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June, 2011
NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Trade between NAFTA partners
climbs during month of April
WASHINGTON, DC — Trade using surface transportation between
the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 12.1 percent higher in
April 2011 than in April 2010, reaching $73.8 billion, according
to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S.
Department of Transportation. BTS, a part of the Research and
Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the value of
U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in April
2011 rose 48.3 percent in two years from April 2009 but remained
0.7 percent below the early recession level of April 2008.
Surface transportation includes freight movements by truck, rail,
pipeline, mail, Foreign Trade Zones and other. In April, 84.7
percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved on
land, 11.1 percent moved by vessel, and 4.2 percent moved by air.
The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and
Mexico in April was up 19.5 percent compared to April 2006, and
up 57.6 percent compared to April 2001, a period of 10 years.
Imports in April were up 48.3 percent compared to April 2001,
while exports were up 70.0 percent. Freight value in April 2011
fell 8.7 percent from the previous month. Month-to-month changes
can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors.
U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade both
increased when compared to April 2010 with U.S.-Canada totaling
$44.6 billion, an 11.8 percent increase, and U.S.-Mexico totaling
$29.1 billion, a 12.4 percent increase.
Public meeting scheduled for
Olympia Airport draft master plan
OLYMPIA — The Port of Olympia invites the Thurston County
community to a Public Information Meeting on the Draft Olympia
Regional Airport Master Plan Update on Thursday, July 7, 5:30 PM,
at the Olympia Regional Airport Terminal Building, 7702 Terminal
Street, Tumwater. The meeting will feature a presentation by
Barnard Dunkelberg & Company, the airport and environmental
consultants who are coordinating the plan update. It will include
an opportunity for questions and comments from the public.
Working Papers 1 and 2 of the draft plan are available on the
port’s website: www.portolympia.com.
As required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the
plan update will look forward 20 years at the airport’s
operations, development needs and capital facilities
requirements, and will include a plan for the habitat and
sensitive species on airport land. Completion of the plan is
anticipated for early 2012. A study advisory committee which
represents a broad range of airport stakeholders is working with
the consultants on the update. Committee members represent the
Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Dept. of Fish &
Wildlife, Washington State Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, U.S.
Dept. of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Wildlife Services, City of Tumwater, Port Of Olympia Citizens
Advisory Committee and Port of Olympia. The FAA is funding 95
percent of the Olympia Regional Airport Master Plan Update costs
which are anticipated to be approximately $400,000.
New NOL Group terminal
open at Port of Qingdao
QINGDAO, China — NOL Group has opened its new terminal at
the Port of Qingdao. Originally expected to open in the second
half of 2011, the joint venture container terminal opened for
business well ahead of schedule. NOL, together with SITC
International Holdings Company Limited, a PRC-based shipping
logistics company, earlier formed a partnership with Qingdao
Qianwan United Container Terminal Co., Ltd. (QQCTU) in May 2011
to operate the terminal. Singapore-based NOL said the terminal
will primarily serve vessels operated by APL and SITC. The
inaugural call at the terminal was made yesterday, by the APL
DUBAI, a 6,574-TEU vessel on APL's West Asia Express service. APL
makes more than 200 port calls annually at Qingdao, linking the
city and Shandong province, as well as its neighboring provinces
to international markets through APL's global shipping network.
The terminal has an annual capacity of 1.5 million TEUs. The
container terminal is equipped with seven post-Panamax
ship-to-shore cranes as well as 16 rail-mounted yard gantry
cranes. Apart from the container terminal in Qingdao, APL also
operates marine terminals at Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Kobe and
Yokohama, Japan; and in the U.S. in Los Angeles and Oakland;
Seattle; and Dutch Harbor, Alaska.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
upgrading CSW 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 and replace the currently-operated vessels.
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).
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics
making management changes
LYSAKER, Norway — Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) has
announced two appointments to its global executive management
team. Christopher J. Connor has been named chief commercial
officer for the company’s global organization. Mr. Connor
will assume the CCO role while continuing as deputy CEO of
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics AS. Mr. Connor will work closely
with Oslo-based WWL CEO Arild Iversen and the global management
team on strategy, while also driving specific initiatives to
enhance commercial development in all products across the globe.
Prior to his current roles, Mr. Connor served as president of
Region Americas; chief operating officer for Ocean Services; and
EVP of Commercial. Raymond F. Fitzgerald has been named president
of WWL Americas. Most recently, Mr. Fitzgerald was president and
CEO of American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier (ARC), an affiliated
group company in the U.S. Flag shipping segment. Mr. Fitzgerald
possesses extensive experience in shipping, logistics, operations
and commercial development. Prior to his role at ARC, he served
in various management roles at WWL, including chief operating
officer for Ocean Services at the global headquarters in Norway.
In his new role, he will be based at WWL’s Americas
headquarters office in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Port of Seattle opens
Jack Block Park beach
SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle in partnership with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has opened the beach of
Jack Block Park to the public. The 15 acre park has been open
since 1998, but with EPA investment in a protective sediment cap
on the beach area, the public can now enjoy the park and
shoreline area year round. The park is located on the site of the
former Pacific Sound Resources wood treatment plant, which
operated from the early 1900s to 1994. During these years of
industrial operations, much of the property and surrounding areas
were contaminated. After the plant closed in 1994, the site was
added to the Superfund National Priority List, managed by the
EPA. Other features of the clean-up include dredging and removal
of 10,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment; installation of a
sub-surface barrier to protect the beach from contamination;
removal of hundreds of creosote-covered pilings and capping at
total of 58 acres of sediment, with five feet of clean sand and
gravel on the beach. EPA monitoring of cleanup effectiveness will
continue for decades. The port purchased the Superfund site to
meet increasing marine cargo capacity needs at Terminal 5. EPA
directed cleanup and remediation at the former plant site,
working in partnership with the port’s marine terminal
redevelopment project to re-cycle the water-dependent industrial
site for use in shipping international cargo and for community
use as a new public shoreline and open space area.
Corps Portland District
set for change of command
BELLINGHAM — The Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, is scheduled to hold a change of command ceremony
Thursday, June 30. During the ceremony, Col. Steven R. Miles will
transfer command to Col. John W. Eisenhauer. Brig. Gen. John R.
McMahon, commander and division engineer of the Corps’
Northwestern Division, will preside over the ceremony. Col. Miles
served as commander of Portland District since May 30, 2008, and
will retire from the U.S. Army with 26 years of distinguished
service at the conclusion of the ceremony. Col. Eisenhauer comes
to Portland District from Stanford University where he served as
a U.S. Army War College fellow at the university’s Center
for International Security and Cooperation. He holds a
bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the U.S.
Military Academy at West Point and a master’s degree in
civil and environmental engineering from Stanford. The change of
command ceremony is a time-honored tradition and deeply rooted in
Army history. The event signifies a total transfer of
responsibility, authority and accountability for the command. The
ceremony is open by all members of the unit, partner agencies and
the public so they all can witness the transfer of leadership.
New Washington ferry
set to begin service Friday
PORT TOWNSEND — The new 64-car ferry SALISH will begin
service on the Port Townsend/Coupeville route at noon on Friday,
July 1, following a community celebration in Port Townsend on
June 30. Two-boat service will continue on the route until Oct.
10. The SALISH begins service with the noon sailing from Port
Townsend. WSF and the communities of Port Townsend and Whidbey
Island will celebrate the restoration of two-boat service from 11
a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 30, at the Port Townsend ferry
terminal on the vehicle deck of the Salish. The event is open to
the public and Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen and Rep. Judy Clibborn
will speak, followed by a tribal ceremony and vessel open house.
The regularly scheduled 10:15 a.m. sailing from Coupeville aboard
the CHETZEMOKA will be free for walk-on passengers attending the
event. The two Kwa-di Tabil class (64-car) ferries will serve the
Port Townsend/Coupeville route through the summer and early fall.
On Columbus Day, Oct. 10, the route will be reduced to one-boat
service for the off-peak season – the same schedule as when
the Steel Electric class ferries served the route.
Maersk Line places order
for 10 Triple-E container ships
TOKYO — At a signing ceremony Monday in Tokyo, Maersk Line
exercised its option with Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding &
Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. to build an additional 10 Triple-E
ships, the world’s largest container vessels. The event
follows Maersk Line's order in February this year for 10 Triple-E
vessels with two options - each for an additional 10 ships.
Maersk Line expects demand on the Asia to Europe trade to
increase 5-8 percent per year during 2011-2015. By introducing
the Triple-E vessels from 2013, Maersk Line will be able to meet
the increasing demand as well as maintain its market share. The
first 10 vessels will be delivered 2013 and 2014; the second 10
vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2014 and 2015. Called the
‘Triple-E’ class for the three main purposes behind
their creation — economy of scale, energy efficiency and
environmentally improved — the ships set a new industry
benchmark for size and fuel efficiency.
Mitsui ballast treatment scheme
earns Japanese government certification
ROTTERDAM — Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced
that “FineBallast® OZ,” an ozone-based ballast water
treatment system co-developed by MOL, MOL Marine Consulting,
Ltd., and others has earned a certificate of compliance from the
Japanese government, effective June 6, 2011. The system was
audited based on guidelines set out in the International
Convention for the “Control and Management of Ships’
Ballast Water and Sediments (G8),” adopted by the
International Maritime Organization (IMO). Certification required
a full-scale on-land test of the system by Mitsui Engineering
& Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and other participant companies and
an onboard test on the MOL-operated containership MOL EXPRESS.
