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July, 2011
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, July 29, 2011
New commanding officer
for Corps' Seattle District
SEATTLE Colonel Bruce A. Estok will assume command of the
Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, today. As
District Commander, Colonel Estok will oversee military
construction in Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon. He also
manages an extensive civil works engineering and construction
mission in Washington, Idaho and Montana. His programs also
include Historic Preservation of Historic Structures, and
Hazardous, Toxic and Radioactive Waste cleanup. Seattle District
manages half a billion dollars worth of work annually with a
workforce of more than 900 employees. Colonel Estok joins the
Seattle District after a year as a National Security Fellow at
Harvard Universitys Kennedy School of Government.
Marcon brokers sale
of two new sister tugs
COUPEVILLE, WA Marcon International, Inc of Coupeville,
WA, has announced the sale and delivery of two 5,630BHP new ASD
sister-tugs from Turkish builders, Bogazici Denizcilik to owners
in the United Arab Emirates. The tugs were designed by
Cintranaval-Defcar of Spain for berthing and unberthing of
vessels at LNG terminals, harbor assist, escort services, tandem
towing, open sea services, fire fighting and oil recovery / oil
pollution operations. The 65 tonne bollard pull ASD tugs SEA
EAGLE (ex-BOGAZICI 9) and SEA FALCON (ex-BOGAZICI 8) measure
32.5m length overall x 11.7m beam x 5.6m depth with a 4.30m
draft. This is the first sale Marcon International has concluded
with this yard. Marcon reports it has brokered 24 sales and
charters to-date in 2011. Several additional sales are pending
and expected to close within the next 30 days.
Rail freight traffic totals
head down during week
WASHINGTON, DC The Association of American Railroads (AAR)
reports a decrease in weekly rail traffic, with U.S. railroads
originating 245,574 carloads for the week ending July 9, 2011,
down 3.2 percent compared with the same week last year.
Intermodal volume for the week totaled 192,619 trailers and
containers, down 0.2 percent compared with the same week last
year. Thirteen of the 20 carload commodity groups posted
increases from the comparable week in 2010. Commodity groups
posting solid increases included: iron and steel scrap, up 32.5
percent; metallic ores, up 22.9 percent; and all other carloads,
up 14.6 percent. Groups posting notable decreases included: waste
and nonferrous scrap, down 16.1 percent; coal, down 11.3 percent;
and grain, down 10.5 percent.
IMO makes amendments
to MARPOL pollution rules
LONDON The International Maritime Organization (IMO)
reports amendments to its MARPOL Convention for the prevention of
pollution from ships enter into force on August 1, 2011, banning
heavy fuel oil from the Antarctic and creating a new North
American Emission Control Area (ECA). A new MARPOL regulation to
protect the Antarctic from pollution by heavy-grade oils is added
to MARPOL Annex I (Regulations for the prevention of pollution by
oil), with a new chapter 9 on Special requirements for the use or
carriage of oils in the Antarctic area. Regulation 43 prohibits
both the carriage in bulk as cargo and the carriage and use as
fuel, of: crude oils having a density, at 15°C, higher than 900
kg/m3; oils, other than crude oils, having a density, at 15°C,
higher than 900 kg/m3 or a kinematic viscosity, at 50°C, higher
than 180 mm2/s; or bitumen, tar and their emulsions. This means,
in effect, that ships trading to the area, whether passenger or
cargo ships, would need to switch to a different fuel type when
transiting the Antarctic area, defined as the sea area
south of latitude 60°S. An exception is envisaged for
vessels engaged in securing the safety of ships or in a
search-and-rescue operation. Amendments to MARPOL Annex VI
(Prevention of air pollution from ships) will formally establish
a North American Emission Control Area, in which emissions of
sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate
matter from ships will be subject to more stringent controls than
the limits that apply globally. The ECA will take effect 12
months after the amendments enter into force on August 1, 2012.
The entry into force will mean there are currently three
designated ECAs, the other two being sulphur oxide ECAs: the
Baltic Sea area and the North Sea area.
Port of Coos Bay opens
new paddlecraft launch
CHARLESTON, OR Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL)
Director Louise Solliday, members of the South Slough National
Estuarine Research Reserve Management Commission and the Oregon
International Port of Coos Bay have dedicated a new paddlecraft
launch at the Charleston Shipyard. The $30,000 project is a
partnership of the port, South Slough and DSL to encourage the
use of human-powered paddlecraft to access the South Slough area.
The project was funded through a National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration grant, in addition to utilizing port and South
Slough funds. The port-owned and managed site includes a
re-engineered parking lot and improved stormwater drainage, with
a boat unloading area and launching pathway. The port operates
the Charleston Marina Complex, which provides support for a
variety of vessel types. The South Slough Reserve is a 5,000-acre
natural area in the Coos Bay Estuary and is popular with
recreationalists using kayaks and canoes. The reserve also plans
to use the paddlecraft launch as a starting point for tours in
its 24-foot-long, 250-pound replica dugout canoe.
NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Foss Maritime Company
sees year with no accidents
SEATTLE Foss Maritime Company reports it has surpassed one
full year without incurring a lost time injury. For Foss' marine
operations, it has been two million man-hours and nearly a year
and a half, since the last lost time injury. For Foss' shipyards,
more than a year has passed since the last lost time injury. In
order to build on its safety culture, Foss developed a
sophisticated behavior-based program, with robust health, safety
and compliance programs that provide a full-circle safety focus
at all levels. Foss crews and shipyard employees now routinely
perform job safety analyses before they begin a project, engage
in safety conversations during jobs, and meet after the jobs to
review the behaviors that they observed during their work. The
employees provide daily reports to management on safety
observations and near-misses that are reported to all of Foss
through safety alerts, safety bulletins and lessons learned to
ensure that even the most seemingly minor irregularities are
recognized and eliminated. Through multiple regional safety
committees, which meet frequently, Foss employees are afforded
the opportunity to provide input into Foss safety programs
and to provide vital support for the companys push to
zero initiatives.
Port of Tacoma nets award
for 2011 budget document
TACOMA The Government Finance Officers Association has
awarded the Port of Tacoma its Distinguished Budget Presentation
Award for the ports 2011 budget document. To qualify for
the award, the port had to satisfy nationally recognized
guidelines for effective budget presentation, according to
the associations award announcement. It reflects the
commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest
principles of governmental budgeting. The budget document
provides an overview of the ports business, including
strategic priorities, operating budget, capital investment
program and financial measures. The Chicago-based nonprofit
association serves more than 17,600 government finance
professionals throughout North America.
Mitsui plans upgrades
to Asia-East Coast SAm service
ROTTERDAM Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced an
upgrade to its Asia-East Coast South America Service (CSW). From
July 2011 through 2012, MOL will launch a total of 10 new 5,600
TEU containerships which will replace its currently-operated
vessels on the CSW. The newbuilding ships will adopt a new
wide-beam and shallow-draft design, featuring high loading
capacity and compatibility with shallow-draft ports in South
America, as well as superior fuel efficiency. Moreover, effective
July 2011, MOL will assign an additional ship to CSW with a total
of 13 ships. Along with the fleet expansion, MOL will begin
chartering space to a consortium of Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha
(NYK Line), Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (K Line),
Hyundai Merchant Marine Co., Ltd. (HMM), and Pacific
International Line (PIL). New CSW service rotation (13 ships, 91
days turnaround): Xingang (Wed/Wed), Dalian (Thu/Fri), Qingdao
(Sat/Sat), Pusan (Mon/Mon), Shanghai (Fri/Sat), Hong Kong
(Mon/Mon), Singapore (Fri/Sat), Santos (Sat/Sun), Buenos Aires
(Tue/Wed), Montevideo (Thu/Thu), Paranagua (Sun/Sun), Sao
Francisco Do Sul (Mon/Mon), Santos (Tue/Wed), Rio De Janeiro
(Thu/Fri), Cape Town (Sat/Sun), Ngqura (Mon/Tue), Singapore
(Thu/Fri), Hong Kong (Wed/Wed) and Xingang (Wed).
Year in Trade 2010 report
now available from USITC
WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. International Trade Commission
(USITC) has released The Year in Trade 2010, its annual overview
of the previous year's trade-related activities. The USITC's The
Year in Trade is one of the government's most comprehensive
reports of U.S. trade-related activities, covering major
multilateral, regional, and bilateral developments. The
publication reviews U.S. international trade laws and actions
under these laws, activities of the World Trade Organization
(WTO), U.S. free trade agreements and negotiations, and U.S.
bilateral trade relations with major trading partners. The Year
in Trade 2010 includes complete listings of antidumping,
countervailing duty, safeguard, intellectual property rights
infringement, and section 301 cases undertaken by the U.S.
government in 2010. The report also provides an overview of U.S.
trade in goods and services during 2010. Statistical tables
highlight U.S. bilateral trade with major trading partners and
trade under U.S. trade preference programs. The Year in Trade
2010 (USITC Publication 4247, July 2011) will be posted on the
USITC's Internet site at
http://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub4247.pdf. The report
also is expected to be available at federal depository libraries
in the United States and at offices of the U.S. Information
Agency abroad.
NYK and subsidiary earn
Port of LA clean air honor
TOKYO NYK and Yusen Terminals Inc. (YTI) are the
recipients of 2011 Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) awards from the
Port of Los Angeles. NYK was recognized for its significant
early action to reduce air pollutant emissions through its
early compliance with California Air Pollution Control laws. In
2010, NYK containerships were able to reduce nitrous oxide and
particulate matter emissions by 24 percent through the use of
shoreside electric power while at berth. YTI, a wholly owned
subsidiary of NYK, was recognized with its third CAAP award, this
one for its innovative operations that improve air
quality. YTI demonstrates its commitment to the environment
through efficient operations that include automated gates and
restructured traffic flow patterns. In 2008, YTI was presented a
CAAP award for its use of innovative air quality
improvement technologies, and the company was a recipient
again in 2009 for its air quality improvement leadership at
the corporate level.
NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Lewis County judge's ruling backs
Tacoma gravel mining permit
TACOMA A Lewis County judge has sided with the Port of
Tacoma and Maytown Sand & Gravel, LLC (MSG) about the
finality of a gravel mining permit on a Maytown site formerly
owned by the port. Superior Court Judge Richard L. Brosey granted
a summary judgment to the port and MSG Wednesday, reversing the
decision of the Thurston County Board of Commissioners to require
extensive and duplicative new habitat surveys. The judges
ruling reinstates Hearing Examiner Sharon Rices Dec. 30
decision that confirmed the property holds a valid and final
special use permit for gravel mining. In its March 14 decision,
the Thurston Board of County Commissioners affirmed most of the
hearing examiners ruling, but directed the hearing examiner
to require MSG to prepare new studies of critical areas. The
boards decision effectively reopened parts of the
unappealed 2005 gravel mining permit for additional field
investigations. In March, the port and MSG, the current property
owner, appealed the boards decision because it violated
Washington state law on the finality of land use decisions. The
courts ruling means MSG may begin mining as soon as the
remaining pre-mining conditions of the permit are met. The port
and MSG also have filed a separate action for damages against
Thurston County, which remains pending. Delays to MSGs
mining operation continue to jeopardize the ports sale of
the property to the company.
ATA truck tonnage index
rises during month of June
ARLINGTON, VA The American Trucking Associations' (ATA)
advance seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index
increased 2.8 percent in June after decreasing a revised 2.0
percent in May 2011. May's drop was slightly less than the 2.3
percent ATA reported on June 27, 2011. The latest gain put the SA
index at 115.8 (2000=100) in June, up from the May level of 112.6
and the highest since January 2011. The not seasonally adjusted
index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by
the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 122.3 in June,
which was 5.3 percent above the previous month. Compared with
June 2010, SA tonnage jumped 6.8 percent, the largest
year-over-year gain since January 2011. In May, the tonnage index
was three percent above a year earlier. 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.
Panama Canal expansion project
begins permanent concrete work
PANAMA CITY In yet another major milestone for the Panama
Canal Expansion Program, permanent concrete work for the Atlantic
and Pacific new set of locks recently began marking one of
the most important phases of the construction. Last March, the
contractor, Grupo Unidos por el Canal S.A. (GUPCSA), in charge of
this project, started pouring lean concrete at both lock sites to
level the surface in preparation for the permanent concrete work.
This month, GUPCSA poured structural marine concrete to shape the
floor of the upper chamber in Gatun, on the Atlantic side. The
concrete was poured into specialized industrial formwork that
included a significant amount of rebar (steel bars or rods used
to reinforce concrete), to ultimately shape the 100 cubic meter
blocks that make up the lock floor. On the Pacific side, concrete
pouring activities also began with the construction of the pit
for the first of three lock crossunders or tunnels. Through these
crossunders, trays and pipes will carry communication and
electricity wires, drinking water pipelines and other components
needed to operate the lock complex. Of note, each set of locks
will have three crossunders. In its entirety, the new set of
locks will require 4.8 million cubic meters of concrete.
