, including: metallic ores, up 57.1 percent; nonmetallic minerals, up 38 percent, and crushed stone, sand and gravel, up 29 percent. The groups showing a decrease in weekly traffic included: farm products excluding grain, down 9.8 percent.


Workboat Academy expanding
Mate Program campus locations

SEATTLE — The Workboat Academy and Houston Marine, a member of the Falck Alford Group, have signed an agreement to offer the Workboat Mate Program at the Houston Marine’s campus in New Orleans. Classes are scheduled to begin during the fall of 2012. The Workboat Mate Program is currently being offered at the MITAGS-PMI campuses in Baltimore and Seattle. The Workboat Mate Program, a two-year vocational program, includes 360 days at sea with a partner company in a billeted position and 26 weeks of classroom time. Upon successful completion of the program and the USCG exam, cadets will obtain a Mate 500GRT Oceans / 1600 GRT Near Coastal, an AB limited and a Mate of Towing, if employed on a tugboat. Cadets sailing on offshore supply vessels will obtain a Mate 1600 GRT Oceans and will obtain an AB-OSV rating after one year. Prospective cadets may visit the Workboat Academy Website at http://www.workboatacademy.com


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, January 5, 2012

Trade between NAFTA partners
jumps during month of October

WASHINGTON, DC — Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American neighbors, Canada and Mexico, was 12.0 percent higher in October 2011 than in October 2010, totaling $79.0 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico, the United States’ North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners, in October 2011 rose 28.7 percent in two years from October 2009, and 8.7 percent from October 2008. The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in October increased by 18.2 percent when compared to October 2006, and also increased by 65.9 percent when compared to October 2001, a period of 10 years. Imports in October were up 57.8 percent since October 2001, while exports were up 76.4 percent. Surface transportation includes freight movements by truck, rail, pipeline, mail, Foreign Trade Zones, and other. In October , 86.1 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved via land, 9.6 percent moved by vessel, and 4.3 percent moved by air. The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico increased 1.7 percent in October 2011 from September 2011. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors. U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade both increased compared to October 2010 with U.S.-Canada reaching $46.4 billion, a 14.1 percent increase, and U.S.-Mexico reaching $32.6 billion, a 9.1 percent increase. For trade numbers by mode, see Table 4 for Canada and Table 6 for Mexico.


Portland Airport runway work
may change flight patterns

PORTLAND — Portland International Airport neighbors should expect some changes in flight patterns from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through approximately Jan. 11 when the south runway closes for repairs. The closure is not expected to impact air travelers. Increased flights over some airport neighborhoods are expected during the closures, because many aircraft that would normally use the south runway will temporarily use the north or crosswind runways. In particular, the increased use of the crosswind runway may increase the number of flights over neighborhoods south of the airport.


Bellingham Port Commission
votes to lower event facility rates

BELLINGHAM — The Port of Bellingham has introduced new lower rates, some as low as $20 per hour, at the port's meeting and event facilities. Port commissioners approved new rental rates at their meeting on Tuesday. These rates will take effect immediately. Among the changes, weekday rates have been reduced at some of the port’s most popular facilities. Rent the Dome Room at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal or the Squalicum Boathouse for as low as $40 per hour, or the Blaine Boating Center for as little as $20 per hour. These rate reductions are in addition to the economic development discount the port introduced for all its meeting facilities in 2010. That special rate provided a 25 percent discount for reservations related to local business economic development use, things like employee trainings, product development and demonstrations. Peak rental times, such as summer weekends, did not have their rental rates reduced because the peak times typically are booked months in advance. For more information on rates and facilities, including virtual tours of most rental locations, visit the port’s website at www.portofbellingham.com/meetingrental or call the Meetings and Events department at (360) 676-2500 ext. 386.


Mitsui orders new bulk vessel
equipped with ISHIN-III technology

TOKYO — Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced that it has ordered a new cape-size bulker that will adopt element technologies of the next-generation ISHIN-III vessel program to achieve high fuel efficiency. Universal Shipbuilding Corporation will construct the new ship, slated for completion in late 2014. MOL has repeatedly studied various technologies to realize the concept for the ISHIN-III series of next-generation vessels (large-scale iron ore carriers) announced in April 2010. The newbuilding vessel will adopt technologies which are at the core of the ISHIN-III concept. New technologies will boost fuel efficiency of the new ship by more than 20 percent compared to conventional cape-size vessels, with a corresponding reduction in CO2 emissions. Advanced features include:
· A steam turbine that generates electric power using exhaust heat from the engine.
· A hybrid power generation system to convert rotational force from the supercharger into electric power.
· In addition, the electric power gained through the steam turbine and hybrid systems will assist vessel
propulsion.