Both tests verified the system’s complete conformity to the
ballast water treatment standard. The system also acquired the
final approval under the “Procedure for Approval of Ballast
Water Management Systems that Make Use of Active Substances
(G9)” by the IMO at the end of September 2010.
NEWS BULLETIN
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Port of Seattle welcomes
800th ABC Fuels vessel
SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle has welcomed the APL SPAIN,
the 800th vessel to use low-sulfur fuel while in port. Through
its At-Berth Clean (ABC) Fuels program, shipping and cruise lines
are encouraged to use the cleaner fuel while at berth. Since the
program began in 2009, nearly 500 metric tons of sulfur dioxide
have been eliminated from the local environment. ABC Fuels is a
product of the 2007 Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy whose goal
is to improve air quality for the region. The port provides an
incentive of $2,250 to use low sulfur fuel in vessels' auxiliary
engines for each call. This program has seen a steady increase in
participants since it began. The low-sulfur fuel (<0.5 percent
sulfur) is estimated to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by 80
percent and diesel particulate matter by more than 60 percent.
ABC Fuels is a partnership that includes some of the port's cargo
and cruise lines and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. More than
116 vessels from eight container carriers and four cruise lines
have participated in the program. Participating carriers have
included Hapag Lloyd, APL, China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO),
Evergreen Line, Hamburg Süd, Maersk Line, Matson Navigation,
Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian
Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises.
New passenger gate open
at Bellingham Airport
BELLINGHAM — The Port of Bellingham reports that the new
passenger gate area at Bellingham Airport Opens for Business.
This new terminal area replaces the two outdoor modular buildings
that served as temporary solutions during the past few years
while new terminal areas were designed and built. This project
was completed on time and well under its $9.5 million budget. The
main contractor for this project was Everson-based Tiger
Construction. After the final commercial flight arrived on Monday
night, crews worked throughout the night moving hundreds of
chairs and activating the computer systems for the new gate areas
so that everything would be operational for the first flight out
at 5 a.m. today. Passengers now can stay within the larger gate
lobby after they pass through security screening. The new area
includes four boarding gates, restroom facilities and an area
that will be developed into a full-service restaurant and bar.
The port hopes to complete negotiations with a potential
restaurant operator later this summer. Almost a year ago, the
port’s Board of Commissioners decided to move ahead with a
two-phase terminal expansion project, which will triple the size
of the terminal and is expected to cost approximately $38
million, which includes design, equipment, and furniture. The
port is using operating capital and revenue bonds for this
project, which will be repaid through airport passenger fees, not
tax dollars. The second phase of the project will provide
expanded baggage handling facilities, including a baggage
carrousel, and will have more space for ticket counters and other
airport operations. It is expected to be put out for bid this
fall.
IMO taps Koji Sekimizu
as new Secretary-General
LONDON — Koji Sekimizu of Japan has been elected as the
secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization
(IMO), with effect from January 1, 2012, for an initial term of
four years. The vote took place during the 106th session of the
40-Member IMO Council, which is meeting from June 27 to July 1,
2011. The decision of the council will be submitted to the IMO
Assembly for approval. Thwe council meets for its 27th session
from November 21 to 30, 2011. Mr. Sekimizu, 58, is currently
director of IMO’s Maritime Safety Division. He studied
marine engineering and naval architecture and joined the Ministry
of Transport of Japan in 1977, working initially as a ship
inspector and moving on to senior positions in both maritime
safety and environment related positions within the Ministry. He
began attending IMO meetings as part of the Japanese delegation
in 1980 and joined the IMO Secretariat in 1989, initially as
technical officer, Sub-Division for Technology, Maritime Safety
Division, becoming head, Technology Section in 1992, then moving
to become senior deputy director, Marine Environment Division in
1997 and director of that division in 2000, before moving to his
current position in 2004.
ATA truck tonnage index
drops during month of May
ARLINGTON, VA — The American Trucking Associations’
(ATA) advance seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage
Index decreased 2.3 percent in May after decreasing a revised 0.6
percent in April 2011. April’s drop was slightly less than
the 0.7 percent ATA reported on May 25, 2011. The latest drop put
the SA index at 112.3 (2000=100) in May, down from the April
level of 114.9. The not seasonally adjusted index, which
represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets
before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 115.9 in May, which was
two percent above the previous month. Compared with May 2010, SA
tonnage climbed 2.7 percent, although this was the smallest
year-over-year gain since February 2010. In April, the tonnage
index was 4.8 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.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines orders
pair of new container ships
TOKYO — Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced a
decision to order two containerships (8,600 TEU) from Mitsubishi
Heavy Industries, Ltd., with delivery slated for 2013. Along with
eight 8,100 TEU ships already in operation, the new vessels will
be deployed to Asia-Europe routes. The company also reached an
agreement with NOL Group* for a three-year charter of five large
containerships (14,000 TEU) of 10 that NOL Group has on order.
The five chartered ships will be delivered in 2013 – 2014
and will serve with the other five operated by APL on Asia-Europe
routes. NOL (Neptune Orient Lines), based in Singapore, is the
parent company of APL, one of MOL’s partners in The New
World Alliance (TNWA).
NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, June 27, 2011
Port of Tacoma sees gains
in May container numbers
TACOMA — A 15 percent increase in full export containers in
May helped boost the Port of Tacoma’s year-to-date container
volumes by six percent. The trend is driven largely by strong
demand for agricultural products, primarily from the Pacific
Northwest. Despite that, the port’s overall container
volumes for May declined one percent compared to May 2010.
Declines in volume are attributed to retail inventory adjustments
and slow demand for consumer goods as a result of the slow U.S.
economy.
Tacoma’s container trade highlights include:
· Through May, the Port has handled 567,329 TEUs.
· Year-to-date full import containers are up 1.5 percent,
· Year-to-date intermodal container lifts are up three percent.
Other year-to-date port cargo highlights include:
· Breakbulk -- up 52 percent
· Auto imports -- up 37 percent
· Total tonnage -- up 16 percent
For additional Port cargo stats, see:
http://www.portoftacoma.com/Page.aspx?nid=155
Corps requiring EIS
for pair of construction projects
SEATTLE — The Army Corps of Engineers has evaluated related
proposals from both Pacific International Terminals to construct
a multi-model marine terminal and Burlington Northern Santa Fe
Railway to make improvements to the Custer Spur line in Whatcom
County, Wash. The Corps has determined that an Environmental
Impact Statement will be necessary to document potential effects
of both projects as required under the National Environmental
Policy Act. The proposed terminal project would be developed on
about 350 acres and would include a three-berth deep-water wharf
near Ferndale, Wash. The wharf would be 2,980 feet long and 105
feet wide with access by a trestle, approximately 1,100 feet long
and 50 feet wide on 730 steel piles. Interrelated, but the
subject of a separate permit application, an existing spur of the
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad mainline will be upgraded
to support increased traffic. The combined proposed impacts at
the PIT and BNSF project sites include the permanent fill of up
to 170 acres of wetlands, kelp bed shading, and displacement of
marine invertebrate habitat. PIT has proposed measures to
mitigate these impacts. The Corps evaluated the significance of
the proposals in context and intensity, as required under NEPA,
and concluded that the proposed projects may have a significant
impact on the environment and is therefore moving forward with
Environmental Impact Statement preparation. The scoping process
for this action will occur after the notice of intent has been
published in the Federal Register. The scoping process will allow
for public input into the breadth of issues to be covered in the
EIS.
Condor Airlines begins flights
to Seattle-Tacoma Airport
SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle has rolled out the welcome mat
to another new international airline service as Condor Airlines
made its debut at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with their
inaugural flight from Seattle to Frankfurt. The blue, yellow and
white aircraft, a Boeing 767-300, arrived to a water turret
salute with the pilots waving flags from Germany and the U.S.
Shortly after the arrival and a celebration at the gate, a full
plane load of passengers pulled back for the inaugural flight to
Frankfurt. Through April of this year, international passenger
traffic through Sea-Tac has increased 6.7 percent over the same
period in 2010. This summer Sea-Tac expects to see 23 percent
more seats to Europe overall, compared to the same period last
summer (July-September). It amounts to almost 2,000 seats per
week during the summer months. Condor Airlines will provide two
flights a week, departing on Mondays at 7:20 p.m. and Thursdays
at 6:05 p.m. arriving in Frankfurt, respectively, at 2:50 p.m.
and 1:30 p.m. local time. Condor will fly Boeing 767-300ER
aircraft with three classes of service including Comfort Class,
Premium Economy Class and Economy.
Horizon Lines inks deal
for amended credit facility
CHARLOTTE, NC — Horizon Lines, Inc. has announced that it
has reached an agreement with its bank group to amend its credit
facility. The amendment relaxes compliance under the credit
facility's financial covenants for the second quarter, and will
thereby preserve access to liquidity under the revolver and
facilitate the company's ability to move forward with its
previously announced refinancing effort. "We appreciate the
continued support of our lender group while we navigate through
the complex process of refinancing our entire capital
structure," said Michael T. Avara, executive vice president
and chief financial officer. "This amendment will provide
additional financial covenant flexibility as we work with our
banks and our convertible note holders towards a comprehensive
refinancing, which we announced earlier this month."