Crowley taps Suz Michel
as safety/learning vice president
JACKSONVILLE, FL Crowley Maritime Corp. has announced that
Suz Michel has assumed the role of vice president of safety and
learning, a position that gives her oversight for both the
Safety, Security, Quality & Environmental (SSQE) and People
Development & Learning (PDL) groups. Ms. Michel, who will
relocate from Seattle to Jacksonville, will continue to report to
Carl Fox, senior vice president of corporate services. In her new
role, Ms. Michel will lead the blending of these two groups under
a singular managerial focus to promote synergies in the delivery
of training, compliance and operational excellence. Also under
Ms. Michel's leadership, the SSQE team will continue to ensure
that Crowley's safety culture - the company's most important core
value - is applied to all areas of business and embodied by all
employees. Additionally, Michel will ensure that another
important company value, Our People, continues to promote
developmental opportunities for company employees. Ms. Michel
most recently assumed the role of vice president for PDL in early
2011 and has now replaced Cole Cosgrove in this senior SSQE
position. Cosgrove recently assumed the role of vice president of
marine operations for Crowley's liner services groups.
Evergreen adding service
covering Kaohsiung to Cebu
TAIPEI Evergreen Line reports it will launch a new
Kaohsiung-Cebu feeder Service (KCS Service) - effective from late
July. Evergreen Line will deploy one 950-TEU ship with a
rotation: Kaohsiung - Cebu - Kaohsiung. The first weekly
Intra-Asia voyage by Uni-Chart departed from Kaohsiung yesterday.
"With more stable capacity and shorter delivery time we
believe that with this new KCS service, and Evergreen Line's
online Taiwan-Manila service (TMN), customers will benefit from
more convenient sailings among Southeast Asia destinations,"
Evergreen Line said.
NEWS BULLETIN
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Jensen Maritime to design
City of Portland fast fire boat
SEATTLE Jensen Maritime Consultants, Inc., a Crowley
company, has been chosen to design the fastest response fire and
rescue boat on Oregon's Columbia River to increase the City of
Portland's Fire & Rescue (PF&R) response capabilities on
water. The addition of this high-speed boat to the city's
response fleet - which up until now has consisted of two
fast-response fireboats, one large platform fireboat and two
fast-response rescue boats - will increase the department's
ability to quickly respond to emergencies along the waterfront in
its jurisdiction, from the mouth of the Columbia River to the
Bonneville Dam, 140 miles upriver. Conceptual design is expected
to be completed in September, and construction in early 2013. A
shipyard has yet to be selected. Once built, the
waterjet-propelled boat, will measure 50 feet in length and 16
feet in beam. Designed to meet NFPA standards, the boat will
extinguish flames by engaging fire monitors, which can spray
water and/or fire-fighting foam directly on fires from a distance
of 100 feet. Additional design features include a lightweight
aluminum hull, a main deck and pilot house that will accommodate
up to four crewmembers and five passengers; twin
electronic-controlled diesel motors that enables the vessel to
reach 40 knots; and a fuel capacity and efficiency that makes it
possible for the boat to remain on scene for up to eight hours
without refueling.
Port of Tacoma taps Matthias
as consultant for Alaska business
TACOMA The Port of Tacoma has selected Karen Matthias, of
Matthias Consulting, as its new Alaska consultant. Ms. Matthias
has worked in Alaska's business, economic and political arenas
for seven years, and as Consul at the Consulate of Canada in
Anchorage from 2004 to 2009. She established Canada's first
presence in Alaska. She also worked for 10 years with the
Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
Alaska is the Port of Tacoma's third largest trading partner,
accounting for more than $3 billion in trade each year. Two major
shipping lines, Horizon Lines and Totem Ocean Trailer Express
(TOTE), Inc., both serve Alaska from Tacoma. A number of other
Alaska-related companies, including Carlile, Lynden, The North
West Company, the Odom Corporation and Trident, all have
facilities at or near the Port of Tacoma. Recognizing the
significance of Alaska business and trade, the Port first hired
an Alaska consultant in 1986. Shari Gross Teeple served as the
port's Alaska consultant for the past 25 years. Ms. Gross will
work with Ms. Matthias and the port briefly to ensure a smooth
transition. Ms. Matthias will remain based in Anchorage, where
she has lived since 2004.
Port of Camas-Washougal
turns down FAA funding
WASHOUGAL, WA The Port of Camas-Washougal has announced a
decision to not accept federal funding for airport improvements
from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). At their July 19,
commission meeting, port commissioners explained their rationale
with the following statement: "After carefully considering
all information available on this issue, the commission finds
that it is not in the best interest of the port to allow Grove
Field to become an FAA obligated airport. This loss of control
over this asset in perpetuity, funding uncertainties,
considerable financing commitments, potential risk and other
factors would place the port in unacceptable jeopardy."
Change of command set for
Coast Guard cutter MELLON
SEATTLE Capt. Daniel McLaughlin will relieve Capt. David
Klipp of command of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter MELLON during a
change-of-command ceremony today. The ceremony will be held at
Pier 36, Base Seattle. Capt. Klipp assumed command of the MELLON
in August 2009 and will leave to be the chief of Response for
Coast Guard District 13. Capt. McLaughlin is reporting from the
U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R. I. Capt. McLaughlin is a
1989 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn.,
earning Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. His
personal awards include three Meritorious Service Medals, five
Coast Guard Commendation Medals and various service and unit
awards. Rear Adm. Christopher C. Colvin, Deputy Commander Pacific
Area, will preside over the ceremony. MELLON, the 378-foot, High
Endurance Cutter homeported in Seattle, is designed to perform
each of the Coast Guards 11 missions, which include search
and rescue, defense operations, law enforcement, and
environmental protection. MELLON patrols the Gulf of Alaska, the
Bering Sea and the Eastern Pacific off the coast of South
America.
Port Metro Vancouver eyes plan
to reduce truck traffic on VBC streets
VANCOUVER, BC Port Metro Vancouver is taking action to
mitigate impacts of container trucks accessing the Port via
Vancouvers streets. Port Metro Vancouver and the City of
Vancouver, BC have been working together to address community
concerns regarding an increase in the number of container trucks
travelling on Nanaimo Street (north of Broadway) en route to the
McGill/Commissioner Street entrance to the port. In an effort to
mitigate the impact of container trucks accessing the port via
city streets, Port Metro Vancouver will implement a Truck Traffic
Pilot Program requiring container trucks to use only Major Road
Network (MRN) authorized routes in Vancouver. Nanaimo Street is
not a Major Road Network route. The 90-day pilot program will
begin on August 25, 2011, following a 30-day notification period
for container truck companies and drivers. Port Metro Vancouver
will direct container trucks travelling via the Knight Street
Corridor from Richmond/Delta to use the following Major Road
Network (MRN) route to access the McGill/Commissioner Street
entrance to the port: Clark Drive to Hastings Street; Hastings
Street to Cassiar Street/Highway 1; Cassiar Street/Highway 1 to
Bridgeway Street; Bridgeway Street to McGill Street. During the
90-day pilot period, Nanaimo Street will be monitored jointly by
both the City of Vancouver and Port Metro Vancouver. The City of
Vancouver will carry out truck counts in mid-September to monitor
the effectiveness of this trial program. The City of Vancouver
and Port Metro Vancouver will continue to meet regularly and
evaluate the change.
NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, July 25, 2011
Port of Tacoma sees rise
in year-to-date container volumes
TACOMA The Port of Tacoma reports its year-to-date
container volumes through June are up two percent, with the port
handling 720,178 TEUs. Full export container volumes through the
port remain strong - up 14 percent year-to-date through
June -- while full import container volumes are down by four
percent for that same time period. For June, the ports
container volumes are down 11 percent, affected by the sluggish
trends in the U.S. retail and housing industries. Other
year-to-date Port cargo highlights include:
· Auto imports (units) up 26 percent
· Breakbulk tonnage up 61 percent
· Total tonnage up 11 percent
For additional Port cargo stats, see:
http://www.portoftacoma.com/Page.aspx?nid=155
Crowley taps Cole Cosgrove
as marine operations vice president
JACKSONVILLE, FL Crowley Maritime Corp. has announced that
Cole Cosgrove has assumed the role of vice president of marine
operations for Crowley's liner services groups. Mr. Cosgrove will
continue to work out of the company's Jacksonville office while
reporting to John Hourihan, senior vice president and general
manager, Latin America services, and John Douglass, senior vice
president and general manager, Puerto Rico and Caribbean
services. In his new position, Mr. Cosgrove is responsible for
the marine operations of Crowley's Puerto Rico and Caribbean
services fleet of four vessels serving the Bahamas, the Eastern
Caribbean and the Caribbean Basin as well as the Central American
fleet of eight to 10 vessels serving the Dominican Republic,
Haiti, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras, El Salvador and
Guatemala. Management of these vessels involves everything from
operations, to vessel crewing and training, to identifying and
implementing new technologies for improved overall performance.
Cosgrove held a similar role in 2002 for the Puerto Rico and
Caribbean services team. Mr. Cosgrove, who most recently held the
role of vice president of the Safety, Security, Quality and
Environmental (SSQE) department, has replaced Michael Hopkins,
who in retirement has transitioned into a part-time role as a
consultant for Crowley.
Ceremony marks christening
of Hamburg Sud container vessel
SHANGHAI On Saturday, July 23, 2011, as part of a customer
event, Hamburg Süd christened the container ship SANTA CRUZ in
Shanghai. Sponsor of the SANTA CRUZ was Heike Schmidt, wife of Dr
Heino Schmidt, member of the Executive Board of Hamburg Süd. The
SANTA CRUZ is the fourth newbuilding of a series of ten identical
container vessels each featuring a slot capacity of 7,100 TEU and
fitted with 1,600 reefer container plugs. This makes the vessel
one of the largest ships ever built for Hamburg Süd. All ten
vessels in this series are to be delivered by late 2012. Since
its delivery at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co.
Ltd. (DSME) in Korea in early May 2011, the SANTA CRUZ has been
operating in Hamburg Süds service between Asia and South
Africa/South America East Coast (New Good Hope Express). The
SANTA CRUZ is named after one of the four provinces in the
Argentinian part of Patagonia. Argentina is one of Hamburg
Süds most important markets in South America.
Top Ships Oks sale
of drybulk vessel AMALFI
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 entered into an agreement to sell the M/V AMALFI, a 45,526
dwt drybulk vessel built in 2000. The vessel is expected to be
delivered to its new owners by the end of September 2011. The
sale of the AMALFI will result in a book loss of approximately
$29.5 million.
Mitsui O.S.K Lines using
low-friction paint on vessel hulls
ROTTERDAM Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced
the adoption of a new low-friction Seaflo Neo
developed by Chugoku Marine Paint, Ltd. After analyzing the
results of an onboard test with a newbuilding vessel, the company
confirmed that the new paint offers improvements in fuel
efficiency compared to conventional paints. This will contribute
to the reduction of CO2 emissions from vessels. Friction between
the hull and the water accounts for the majority of resistance as
a vessel moves through the water. Reducing friction drag is an
effective way to reduce CO2 emissions during vessel operation.
MOL has taken a proactive stance in developing and adopting a
low-friction paint as one of its environmental initiatives. The
main characteristic of the new paint is the high smoothness of
the paint film surface, the result of a newly developed
low-viscosity hydrolyzed polymer. The ultra-smooth finish
minimizes friction drag between the hull and the water, improving
fuel efficiency by three to five percent compared to an identical
vessel with a conventional hull coating. The new
environment-friendly paint is also low in volatile organic
compounds (VOCs), a major source of air pollution.
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, July 22, 2011
Bellingham Port Commissioners
OK Scotty Browns airport lease
BELLINGHAM This week the Port of Bellinghams Board
of Commissioners approved a lease with Scotty Browns at the
Bellingham International Airport. The company will open a
restaurant and lounge in the airport's secure waiting area next
spring. Scotty Browns also operates a restaurant and lounge in
Bellingham's Barkley District. The business will occupy
approximately 1,430 square feet and will include seating for up
to 50 people in the restaurant and 30 people in the lounge. This
is a much smaller space than their full restaurant in the Barkley
District. Scottys owners have said they anticipate
providing a similar, but more limited menu than the Barkley
Village restaurant. Browns Socialhouse has been familiar to
people in British Columbia since 2004 when the business opened
its first restaurant in North Vancouver. Whatcom County got to
experience their food in 2009, when they opened Scotty Browns at
Barkley Village. The company now operates 14 restaurants in
Canada, as well as the one Bellingham location. The five-year
lease includes payments to the port based on its gross receipts.
The restaurant and lounge will be in the secure section of the
airport, as part of the 20,000 square foot expansion the port
completed in June. That $8.5 million terminal expansion included
a new secure gate holding area for passengers with double the
seating and a greatly improved terminal building.
Coast Guard investigating
Columbia River vessel allision
ASTORIA The Coast Guard is investigating a tug and barge
allision that occurred in the Columbia River at mile 48 near
Westport, Ore., at approximately 3 a.m., Thursday. The 123-foot
tug COCHISE was towing the 357-foot petroleum barge MORRO BAY.
Both vessels struck anchored piping and equipment belonging to
the dredge OREGON. The dredge itself was not struck. MORRO BAY is
a double-hulled barge and was empty at the time of the allision.