Foreign Trade Zone group
taps Griswold as new president

WASHINGTON, DC — The National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones (NAFTZ) has announced that Daniel Griswold has been appointed NAFTZ president, effective January 9. A graduate of the London School of Economics and author of the 2009 book Mad about Trade: Why Main Street America Should Embrace Globalization, Mr. Griswold has for many years been a prolific and enthusiastic free-trade advocate and author from his position as director of the Center for Trade Policy Studies at the Cato Institute in Washington. Mr. Griswold joined Cato’s trade policy program as associate director in 1997 and was named its director in 2004. Mr. Griswold has authored numerous studies on such topics as bilateral and regional trade agreements, China trade, the WTO, the trade deficit, antidumping, foreign investment and the cost of protectionism. He has frequently testified before House and Senate committees on subjects including the trade deficit, small business exporting and trade and manufacturing. Mr. Griswold succeeds Dr. Willard M. Berry, who served as NAFTZ president from 2004 until his retirement in November 2011.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Kalama Port Commission
names Wilson deputy director

KALAMA — Port of Kalama Commissioners have approved the promotion of long-time port development manager, Mark Wilson, to the additional role of deputy director. Mr. Wilson retains his responsibilities as development manager and has assumed the new role effective January 1, 2012. Mr. Wilson reports to Port Executive Director Lanny Cawley and will have authority to act on the director’s behalf in his absence. Mr. Wilson, who has worked at the Port of Kalama in various roles for 21 years, has managed a number of projects significant to the Kalama community:
· Development of the 75 acre Kalama River Industrial Park development included planning, permitting and construction of a bridge, roads, rail, utilities, and landscaping.
· One hundred and fifty-six thousand square feet of industrial buildings have been constructed by the port, and Cameron Glass (now Bennu Glass) constructed a 170,000 square foot bottle manufacturing plant.
· The port-owned grain terminal, Cenex Harvest States, was remodeled by the port to add unit train capability, adding over 4,000 feet of rail and high speed railcar unloading capacity.
· The port’s Marine Park expansion with new picnic shelters, beach access, horseshoe pits, and tennis, basketball and volleyball courts.


Boeing plans to close
BDS facility in Wichita

WICHITA — The Boeing Company has announced that the Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) facility in Wichita will close by the end of 2013. The Wichita facility currently employs more than 2,160 employees. Boeing Wichita is the base for the company's Global Transport & Executive Systems business and its B-52 and 767 International Tanker programs. The facility also provides support for flight mission planning and integrated logistics. Boeing reports that over the past five years, contracts in Wichita have matured, programs have come to a close or are winding down, and the site does not have enough sustainable business on the horizon to create an affordable cost structure to maintain and win new business. Future aircraft maintenance, modification and support work will be placed at the Boeing facility in San Antonio. Engineering work will be placed at the Boeing facility in Oklahoma City. Although work on the KC-46 tanker will now be performed in Puget Sound, Wash., the 24 Kansas suppliers on the program will be providing vital elements of the aircraft as originally planned.


DOT eyes new rules
for passenger train emergencies

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced proposed improvements to existing Passenger Train Emergency Systems regulations that could further protect occupants of passenger trains during emergencies. The proposed regulations are expected to improve railroad safety by helping improve the ability to safely evacuate passengers and crewmembers in the event of an emergency. Specifically, the rule addresses passenger train emergency systems including vestibule doors, emergency lighting, signage and markings for emergency entrance and exit, and rescue access. It also addresses the application of photo luminescent materials to highlight emergency exit path markings, instructions for emergency systems operations and requirements for debriefing after emergency situations and simulations. The proposed requirements are based on recommendations of FRA’s Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) and were developed by its Passenger Safety Working Group, Emergency Preparedness Task Force. The proposed regulation would also incorporate three industry standards developed by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). Comments on the proposal are due by March 5, 2012.


Bareboat charter expires
for TOP Ships Inc.

ATHENS — TOP Ships Inc., an international maritime shipping company that provides transportation services for crude oil, petroleum products, and dry bulk commodities, has announced the expiration of the bareboat charter party of the MV PAPILLON. Following its redelivery, the vessel was renamed to EVIAN.