Coast Guard cutter MELON
returns to Seattle homeport
SEATTLE — The Coast Guard Cutter MELLON and its crew
returned to their homeport of Seattle, yesterday, after a 90-day
deployment to the Eastern Pacific Ocean in support of the Coast
Guard’s counter-narcotics law enforcement mission. While on
patrol, the MELLON’s crew coordinated with multiple U.S.
forces from Coast Guard and Navy to stem the flow of contraband
including a helicopter detachment from the Coast Guard’s
Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron based out of
Jacksonville, Fla. In the successful execution of this mission,
MELLON’s law enforcement teams interdicted more than 2,000
pounds of illegal narcotic shipments in the drug trafficking
corridor. In addition to performing the law enforcement mission,
MELLON conducted two rescue operations providing critical
assistance to disabled vessels during the patrol. The Coast Guard
Cutter MELLON is a 378-foot, high endurance cutter homeported at
Pier 36, in Seattle.
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, June 24, 2011
APL alters surcharge scheme
to factor-in slow-steaming
SINGAPORE — Container shipping line APL has announced a new
fuel surcharge formula in the Trans-Pacific Trade that reflects
the financial impact of slow-steaming, the industry-wide practice
of reducing vessel speed to reduce fuel consumption, control
costs and reduce emissions. The new formula results in a somewhat
lower bunker surcharge, effective July 1, 2011, than would have
been assessed under the previous formula which was based on a
guideline from the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement. For
example:
•The surcharge for a standard 40-foot standard container
shipped from Asia to the U.S.
West Coast drops to $538 from $568.
•The surcharge for a standard 40-foot standard container
shipped to the U.S. East Coast
drops to $1,049 from $1,107.
APL said it has developed the new surcharge formula to reflect
the cost savings as well as the added capital costs associated
with slow-steaming. As ships reduce speed, additional vessels are
generally required to be added to each loop to maintain weekly
arrival schedules. APL said its surcharge will continue to rise
and fall in line with fuel price fluctuations. But it’s
changing the formula used to adjust the surcharge.
Diana Shipping inks deal
for bulk carrier time charter
ATHENS — Diana Shipping Inc., a global shipping company
specializing in the transportation of dry bulk cargoes, has
announced that it has entered into a time charter contract with
Cargill International S.A., Geneva, for one of its Panamax dry
bulk carriers, the m/v ARETHUSA, at a gross charter rate of
US$13,250 per day, minus a five percent commission paid to third
parties, for a period of about 11 months to about 13 months. The
charter is expected to commence early July 2011. As previously
announced on May 13, 2011, the above mentioned vessel is the
former m/v CORONA, a 2007 built Panamax dry bulk carrier of
73,593 dwt, that the company entered into an agreement to
purchase in May 2011. The vessel, to be renamed ARETHUSA, is now
expected to be delivered to the company by the sellers by early
July 2011. This employment is anticipated to generate
approximately US$4.2 million of gross revenue for the minimum
scheduled period of the charter.
US rail freight numbers
roll to positive side for week
WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads (AAR)
reports steady results in weekly rail traffic with U.S. railroads
originating 288,049 carloads for the week ending May 28, 2011, up
0.7 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal
volume for the week totaled 234,668 trailers and containers, up
4.2 percent compared with the same week in 2010. Seven of the 20
carload commodity groups posted increases from the comparable
week in 2010. Commodity groups posting significant increases
included: metallic ores, up 48.9 percent; grain, up 18.5 percent,
and lumber and wood products, up 13.7 percent. Groups posting a
notable decrease included: primary forest products, down 23.1
percent; farm products excluding grain, down 19.7 percent, and
nonmetallic minerals, down 15.4 percent.
TITAN Salvage changing face
of management team makeup
POMPANO BEACH, FL — TITAN Salvage has appointed Mark
Hoddinott to global director, marketing and strategy, responsible
for developing, delivering and managing the company's strategic
marketing and business development plans. He will operate out of
Titan's United Kingdom (UK) facility at Newhaven, East Sussex,
and will report to Rich Habib, TITAN's vice president. Mr.
Hoddinott, who will continue his role on the senior management
team, will work closely with TITAN's commercial division.
Additionally, TITAN's Neil Ives has been appointed operations
manager, Europe. Mr. Ives' responsibilities include managing the
sales and marketing efforts for the region, pursuing new
business, drafting proposals and contracts, supporting the
salvage warehouse and operations and overseeing the
administrative requirements in the UK office. TITAN, a wholly
owned Crowley subsidiary, is a worldwide marine salvage and wreck
removal company based in Pompano Beach, Fla., that has performed
over 350 salvage and wreck removal projects since 1980.
Congressman pleased with progress
for minorities at Coast Guard Academy
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking
Member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and
former Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and
Maritime Transportation, has expressed his support and approval
of the continued gains in diversity made at the United States
Coast Guard Academy. As Subcommittee Chairman, Congressman
Cummings convened a series of hearings regarding civil rights
programs and diversity initiatives in the United States Coast
Guard. During these hearings, the Subcommittee examined a report
by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) concerning changes
made by the Coast Guard’s Civil Rights Directorate. The
Subcommittee also examined diversity at the Coast Guard Academy.
This year, according to the Coast Guard, 290 young men and women
are expected to accept appointments to the Coast Guard Academy
and report in on June 27, of whom 34 percent are
Under-Represented Minorities (URM) and 34 percent are women.
Under-Represented Minorities comprised 24 percent of last
year’s incoming Class of 2014, an increase from the Class of
2013 (which was comprised of 16 percent Under-Represented
Minorities) and the Class of 2012 (which was comprised of 12
percent Under-Represented Minorities). The Coast Guard also noted
that diversity has not been created at the expense of admission
standards. The overall “Academic Strength” of the
Academy’s incoming class continues to increase and the SAT
Average rose from 1300 (Class of 2014) to 1330 (Class of 2015).
This academically stronger applicant pool also produced 55
percent more URM finalists compared to the Class of 2014 and a
154 percent increase compared to the Class of 2012.
NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Rear Admiral presides over
opening of Seattle ANSO office
SEATTLE — The Rear Adm. Ronald J. Rábago Seattle Chapter of
the Association of Naval Service Officers (ANSO) will be formally
established, today, during a ceremony at Coast Guard Base
Seattle. Rear Adm. Rábago will be in attendance for the
establishment ceremony. ANSO’s mission is to assist the sea
service chief's efforts in Hispanic workforce recruitment and
retention by: (1) fostering the personal growth and professional
development of officers, enlisted, and civilians; (2) providing
mentorship, networking, training, and education opportunities;
and (3) engaging the Hispanic communities through outreach
initiatives. The Seattle Chapter is named after Rear Adm.
Rábago, a 1978 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, who is
currently serving as the Coast Guard assistant commandant for
Engineering and Logistics.
Port of Camas-Washougal
nets FAA nod for Grove Field
WASHOUGAL, WA — The Port of Camas-Washougal has announced
the Grove Field Airport Environmental Assessment has been
completed and it has become an official federal document through
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). According to Port
Executive Director David Ripp, the Environmental Assessment
public comment period is complete and this official document will
remain unchanged. Although there is no public comment period for
the Final Environmental Assessment, per the National
Environmental Policy Act, at the port commission meeting on June
21, Port Commission President Bill Macrae-Smith announced a
re-ordering of the agenda at the July 5 commission meeting to
allow public comment on the Final Environmental Assessment, the
Airport Layout Plan and the proposed FAA funding of Grove Field,
prior to commissioner reports. The public comment received will
not be a part of the Final Environmental Assessment, rather it is
intended for the port commission's use in making management
decisions regarding the airport. The next step for the proposed
improvements at Grove Field will be the official Finding of No
Significant Impacts (FONSI), resulting from environmental
analysis and interagency review during the environmental
assessment process, which found the project has no significant
impacts on the quality of the environment. The FONSI document
includes the FAA responses to public comments on the draft
environmental assessment.
Horizon Lines earns honors
for years of vessel safety
CHARLOTTE, NC — Horizon Lines, Inc. reports it has received
recognition from the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) and the
United States Coast Guard (USCG) for its record of safety and
stewardship. CSA presented Horizon Lines with the Jones F. Devlin
Awards for safety at the Chamber's recent Annual Ship Safety
Awards luncheon, which recognizes the men and women responsible
for safe ship operations. Self-propelled merchant vessels that
have operated for two full years or more without a crewmember
losing a full turn at watch because of an occupational injury are
eligible for the award. The awards were presented to the HORIZON
CHALLENGER (four years), HORIZON EAGLE (two years), HORIZON
HUNTER (two years), and HORIZON SPIRIT (two years). In addition,
the HORIZON PRODUCER received a Citation of Merit for the crew's
rescue of fishermen on a sinking 17-foot skiff that had drifted
more than 120 miles from shore.
Panama Canal Authority
renews Port of Houston alliance
PANAMA CITY — The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and the Port
of Houston Authority renewed their strategic alliance during an
official ceremony in Panama City, Panama. The partnership, which
was originally formed in 2003, is now extended for five years
until 2016. It aims to boost trade along the “All-Water
Route” between Asia and the U.S. Gulf Coast via the Panama
Canal and the Port of Houston Authority. As a result of the
Panama Canal expansion project, the anticipated increase in
containerized cargo going to Houston could grow by 15 percent in
the next few years, with a projected 150 percent increase to a
total of 4.5 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) by 2030.