No injuries or pollution have been reported. Both the tug COCHISE
and the barge MORRO BAY are currently moored near Astoria. Coast
Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland, will conduct inspections of
both the tug and barge today. The cause of the allision is under
investigation.
US rail freight traffic
posts gains during week
WASHINGTON, DC The Association of American Railroads (AAR)
reported solid weekly rail traffic, with U.S. railroads
originating 285,943 carloads for the week ending July 2, 2011, up
0.3 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal
volume for the week totaled 236,988 trailers and containers, up
2.5 percent compared with the same week last year. Fifteen of the
20 carload commodity groups posted increases from the comparable
week in 2010. Commodity groups posting solid increases included:
farm products excluding grain, up 22.3 percent; metallic ores, up
18.5 percent, and lumber and wood products, up 14.3 percent.
Waste and nonferrous scrap was the only group posting a notable
decrease, down 12.3 percent.
Crystal Cruises earns
16th best cruise line honor
TOKYO With its highest score ever, Crystal Cruises has
been voted Travel + Leisures Worlds Best
Large-Ship Cruise Line for a 16th consecutive year. The
ultra-luxe lines score of 92.45 is almost two full points
greater than any previous Crystal score. For the prestigious
magazines 2011 readers survey, reader-travelers rated
cruise lines on staff/guides, itineraries/destinations,
activities, accommodations, food, and value. Crystal Cruises has
been consistently lauded by world travelers, travel agents, and
industry critics for its host of complimentary features. Condé
Nast Traveler readers voted Crystal Cruises Best Large-Ship
Cruise Line for a record 17th year. Recently, TravelAge
Wests travel agents voted Crystal the Cruise Line
with the Highest Client Satisfaction (for ships carrying
fewer than 1,100 passengers). Crystal Cruises was founded in 1988
and offers a range of luxury cruises on its two ships, Crystal
Symphony and Crystal Serenity, which were recently recognized as
the top two medium-sized cruise ships in the world.
K Line joining service
calling Far East/India
TOKYO Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. ("K" Line) has
announced the launching of a new dedicated service (called CIX-2)
between the Far East and Indian Sub-Continent from August 10,
2011. The new CIX-2 service, currently operated by Evergreen Line
and Simatech Shipping, will run with six 2500-2800 teu vessels
and offer a fixed-day weekly sailing. K Line will
deploy one vessel to this new service. "K" Line
presently operates another weekly service (called INDFEX) calling
at Nhava Sheva port. The new service will double sailing
frequency for Nhava Sheva and add Xingang and Qingdao as direct
calling ports.
NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Port of Tacoma celebrates opening
of Hylebos Creek habitat area
TACOMA Native American songs heralded a welcome to salmon
and other wildlife at the July 20 dedication of a new 26-acre
habitat site along Hylebos Creek in Tacoma. Puyallup Tribe of
Indians and state officials helped the Port of Tacoma unveil the
site with a Twulshootseed name chosen by Tribe officials that
means Place of Circling Waters. The 26-acre site at
the mouth of Hylebos Creek features intertidal marsh, stream
channels and forested open space. The site, connected to several
other restored areas along the creek, is part of a larger effort
to rejuvenate salmon runs on the tidally-influenced stream. While
most of the site at 1621 Marine View Drive is fenced off to
protect the habitat and wildlife, a paved walkway leads from the
parking area to a publicly accessible overlook so people may
appreciate the beauty of the region and the jobs that help
sustain it. The port purchased the property in 2005 for habitat
restoration and mitigation. The property is divided into five
separate projects to meet current or future regulatory
obligations, but it was designed as one to provide greater
environmental value than smaller, separate projects. To build the
$13.6 million salmon-friendly site, the port reclaimed a former
gravel mine, removed nearly 255,000 tons of contaminated
material, created intertidal channels to benefit salmon and other
wildlife, and planted 35,000 native trees and shrubs.
Genco Shipping & Trading
adds Handysize vessel to fleet
NEW YORK Genco Shipping & Trading Limited has
announced that it has taken delivery of the GENCO MARE, a 35,000
dwt Handysize newbuilding. The GENCO MARE is the fourth of five
vessels to be delivered to the company under Genco's agreement
previously announced on June 9, 2010 to acquire five Handysize
vessels from companies within the Metrostar group of companies.
The GENCO MARE is expected to be delivered to its charterer,
Cargill International S.A., on or about July 21, 2011 to commence
a spot market-related time charter for 45.5 to 50.5 months. The
rate for the spot market-related time charter will be based on
115 percent of the average of the daily rates of the Baltic
Handysize Index (BHSI), as reflected in daily reports. Hire will
be paid every 15 days in advance, net of a 5.00% third party
brokerage commission. The company used available cash of $9.9
million as well as $20.0 million under its $100 million term loan
facility to pay the remaining balance of $29.9 million for the
GENCO MARE.
Carriers plan service upgrade
for West Africa express run
TOKYO Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. ("K" Line) has
announced an upgrade of its West Africa Express Service (WAX) to
a weekly service with an additional Singapore call on both west
and eastbound. A total of 11 vessels will be deployed with
"K" Line deploying two vessels, China Shipping four,
Hapag-Lloyd two and the remaining three coming from Nippon Yusen
Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), who will newly join the service, covering
a 77-day round voyage. Details of the service are as follows:-
Vessel Deployment:
Eleven (11) x 2500 TEU type vessel
New WAX service rotation (77-day round voyage):
Shanghai Ningbo Xiamen Shekou
Singapore - Port Kelang Durban (South Africa)
Tema (Ghana) Lome (Togo) Cotonou (Benin)
Tincan Island (Nigeria) Durban Port
Kelang Singapore - Shanghai
Commencement date:
Departure from Shanghai on August 23, 2011.
Panama Canal Authority
inks new MOU with Port Tampa
PANAMA CITY In a move that further solidifies their
commitment to partnership, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and
the Tampa Port Authority (TPA) have renewed a strategic alliance.
The newly renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will increase
cooperation, such as joint marketing, between the Panama Canal
and the Port of Tampa. It will also seek to bolster trade along
the All-Water Route, the route from Asia to the U.S.
Gulf Coast via the Panama Canal. The two entities first signed an
MOU in 2005, which was renewed in 2008. The latest agreement is
renewable for an additional five years. In addition, the renewed
agreement will also focus on the following areas:
· Data Sharing to forecast future trade flows and market trends;
· Market Studies Exchange that may benefit either party in
future product development or business venture;
· Sharing of Information Related to Modernization and
Improvement projects that serve as a benefit to business and spur
increased demand; and,
· Technological Interchange of advanced technology capabilities
and programs to spur cutting-edge initiatives in the shipping and
maritime community.
Change of command tomorrow
for Coast Guard Air Station North Bend
ASTORIA Capt. Mark E. Reynolds will relieve Capt. Scott A.
Kitchen of command of U.S. Coast Guard Group/Air Station North
Bend, Ore., during a change-of-command ceremony on Friday, July
22, 2011, at 11 a.m. The ceremony will be held at Group/Air
Station North Bend, located at 2000 Connecticut Avenue, North
Bend. Capt. Kitchen, who assumed command of Group/Air Station
North Bend in August 2008, will retire this November after
serving the American public for more than 25 years. His career
achievements include, but are not limited to, receiving the 2006
Capt. Witherspoon Inspirational Leadership Awards for his role in
the coordination of the Coast Guards historic rescue of
more than 33,500 people following Hurricane Katrina. Capt.
Reynolds previous assignment was at the Coast Guards
Office of Aviation Forces at Naval Air Station Patuxent River,
Md., where he served as the Unmanned Aeronautical Systems liaison
to Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). Prior to that assignment,
he served as Deputy Group Commander/Executive Officer at
Group/Air Station North Bend from 2006-09. Capt. Reynolds is a
1987 graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science
degree in secondary education. He graduated from U.S. Coast Guard
Officer Candidate School in December 1988. His personal awards
include, but are not limited to the 2003 Coast Guard Foundation
Award and the 2003 Naval Helicopter Association Western Region
Search and Rescue Aircrew of the Year. Rear Adm. Keith A. Taylor,
Commander of the 13th Coast Guard District, will preside over the
ceremony.
NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
AAPA teaming with DOC
to advance U.S. exports
OAKLAND Under Secretary of Commerce for International
Trade Francisco Sánchez and American Association of Port
Authorities (AAPA) President and Chief Executive Officer Kurt
Nagle have announced a new partnership to support President
Obamas goal of doubling exports by 2014. The partnership
will assist U.S. seaports leverage federal and local resources to
help new-to-export small and medium-sized firms to achieve export
sales. The AAPA and the Department of Commerces
International Trade Administration will help interested ports
develop and host industry-led workshops, seminars, and other
events that provide exporters with a basic knowledge of export
requirements. For ocean exporters, U.S. seaports are the nexus
between the United States and the global economy. More than 75
percent of U.S. merchandise trade by volume and more than
36 percent by value leaves the United States by water.
Study finds Port of Seattle
taking lead as green seaport
SEATTLE A recently updated study shows that the Port of
Seattle once again offers the lowest carbon footprint for
containers moving from Asia to the Midwest. The 2011 Carbon
Footprint Analysis for the Asia to North America Intermodal
Trade, conducted by the maritime firm Herbert Engineering
Corp, builds upon their 2009 study and reconfirms that the Port
of Seattle is the Green Gateway for trade. A new feature
developed with the study allows easy determination of a
containers carbon footprint. The Green Gateway Carbon
Calculator allows shippers to compare the CO2e per TEU through
various North American gateways, factoring in different vessel
sizes and utilizations, and the recent trend of slow steaming. It
is now available on the ports website at:
http://www.portseattle.org/seaport/cargo/GreenGateway.shtml.
Herbert Engineerings study, commissioned by the Port of
Seattle, calculated the carbon footprint of trade routes from the
Asian ports of Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh,
Busan, and Tokyo to the U.S. distribution hubs of Chicago,
Columbus, Memphis, New York, Norfolk, and Atlanta via the North
American gateways of Prince Rupert, Seattle, Oakland, Los
Angeles/Long Beach, Houston, Savannah, Norfolk, and New York/New
Jersey. The study analyzed the ship, truck, and rail segments of
each trade route, including the all water routes via the soon to
be expanded Panama Canal and the Suez Canal. Vessel analysis was
conducted for ship sizes of 4,500, 6,500, 8,500, and 12,500 TEUs
traveling at design and slow steaming speeds, with utilization
rates of 60 percent to 90 percent. Herbert Engineering Corp. is a
ship design, engineering and transportation consulting firm based
in Alameda, California.
CSX Corporation delivers
second fiscal quarter numbers
JACKSONVILLE, FL CSX Corporation has announced second
quarter net earnings of $506 million, or $0.46 per share, versus
$414 million, or $0.36 per share, in the same period last year.
This represents a 28 percent year-over-year improvement in
earnings per share. Revenue in the quarter improved 13 percent
from the prior year to $3.0 billion, with increases across all
major markets merchandise, intermodal and coal. Overall
revenues were driven by volume growth, pricing that reflects the
value of freight rail transportation, and recoveries that offset
higher fuel prices. The higher revenue, coupled with the
company's focus on profitable growth, drove a 21 percent increase
in operating income to a record $926 million, and an operating
ratio of 69.3 percent, a 190 basis point improvement
year-over-year. CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is
a transportation company providing rail, intermodal and
rail-to-truck transload services.
Coast Guard reinstates commander
following cutter grounding review
PORTSMOUTH, VA Vice Adm. Robert C. Parker, commander,
Coast Guard Atlantic Area, reinstated Cmdr. Harry Schmidt as
commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter DILIGENCE Friday.
Cmdr. Schmidt was temporarily relieved of his command of the
DILIGENCE June 8, following a grounding of the cutter in May near
Silver Bank in the Dominican Republic. Based upon a review of all
of the facts surrounding the grounding, Cmdr. Schmidts
outstanding record, and the excellent operational results and
work environment fostered by Cmdr. Schmidt aboard the DILIGENCE,
Vice Adm. Parker decided to reinstate Cmdr. Schmidt as
DILIGENCEs commanding officer. Cmdr. Schmidt is scheduled
to turn over command of the DILIGENCE in a previously scheduled
ceremony on Aug. 4 as part of his normal assignment rotation. The
DILIGENCE is a 210-foot, medium endurance cutter homeported in
Wilmington, N.C.
MOL donates reefer boxes
to Japanese fishing cooperative
ROTTERDAM Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced
that the company has donated six 20-foot reefer containers to the
Soma-Futaba Fisheries Cooperative Association as part of its
support activities for the disaster-stricken areas. The freezing
and refrigeration facilities at the fishing port were destroyed
by the tsunami following the Great East Japan Earthquake. The
reefer containers MOL donated will serve as a temporary
refrigerated warehouse for chilled and frozen seafood awaiting
transport. The reefer containers were delivered to the
association in Obama, Soma-shi, Fukushima Prefecture, on July 15.
