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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 University’s 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 company’s “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 port’s 2011 budget document. To qualify for the award, the port “had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation,” according to the association’s 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 port’s 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 judge’s ruling reinstates Hearing Examiner Sharon Rice’s 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 examiner’s ruling, but directed the hearing examiner to require MSG to prepare new studies of critical areas. The board’s 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 board’s decision because it violated Washington state law on the finality of land use decisions. The court’s 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 MSG’s mining operation continue to jeopardize the port’s 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 Guard’s 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 Vancouver’s 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 port’s 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 Süd’s 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 Süd’s 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 Bellingham’s 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. Scotty’s 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 + Leisure’s “World’s Best Large-Ship Cruise Line” for a 16th consecutive year. The ultra-luxe line’s score of 92.45 is almost two full points greater than any previous Crystal score. For the prestigious magazine’s 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 West’s 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 Guard’s historic rescue of more than 33,500 people following Hurricane Katrina. Capt. Reynolds’ previous assignment was at the Coast Guard’s 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 Obama’s 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 Commerce’s 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 container’s 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 port’s website at: http://www.portseattle.org/seaport/cargo/GreenGateway.shtml. Herbert Engineering’s 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. Schmidt’s 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 DILIGENCE’s 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 USCG’s 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 Infrastructure’s 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 service’s 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 commission’s 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. Birch’s 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 port’s 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 port’s 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 resolution—rather than immediate court action—in 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 Portland’s 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 Portland’s 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 Seattle’s 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. Seattle’s 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 Transportation’s 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. Taylor’s 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. Johnson’s 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 nation’s 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 Department’s 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 Airport’s 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 Oregon’s skies. Through his artwork, artist K. A. Colorado expresses his ongoing interest in the interconnectivity of global climate regions. Mr. Colorado’s 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 Company’s 747, 767 and 777 airplane models. The first barge arrived in the Port of Everett’s 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 Boeing’s 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. ports—and the only one in the Pacific Northwest—chosen. "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 Bellingham’s 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 port’s 19th award. This is a true representation of the hard work and high ethical standards put forth daily by the port’s 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 nation’s transportation infrastructure and, for the first time, includes a maritime title. “We strongly support the legislation’s 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 group’s 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 Süd’s 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 Süd’s 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 port’s 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. Maersk’s 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 OOCL’s 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 vessel’s 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 vessel’s 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 practices—choices 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 world’s 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. APL’s 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 APL’s 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 APL’s 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 region’s 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 sites—both within the current urban growth boundary and in urban reserves—that 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 Council’s 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 Northwest’s 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 Transportation’s (WSDOT) work to make its fleet of large equipment, trucks and other work vehicles more efficient and sustainable is paying off. It’s one of North America’s 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 magazine’s 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 AAR’s 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 month’s 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 Fisherman’s Tribute Statue located at the Port of Everett’s 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 Fisherman’s 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.