The $5.25 billion expansion of the Panama Canal, which broke
ground in 2007, includes the construction of a new set of locks
that will allow the transit of longer and wider ships. The Port
of Houston Authority and the ACP will both celebrate their
centennial in 2014 – the same year that work on the
waterway’s expansion is expected to be completed. With this
renewed agreement, the two entities’ objective is to foster
significant growth in trade and to increase traffic through the
canal.
IMO wants high tech thank you
for seafarers around the world
LONDON — The International Maritime Organization (IMO)
invites people everywhere to voice their support for seafarers by
using social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, by posting
videos on YouTube, discussing seafarer issues on LinkedIn, or
even writing a blog about life at sea, to mark the first ever
international Day of the Seafarer, on June 25, 2011. Last year,
the Diplomatic Conference which met in Manila to adopt milestone
revisions to the International Convention on Standards of
Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (the STCW
Convention) and its associated code, also agreed that the unique
contribution made by seafarers from all over the world to
international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society
as a whole, should be marked annually with a ‘Day of the
Seafarer’. The date chosen was June 25, the day on which the
amendments were formally adopted. An innovative web-based and
social media campaign forms the centerpiece of efforts to
celebrate the ‘Day of the Seafarer’ and to pay tribute
to the world’s 1.5 million seafarers – men and women
from all over the globe – for the unique, and all-too-often
overlooked, contribution they make to the well-being of all of
us. The campaign, which emphasizes the fact that shipping is the
engine of global commerce, responsible for the carriage of more
than 90 percent of world trade, and that it is seafarers who
ensure the engine runs smoothly, delivering the essential items
and commodities on which our lives depend, has already garnered
support from industry partners, seafarers’ groups and many
more. The campaign is designed to be both educational and
inspirational, including live, interactive links with seafarers
aboard ships at sea. Everyone is encouraged to send the simple
yet powerful message: “Thank you, seafarers”. To join
the campaign, go to www.imo.org and click Day of the Seafarer.
NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Crowley double-hulled barges
beginning service in Western Alaska
ANCHORAGE — Crowley Maritime Corp. is deploying two new
double-hulled, combination deck cargo and tank barges this week
in Western Alaska. The DBL 165-1 and DBL 165-2 barges left Dakota
Creek Industries in Anacortes, earlier this month and made a
brief stop in Seward for final outfitting of equipment -
including hoses, lines, pumps and other gear - necessary for
operating in Western Alaska. The barges are expected to load
their first cargoes of petroleum products in Bristol Bay this
week and will begin making deliveries to customers along the
Bering Sea coast soon afterward. Both vessels will be home ported
in Nome and will be used for shallow draft operations and beach
landings for the delivery of fuel and cargo to the remote
communities of Western Alaska. The vessels are the first
double-hulled, environmentally friendly barges of their kind to
operate in Western Alaska waters, since Crowley's 180-1, a
double-hull barge that Crowley deployed in Alaska in 2005.
Spirit Airlines to begin
Portland to Las Vegas flights
MIRAMAR, FL — Spirit Airlines has announced that on
September 22, 2011, the ultra low cost carrier will begin two
daily non-stop flights between Portland and Las Vegas. Spirit
Airlines (www.spirit.com) is the largest Ultra Low Cost Carrier
(ULCC) in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. As
the unbundling leader in the industry, Spirit allows consumers
the option of paying only for the features they value without
subsidizing the choices of others. Its all-Airbus fleet, the
youngest in the Americas, flies more than 150 daily flights to
over 40 destinations. The company is based in South Florida.
NYK vessel to continue testing
SCR/NOx removal equipment
TOKYO — Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), Oshima
Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (MH),
Akasaka Diesels Limited and Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. are
to begin shipboard tests of selective catalytic reduction (SCR)
nitrogen oxide (NOx) removal equipment installed on NYK
Line’s new bulk coal carrier INITIAL SALUTE, which was built
by Oshima Shipbuilding. Shipboard trials of SCR NOx removal
equipment were conducted during the voyage of INITIAL SALUTE.
Once the equipment was verified to meet the tier III NOx emission
controls stipulated by the International Maritime Organization
(IMO), it was decided to leave the equipment in place to collect
more data through tests to be conducted during actual operational
voyages. The installation of SCR NOx removal equipment after
turbocharging, on board INITIAL SALUTE is the world's first trial
on a low-speed marine diesel engine. The new SCR NOx removal
equipment will meet the tier III NOx emission control requirement
by further reducing emissions while maintaining the superior
combustion efficiency that is the main feature of a low-speed
marine diesel engine.
CBP nails Mexican businessman
for avoiding antidumping payments
WASHINGTON, DC — Analysts at the U.S. Customs and Border
Protection’s (CBP) trade fraud targeting unit, responding to
a complaint filed through e-Allegations, CBP’s online trade
violation reporting system, uncovered a transshipment scheme to
avoid paying antidumping duties on imported steel-wire hangers.
The e-Allegations filing resulted in the sentencing of a Tijuana,
Mexico businessman to 70 months in federal prison and an order to
pay more than $3 million in restitution to the U.S. government
and forfeiture of more than $4 million in proceeds gained through
the illegal transshipment scheme. CBP’s targeting unit,
which specializes in the detection of evasion of antidumping and
countervailing duty laws, identified the transshipment scheme in
December 2009 after analyzing a commercial allegation. Analysts
pursued the lead, piecing together information about a Mexican
manufacturer who appeared to be involved in the alleged illegal
scheme. CBP targeting analysts requested enforcement action by
the port of Otay Mesa. Port officials and CBP import specialists
then worked with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the
Department of Justice to build the case for prosecution. The
hangers were shipped from China to the U.S., sent to Mexico, and
then imported back into the U.S. as products of Mexico. The
55-count indictment in the Southern District of California was
for violations of 18 USC 371 (conspiracy), 18 USC 542 (entry of
goods by means of false statements), 18 USC 1001 (false
statements), 18 USC 1343 (wire fraud), and 18 USC 1956 (money
laundering).
Keel-laying ceremony held
for new NOAA survey ship
WASHINGTON, DC — NOAA and Marinette Marine Corporation have
held a keel-laying ceremony at the MMC shipyard in Marinette,
Wis., for NOAA’s newest fisheries survey vessel, REUBEN
LASKER. During the ceremony, the ship’s sponsor, Pamela
Lasker, daughter of the ship’s namesake, engraved her
initials on a steel plate with assistance from a shipyard welder.
The “keel plate” will be incorporated into the ship
during construction. Funded through the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act, REUBEN LASKER is the fifth in a series of Oscar
Dyson-class ships built for the agency. The 208-ft. ship will be
equipped with a full suite of modern instrumentation for
fisheries and oceanographic research, including advanced
navigation systems, acoustic sensors, scientific sampling gear
and extensive laboratories. The new vessel is named after the
late Dr. Reuben Lasker, a pioneering fisheries biologist who
served as the director of the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science
Center’s coastal fisheries division and as adjunct professor
at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California
San Diego. Dr. Lasker directed a renowned research group that
focused on the survival and transition of young fish to
adulthood, a topic with implications for fisheries management
throughout the world.
NEWS BULLETIN
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Port of Portland hosting AAPA event
focusing on maritime development
PORTLAND — The American Association of Port Authorities'
(AAPA) Maritime Economic Development Seminar, to be held July
11-13, in Portland, will focus on cultivating operational and
financing partnerships, infrastructure, and trade opportunities
for seaports. Hosted by the Port of Portland, the seminar will
include port authority, real estate, supply chain and
international trade professionals interested in exploring
compelling new economic development opportunities, practices and
planning tools that are being implemented by Western Hemisphere
seaports, municipalities, states and federal government.
Conference speakers will address methods to connect with
potential new customers and investment partners; developing
client-focused infrastructure; and effectively managing property,
equipment and infrastructure assets. More information about
AAPA's Maritime Economic Development Seminar is available at
http://www.aapa-ports.org/2011MED.
Trio of maritime VIPs
to receive 2011 AOTOS awards
NEW YORK — The United Seamen's Service (USS) 2011 Admiral of
the Ocean Sea Awards (AOTOS) will be presented to James L. Henry,
chairman and president of the Transportation Institute; General
Duncan J. McNabb, commander, U.S. Transportation Command; and
Robert D. Somerville, chairman of ABS (formerly the American
Bureau of Shipping). The maritime industry awards will be
presented at a gala industry dinner and dance to be held at the
Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers, New York City, on October 28,
2011. A special AOTOS recognition plaque will be presented to
Captain George Quick, former President of the Association of
Maryland Pilots. Mr. Henry has played in virtually every major
initiative in United States maritime policy since he assumed the
presidency of the Transportation Institute in 1987 and became its
chairman in 1990. He played a particularly key role in protecting
the Jones Act when it came under attack in the mid-1990s. General
McNabb is commander of U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM),
the single manager for global air, land and sea transportation
and the world's largest shipper for the Department of Defense. A
command pilot, he has amassed more than 5,600 flying hours in
transport and rotary wing aircraft. He graduated from the U.S.
Air Force Academy in 1974. The American Bureau of Shipping (now
ABS) promotes the security of life, property and the natural
environment primarily through the development and verification of
standards for the design, construction and operational
maintenance of marine-related facilities. Mr. Somerville has led
the global agency consisting of more than 3,000 employees,
serving as its chief executive officer until April 2011. He now
serves as chairman of ABS.