NEWS BULLETIN
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Matson plans rebranding
of trio of logistics units
OAKLAND Matson has announced that it is rebranding its
three logistics units under the new name, Matson Logistics. The
company reports that combining the suite of services offered by
the three entities, Matson Integrated Logistics, Matson Global
and Matson America, into one brand will better define the full
range of services the Matson name represents outside of ocean
transportation, including domestic and international rail
intermodal service, long haul and regional highway brokerage,
supply chain services, LTL transportation, specialized hauling,
and company-operated warehousing and distribution. All of the
services offered will be marketed using a newly created Matson
Logistics logo. As part of this initiative, the three entities
have changed their legal names to better reflect the more unified
approach to providing logistics services. Matson Integrated
Logistics, Inc. is now Matson Logistics, Inc.; Matson
America Transportation Services, LLC is now Matson
Logistics Services, LLC; and Matson Global Distribution
Services, Inc. is now Matson Logistics Warehousing,
Inc. The new names are only legal name changes and do not
require any updates or revisions to licenses, codes, customer
contracts, insurance coverage, legal rights and obligations, or
other documentation. Matson Logistics is a subsidiary of Matson.
Matson is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alexander & Baldwin,
Inc. of Honolulu.
Report finds Coast Guard lacking
on Civil Rights Directorate staffing
WASHINGTON, DC The Government Accountability Office
released a report on the shortcomings of the Civil Rights
Directorate in the United States Coast Guard (USCG), entitled
Coast Guard - Civil Rights Directorate Can Enhance Workforce
Restructuring Efforts (GAO-11- 718). The report, requested by
leaders of the House Transportation & Infrastructure and
Homeland Security Committees, shows that despite independent
studies and reports from the GAO, the USCGs Civil Rights
Directorate is understaffed and lacks strategic direction.
The GAO found:
* The Civil Rights Directorate serves 50,000 active duty military
and 8,000 civilian
employees in the USCG but, in 2008, only had 41 non-dedicated
staffers (Civil Rights
Service Providers).
* An independent study conducted in 2009 found that the
Directorate needed 37 more Civil
Rights Service Providers, a plan to allocate them geographically
based on need, and
establish them as dedicated staff.
* As of April 2011, the Directorate only had 45 Civil Rights
Service Provider positions
(with five vacancies) and many regional Civil Rights Service
Providers worked on casework
on an as-needed basis. It also had no detailed strategic plan for
staffing.
* The Directorate has failed to document that Civil Rights
Service Providers are properly
trained.
Congressman Rick Larsen (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructures Subcommittee on Coast
Guard and Maritime Transportation, released the following
statement: I am pleased to see that the Coast Guard is
making progress, however as the report clearly demonstrates, the
Coast Guard needs to take additional steps to ensure that the
civil rights directorate adequately serves its clientele. In my
position as the ranking Democrat on the Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation Subcommittee, I will be closely monitoring the
services actions in protecting the rights of those who
serve.
Maersk Line posts warning
of Adobe Acrobat X problems
COPENHAGEN Maersk Line is warning customers who have
upgraded to Adobe Acrobat X currently that they may face problems
printing their Original Bills of Lading from Maerskline.com.
Maersk Line says it is working on fixing the issue which has been
given the highest priority. Meantime, the carrier advises
customers to refrain from upgrading to Adobe Acrobat X or to make
sure that at least one company computer runs on Adobe Acrobat 9
in order to print Original Bills of Lading.
FMC setting new rules
for cruise line customers
WASHINGTON, DC The Federal Maritime Commission has voted
to initiate a rulemaking to strengthen protections for cruise
line customer deposits and prepayments, and to reduce financial
responsibility requirements for small cruise lines. Under the
commissions regulations, cruise lines must file evidence of
financial responsibility to ensure that passengers will be able
to obtain refunds if their cruises are cancelled. In a 3-to-2
vote, the commission decided to prepare a proposed rule that will
increase the maximum coverage requirement from $15 million to $30
million. This update responds to inflation and the growth of the
cruise industry since the current $15 million cap was set in
1990. The commission also directed that the proposed rule should
relieve smaller cruise lines by giving them credit for existing
additional forms of financial protection.
Command change ceremony
set for Coast Guard cutter
SEATTLE Lt. j.g. William J. Birch will relieve Lt. Victor
J. Galgano of command of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter SEA DEVIL
during a change-of-command ceremony tomorrow. The ceremony will
be held at the Kvelstad Pavilion in Poulsbo, Wash. Lt. Galgano
assumed command of the SEA DEVIL in July 2009 and will leave to
attend graduate school at Florida State University, where he will
study for a Master of Science degree in Instructional Systems.
Lt. j.g. Birchs previous assignment was as a Deck Watch
Officer on the USCGC CAMPBELL, a 270-foot cutter based in
Portsmouth, N.H. He performed additional duties of the first
lieutenant, law enforcement officer and weapons officer. Lt. j.g.
Birch is a 2009 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, earning
Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. His personal
awards include a Coast Guard Achievement Medal, three Meritorious
Team Commendations, and the Expert Riffle Medal. Cmdr. Thomas
Sullivan, commanding officer of Coast Guard Maritime Force
Protection Unit Bangor (MFPU Bangor), will preside over
the ceremony.
NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, July 18, 2011
Port of Olympia settles
OPA Clean Water Act suit
OLYMPIA The Port of Olympia and Olympians for Public
Accountability (OPA) agreed on July 11, 2011, that OPA will
dismiss with prejudice its appeal of the ports general
industrial stormwater permit pending before the Pollution Control
Hearings Board. Both parties also agreed to a full and complete
settlement of claims alleged by OPA in a federal Clean Water Act
suit in which OPA named the port as a defendant. The port does
not admit any of the violations which OPA alleged. Among other
things, the port agrees to continue the work it has already had
underway to meet the requirements of its industrial stormwater
permit. This includes the new permit requirements that the
Washington Dept. of Ecology (DOE) implemented in January 2010.
The general industrial stormwater permit covers the portions of
the marine terminal occupied by the Port of Olympia and by the
tenant, Weyerhaeuser. Another tenant on the terminal operates
under its own permit with Ecology. Both tenants run log
operations. In June 2010, the port hired a full-time specialist
to manage stormwater on its marine terminal. Currently, staff
periodically samples stormwater at specific discharge points
according to permit requirements. The port agrees to sample
monthly as part of the agreement. The port is also designing and
constructing an improved storm treatment system, which is part of
the ports planned permit actions. The port will offer OPA
an opportunity to review and comment on the proposed future
improvements. While the Port of Olympia has already taken a
leadership role as a co-sponsor of the Mission Creek Restoration
Project, the Port-OPA agreement states that the port will
contribute $120,000 directly to the project costs. The Olympia
Port Commission had already planned to support Mission Creek
project costs and to forfeit any mitigation rights related to the
Mission Creek site. The port agreed to pay OPA attorney and
consultant fees of $215,000, and OPA and the port committed to
first undertake dispute resolutionrather than immediate
court actionin the case of future disputes concerning these
matters.
Congressman wants clarification
of DOT Jones Act waivers
WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking
Member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and
member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee,
has written a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary
Ray LaHood, calling for an accounting of Jones Act waivers
granted to allow non-Jones Act qualified ships to carry oil
released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). The Jones
Act mandates that shipping traffic between American ports be
conducted by American crews on American-owned and built ships.
Waivers are granted to allow for voyages that would otherwise
have to be conducted on Jones Act-qualified vessels to be
conducted by foreign vessels in the interest of national defense.
Congressman Cummings wrote Secretary LaHood to request that he,
explain the analysis that has been conducted to determine
that such waivers are necessary to support the national defense.
Further, [Cummings requested] that you identify the waivers that
have been granted to date, the specific reason(s) each waiver was
granted and the amount of oil that was allowed to move under each
waiver. Congressman Cummings also requested the analysis
conducted by the Maritime Administration assessing the
availability of Jones Act-compliant vessels, prior to the
issuance of a waiver. A recent report showed that in 2006, the
Jones Act fleet supported nearly 74,000 jobs in the U.S.,
creating $36 billion in economic output and $6.5 billion in labor
costs.
Meeting sets new regulations
to lower emissions from ships
LONDON Mandatory measures to reduce emissions of
greenhouse gases (GHGs) from international shipping were adopted
by Parties to MARPOL Annex VI represented in the Marine
Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International
Maritime Organization (IMO), when it met for its 62nd session
from July 11 to 15, 2011 at IMO Headquarters in London,
representing the first ever mandatory global greenhouse gas
reduction regime for an international industry sector. The
amendments to MARPOL Annex VI Regulations for the prevention of
air pollution from ships, add a new chapter 4 to Annex VI on
Regulations on energy efficiency for ships to make mandatory the
Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), for new ships, and the
Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) for all ships.
Other amendments to Annex VI add new definitions and the
requirements for survey and certification, including the format
for the International Energy Efficiency Certificate. The
regulations apply to all ships of 400 gross tonnage and above and
are expected to enter into force on January 1, 2013.
Kerry Logistics expanding
with two acquisitions in China
SHANGHAI Kerry Logistics reports it has acquired a
controlling interest in two groups of companies in China;
Shanghai Wisdom Group (Wisdom) and Shanghai Huicheng Logistics
(HCL), strengthening the company's presence in the ocean freight
and third-party logistics (3PL) sectors. Based in Shanghai,
Wisdom is a non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) and
operates one of the major sea freight consolidation platforms. It
ranks in the top three companies operating out of Shanghai
serving the Japan and Southeast Asia trade routes. HCL is a 3PL
provider, specializing in integrated logistics in chemicals, with
a special focus on dangerous goods, Fast Moving Consumer Goods
(FMCG), electromechanical and automotive industries. A major
service of HCL is chemical logistics spanning dangerous goods
logistics, which provides significant synergies for Kerry
Logistics' business in China.
Nominations sought for
annual Connie Awards
HOLMDEL, NJ With the successful turnout from the first
ever Connie Award event held early April in Chicago and the
upcoming Long Beach event, the Containerization & Intermodal
Institute (CII) is seeking nominations for the annual Connie
Awards being held on December 5, 2011 at the Newark Club in
Newark, NJ. The Connie Award, named for the container, has been
presented every year since 1972. The award honors those who have
made outstanding contributions to the containerization and
intermodal industry. These contributions include those involved
with rail, ports, importers and exporters, third party logistics
providers, technology, government officials and the media. To
nominate a person or company who exemplifies honorary behavior in
the containerization and intermodal industry, contact CII
Executive Director, Barbara Yeninas, at
ExecDir@conttainerization. org or call (800) 231- 8244. All
nominations must be received by August 15, 2011.
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, July 15, 2011
Retiring Coast Guard commander
hands over Ancient Albartoss title
ASTORIA Coast Guard Rear Adm. Gary Blore retired and
passed on the title of Ancient Albatross to Vice Adm. John
Currier during a Change of Watch ceremony at Sector Columbia
River in Warrenton, Ore., yesterday. Rear Adm. Blore was relieved
as the 13th District Commander on July 12, 2011, by Rear Adm.
Keith A. Taylor, and retired at the conclusion of the Ancient
Albatross ceremony. The Coast Guard Ancient Albatross Award was
instituted in 1966 to honor the Coast Guard aviator on active
duty who has held that designation for the longest period. In
1988, the Enlisted Ancient Albatross Award was established for
the enlisted member on active duty with the earliest graduation
date from class A school in a Coast Guard aviation
rating. Rear Adm. Blore served the American public for more than
36 years. Rear Adm. Blore assumed command of the Thirteenth Coast
Guard District in July 2009. As District Commander, he was
responsible for U.S. Coast Guard operations covering four states
(Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana), more than 4,400 miles
of coastline, 600 miles of inland waterways, and 125 miles of
international border with Canada. He was in charge of more than
5,770 active duty, reserve duty, civilian and Auxiliary men and
women; whom annual conducted more than 3,000 search-and-rescue
missions, executed more than 3,200 law enforcement boardings, and
inspected more than 5,700 vessels.
Port of Portland schedules
2011 Seaport Celebration
PORTLAND Ships, cranes, trucks and trains will be on
display at the Port of Portlands 2011 Seaport Celebration,
presented by Gunderson. This free event at Terminal 2 (3556 NW
Front Ave.) on July 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., offers the rare
opportunity to go behind the fences of a working marine terminal
that is not usually open to the public. Besides giant machinery
and equipment, this Port party will feature live
music by The Toy Trains and Trashcan Joe, with entertaining shows
by Mad Science. There will be interactive displays and
demonstrations, face painting, a photo booth with costumes, free
giveaways and prizes, $5 jet boat rides, carts selling
international foods and much more. It is a fun way to explore the
working waterfront with activities and excitement for all ages.
Speaking of the working waterfront, a number of private
businesses and agencies will join in the celebration with their
own displays at the event. Some of the 20,000 people whose local
jobs depend on maritime commerce in the Portland Harbor will be
on hand to show and tell what they do for a living. The Port of
Portlands Terminal 2 is located just outside of downtown
Portland on the Willamette River at 3556 NW Front Ave. For
specific directions, event details and preregistration, go to
www.portofportland.com. Seaport Celebration is made possible by
contributions by the following sponsors: Gunderson, Fred Meyer,
BNSF Railway, ILWU, Kinder Morgan, Office of Healthy Working
Rivers, Schnitzer Steel, Shaver Transportation, Union Pacific and
Vigor Industrial.