Union Pacific sets contest
to remake classic commercial

ROSEVILLE, CA — As part of the launch of its 150th anniversary celebration website, Union Pacific Railroad will award more than $35,000 in prizes to the top entries that remake the company’s classic 1970s television commercial, “We Can Handle It.” Video remake contestants can find information, rules, sheet music to the commercial’s Great Big Rollin’ Railroad theme song, and other resources at www.up150.com. Entries are encouraged from all music genres including blues, reggae, pop, country, rock, hip hop, rap, jazz and others. The grand prize winner will receive $15,000, two finalists will receive $5,000 each and six runners up will receive $1,000 each. One entry each month also will receive $1,000. The entry deadline is July 1, 2011, and contestants must be 18 years of age or older. The original “We Can Handle It” television spots featured hand-clapping, foot-stomping employees from across the Union Pacific network singing the Great Big Rollin’ Railroad lyrics in a variety of settings, some more on key than others. Several different versions of the commercials were produced and aired. Still popular today, the Great Big Rollin’ Railroad ring tone has been downloaded more than 100,000 times.


NEWS BULLETIN
Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Crowley Maritime adding
500 new high-cube boxes

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Crowley Maritime Corporation's liner services group has added 500 new 40-foot, high-cube containers. The acquisition adds to the company's fleet of more than 45,000 units, as well as phases out some older containers. The new containers, which have a capacity of 2,700 cubic feet, will be used in all liner service operations in Latin America, the Caribbean and Puerto Rico. The new containers, which contain more durable North American oak wood flooring, exceed all new and amended ISO standards for freight container door security applications. A combination of security enhancements and upgrades deters and prevents unauthorized access into containers and loaded cargo. Since 2003, Crowley has invested nearly $240 million to modernize and grow its intermodal equipment fleet. Most recently, Crowley purchased 75 car racks (45 feet long and eight feet wide by 9 feet, six inches high), and in November of last year added 222 40-foot high-cube refrigerated containers and 133 new gensets in preparation for the peak perishables season in Central America.


New IMO Secretary-General
making changes to organization's makeup

LONDON — After taking office on January 1, 2012, the IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu has announced a number of changes in the structure of the IMO Secretariat. Mr. Sekimizu transferred Assistant Secretary-General, Andrew Winbow, from the Administrative Division to the Maritime Safety Division, as its director. Mr. Sekimizu further transferred Jo Espinoza-Ferrey from the Marine Environment Division to head the Administrative Division as its director, and consequentially promoted Stefan Micallef to the post of director of the Marine Environment Division. To ensure that the Organization makes further progress dealing with piracy, Mr. Sekimizu appointed Hartmut Hesse as special representative of the Secretary-General for Maritime Security and Anti-Piracy Programmes. Mr. Hesse will be taking responsibility for the implementation of the Djibouti Code of Conduct and will also act as the IMO representative to conferences and meetings dealing with piracy issues. In order to prepare for the successful introduction of the mandatory Member State Audit Scheme and to provide ample resources for these activities, Mr. Sekimizu has reorganized the Sub-Division for Implementation and Coordination of the Maritime Safety Division into a Department for Member State Audit and Implementation Support in the Maritime Safety Division. Laurence Barchue was appointed as head of the new department. The Secretary-General also decided to strengthen the functions dealing with internal audit and matters of ethics and appointed K-R. Min as the senior deputy director in charge of the Internal Oversight and Ethics Office.


FMC wants input
on NVOCC tariff rules

WASHINGTON, DC — The Federal Maritime Commission is issuing a Notice of Inquiry seeking comments on ways to make the tariff filing exemption provided to licensed non-vessel-operating common carriers in its regulations more useful, including its possible extension to foreign-based non-vessel-operating common carriers not licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission. Comments are due on or before March 26, 2012. Submit comments to: Karen V. Gregory, Secretary Federal Maritime Commission 800 North Capitol Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20573-0001, or e-mail non-confidential comments to: Secretary@fmc.gov (e-mail comments as attachments preferably in Microsoft Word or PDF)


Apex expanding in PNW
with purchase of Ash Creek

ROCKVILLE, MD — Apex Companies, LLC, a national water resources and environmental services consulting and engineering firm, has announced the acquisition of Ash Creek Associates, Inc. Ash Creek is a privately held environmental and engineering services firm headquartered in Portland. Apex is a portfolio company of Tailwind Capital, a private equity firm focused on investing in growth-oriented middle market companies. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The sale was completed on December 30, 2011. Apex Companies, LLC currently employs over 400 professionals, consisting primarily of geologists, hydrogeologists, engineers, air quality specialists, environmental scientists, industrial hygienists, safety specialists, and field technicians, deployed across a network of over 30 offices throughout the United States.