Coast Guard responds to
oil spill from rail accident
SEATTLE — The Coast Guard is overseeing the cleanup of a
diesel spill, in Seattle, after a train derailed on Harbor
Island, Monday. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, based in Seattle,
received a call at approximately 9:15 p.m., reporting a Union
Pacific Railroad locomotive and two freight cars, carrying cement
ash, derailed, spilling 600 gallons of diesel fuel onto the
ground near the West Seattle Bridge. There are no reports of the
diesel fuel entering the water. Sector Puget Sound's Incident
Management Division is on scene to determine appropriate cleanup
methods and supervise cleanup efforts. Also responding are the
Washington Department of Ecology, and Union Pacific Railroad.
Lynden expanding in Hawaii
with new service options
SEATTLE — Lynden International is strengthening its presence
in the Hawaiian market by expanding ocean freight capabilities
and welcoming Patrick Omura as business development manager.
Based in Honolulu, Mr. Omura will work closely with the company's
gateway operation in Los Angeles to develop and support traffic
between Lynden's offshore partners and U.S. offices. Lynden has
been serving the Hawaiian Islands for 25 years with offices in
Honolulu and Maui. It is adding new features to its ocean freight
service to Hawaii including warehousing, distribution,
consolidations, multiple pick-up and delivery options plus Full
Container-Load (FCL) and Less-than-Container-Load (LCL) options
for customers. Mr. Omura has more than 21 years of industry
experience, most recently in sales management for YRC Worldwide
in Hawaii and Servco Pacific Office Products. Lynden
International is one of the Lynden family of companies whose
combined capabilities include: worldwide air and ocean
forwarding, international shipping, freight shipping and
logistics, trade show shipping, truckload and less-than-truckload
transportation, scheduled and charter barges, intermodal bulk
chemical hauls, scheduled and chartered Hercules L-382 cargo
aircraft and multi-modal logistics.
Boeing freighter arrives in France
powered in part by biofuel
LE BOURGET, France — The Boeing 747-8 Freighter landed at
Paris Le Bourget Airport at 5:35 p.m. local time after completing
the first transatlantic flight of a large commercial airplane
powered on all engines by a sustainable aviation jet fuel. The
airplane, piloted by Boeing pilots Capt. Keith Otsuka and Capt.
Rick Braun and Cargolux Capt. Sten Rossby, flew from Everett,
Wash., to Le Bourget with all four of its General Electric
GEnx-2B engines powered by a blend of 15 percent camelina-based
biofuel mixed with 85 percent traditional kerosene Jet A fuel. No
changes were made to the airplane, its engines or operating
procedures prior to departure. Normal flight parameters were
followed and approved in advance by the U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration. The airplane is the fourth of five Boeing
commercial airplanes to arrive at the Paris Air Show in 2011. It
will be on static display at the Paris Air Show June 21 and 22.
It is scheduled to leave the air show the evening of June 22 and
fly to Cargolux headquarters at Luxembourg for a two-day visit.
Cargolux is scheduled to take delivery of the first 747-8
Freighter to enter service this summer.
NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, June 20, 2011
Maritime Administration report finds
more vessels calling at US ports
WASHINGTON, DC — A report released from the U.S. Maritime
Administration shows more ships are stopping at U.S. ports. The
stops, or vessel calls, rebounded by 13 percent in 2010, after an
eight percent decline in 2009. Oceangoing vessel calls reflect
waterborne trade between the United States and countries around
the world, and are a measure of import, export and domestic ocean
shipments. The 2010 Vessel Calls Snapshot report contains data on
calls by oceangoing vessels at U.S. ports. In 2010, 7,579
oceangoing vessels made 62,747 calls at U.S. ports. Of the 2010
calls,
• 35 percent were by tankers carrying oil and gas used to
power our cars and heat our homes,
• 31 percent were by containerships carrying general export
and import cargo for markets around the U.S. and the world,
• 17 percent were by dry bulk vessels carrying iron, coal
and grain for export,
• nine percent were by roll-on roll-off vessels carrying
vehicles for import and export, and
• six percent were by general cargo ships.
In addition, the report shows that tanker operators are replacing
single-hull vessels with new, greener double-hull ships. In 2010,
97 percent of the tanker calls were by double-hull vessels, up
from 78 percent five years earlier. The Vessel Call Snapshot 2010
report is available online at
http://www.marad.dot.gov/documents/Vessel_Calls_at_US_Ports_Snapshot.pdf
.
The report summarizes and highlights vessel calls for U.S. ports
by coast and vessel type, age, size, global vessel calls, and top
10 U.S. port calls.e state Legislature. Despite a 60 percent pay
increase in the last nine years the pilots are seeking to boost
net pay to $530,000 in 2015.
Oil spill response exercise
set for Whidbey Island area
OAK HARBOR, WA — A National Preparedness for Response
Exercise Program (PREP) practice oil spill response will be
conducted June 21-23, 2011, to test the readiness and skills
needed to effectively manage a major environmental incident. The
Washington Department of Ecology, U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Navy and other federal,
state, and local entities will partner to enact a rapid and well
coordinated response to protect the state’s environmental,
cultural, and economic resources from simulated oil-spill damage.
This training provides an opportunity for these agencies to work
together. They will also be evaluated on their ability to mount
planned, first-stage response strategies using the Northwest Area
Contingency Plan and Incident Command System processes. With the
“spill” occurring in the waters west of Whidbey Island,
the Command Center for over 200 drill participants will be
located on the Seaplane Base at Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island
(Oak Harbor, Wash.). No oil will be spilled, but containment
booming, oil-skimming vessels, other boats and aircraft will
operate in the area during the exercise.
Hanjin joining NYK
in new Far East/Mid East run
SEOUL — Hanjin Shipping is renewing its current Far East
– Middle East service starting from early July. STX and
Sinokor who have been operating FMX (Far East – Middle East
Express) service with Hanjin Shipping will be replaced by a new
partner, NYK. According to Hanjin Shipping, current fleet of six
4,500-5,300TEU class vessels will be replaced by six
6,200–6,500 TEU class ships of which five will be deployed
by Hanjin Shipping and one by NYK. The first sailing date will be
July 7, from the port of Busan. Port Rotation will be: Busan
(Thu/Fri) – Kwangyang (Fri/Sat) – Shanghai (Mon/Mon)
– Ningbo (Tue/Wed) – Yantian (Fri/Fri) – Singapore
(Tue/Tue) – Colombo (Sat/Sun) – Jebel Ali (Thu/Fri)
– Dammam (Sat/Sat) – Bandar Abbas (Mon/Mon) –
Karachi (Wed/Thu) – Port Kelang (Wed/Wed) – Singapore
(Thu/Fri) – Busan (Thu/Fri).
NYK expanding in China
with new auto logistics business
TOKYO — NYK has established NYK Automotive Logistics (China)
Co., Ltd. (NALC), a wholly owned subsidiary, to further
strengthen the NYK Group’s finished-car logistics business
in China, where the automobile market has rapidly grown to become
the world’s largest. NALC commenced operations on April 1,
2011. The NYK Group began its finished-car logistics business in
China in 2003 and has since developed diverse finished-car
logistics services ranging from finished-car land-transport
services throughout the country and car-carrier terminal
operations at the four major ports of Dalian, Tianjin, Shanghai,
and Guangzhou to value-added services such as PDIs (Pre-Delivery
Inspections) at VDCs (Vehicle Distribution Centers). By the
establishment of NALC, the NYK Group will be able to centralize
customer service desks and maximize the utilization of the
existing service network for the distribution of finished cars
throughout China with the aim of providing effective solutions to
meet customer needs.
TITAN taps Jason Bennett
as new commercial director
POMPANO BEACH, FL — Jason Bennett has joined TITAN Salvage
as commercial director, reporting to company Vice President Rich
Habib. He is domiciled in TITAN’s United Kingdom (UK)
facility at Newhaven, East Sussex. As a member of the
company’s senior management team, Mr. Bennett will help
shape strategic, operational and commercial business initiatives
particularly as they relate to securing salvage, wreck removal
and emergency response work for TITAN around the world. In
addition, he will provide business development support for
Crowley Maritime Corporation’s newly formed solutions group.
Prior to joining TITAN, Mr. Bennett spent 14 years at sea with
the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and P&O Cruise Line, gaining his
Masters’ ticket. Working globally, he gained experience
aboard several different ships, including tankers, ammunition and
logistics ships, as well as DP and cruise vessels. Moving ashore,
Mr. Bennett later joined Murray Fenton as a surveyor, a position
he held for seven years. There he obtained a wide breadth of
experience, including salvage, casualty investigation, ship and
systems vetting and expert witness services to the insurance
market. For the last six years, before joining TITAN, he worked
for another major salvor, both as UK representative and
commercial manager. TITAN, a wholly owned Crowley subsidiary, is
a worldwide marine salvage and wreck removal company based in
Pompano Beach, Fla., that has performed over 350 salvage and
wreck removal projects since 1980.
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, June 16, 2011
Pay increase voted down
for San Francisco Bar Pilots
SACRAMENTO — The Pacific Merchant Shipping Association
(PMSA) says legislation that would increase compensation to
$530,000 a year for each San Francisco Bar Pilot who moves
container and cruise ships in and about the bay, has failed to
get the votes it needed to pass a key Senate committee. AB 907
(Ma), on a 6-5 vote, did not pass the Senate Governmental
Organization Committee, however it was granted reconsideration
and could be heard again in committee on June 28. According to
PMSA, all increases in the rates paid to the pilots by their
ocean carrier customers must be approved by the state
Legislature. Despite a 60 percent pay increase in the last nine
years the pilots are seeking to boost net pay to $530,000 in
2015.