Rand Logistics to purchase
bulk carrier MARITIME TRADER
NEW YORK Rand Logistics, Inc. has announced that it has
signed a binding asset purchase agreement, whereby its designated
subsidiary, Lower Lakes Towing Ltd. will acquire the MARITIME
TRADER, a Canadian flagged dry bulk carrier, subject only to
final approval by the Federal Court of Canada. Concurrent with
final court approval, Lower Lakes will enter into a long term
contract of affreightment for substantially all of the sailing
days related to the acquired vessel. It is anticipated that the
closing of the transaction will occur prior to July 31, 2011. The
acquisition, which increases the company's fleet size to 15 dry
bulk carriers, including 12 self unloading and three bulk
carriers, is projected to be accretive to Rand's free cash flow
per share for the year ending March 31, 2012.
RailAmerica reports drop
in June carload numbers
JACKSONVILLE, FL RailAmerica, Inc. has reported that its
total freight carloads for the month ended June 30, 2011 were
70,238, down 4.4 percent from 73,466 in June 2010. The company
had increased shipments in June 2011 in six out of 12 commodity
groups compared to June 2010. The largest increases were in
Metallic Ores and Metals and in Forest Products. Metallic Ores
and Metals were up primarily due to higher shipments in the
Central and Northeast regions. Forest Products were stronger due
to increased shipments in all regions. Lower coal shipments,
combined with shortfalls in Non-Metallic Minerals and Products
and in Petroleum, resulted in lower total shipments for the
month. Coal carloads reflect declines in shipments to several
power plants in the Central region and source shifts at the
Indiana Southern Railroad. Petroleum carloads were down primarily
due to lower shipments in the West region. Non-Metallic Minerals
and Products volumes were down primarily due to decreased
carloads in the Southeast and Central regions. June 2011 carloads
include 660 carloads from the acquisition of three railroads in
Alabama. On a "same railroad" basis, carloads declined
5.3 percent. RailAmerica, Inc. owns and operates short-line and
regional freight railroads in North America, operating a
portfolio of 43 individual railroads with approximately 7,400
miles of track in 27 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces.
Rail freight traffic count
rolls to up/down week
WASHINGTON, DC The Association of American Railroads (AAR)
reported mixed weekly rail traffic, with U.S. railroads
originating 284,562 carloads for the week ending June 25, 2011,
down 0.2 percent compared with the same week last year.
Intermodal volume for the week totaled 234,775 trailers and
containers, up 3.3 percent compared with the same week last year.
Twelve of the 20 carload commodity groups posted increases from
the comparable week in 2010. Commodity groups posting solid
increases included: grain, up 14.4 percent, and coke, up 10.6
percent. Groups posting a notable decrease included: farm
products excluding grain, down 19.5 percent, and waste and
nonferrous scrap, down 14.7 percent.
NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, July 14, 2011
First shipment of local baled pulp
exported from Port of Grays Harbor
ABERDEEN, WA Made in the USA, Grays Harbor County to be
specific. That describes the baled pulp being loaded this week
aboard the MV APALIS ARROW at the Port of Grays Harbor Terminal
4. Over 6,000 metric tons of baled pulp destined for Shanghai and
Quingdao, China were being loaded by ILWU Local 24 longshore
workers. This marked the first export shipment of pulp produced
at the newly reopened Cosmo Specialty Fibers mill located in
Cosmopolis, Washington, just four miles from the port's Terminal
4. This was the inaugural visit of the APALIS ARROW to the Port
of Grays Harbor. During a ceremony onboard, port officials
presented the captain with gifts commemorating the port call. The
vessel is owned by Gearbulk, operator of the world`s largest
fleet of open hatch gantry and semi-open jib craned vessels,
purpose-built to carry forest products, non-ferrous metals, steel
and other unitized breakbulk cargoes.
Port of Seattle finalist
for sustainable shipping honor
SEATTLE The Annual Sustainable Shipping Awards, which
recognize environmental excellence in the shipping industry, were
given July 7, in London. The Port of Seattles Clean Air
Strategy was a finalist for the Clean Air Award, which honors the
organization that has made the most significant contribution to
the reduction and prevention of air pollution by ships. Shipping
line CMA CGM won the award for their efforts in reducing air
pollutants both in port and at sea. A Port of Seattle customer,
CMA CGM has a comprehensive program to proactively reduce harmful
emissions. Seattles clean air efforts include the At-Berth
Clean Fuels Program, which provides a financial incentive to
ships that use lower sulfur fuel while at berth; a clean truck
program which includes an innovative scrapping program, a
comprehensive drayage truck registry, and ensures that only
trucks newer than model year 1994 call at port terminals; shore
power for cruise vessels; programs to reduce emissions from
cargo-handling equipment; and working with rail partners to make
their operations more environmentally-friendly. Other finalists
for the award were APL, Maersk, and the Port of Los Angeles.
Boeing opens new Renton facility
to boost Next-Generation 737 output
SEATTLE Boeing has opened a new paint hangar near its
Renton, Wash., facility that will help increase its
Next-Generation 737 production capacity. The 737 program
currently produces 31.5 airplanes per month and expects to go to
35 per month in early 2012, 38 per month in second quarter 2013
and then to 42 per month in the first half of 2014. One of the
first airplanes to be painted in the facility, a 737-700 for
Southwest Airlines, was completed July 12. Paint crews began work
in the facility at the beginning of this month and now have
incorporated the facility into the 737 production system. The
state-of-the-art facility was refurbished in collaboration with
the city of Renton. Boeing expects that the market for
single-aisle aircraft will continue to grow over the next decade
and beyond. With that outlook, the 737 program is taking several
steps to ensure enough capacity to meet market demand.
Bellingham port board eyes
new restaurant as airport tenant
BELLINGHAM Travelers flying out of the Bellingham
International Airport may get to experience a full-service
restaurant and lounge as early as this spring, if Port of
Bellingham Commissioners approve a lease at the next commission
meeting on July 19. Scotty Browns Restaurant Group has been
selected by port staff as the best airport restaurant and lounge
proposal from a variety of businesses that submitted proposals
earlier this year. The commission will review the proposed
five-year lease with three five-year renewals and decide whether
to approve it next week. Browns Socialhouse has been familiar to
people in British Columbia since 2004 when the business opened
its first restaurant in North Vancouver. Whatcom County got to
experience their food in 2009, when they opened Scotty Browns at
Barkley Village. The company now operates 14 restaurants in
Canada, as well as the one Bellingham location. Scotty Browns
ownership said the company anticipates spending more than
$500,000 of private funds to build and fully outfit the airport
restaurant, if the commission approves the lease. The business
would occupy approximately 1,430 square feet and would include
seating for up to 50 people in the restaurant and 30 people in
the lounge. The proposed five-year lease includes payments to the
port based on its gross receipts. The restaurant and lounge will
be in the secure section of the airport, as part of the 20,000
square foot expansion the port completed in June. That $8.5
million terminal expansion included a new secure gate holding
area for passengers with double the seating and a greatly
improved terminal building.
NYK holds naming ceremony
for new LNG carrying vessel
TOKYO Earlier this month, NYK Line and Tokyo LNG Tanker
Co. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd., held a
naming ceremony for a jointly owned LNG carrier being built at
the Sakaide Shipyard of the Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation. At
the ceremony, Tsuyoshi Okamoto, president of Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd.,
named the vessel ENERGY HORIZON, and his wife cut the guy rope.
Yasumi Kudo, the president of NYK, was also in attendance. The
joint ownership of ENERGY HORIZON is the second between Tokyo LNG
Tanker, which owns 10 percent of the vessel, and NYK, which owns
the remaining 90 percent. After construction is completed, the
ship will be chartered for 20 years and be used for shipments of
LNG to Japan from various countries, including Australia. The
vessel is a moss-type LNG carrier and has a tank capacity of
177,000 m3 (cargo capacity: 175,000 m3). In addition, this is a
new energy-saving vessel, the first in the world to be equipped
with a reheat turbine plant, which reduces fuel consumption by up
to 15 percent over conventional steam turbine vessels.
NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Freight transport index shows
numbers fell during May
WASHINGTON, DC The amount of freight carried by the
for-hire transportation industry declined 1.8 percent in May from
April, falling for the second consecutive month, according to the
U.S. Department of Transportations Bureau of Transportation
Statistics' (BTS) Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI).
BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology
Administration, reported that freight shipments in May measured
by the Freight TSI dropped to their lowest level since November
2010. The Freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in
freight shipments in ton-miles, which are then combined into one
index. The index measures the output of the for-hire freight
transportation industry and consists of data from for-hire
trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight.
Freight shipments have increased in 17 of the last 25 months but
declined in three of the past four months. Shipments rose 12.0
percent over the last 25 months, starting in May 2009, after
declining 15.7 percent in the previous 15 months beginning in
February 2008. In May 2011, freight shipments returned to about
the same level as October 2008 when the amount of freight shipped
was early in its decline. For the first five months of 2011,
freight shipments measured by the index were down 1.2 percent.
Port of Coos Bay calling for
contractors for Small Works Roster
COOS BAY The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay is
seeking information on contractor services for inclusion in a
Small Works Roster. The roster will allow the port to compile
information on services offered by companies related to marine
and land-based construction and repair; excavation; remediation;
environmental surveying; permitting; civil, structural,
mechanical and electrical engineering; architectural and
landscape design; and railroad maintenance and construction. The
Small Works Roster will include contractors prequalified to
provide small procurement goods and services not exceeding
$5,000, intermediate procurements between $5,000 and $100,000,
emergency procurements estimated not to exceed $200,000, and for
construction not to exceed $100,000. To qualify for inclusion on
the Small Works Roster, contractors must be licensed in Oregon,
possess a federal tax ID number, provide proof of insurance and
bonding capability. Contractors will be responsible for providing
proof of annual compliance with licensing, bonding and insurance
requirements. Application information and an enrollment
questionnaire are available at www.portofcoosbay.com under the
Employment Opportunities section, or at
www.coosbayraillink.com under the Opportunities
section.
Hamburg Sud rationalizing
North Europe/Eastern Med services
HAMBURG In response to unfavourable trading conditions,
Hamburg Süd reports it will rationalize its services between
North Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. From the first week
of August onwards, the existing two-sling concept is to be
reconfigured with the aim to ensure the same comprehensive port
coverage while achieving the desired rationalization effects.
While the Northern Route Service (NEMN) to Turkey is to be
withdrawn, the Southern Route Levante Service (NESM) will, in
parallel, be adjusted in such a way that it includes key ports
from the Northern Route Service. The new, weekly NESM service
will (as in the previous service concept) deploy 2,500 to 2,700
TEU vessels on the following rotation: Felixstowe Antwerp
Hamburg Tangiers Alexandria Limassol
Beirut Latakia Mersin Izmir
Alexandria Salerno Felixstowe. The service will
also feature dedicated connections to Tunisia, Algeria and
Western Med ports from Tangiers. Additionally, in cooperation
with SEAGO LINE, two further weekly strings (Turkey and Israel
Sling) are offered. The Turkey Sling calls at the following
ports: Felixstowe Bremerhaven Antwerp
Piraeus Istanbul Ambarli Izmit Korfezi
Gemlik Izmir Valencia Felixstowe. The Israel
Sling has the port rotation: Felixstowe Rotterdam
Bremerhaven Haifa Ashdod Felixstowe.
Ceremony marks command change
for Coast Guard Thirteenth District
SEATTLE Rear Adm. Keith A. Taylor relieved Rear Adm. Gary
T. Blore of command of the Thirteenth Coast Guard District in a
change-of-command ceremony held on Pier 36 in Seattle, Tuesday,
July 12, 2011. Rear Adm. Blore assumed command of the Thirteenth
Coast Guard District in July 2009. As District Commander, he was
responsible for U.S. Coast Guard operations covering four states,
more than 4,400 miles of coastline, 600 miles of inland
waterways, and 125 miles of international border with Canada. He
was in charge of more than 5,770 active duty, reserve duty,
civilian and Auxiliary men and women; whom annual conducted more
than 3,000 search-and-rescue missions, executed more than 3,200
law enforcement boardings, and inspected more than 5,700 vessels.
Rear Adm. Blore will retire from the Coast Guard, during a July
14, 2011, ceremony in Astoria, after serving the American public
for more than 36 years. Rear Adm. Taylors previous
assignment was at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C.,
where he served as the assistant commandant for Resources and
chief financial officer for the U.S. Coast Guard. Rear Adm.
Taylor, a native of Westfield, Mass., earned a Bachelor of
Science degree with honors from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in
1983, a Master of Science in Industrial Administration degree
from the Krannert School at Purdue University and a Master of
Business Administration degree from the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology where he was a Sloan Fellow in 2000/2001. His
military decorations include the Legion of Merit, three
Meritorious Service Medals, the Air Medal, two Commendation
Medals and the Transportation 9-11 Medal.