Associated Global Systems
earns Best Buy top carrier award

NEW HYDE PARK, NY — Associated Global Systems (AGS), a U.S.-based transportation and logistics provider, has announced they have been awarded the "Expedited Carrier of the Year Award" by the traffic council at Best Buy Co., Inc. This award is in recognition of "the kind of partnership that helps Best Buy continue to provide a unique customer experience and be competitive across multiple retail selling channels." AGS is receiving this award in part for their work on the Google TV launch requiring Friday to Saturday distribution of product in pallet quantities to all Best Buy stores nationwide. AGS was able to make confirmed deliveries on 99.8 percent of the shipments on Saturday as scheduled with the final two delivering on Sunday morning. In addition to the Google launch, AGS was recognized as a primary partner for the initial merchandise deliveries into the Best Buy Mobile stand-alone stores, requiring date specific deliveries by 10am. AGS has handled shipments from various Best Buy distribution centers and direct from vendors for the past eight years. Founded in 1958, AGS has 125+ offices in North American and provides air, ocean and ground services to, from and within 205 countries.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, January 2, 2012

Missing mariner arrives
safely on Big Island

HONOLULU — A mariner missing since Dec. 18 on a voyage from Kauai to Oahu has been located after being blown off course and arriving safely at Honokohau Harbor on the Big Island, Sunday. Search and rescue watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu received notification from Ira Foreman's ex-wife that he had contacted her via cell phone at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Mr. Foreman informed her that he was blown off course by strong winds during his transit from Kauai to Oahu, but was never in any distress. An aircrew piloting an HC-130 Hercules airplane from Air Station Barbers Point was launched in an attempt to verify the report and establish communications with Mr. Foreman at 10:19 p.m. Saturday. Watchstanders were able to triangulate his location based on his call. Shortly after midnight, crewmembers identified a vessel fitting the description of Mr. Foreman’s 36-foot sailboat, but were unable to establish communications. At 8 a.m. Sunday, Coast Guard watchstanders contacted Mr. Foreman on his cell phone. He reported his location as 20 miles west of Kealakekua, Big Island. Mr. Foreman arrived in Honokohau Harbor at 3 p.m. The four-day search for Mr. Foreman was suspended Thursday after covering more than 209,000 square miles.


Hyundai Merchant Marine
announces rate increases

SEOUL — Hyundai Merchant Marine reports that effective February 1, 2012, the following general rate increases (GRI) shall apply on hay shipments:
• USD $80/20' Container from Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Pedro, and Oakland.
• USD $100/40' - 45' Container from Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Pedro, and Oakland.
• USD $160/20' Container from Seattle, Tacoma, and Portland.
• USD $200/40' Container from Seattle, Tacoma, and Portland.
and forest products:
• USD $160/20' Container from the PNW
• USD $200/40' - 45' Container from the PNW
Forest Products are defined as lumber/logs, particle board, plywood/veneer, wood pulp, newsprint, KLB, paperboard, milk carton stock, and stock lot.


TOP Ships selling
drybulk vessel, PEPITO

ATHENS — TOP Ships Inc., an international maritime shipping company that provides transportation services for crude oil, petroleum products, and dry bulk commodities, has announced that it has sold the M/V PEPITO, a 75,928 dwt drybulk vessel built in 2001. The sale of the PEPITO will result in a book loss of approximately $25 million.


Panalpina opens
Tianjin logistics office

BASEL — Panalpina, a global provider of supply chain solutions, has opened a new logistics center in the Chinese city of Tianjin. Tianjin, one of the municipalities under direct administration of the Chinese central government, is located in Northern China. To the east, it borders on the Bohai Gulf. Beijing is only one hour away by high-speed train. Tianjin’s geographical advantages and the comprehensive logistics infrastructure include an ocean port, international airport, railway, highway and road networks as well as logistics parks. In the next three years, Panalpina plans to set up many more new logistics centers in strategic locations in Greater China.


Department of Transporatation
honors Student Challenge winners

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, has announced that Kory Northrop of the University of Oregon and Ali Mostafavi of Purdue University were chosen as winners of the Data Visualization Student Challenge. Each of the winners will receive a $2,000 scholarship. The contest was designed to engage students across the country to look at vast amounts of data and present it in a way that makes it easier to understand, which will help decision makers make better informed policy and investment decisions in support of transportation safety and economic development. Students were encouraged to form teams and collaborate across disciplines, and to seek mentorship from professionals within the transportation community. Contestants submitted 18 entries over a three-month period. In addition to the scholarship, a representative from each winning team will be honored at the 2012 Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., this month.