Port of Vancouver, USA
calling for stormwater comment
VANCOUVER, USA — The Port of Vancouver, USA is seeking
public comment on its Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) to
satisfy conditions in the Phase II Municipal General Stormwater
Permit for Western Washington. The comment period will close at 5
P.M. on July 18, 2011. Submit your comments in writing via U.S.
Mail to:
Port of Vancouver
Matt Graves, project manager
3103 NW Lower River Road
Vancouver, WA 98660
Or comments may be submitted via email to: mgraves@portvanusa.com
Indicate “SWMP Public Review” in the subject line of
your correspondence. No verbal comments will be accepted.
Rail traffic numbers
climb during week
WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads (AAR)
reports steady results in weekly rail traffic with U.S. railroads
originating 295,148 carloads for the week ending May 21, 2011, up
2.3 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal
volume for the week totaled 234,235 trailers and containers, up
8.7 percent compared with the same week in 2010. Twelve of the 20
carload commodity groups posted increases from the comparable
week in 2010. Commodity groups posting significant increases were
grain, up 12.9 percent, and metallic ores, up 11.5 percent.
Groups posting a notable decrease were waste and nonferrous
scrap, down 17.2 percent, and primary forest products, down 10.1
percent.
APL Logistics delivering
53-foot containers to North America
SINGAPORE — APL Logistics reports it has begun to deploy its
own fleet of 53-foot containers in the North American domestic
intermodal market. The third party logistics operator's first
boxes hit highways and railroads in the region at the end of May.
The fleet is expected to reach 1,000 units by end August, and in
excess of that before the year is up. APL Logistics' move to
launch its own fleet of containers comes at a time when an
industry-wide equipment crunch introduces greater uncertainty
into supply chains of manufacturers and retailers across the
United States, Canada and Mexico. Fifty-three footers are the
most commonly-sized containers in North America. The new
additions supplement containers provided by APL Logistics'
railroad partners, thereby giving it access to an overall bigger
pool of equipment for reliable freight deployment within the
region.
New WSF vessel SALISH
set to begin Port Townsend service
PORT TOWNSEND — Nearly four years after the retirement of
the Steel Electric Class ferries, the Washington State Department
of Transportation Ferries Division (WSF) will welcome the newest
addition to the state ferry fleet. The 64-car SALISH will be the
center of a community celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday, June 30, at the Port Townsend ferry terminal. WSF and
the communities of Port Townsend and Whidbey Island will
celebrate the restoration of two-boat service on the Port
Townsend/Coupeville route. The SALISH will join its sister ship
CHETZEMOKA on the route in July. WSF hopes to have the SALISH in
service by the Fourth of July weekend, but will confirm the date
at the conclusion of sea trials scheduled to wrap up at the end
of June. The community
celebration of the SALISH is open to the public and will take
place in slip No. 2 at the Port Townsend ferry terminal. The
celebration will begin at 11 a.m. on the vessel’s vehicle
deck with remarks from dignitaries and a tribal ceremony,
followed by a vessel open house from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Port Tracker report eyes
steady container volume count
WASHINGTON, DC — Import cargo volume at the nation’s
major retail container ports is expected to remain at about the
same levels as last year through July before starting to resume
increases later this summer, 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 1.22 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units in April, the
latest month for which numbers are available. That was up 12
percent from March and seven percent from April 2010. It was the
17th 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. May was
estimated at 1.27 million TEU, only one-third of one percent over
May 2010. June is forecast at 1.33 million TEU, a one percent
increase from a year ago; July at 1.39 million TEU, up one-half
of one percent from last year; August at 1.47 million TEU, up
three percent; September at 1.49 million TEU, up 12 percent; and
October at 1.54 million TEU, up 19 percent. August through
October are traditionally the busiest months of the year as
retailers stock up for the holiday season. The first half of 2011
is forecast at 7.2 million TEU, up five percent from the first
half of 2010. Global Port Tracker forecasts only six months
beyond actual numbers, so a forecast for the full year is not yet
available. Imports during 2010 totaled 14.7 million TEU, a 16
percent increase over 2009.
NOL Group places orders
for 12 new container ships
SINGAPORE — NOL Group has signed letters of intent to build
12 new container vessels. The ships, all to be built in South
Korea, would include:
•Ten 14,000-TEU vessels to be constructed by Hyundai Samho
Heavy Industries Co., Ltd; and
•Two 9,200-TEU vessels to be constructed by Daewoo
Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co.
NOL also said it is upgrading a 2010 order placed with Daewoo for
ten 8,400-TEU ships. These vessels will now be upgraded to
9,200-TEUs of capacity each and will employ new, more efficient
design and technology. The total consideration for the new
vessels and upgrades would be about US$1.54 billion. The ships
are scheduled for delivery in 2013 and 2014. The 14,000-TEU ships
would be NOL's largest and most fuel efficient. NOL said they
will be deployed in its Asia-Europe Trade. The 9,200-TEU vessels
will likely be employed in the Trans-Pacific Trade. NOL said the
letters of intent are subject to contract signing with the
shipbuilders.
Horizon Lines taps Nikkhoo
as Hawaii general manager
CHARLOTTE, NC — Horizon Lines, Inc. has announced that Ali
Behruz Nikkhoo has been named vice president and general manager,
Hawaii, for the company's Horizon Lines, LLC operating
subsidiary. Mr. Nikkhoo, a seasoned veteran with three decades of
experience, will report to Brian Taylor, executive vice
president, chief operating officer and chief commercial officer
of Horizon Lines, Inc. In this position, Mr. Nikkhoo will oversee
the ocean carrier's weekly transportation services between the U.
S. mainland and the Hawaiian Islands. He will be based in
Honolulu. Mr. Nikkhoo succeeds Mar Labrador, who is leaving the
company at the end of June after ensuring a smooth transition.
Mr. Nikkhoo joined Sea-Land in 1977, commencing the carrier's
Iran service upon graduation from Lamar University in Beaumont,
TX. He moved onto positions in Madrid, Dubai, Houston and
Baltimore before being named port manager in Long Beach in 1987.
He then worked in Djakarta, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and
London, serving in senior management positions that involved both
operational and commercial accountability.
Boeing predicts boom years
for airplane manufacturing
LONDON — Boeing forecasts a $4 trillion market for new
aircraft over the next 20 years with a significant increase in
forecasted deliveries. That's according to the Boeing 2011
Current Market Outlook (CMO) released in Paris. The company's
annual commercial aviation market analysis foresees a market for
33,500 new passenger airplanes and freighters between 2011 and
2030. Passenger traffic is expected to grow at 5.1 percent annual
rate over the long-term and the world fleet is expected to double
by 2030. The single-aisle market will continue to see strong
demand around the world and is expected to increase its share of
the market. Fleet composition will change significantly by 2030
with single-aisle jets making up 70 percent of the total. Boeing
projects the world freighter fleet to increase from 1,760 to
3,500 airplanes. Additions to the fleet will include 970
new-production freighters (market value of $250 billion) and
1,990 airplanes converted from passenger models. Large (more than
88.2 tons capacity / 80 tonnes) freighters will account for 690
new-build airplanes. Medium (44.1 to 88.2 tons / 40 to 80 tonnes)
freighters will total 280 airplanes. No new standard-body
freighters (49.6 tons / less than 45 tonnes) will be required,
but there will be 1,240 standard-body conversions. On average
over the next 20 years, air cargo traffic will grow at a rate of
5.6 percent.
Washington State Ferries honors
engine room workers for reliability
SEATTLE — The Washington State Department of Transportation
Ferries Division (WSF) is honoring engine room and maintenance
employees who helped six of Washington’s 21 ferry vessels
achieve 100 percent service reliability in 2010. Employees who
maintain and operate the 87-car KLAHOWYA have earned the new
Fleet Achievement Award for the best overall performance. To
achieve 100 percent service reliability, a ferry must have no
lost trips due to mechanical failure. On each vessel, the chief
engineer supervises the engine room and control center and
oversees repairs and maintenance to the vessel’s mechanical
and electrical equipment. The chief engineer and the assistant
engineer also monitor all the control systems. The oiler assists
the engineers by circulating through all the machinery spaces,
ensuring that everything is operating correctly. In 2010 the six
ferries that achieved the 100 percent reliability goal were the
144-car ELWHA, the 87-car EVERGREEN STATE, the 87-car KLAHOWYA,
the 202-car PUYALLUP, the 202-car TACOMA and the 87-car TILLIKUM.
The KLAHOWYA receives the Fleet Achievement Award for best
overall performance based on number of trips, number of assigned
operating days, hours of operation and nautical miles traveled.
In 2010 the KLAHOWYA, which typically serves the
Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route, made 12,475 trips, operated
338 days, ran 2,858 hours, traveled 35,604 nautical miles and
never missed a scheduled trip due to mechanical failure. The
Fleet Achievement Award was introduced this year in conjunction
with WSF’s 60th anniversary, recognizing six decades of
service reliability.
NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Port of Vancouver, USA
inks lease with Sapa Extrusions
VANCOUVER, USA — The Port of Vancouver has announced the
signing of a long-term lease with Sapa Extrusions, North
America’s largest provider of extruded aluminum profiles,
for a 142,800 square foot building located at 2001 Kototbuki Way.