International Maritime Organization
awards International Maritime Prize
LONDON Linda (Lindy) Johnson of the U.S. has been
posthumously awarded the International Maritime Prize, for her
significant contribution to the work of the Internatinal Maritime
Organization (IMO), in particular with regard to the protection
of the marine environment. Ms. Johnson, who passed away in
October 2010 after a long illness, joined the Office of General
Counsel for International Law of the United States National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 1992 and was a
regular member of the United States delegation to meetings of the
IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) from 1995
until her retirement in 2010. IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E.
Mitropoulos presented the award, a sculpture in the form of a
dolphin, to David Beddoe, Ms. Johnsons husband, during a
special ceremony at IMO Headquarters on July 11, 2011.
NEWS BULLETIN
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Port Tracker report predicts
box numbers to grow this fall
WASHINGTON, DC Import cargo volume at the nations
major retail container ports is staying at about the same levels
as last year this summer, but is expected to resume increases in
the fall, 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
1.28 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units in May, the latest
month for which numbers are available. That was up six percent
from April and one percent from May 2010. It was the 18th month
in a row to show a year-over-year improvement after December 2009
broke a 28-month streak of year-over-year declines. One TEU is
one 20-foot cargo container or its equivalent. June was estimated
at 1.31 million TEU, about eight- tenths of one percent down from
June 2010 if the estimate holds true when final numbers become
available. July is forecast at 1.36 million TEU, which would be a
1.3 percent decrease from a year ago, and August is forecast at
1.43 million TEU, up six-tenths of one percent from last year.
Stronger increases are expected to return in September as
retailers begin to stock up for the holiday season, with volume
forecast at 1.47 million TEU, up 10 percent from last year.
October is forecast at 1.53 million TEU, up 18 percent, and
November at 1.41 million TEU, up 19 percent. The first half of
2011 is estimated at 7.2 million TEU, up five percent from the
first half of 2010. Global Port Tracker has been consistently
accurate in its projections of a sharp slowdown from the growth
rates of last year, and the current 6.2 percent growth to 15.7
million TEU forecast for 2011 remains realistic under the
circumstances. Imports during 2010 totaled 14.7 million TEU, a 16
percent increase over 2009. 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.
Report finds US exports
drop during month of May
WASHINGTON, DC The May 2011 U.S. International Trade in
Goods and Services report by the Commerce Departments U.S.
Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis showed
that U.S. exports of goods and services in May 2011 decreased 0.5
percent from April 2011 to $174.9 billion, with record monthly
exports of services ($49.7 billion). The monthly export value for
U.S. capital goods ($41.4 billion) was also the highest on
record. U.S. imports of goods and services increased 2.6 percent
over this period to $225.1 billion, causing the U.S. trade
deficit to increase 15.1 percent since April 2011 to reach $50.2
billion in May 2011.
US, Mexico ink new deal
for long-haul cross border trucking
WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood
and Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes Dionisio Arturo
Pèrez-Jàcome Friscione joined July 6, in Mexico City to sign
agreements resolving the dispute over long-haul, cross-border
trucking services between the United States and Mexico. The new
program puts safety first and paves the way for Mexico to lift
tariffs it imposed more than two years ago. Pursuant to an
agreement signed by the United States Trade Representative and
the Secretaría de Economía of the United Mexican States, Mexico
will soon lift retaliatory tariffs on more than $2 billion in
U.S. manufactured goods and agricultural products, providing
opportunities to increase U.S. exports to Mexico and expanding
job creation in the U.S. The agreement also provides that Mexico
will suspend 50 percent of the retaliatory tariffs within ten
days. Mexico will suspend the remainder of the tariffs within
five days of the first Mexican trucking company receiving its
U.S. operating authority. As a result, Mexican tariffs that now
range from five to 25 percent on an array of U.S. agricultural
and industrial products such as apples, certain pork products,
and personal care products would be immediately cut in half and
will disappear entirely within a few months. After the previous
cross-border trucking program was terminated in March 2009,
Secretary LaHood and other Obama Administration officials met
with lawmakers, safety advocates, industry representatives and
others to address a broad range of concerns, which the Department
took into account as it worked with Mexico to develop a new
program. This final program addresses the recommendations of over
2,000 commenters to the proposal issued by the Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration in April. As a result of these
meetings, and in consultation with Mexico, trucks will be
required to comply with all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards and must have electronic monitoring systems to track
hours-of-service compliance. In addition, the U.S. Department of
Transportation will review the complete driving record of each
driver and require all drug testing samples to be analyzed in
Department of Health and Human Services-certified laboratories
located in the U.S. The Department will also require drivers to
undergo an assessment of their ability to understand the English
language and U.S. traffic signs. The new agreement also ensures
that Mexico will provide reciprocal authority for U.S. carriers
to engage in cross-border long-haul operations into that country.
AAPA honors Port of Seattle
for environmental programs
SEATTLE The American Association of Port Authorities named
two of the Port of Seattle's environmental programs as winners in
the 2011 Environmental Improvement Awards competition. The port
was honored for stakeholder awareness, education, and involvement
in the Terminal 117 cleanup process, and won the Comprehensive
Environmental Management award for their implementation of the
Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy. The Northwest Ports Clean Air
Strategy is a joint effort of the Ports of Seattle, Tacoma, and
Port Metro Vancouver, B.C., to proactively reduce emissions from
maritime operations. The Port of Seattle was singled out for the
Comprehensive Environmental Management award for implementing the
short-term (2010) goals of the strategy, which includes the Clean
Truck Program, launched in January of this year. The program
included an innovative scrapping program that offered financial
assistance to truckers who scrapped older, more polluting trucks
for newer, cleaner models. Trucks calling at port terminals must
be model year 1994 or earlier and be registered through the
port's Drayage Truck Registry. Also cited was the At-Berth Clean
Fuels Vessel Incentive Program, which provides a financial
incentive to lines that use low-sulfur fuels while berthed in
Seattle's harbor. ABC Fuels just celebrated its 800th vessel
call, and has removed approximately 500 metric tons of sulfur
emissions from Seattle's harbor. The Terminal 117 cleanup , a
joint project by the port and the City of Seattle, is a large,
complex cleanup project located in the midst of a residential
area. Through 2009 and 2010, the port, working collaboratively
with the city and EPA, planned and implemented a public process
that communicated a vision of success for a T-117 cleanup plan
that considers the community needs and interests along with their
meaningful involvement and support. The awards will be presented
at the AAPA Annual Meeting, which will be held in Seattle later
this year.
Portland Airport showcases
K.A. Colorado artwork
PORTLAND Portland International Airports ticket
lobby is the temporary home for A 60 Second Time-Lapse of the
World, a painting series juxtaposing the majesty and fragility of
polar icebergs with the canvas of Oregons skies. Through
his artwork, artist K. A. Colorado expresses his ongoing interest
in the interconnectivity of global climate regions. Mr.
Colorados work joins science and art together
aesthetically, conceptually, and intellectually, and explores the
historical and human ramifications of changing climate and
environment. A sculptor and painter from Vancouver, BC, Mr.
Colorado based this work on his study and knowledge of the arctic
and the open skies above his studio near the Troutdale airport.
The painting series, located in the north section of the ticket
lobby, also includes an audio component available by dialing
503-415-6897. The installation is part of the new temporary
exhibits program at PDX, where regional artists are invited and
paid an honorarium to create site-specific work exhibited for one
year. This piece is on loan from the artist through June 2012.
More information about Mr. Colorado is available at
www.kacoloradofineart.com.
NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, July 11, 2011
Port of Everett terminals see
1000th Boeing Company barge
EVERETT In late June, the Port of Everett and its
customers celebrated the thousandth barge carrying aerospace
parts for The Boeing Companys 747, 767 and 777 airplane
models. The first barge arrived in the Port of Everetts
shipping terminals in 1993 carrying 777 airplane parts in
oversized containers. The thousandth barge is a key point
in the port's steady transition from older economies to aerospace
and other specialty commodities, Port Commissioner Mark
Wolken said during a ceremony on June 23. Our position in
making the supply chain work is a vital asset to work that
provides literally tens of thousands of local jobs. We are able
to do this because of our great partnerships and stellar work
done by the ILWU crews, the port's maintenance staff, Foss
Maritime and SSA. This is the reason we have had this success and
are the reasons we can look forward to barge 2,000. Over
the years, the business has grown to support 777, 767 and 747
models in oversized and standard shipping containers. In recent
years, service levels have grown from supporting weekly Foss
barges only to/from Seattle Tacoma, to weekly ship calls direct
from Everett to Japan eastbound (Westwood Shipping Line) and
monthly westbound (Eastern Car Liner) service. The port looks
forward to continuing to support Boeings expanding business
now and into the future, Wollebek said. The International
Longshoreman and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 32 are also looking
forward to continued growth.
The Greenbrier Companies
reports third quarter numbers
LAKE OSWEGO, OR The Greenbrier Companies has reported
results for its fiscal third quarter ended May 31, 2011. Revenues
for the quarter were $317 million, up from $207 million in the
prior year's third quarter. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was
$25.7 million, or 8.1 percent of revenues, compared to $25.9
million, or 12.5 percent of revenues in the third quarter of
2010. Net loss for the quarter was $3.3 million or $0.14 per
diluted share, compared to net earnings of $4.6 million, or $0.23
per diluted share, in the prior year's third quarter. Excluding a
one-time charge of $10.0 million pre-tax, $6.0 million after-tax,
for costs associated with the retirement of $235 million of
senior unsecured notes during the quarter, net earnings were $2.7
million, or $0.10 per share. The company ended the quarter with
$34.3 million of cash and $112.2 million of committed additional
borrowing capacity. Greenbrier extended debt maturity dates,
lowered its interest costs, and increased its liquidity through:
the sale during the quarter of $230 million of 3.5 percent senior
convertible notes due 2018, and a five-year, $245 million
revolving line of credit, which closed on June 30, 2011, and
replaces the $100 million credit facility that would have matured
November 2011. In connection with this financing, Greenbrier
fully repaid $72 million outstanding under its term loan due June
2012 with affiliates of WL Ross & Co. LLC. New railcar
deliveries in the third quarter of 2011 were 2,200 units,
compared to 700 units in the third quarter of 2010. Greenbrier's
new railcar manufacturing backlog as of May 31, 2011 was 13,600
units with an estimated value of $1.05 billion, compared to 9,500
units valued at $720 million at February 28, 2011.
Puget Sound ports net
2011 VISION 2040 honor
SEATTLE The Port of Tacoma and the Port of Seattle have
won a 2011 VISION 2040 award from the Puget Sound Regional
Council for their Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy. The awards
recognize innovative projects and programs that help ensure a
sustainable future as the region grows. The Northwest Ports Clean
Air Strategy is the first and only tri-port and international
agreement to reduce greenhouse gas and diesel particulate
emissions from maritime operations. It's a joint effort of the
Ports of Seattle, Tacoma and Port Metro Vancouver, British
Columbia. The strategy has allowed the three ports to remain
globally competitive during the recession while still changing
operations to be more environmentally friendly and improve air
quality. The Seattle port estimates that nearly 500 tons of
sulfur emissions have been eliminated through the use of cleaner
fuels. More than 116 vessels from eight container carriers and
four cruise lines have participated in the program. To reduce
emissions from cargo-hauling trucks, the port also bought and
scrapped 280 older diesel trucks and has barred pre-1994 trucks
from its container terminals. All three ports have used the
strategy to inventory emissions, employ green procurement
policies, and implement equipment and energy efficiency programs.
Port of Grays Harbor earns
AAPA recognition for web site
ABERDEEN, WA The American Association of Port Authorities
(AAPA), a trade group representing leading port authorities
throughout the Western Hemisphere, has selected 20 seaports to be
recognized for exemplary communication projects at its annual
awards event later this summer. The Port of Grays Harbor received
an Award of Merit for the website PortofGraysHarbor.com. Websites
were judged based on the information provided by the site,
organization, and overall quality of the site. Using input from
port staff, customers and the community, PortofGraysHarbor.com
was created by a team comprised of Marc Sterling of Sterling
Digital and Shelli Hopsecger of Coast Controls & Automation,
Inc. The site highlights the diverse facilities of the Port of
Grays Harbor. Updated regularly, highlights of the site include a
running slideshow on the home page, a newsroom with the latest
news and photos of port activities, a vessel schedule and minutes
of the latest Commission meeting. Port officials will be
presented their Award of Merit at a September 14 luncheon in
conjunction with AAPA's 100th Annual Convention in Seattle, which
runs September 11-15.
Magazine taps Port of Tacoma
as top green supply chain partner
TACOMA For the second straight year, the Port of Tacoma
has been named by Inbound Logistics magazine one of its leading
Green Supply Chain Partners. Tacoma was one of five U.S.
portsand the only one in the Pacific Northwestchosen.