The 15-year lease, with two five-year options to extend, enables
Sapa to relocate one of its plants from Vancouver, BC, Canada, to
the port and bring 100 family-wage jobs to Southwest Washington.
Sapa’s relationship with the port began in 2006 during the
company’s ongoing explorations of possible plant sites in
the Pacific Northwest. Sapa’s decision to expand its
business and locate at the port brings much-needed industrial
activity back to a building that formerly housed the electronics
manufacturing company Panasonic. The building has been vacant
since Panasonic closed its doors in 2008, laying off more than
200 full-time and temporary employees. A critical step in
bringing Sapa to Vancouver was the port’s success in
securing an $800,000 public facility improvements loan from the
Washington State Community Economic Development Revitalization
Board (CERB). These funds will be used for necessary building
upgrades that include replacing the building’s asphalt floor
with a reinforced concrete floor and electrical and HVAC
upgrades. In addition to the CERB loan, the port will provide
$500,000 in matching funds to complete the improvements, bringing
the port’s investment to $1.3 million. Sapa’s
private-sector investment in manufacturing equipment and
additional facility upgrades that will occur in the first 12
months of occupancy is expected to be $9.5 million. Sapa plans to
be operational at the port, with Vancouver residents on the
payroll, by late August or early September of this year.
Pacific Northwest ports
gaining ground on emissions
TACOMA — Thanks to a joint effort that crosses not just
county but country lines, maritime-related air emissions are
improving in the Pacific Northwest. The Northwest Ports Clean Air
Strategy, an initiative of the ports of Tacoma, Seattle and Metro
Vancouver, B.C., is a long-term, collaborative agreement to
reduce emissions in the Puget Sound and Georgia air basins. A
newly released implementation report demonstrates how the
agencies are meeting short- and long-term clean air goals for
ships, cargo-handling equipment, rail, trucks and harbor craft.
The goals were adopted in early 2008 as part of the
ground-breaking Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy. The
implementation report calls out the improvements achieved by all
three ports through their cooperative relationships with
customers, tenants, and air and environmental regulatory
agencies. The 2010 results mark the end of the strategy’s
first milestone, showing progress in producing cleaner air for
the communities that surround our harbors.
2010 results
•Ships: 44 percent of ships calling frequently used
low-sulfur fuels or electrical shore
power to meet the performance measure
•Cargo-handling equipment: 62 percent of diesel-powered
equipment met the performance
measure through retrofits, replacements or use of low-sulfur
fuels
•Trucks: 98 percent of drayage trucks met the measure
through outreach, engine retrofits
or incentive programs
•Rail: Partner agencies replaced engines, added idle- and
friction-reduction technologies
and used low-sulfur fuels
•Harbor craft: Despite technical challenges, made progress
through replaced engines,
shore power connections, resurfaced hulls and low-sulfur fuels
•Administration: Made progress through conservation
programs, hybrid vehicle fleets and
commute-trip reductions
The report outlines detailed results for each port. It also
outlines efforts under way to meet the more stringent 2015
standards.
Next steps include:
•2011 update of baseline data from a 2005 inventory of air
emissions from maritime-
related diesel equipment in the greater Puget Sound region, and
•2012 review of the strategy to incorporate lessons learned
and set new goals.
Port of Portland office building
receives LEED environmental nod
PORTLAND — The Port of Portland’s new headquarters
building at Portland International Airport has received LEED®
Platinum certification. Established by the U.S. Green Building
Council and verified by the Green Building Certification
Institute, LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the
design, construction and operation of high performance green
buildings. The 205,000-square foot office building incorporates
many state-of-the-art green technologies. Perhaps the most unique
feature is the Living Machine® system. This ecological
wastewater treatment alternative treats 100 percent of the
building’s wastewater for reuse in the building’s
toilets and cooling tower. The port building is the largest
commercial office building with a Living Machine® system in the
western United States. The LEED platinum certification is the
latest in a long string of awards the building has garnered since
it was completed in May 2010. Awards include:
· City of Portland Businesses for an Environmentally Sustainable
Tomorrow Green Building
Award
· State of Oregon Sustainability Award
· Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance BetterBricks Award
· Environmental Protection Agency Green Power Leadership Award
· Forbes Top Ten Most High Tech Green Buildings in the World
Trucking association hires Decker
as legislative affairs vice president
ARLINGTON, VA — American Trucking Associations has announced
it has hired Caroline Decker as its new vice president of
legislative affairs. Ms. Decker comes to ATA after more than
eight years of handing government affairs issues for Amtrak.
Prior to that, she was chief of staff and legislative director to
former Rep. Bob Clement (D-Tenn.) and represented the Tennessee
Valley Authority. The American Trucking Associations (
www.truckline.com ) is the largest national trade association for
the trucking industry.
Crowley vessels take home
Coast Guard rescue honor
WASHINGTON, DC — Sixteen Crowley-managed vessels were
recently honored with U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Automated
Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER) awards in
recognition of their voluntary rescue services to people aboard
vessels in distress in 2010. Crowley received the recognition
from Congressman Frank LoBiondo, chairman of the House
Subcommittee on the USCG and Maritime Transportation, and Admiral
Robert Papp, commandant of the USCG, during a dinner in
Washington, D.C. The 16 Crowley-managed vessels that received the
awards include the ENDURANCE, GUARDIAN, SEA PRINCE, SINUK,
STARWART, CHARLESTON EXPRESS, PHILADELPHIA EXPRESS, ST. LOUIS
EXPRESS, WASHINGTON EXPRESS, YORKTOWN EXPRESS, BLUE RIDGE, VCOAST
RANGE, COURAGE, PELICAN STATE, RESOLVE and the SUNSHINE STATE. In
total, 535 ships from 77 companies received recognition awards.
The dinner followed the North American Marine Environment
Protection Association's (NAMEPA) 2011 National Maritime Day
Seminar, which focused on safety at sea.
NEWS BULLETIN
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Port of Everett Executive Director
speaking before Congress today
EVERETT — Port of Everett Executive Director John Mohr will
testify before Congress today, on the maritime infrastructure
needs to support the doubling of exports over the next five
years. The hearing is being held by the House Committee on
Transportation & Infrastructure; Subcommittee on Coast Guard
& Maritime Transportation. In January 2011, U.S.
Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) was named Ranking Member of
the Subcommittee. Rep. Larsen is the most senior Democratic
member of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
Subcommittee, which oversees the Coast Guard and the maritime
industry.
Washington Governor plans
trade mission to Europe
OLYMPIA — Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire has announced she
will be leading a delegation of aerospace, automotive,
life-science and education leaders to Paris, France and Hamburg,
Germany to increase state exports, encourage foreign investment
and promote Washington’s higher education system and
training programs. Gov. Gregoire will also make a short visit to
Madrid, Spain. Gov. Gregoire will depart Seattle on June 16,
first stopping in Madrid to meet with executives at Dragados, the
company awarded the SR 99 bored tunnel project. Gov. Gregoire
will also tour the tunnel under the Madrid M-30 freeway, which
Dragados recently completed. Additionally, Gov. Gregoire will
meet with the governor of Madrid, Esperanza Aguirre, to discuss
educational exchange opportunities, and will be joined by
Washington State Commerce Director Rogers Weed for meetings with
green energy companies Iberdrola and Enerfin. Gov. Gregoire will
join the trade mission delegation in Paris over the weekend to
attend the 2011 Paris Air Show, the premier and largest worldwide
event dedicated to the aviation and space industry. Approximately
20 Washington state companies, education institutions and labor
groups will be exhibiting at the Air Show, highlighting
Washington’s world-class aerospace training programs, its
650 aerospace companies, and its nearly 84,000 highly-skilled
aerospace workers. Following Paris, Gov. Gregoire will lead the
delegation to Hamburg, Germany where she will continue to promote
the state’s aerospace supply companies while meeting with
executives at Airbus. Gov. Gregoire is also coordinating meetings
to connect some of our state’s automotive parts producers
with German car companies, and will attend Life Sciences Day
sponsored by BioRegioN, a life sciences cluster in Niedersachsen
together with Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical
Association. Gov. Gregoire has kicked-off an online journal that
will include travel notes from the governor and the rest of the
delegation as well as the itinerary. The site will also contain
pictures from the trade mission. Gregoire is encouraging
Washingtonians to follow along by following the link on her
homepage: www.governor.wa.gov.
American Airlines marks 30 years
of serving Portland International Airport
PORTLAND — The Port of Portland congratulates American
Airlines on their 30th anniversary yesterday, of serving the
citizens and businesses of Oregon and Southwest Washington at
Portland International Airport (PDX). Last year, American
Airlines served more than 400,000 traveling nonstop between PDX
and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. American Airlines,
American Eagle and AmericanConnection serve 250 cities in 50
countries with, on average, more than 3,600 daily flights.
American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld Alliance.
Together, its members serve approximately 900 destinations with
more than 9,000 daily flights to 145 countries and territories.
Crowley vessels earn
Jones F. Devlin Awards
WASHINGTON, DC — Thirty-nine Crowley Maritime Corporation
vessels and their crews were awarded the 2010 Jones F. Devlin
Award for safety during this month's Chamber of Shipping of
America (CSA) Annual Safety Awards Luncheon. Together these
vessels represent 160 total years without a Lost Time Incident
(LTI), reflecting Crowley's commitment to safety. The CSA Devlin
Award is presented each year to merchant vessels that have
operated for at least two years without an LTI. Crowley vessels -
such as the ATB SOUND RELIANCE/550-2, which has not had an LTI in
eight years - consistently perform above and beyond industry
safety standards. More than 180 people representing over 70
companies attended this year's luncheon in New Orleans, La. The
Chamber of Shipping of America represents 33 U.S. based companies
that own, operate or charter oceangoing tankers, container ships,
and other merchant vessels engaged in both the domestic and
international trades and other entities that maintain a
commercial interest in the operation of such oceangoing vessels.