"Supply chain sustainability has always been top of mind for
our readers, said Felecia Stratton, editor, Inbound
Logistics. The companies selected as this year's 75 Green
Supply Chain Partners, including the Port of Tacoma, are truly
"walking the walk" when it comes to supply chain
sustainability. Companies were chosen from various sectors
of the supply chain, including: 3PLs, ports, truckers, railroads,
shipping lines, and air cargo carriers. The complete list is
featured in the June issue of Inbound Logistics magazine, and on
their website at:
www.inboundlogistics.com/digital/issues/il_digital_june2011.pdf
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, July 8, 2011
Port of Bellingham earns
clean audit for 2010
BELLINGHAM Washington State Auditors reported that the
Port of Bellingham met all requirements analyzed in the state
annual audit. In June the auditors completed their annual audit
of the Port of Bellinghams accountability, financial
statements and federal grant compliance. The auditors issued a
letter stating that they had no findings or major concerns. The
audit reviewed records for 2010 and in some cases included
previous years. In 2010 the port collected taxes of $7.4 million,
realized $21.2 million in operations revenue, spent $47.6 million
on capital assets and increased net assets by $34.8 million. The
port manages 1,663 acres of public land that includes 90
port-owned buildings. Each year auditors choose several areas to
more closely review and for 2010, their focus was on: electronic
payments, payroll, the Industrial Development Corporation, open
public meetings, conflict of interest, self insurance and prior
audit issues. For 18 consecutive years the port has
achieved a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial
Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association,
said Port Chief Financial Officer Rob Fix. I expect our
clean audit from the State of Washington for 2010 will lead to
the ports 19th award. This is a true representation of the
hard work and high ethical standards put forth daily by the
ports accounting team and the entire port staff.
The New World Alliance
to suspend Transpacific run
TOKYO The New World Alliance (TNWA) APL Co. Pte Ltd
(APL), Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) and Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL)
have announced suspension of the PSW Transpacific service
(Pacific Southwest Service). PSW provided service between
Taiwan/South China/Korea and Los Angeles/Oakland and employed
five ships with capacity of 4,600 - 4,700 TEU operated by HMM.
The TNWA reports it will continue to provide services between
these locations with other deployments. The last eastbound
sailing of PSW will depart Pusan on July 14, 2011.
Braemar report sees record
for box ship newbuildings
BEDFORDSHIRE, UK Next year looks set to be the biggest
year for containership newbuilding deliveries in history, in
terms of TEU capacity entering the cellular fleet, according to
Braemar Seascope's latest Containership Fleet Statistics. Boxship
deliveries in 2012 are expected to reach 1.55m TEU - beating the
previous record of 1.52m TEU achieved during 2007. Braemar
Seascope expects a cellular fleet expansion in the region of 9.5
percent for 2012, increasing the available capacity to 16.8m TEU.
Of the 230 ships due for delivery next year, 59 have a nominal
container capacity of 10,000 TEU or more. This will introduce an
additional 0.8m TEU to this segment. Fleet growth for the 10,000
TEU plus size bracket is expected to reach 70 percent year on
year for 2011 and a further 57 percent in 2012. Bearing in mind
that the vast majority of ultra-large containerships are
currently deployed on Asia - Europe services, next year's
delivery influx would be sufficient tonnage to create another
five loops deploying ten x 13,000 TEU vessels. For vessels up to
and including 5,100 TEU capacity, it is a very different story:
the lower level of investment in newbuilding projects is apparent
as growth is expected to reach only 2.9 percent this year before
hitting 3.0 percent in 2012. Since January 2010, owners have
ordered 1.7m TEU capacity of boxships with a capacity of 5,100
TEU or more compared with 0.4m TEU of smaller ships (below 5,100
TEU). Containerships of 10,000 TEU or more comprise 49 percent of
the global orderbook by capacity whereas containerships up to
5,100 TEU represent only 20 percent of the global orderbook.
Since the KG market has largely exited the newbuilding arena,
investment in smaller containerships has been lacklustre.
However, Braemar expects renewed interested in feedermax tonnage
once the current cycle of investment in post panamax ships has
waned.
US rail freight traffic
climbs during week
WASHINGTON, DC The Association of American Railroads (AAR)
reports gains in weekly rail traffic, with U.S. railroads
originating 294,310 carloads for the week ending June 18, 2011,
up 3.3 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal
volume for the week totaled 237,682 trailers and containers, up
4.3 percent compared with the same week last year, and setting a
new weekly high for U.S. intermodal volume in 2011. Sixteen of
the 20 carload commodity groups posted increases from the
comparable week in 2010. Commodity groups posting solid increases
included: metallic ores, up 32.2 percent; lumber and wood
products, up 17.2 percent, and grain, up 14.4 percent. Groups
posting a notable decrease included: waste and nonferrous scrap,
down 19.5 percent, and coke, down 11.9 percent.
AAPA pleased with
proposed transportation legislation
ALEXANDRIA, VA The American Association of Port
Authorities (AAPA) has commended the U.S. House Transportation
and Infrastructure Committee and its chairman, Cong. John Mica
(R-Fla.), for rolling out a comprehensive, multi-year
transportation reauthorization proposal that is focused on
improving the nations transportation infrastructure and,
for the first time, includes a maritime title. We strongly
support the legislations goal of streamlining the project
planning and delivery process for both surface transportation and
navigation projects, as the current systems unnecessarily take
too long, increase costs, and delay project benefits, said
Kurt Nagle, AAPA president and CEO. The proposed maritime title
contains several policy provisions supported by AAPA, including:
a provision to promote full use of the Harbor Maintenance Tax for
its intended purpose of maintaining federal navigation channels;
provisions to encourage greater utilization of our marine
highways to help address highway congestion; and, provisions to
improve the project planning and delivery process. Overall, the
legislation seeks to narrow the focus of programs and policies to
those most in the federal interest. AAPA looks forward to
reviewing the details of the draft legislation and hopes that, as
it continues to advance, provisions focused on freight
transportation mobility will be key components of a final bill.
NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Port of Tacoma unveils new
Richard C. "Dick" Gilmur kayak launch
TACOMA People and wildlife now have a new place to explore
nature near one of North America's largest container ports. The
Port of Tacoma recently opened the $220,000 Richard C.
"Dick" Gilmur Shoreline Restoration and Kayak Launch on
the east side of Commencement Bay. With parallel parking for four
vehicles from dawn to dusk along Marine View Drive, the habitat
and kayak launch offers another access point to appreciate the
beauty of the region and the jobs that help sustain it. The
site's restored shoreline provides habitat for the hundreds of
birds and other wildlife that live along the storm-scoured shore.
Native plants help anchor soil and provide shade, food and
refuge. Other environmental features of the site include a
"feeder" bluff that erodes like the natural shoreline
and deposits sediments to beaches down current. Large woody
material along the shoreline softens wave impacts to reduce
erosion and provide hiding and resting places for young fish. The
parking area features pervious pavement that allows stormwater to
filter into the ground rather than carry pollutants into the bay.
A wide ADA-accessible gravel path leads from the planted bluff to
the rocky beach, allowing car-top boats to launch from the shore.
The site is named for the port's former environmental director,
who worked for the port from 1990 until his death in 2006. Mr.
Gilmur recognized and embraced a holistic approach, finding
creative ways to enhance habitat beyond the obligations, to
leverage partnerships, and create something better than what was
being replaced. Neighbors, some of whom rent the property beneath
their homes from the port, are working to form a stewardship
group to help care for the site.
Port of Camas-Washougal
nets $200,000 planning grant
WASHOUGAL The Port of Camas-Washougal has announced it has
received a $200,000 Integrated Planning Grant from the Washington
Department of Ecology for the cleanup and reuse of a contaminated
waterfront site. According to Port Executive Director David Ripp,
the port is exploring the opportunity to acquire, cleanup and
redevelop property along the waterfront that extends east of its
existing boating marina and connects to its existing port-owned
property at Sixth Street in Washougal. The goals for this project
are to put the property currently owned by the former Hambleton
Lumber company back to a productive economic use, clean up
historical contamination, provide public access to the
waterfront, restore riparian habitat, and connect port land
holdings to the east and west. "These are opportunities that
would not occur if grant funding was not available," said
Mr. Ripp. The grant provides funds only for the planning process
that incorporates cleanup activities with the reuse of property.
The resulting plan would outline a strategy to solve multiple
problems that stem from contamination. The plan may address
habitat restoration, site work for recreational use and
infrastructure development as part of the overall cleanup
process. The plan would also include funding strategies that
leverage multiple grant and loan opportunities to carry a project
through to completion and describes significant project
development milestones as a means to evaluate progress. The port
will use this grant to conduct environmental due diligence on the
property, lead a community involvement process to envision
conceptual future use of the site, and prepare a strategy for
redevelopment that weaves together private, market driven
redevelopment, public access and environmental enhancement.
Top Ships announces sale
of Panamax drybulk vessel
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 entered into an agreement to sell the M/V ASTRALE, a
75,933 dwt Panamax drybulk vessel built in 2000. The vessel is
expected to be delivered to its new owners by mid August 2011.
The sale of the M/V ASTRALE will result in a book loss of
approximately $40 million which will be recognized in the second
quarter of 2011.
Braemar analysis finds
glut in VLCC tonnage
BEDFORDSHIRE, UK Despite record crude oil liftings from
the Middle East and anticipated demand growth of around two
percent for 2011, there remains a persistent oversupply of VLCC
tonnage, according to analysis by Braemar Shipping Services.
However, Braemar reports that the 47 VLCC deliveries scheduled
for the first half of 2011 did not all enter the market on time.
In both Q1 and Q2 this year, over 20 VLCC deliveries were inked
in at the rate of more than one every week. In the event, Braemar
recorded fewer than 20 VLCC deliveries in both quarters of 2011
to date: 19 in Q1 and 15 in Q2. On July 1, the VLCC fleet was 559
ships including 22 non-double hull units, with 150 ships in the
orderbook. In deadweight capacity, the VLCC fleet has grown by
5.6 percent this year, from 160.9m dwt on January 1, 2011, to
169.9m dwt on July 1. According to Braemar, it seems likely that
further slippage from delivery schedules will happen in the
coming quarters.
Hamburg Sud christens
new 7,100teu container ship
HAMBURG On 6 July 2011, as part of a customer event,
Hamburg Süd christened the container ship SANTA RITA in Sepetiba
(Brazil). Sponsor of the vessel was Hayfa Konrad, wife of Joachim
A Konrad, deputy chairman of the Executive Board of Hamburg Süd.
The SANTA RITA is the third newbuilding of a series of ten
identical container vessels each featuring a slot capacity of
7,100 TEU and fitted with 1,600 reefer container plugs. This puts
them among the largest ships ever built for Hamburg Süd. The
SANTA RITA will be deployed alongside the MONTE TAMARO as the
shipping groups second training ship. On board of these
ships the shipping group is training its future generations of
ship officers, engineers and seamen for the steadily growing
fleet. The parallel deployment of two training vessels represents
a new departure in Hamburg Süds 140-year history. Since
its delivery at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co.
Ltd. (DSME) in Korea at the end of May 2011, the SANTA RITA has
been operating in Hamburg Süds service between Asia and
South Africa/South America East Coast (New Good Hope Express).
NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Cargill, Louis Dreyfus announce plan
to end Pacific Northwest joint ventures
PORTLAND Cargill and Louis Dreyfus Commodities have
announced they will end a joint venture that operates grain
facilities in the Pacific Northwest within the next year. CLD
Pacific Grain, LLC was formed in 2001. The Cargill facilities in
the joint venture include an export facility in Portland, and
river facilities in Boardman and Arlington, Ore.; Burbank, Wash.;
and Lewiston, Ida. The Louis Dreyfus Commodities facilities are
an export facility in Portland, and a river facility in Windust,
Wash. Both companies plan to maintain a presence in the Pacific
Northwest grain export business. CLD has been a successful
business, and we appreciate the work of the CLD team, said
Michael Ricks, food grain product line manager for Cargill and a
CLD board member. With the current market dynamics, we
wanted to take a new approach to serving the export markets from
the Pacific Northwest. CLD prospered because of the
hard work of CLD personnel, said Erik Anderson, CEO of
Louis Dreyfus Commodities North America and a CLD board member.
Louis Dreyfus Commodities has decided to pursue new ways to
work with growers and customers in the Pacific Northwest export
markets in a continuation of our long and successful
relationships. CLD handles a variety of grains, including
soft white wheat, dark north spring wheat, hard red winter wheat,
club wheat, hard white wheat and barley. The grains are exported
primarily to Asia.
Port of Tacoma taps Chamberlain
as new director of engineering
TACOMA Dakota Chamberlain has joined the Port of Tacoma as
engineering director. Before joining the port, Mr. Chamberlain
served as director of seaport management at the Port of Seattle
for the past 15 years, where he oversaw a large capital
development program. Prior to the Port of Seattle, he worked for
the Federal Aviation Administration. In his new position, Mr.
Chamberlain is responsible for directing the activities of the
ports Engineering Department. He takes over for Trevor
Thornsley, who served on an interim basis when the position
became vacant.
A.P. Moller Maersk Group joining
global marine evironment alliance
SAN JUAN The A.P. Moller - Maersk Group has joined the
World Ocean Council to support global leadership and
collaboration on ocean sustainability. Through its signatory to
the World Ocean Council, Maersk supports the efforts to promote
sustainable development and stewardship through collaboration
across private sector industries. Maersks environmental
strategy pledges to protect the marine environments and
biodiversity and reduce the impacts of operations at sea. The
World Ocean Council is a global, cross-sector industry leadership
alliance on ocean sustainability and stewardship. It is building
an alliance of companies to create the platform for developing
science-based solutions to the collective ocean environmental
challenges facing the ocean business community.
OOCL celebrates christening
of new 8,888teu container ship
HONG KONG Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd. (OOCL) has
celebrated the christening of OOCL CANADA, an 8,888 TEU vessel,
at a naming ceremony held on the new Changxing Island shipyard of
Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd. (HZ) in Shanghai,
China. OOCL CANADA was christened by sponsor Lisa Rose. her
husband, Matthew Rose, chairman and chief executive officer of
the BNSF Railway Company was the Guest of Honor for this special
occasion. OOCL Canada is 335 meters long, 42.8 meters wide and
has a deadweight of approximately 100,400 mt. The vessel will be
deployed on OOCLs Middle East Asia express route serving
Intra-Asia Trade and its 42-day port rotation begins in Shanghai,
calling Ningbo, Hong Kong, Shekou, Singapore, Jebel Ali, Dammam,
Port Klang, completing the loop by sailing back to Singapore,
Hong Kong, and finally to Shanghai.
NYK team developes system
to cut vessel wind resistance
TOKYO Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) and
Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. have jointly developed a new
energy-saving technology called the MT-COWL, which reduces the
wind resistance of the vessels superstructure. A wind
tunnel test using a model showed that wind resistance was reduced
by 10 percent. Applying this percentage to a 180,000 DWT bulk
carrier, a reduction in CO2 emissions of 520 tons a year can be
realized as a result of the enhanced fuel efficiency. The MT-COWL
technology lowers wind resistance by attaching an add-on
structure to the facades of the bridge wings and support pillars
for the vessels superstructure, which creates corners with
a slanted shape to reduce the effects of wind resistance. To
reduce the wind resistance of the residential area, the two
companies have developed various structural forms for the area
including a slanted - corner configuration, and applied the
structure to an 180,000 DWT bulk carrier that has a wider
superstructure than other vessels. Moreover, focusing on the fact
that the facades of bridge wings and support pillars account for
30 percent of the total superstructure, the two companies have
pursued R&D into shapes and developed the MT-COWL technology,
which will further reduce wind resistance.
NEWS BULLETIN
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Port of Kalama welcomes
bulk vessel GUOYU 51
KALAMA The bulk vessel GUOYU 51, recently visited the Port
of Kalama to load three grades of wheat cargo at Kalama Export
LLC. Liz Newman, marketing manager, Port of Kalama, says
residents should get used to seeing such vessels on the river
outside their front windows. Grain exports are up this year and
so is the number of bulk carriers on the Columbia River. The
GUOYU 51 anchored near Kalama on June 2, and left the Port of
Kalama on June 30. The vessel was welcomed by Agent Steve King,
Orion Ship Agency, when it first anchored at the port. The ship
originated from the Marshall Islands and its last port stop was
Yangzhou, China. Built by Yangzhou Guoyu Shipbuilding Co Ltd, the
GUOYU 51 is also owned by Yangzhou Group Holding Co. Ltd. The
GUOYU 51 is one of nine sister ships constructed by the company.
A 20-person crew, mostly from the Philippines, man the vessel.
Sea-Tac Airport earns honor
for recycling/waste reduction
SEATTLE Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has been
honored as a consistent champion for recycling and reducing
waste as part of the annual Best Workplaces for Recycling
& Waste Reduction, awarded by King County's Solid Waste
Division. The recognition introduced a new business honor roll
for companies that have made the list for five years in a row
which included Sea-Tac Airport. In 2010, Port of Seattle staff
implemented a food scrap collection program for passengers dining
in the food court area who now have the option to recycle their
food scraps and other compostable material. Port staff also
developed and distributed a Recycling Guidelines brochure to all
airport employees with details on how to participate in the
recycling program and describing the program's benefits. Staff
also developed a comprehensive solid waste management plan to
assess the viability of meeting or exceeding future recycling
goals. As part of the plan's development, the port conducted the
airport's most comprehensive waste characterization study to
date. As of December 2010, 98 percent of paper purchased by port
staff contained recycled content. To qualify as a Best Workplace
for Recycling & Waste Reduction, organizations met at least
10 criteria out of a list of 33 good business recycling
practiceschoices that range from placing recycling bins by
every desk, to collecting food scraps for on or off-site
composting, to having internal green teams'. King County
releases the Best Workplaces for Recycling & Waste Reduction
list annually. The county's goal in establishing the list was to
recognize the top recyclers and waste reducers, and help motivate
others in the local business community to improve recycling and
waste reduction practices.
Crowley expanding in Puerto Rico
with purchase of logistics company
SAN JUAN Crowley Maritime Corporation has announced that
it has acquired the business and assets of Puerto Rico Freight
Systems (PRFS), a Guaynabo, Puerto Rico-based logistics company
specializing in freight consolidation and less than container
load (LCL) transportation throughout the Caribbean. The PRFS
business will become a part of Crowley Caribbean Logistics LLC, a
wholly owned subsidiary of Crowley, and will continue to operate
from its existing headquarters under the leadership of Ayesha
Diaz, director of Crowley's Caribbean logistics group, who
reports to Carlos Rice, Crowley's vice president of logistics
operations. Michael Padilla, owner of PRFS, will remain in a
consulting role. PRFS, which has 46 employees, including office
personnel and warehouse workers, coordinates shipments from
Europe, Central and South America, Asia and the United States to
Puerto Rico, and over 19 destinations throughout the Caribbean
Basin. Among their many value-added services, the company
provides pick-up service throughout Puerto Rico for LCL and full
container load (FCL) shipments and one-carrier responsibility for
all Caribbean destinations. PRFS is the premier Non-Vessel
Operating Cargo Carrier (NVOCC) and freight consolidator in
Puerto Rico, and is the only NVOCC to receive the Exporter of the
Year award from the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association.
APL announces plans to build
Joliet, Illinois container terminal
CHICAGO APL, the worlds seventh largest container
shipping carrier, has confirmed a land purchase in the city of
Joliet, Illinois, to develop its latest intermodal container
terminal in the United States. The 43 acres of space was acquired
from CenterPoint Properties within the CenterPoint Intermodal
Center, the largest inland port in the US. APLs new
container yard will be located close to the Union Pacific and
BNSF Intermodal Rail Terminals, as well as numerous customer
warehouse and distribution centers. Due for completion by
December 2011, the container yard will function as APLs
Chicago Global Gateway, serving customers in Chicago and the
surrounding areas. It will feature automated gate technology, an
equipment maintenance facility as well as reefer servicing
capabilities. It will also house APLs regional operations
team. The new terminal will eventually replace APL's container
terminal in Chicago, which has been operational since 1985.
Cargill to employ kite technology
on bulk vessel AGHIA MARINA
GENEVA Cargill reports it has signed an agreement with
Greek ship owner/manager Anbros Maritime S.A. (Anbros) to install
the world's largest kite on its AGHIA MARINA dry bulk cargo
vessel. The AGHIA MARINA typically transports cargoes of
agricultural and industrial raw materials. The 170 metre long
carrier, built in 1994, has a service speed of up to 14 knots and
can carry about 28,500 tonnes of dry bulk cargoes at any one
time, making it the largest vessel to use the wind power
technology created by SkySails GmbH (SkySails). Last February,
Cargill announced it had signed a supply agreement with SkySails
that aims to use wind power technology to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions in the shipping industry. SkySails, based in Hamburg,
has developed a patented technology that uses a kite which flies
ahead of the vessel and generates enough propulsion to reduce
consumption of bunker fuel by up to 35 percent in ideal sailing
conditions. Under the terms of the agreement, the 320m2 kite will
be installed on the AGHIA MARINA in the first quarter of 2012,
and the system will be fully up and running in a matter of weeks
thereafter. Anbros has now joined Cargill and SkySails in the
development and testing of the technology.
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, July 1, 2011
Port of Portland part of team
reviewing region's industrial sites
PORTLAND Metro, the Port of Portland, Portland Business
Alliance, Business Oregon and the Oregon Chapter of NAIOP are
undertaking a comprehensive review of the regions inventory
of large industrial sites and assessing their readiness to
support new private-sector jobs. The Regional Industrial Lands
Inventory and Site Readiness Project aims to:
· Identify the inventory of market-ready industrial sites that
are 25 acres or larger;
· Identify additional industrial sites of 25 acres or larger
that could be available and determine the amount of investment
required to make them market-ready;
· Identify the top five to 10 most strategic large industrial
sites of 25 acres or larger and the investments and actions
necessary to make them ready for development for new
privatesector jobs, and
· Support regional economic development efforts and inform
future policy and public and private investment decisions in the
region.
The work will be divided into two phases:
· Phase I (June - September): Create an inventory of potential
industrial sitesboth within the current urban growth
boundary and in urban reservesthat are development-ready
and others that need additional work to make them ready for
development. These sites include brownfield clean-up and those
sites in need of additional investment in sewer and water pipes,
roads and other essential public structures, zoning adjustments
and assembly of lots under multiple ownerships, among other
considerations.
· Phase II (October - November): Analyze five to 10
strategically important industrial sites that will look at the
market opportunities for these sites along with more detailed
lists of actions, requirements and costs necessary to overcome
the barriers to developing these sites for different types of
industrial employers.
While this work is not part of Metro Councils
decision-making process on whether to expand the urban growth
boundary, it is expected, that this effort will inform decisions
by the Metro Council and state and local governments in future
years about policies and investments needed to make large sites
available for new private-sector jobs. Group Mackenzie, one of
the Northwests leading urban design firms, has been hired
to develop the inventory and complete this work.
Coast Guard reprimands officer
for commanding vessel while intoxicated
JUNEAU Rear Adm. Thomas Ostebo, commander, Seventeenth
Coast Guard District, awarded punishment to Lt. Matthias Wholley
who was found to have violated the Uniform Code of Military
Justice Thursday during an Admiral's Mast. Lt. Wholley received a
letter of reprimand, 60-day restriction, and forfeiture of half
months pay for two months. Lt. Wholley has five days to appeal.
The issue that initiated the administrative investigation was a
suspected violation of Article 112 for being intoxicated when Lt.
Wholley directed his cutter to get underway. Lt. Wholley was
temporarily relieved as commanding officer of the Coast Guard
Cutter ANACAPA, homeported in Petersburg on May 30, 2011 for loss
of confidence in his ability to command based on allegations that
he directed his vessel to get underway while he was intoxicated.
An administrative investigation was completed and based on the
findings Coast Guard Personnel Services Center permanently
relieved Lt. Wholley Wednesday. Lt. Cmdr. Brian Tesson is the
current commanding officer of the Cutter ANACAPA.
WSDOT receives honor
for maintaining top fleet
SEATTLE The Washington State Department of
Transportations (WSDOT) work to make its fleet of large
equipment, trucks and other work vehicles more efficient and
sustainable is paying off. Its one of North Americas
top 100 public fleets, according to Government Fleet magazine.
Ranked on categories such as accountability, technology and
environmental stewardship, WSDOT came in No. 83 from among 38,000
public fleets to make the magazines recent list of top 100
public fleets for 2011. Only four state fleets made the list.
WSDOT also received the Government Green Fleet award for the
second year in a row for advancements in environmental
sustainability. WSDOT was recognized for managing a mixed fleet
that includes conventional, hybrid, electric and alternative fuel
vehicles, and was honored for using renewable and alternative
fuels and planning for a sustainable future.
US rail carloads
up during month of May
WASHINGTON, DC The Association of American Railroads (AAR)
reports that carloads in May 2011 increased 0.5 percent compared
with the same month last year, for a total of 1,159,328 carloads.
According to AARs monthly Rail Time Indicators report,
intermodal traffic in May increased 7.5 percent for a total of
932,956 trailers and containers compared with May 2010. On a
seasonally adjusted basis, carloads were flat and intermodal was
up 0.8 percent over April 2011. May saw the 18th straight month
of intermodal gains, and the months weekly average of
233,239 is the second highest May average on record. The gains in
intermodal can be attributed to several factors including growing
international trade, better service, large investments in
infrastructure and equipment by railroad companies, fuel costs,
highway congestion and truck driver shortages, and the conversion
of boxcar traffic. Looking further at the import and export
commodities, big box retailers dominate intermodal
container imports while recycled paper, scrap materials, and
chemicals dominate container exports. Railroads also continued to
add jobs, with April seeing the addition of 935 freight rail
employees, bringing the Class I freight railroad employee total
to 156,777 employees nationwide.
Ceremony marks unveiling
of Everett fisherman's statue
EVERETT On June 23, more then 300 people from the
community celebrated the unveiling of the Fishermans
Tribute Statue located at the Port of Everetts Waterfront
Center. The event included a dedication ceremony for the statue,
followed by the opening night of the Waterfront Concert series.
Kay Zuanich and Barbara Piercey, co-chairs of the
Fishermans Tribute Statue Committee, planned since 2004 for
the statue to honor the rich fishing heritage of the Everett
waterfront. Past Port Commissioners Don Hopkins, Phil Bannan and
Jim Shaffer authorized the statue and it took seven years to make
this vision a reality. The statue was designed and fabricated by
Kevin Pettelle, and the plaza and park were designed by port
staff Larry Crawford (retired) and Jim Weber.