World Trade Center Tacoma
seeking Globe Award nominations
TACOMA — The World Trade Center Tacoma has announced the
2011 Call for Nominations for the 18th Annual Globe Awards.
Nominations can be e-mail or mailed, and must be received by the
World Trade Center Tacoma no later than July 1, 2011. Nominees
will be asked to complete a “Nominee Questionnaire”
after receipt of their nomination so please keep this in mind and
allow enough time for the nominee to complete and return the form
by the July 1, due date. Mail your nomination to: Mariam
Anderson, World Trade Center Tacoma, 950 Pacific Avenue, Suite
300, Tacoma, WA 98402 or e-mail to: manderson@wtcta.org. Visit
http://www.wtcta.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/WTC-Globe-Call-for-Nominations1.pdf
for more information.
NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, June 13, 2011
Construction work completed
on Tacoma overpass project
TACOMA — Vehicles are now traveling over the Lincoln Avenue
overpass, the final piece of a years-in-the-making transportation
project to move cargo and commuters more efficiently in and out
of the Tacoma Tideflats. The Port of Tacoma had completed
supporting surface streets and relocated utilities over the years
for the $50 million project, but the unfunded overpass was the
final piece needed to carry trucks and other vehicles over busy
rail lines serving the port’s two main rail yards.
Construction of the overpass became possible in March 2009, when
the port received $15.4 million in federal American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act funds. The $22 million, 2,200-foot overpass adds
three lanes of roadway over four sets of railroad tracks. The
FAST Corridor project has received funding since 2003 from
several state and federal sources. The port paid about $14.2
million of the total. Building the overpass employed more than
200 people during peak construction, and economists estimate the
entire corridor could contribute another 1,500 permanent jobs
through efficiency and additional capacity. While the Lincoln
Avenue overpass is open, repairs to the bridge over the river
will prompt more detours for another six months. Tacoma Public
Works delayed repairs to the Lincoln Avenue Bridge until the
overpass was complete so access to local businesses would remain
open. This repair work will close the bridge for about six
months, depending on weather. During the bridge closure, a
temporary heavy haul route will detour trucks around the
construction. Check the City of Tacoma website for updated bridge
construction information and related detours.
Corps warns of hazards
due to Columbia River flooding
PORTLAND — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says high river
levels are concealing some pile dikes in the Columbia River
creating additional underwater hazards for boaters and commercial
mariners. Pile dikes, also called wing dams, are wooden
structures that extend perpendicular from the shore into the
river. The structures have a variety of uses ranging from
protecting the shore to managing the flow of the navigation
channel. Corps waterway maintenance managers say the tops of most
piles are frequently just below the surface during high water
events and can cause serious damage to vessels attempting to
transit over them. Commercial and recreational mariners are
advised to check the most current navigation maps closely for
pile dike locations; maps are available on the Portland District
website at http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/navigation/home.asp. The
Columbia River is running very high due to heavy rains over the
past weeks in the Cascade and Rocky mountains in Canada, Eastern
Washington, Northern Idaho and Western Montana. In order to
relieve local flood conditions and reserve storage space in
reservoirs upriver for above average snowpack, dams are releasing
more water than usual into the lower Columbia River while
attempting to minimize flooding downstream.
Tanker released by pirates
following 75-days in captivity
NEW ORLEANS — Cairo-Arab Maritime Petroleum Transport
Company (AMPTC) has announced that the vessel M/T ZIRKU and its
29 officers and crew held by Somali pirates since March 28, 2011
have been safely released and that the ship is now under the
control of the Master en route to a safe port. All crew are
reported to be safe and well, though tired and hungry after the
75 day ordeal. On arrival at the safe port all crew will receive
medical checks and treatment if necessary. After debriefing and
processing the crew will be sent home by air carrier. The tanker
ZIRKU was held by pirates for 75 days after being forcibly seized
off the coast of Somalia in the Gulf of Aden. For security and
privacy reasons, AMPTC will not be issuing additional details
regarding the incident or the crew and vessel’s release.
Trucking group calling for
withdrawal of hazmat proposal
ARLINGTON, VA — In comments filed with the Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, American Trucking
Associations asked the agency to withdraw its proposal to
regulate the loading and unloading of hazardous materials in
order to conduct needed research. “ATA supports PHMSA’s
efforts to reduce loading and unloading incidents,” ATA Vice
President Richard Moskowitz wrote in comments to the agency.
“However we cannot support the proposed rule as written on
the grounds that it will frustrate motor carriers’ ability
to comply with the hazardous materials regulations, makes it
unlikely that drivers will be properly trained and its costs will
far exceed its benefits.” Mr. Moskowitz told the agency that
the goals of the proposal “could be best achieved through
standardized regulations applicable to loading and unloading for
carriers and by requiring facility operators to address and
remain responsible for managing unique conditions at their
facility.” “PHMSA should withdraw the proposed rule and
begin an evaluation of regulatory requirements to address the
specific causes of loading and unloading incidents,” Mr.
Moskowitz concluded.
Boeing celebrates opening
of South Carolina Dreamliner site
NORTH CHARLESTON, SC — Elected officials and representatives
from numerous community and business groups, suppliers and
subcontractors joined more than 1,000 Boeing employees at its
North Charleston, S.C., facility June 10, for a ribbon-cutting
ceremony to mark the opening of the new 787 Dreamliner Final
Assembly building. Boeing's Site Services Group and
BE&K/Turner, the design-build team, were recognized at the
ceremony for their work in bringing construction of the building
to completion six months ahead of schedule. In addition the
BE&K/Turner team has worked 3.7 million labor-hours without a
lost time incident. Employees began moving into the new building
in May, and final assembly of the first South Carolina-built 787
Dreamliner will begin later this summer. The new Final Assembly
building features 642,720 square feet (59,711 m2) of covered
space, roughly the equivalent of 10.5 football fields. More than
18,000 tons (16,329 mt) of steel and one million cubic feet
(28,316.8 m3) of concrete were used in its construction. At full
production rate, the South Carolina Final Assembly facility will
produce three 787 Dreamliners per month.
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, June 10, 2011
Port of Tacoma FTZ nets
DoC nod for reorganization
TACOMA — The Port of Tacoma reports it has received approval
to reorganize its Foreign Trade Zone #86 under the U.S.
Department of Commerce’s new Alternative Site Framework
(ASF) program. Under the new ASF program: the application that
the port and the company need to complete for FTZ designation has
been greatly simplified, a company is able to obtain the FTZ
designation more quickly than before--within 30 days instead of
between six months to a year, and the entire process can be
completed with less expense than in the past. FTZs give importers
and exporters a flexible way to ship, store, and add value to
goods while delaying, reducing, or in some cases, eliminating
payment of U.S. Customs duties. As a result of the approval of
the ASF application, FTZ #86 now consists of 11 Magnet Sites
(industrial parks or property) that cover more than 2,235 acres
of both port land and privately-owned land. FTZ #86 was first
established in 1983, and has been expanded three times over the
years. Mazda and Kia both use Tacoma’s FTZ to process
imported vehicles. In addition, Puget Sound International,
Norvanco International and Pacific Distribution Services all
provide FTZ warehousing services to companies involved in the
importation, manipulation and distribution of a wide range of
products. In terms of total dollar value of foreign status
merchandise being admitted into a Zone, Tacoma’s FTZ ranks
third among the 35 West Coast FTZs (behind Long Beach and San
Diego), and 18th out of the 272 FTZs in the United States. For
the government fiscal year 2010 (October 2009 through September
2010), the total dollar value of foreign merchandise that moved
through FTZ #86 tripled to $13 billion.
Commerce Department data shows
US exports broke records in April
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke issued
the following statement on the release of the April 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. The report showed that U.S. exports of goods
and services in April 2011 increased 1.3 percent from March 2011
to a record $175.6 billion, with record exports of both goods
($126.4 billion) and services ($49.1 billion). The monthly export
values for U.S. industrial supplies ($43.4 billion) and capital
goods ($41.0 billion) was also the highest on record. U.S.
imports of goods and services decreased 0.4 percent over this
period to $219.2 billion, causing the U.S. trade deficit to
decline 6.7 percent below March figures to $43.7 billion in
April.
New escalators in line for
Seattle-Tacoma Airport
SEATTLE — Moving from one place to another will soon be more
energy efficient and save money at Seattle-Tacoma International
Airport. Forty-two escalators will be replaced and two new ones
will be built to serve the traveling public, saving a quarter of
a million dollars in annual repair costs and reducing energy
costs by 20 percent. The modernization project will kick off in
late July and address more than half of the 79 escalators at
Sea-Tac, some dating back to the early 1970s. Forty-two existing
escalators will be replaced in the Main Terminal, Concourse B,
and the South Satellite. Two new escalators will be added to the
South Satellite to address future passenger growth. The
installation will be phased in over two years in order to reduce
passenger disruption. The project is scheduled to begin in late
July and be completed June 2013. The new escalators will have
more efficient drive systems and features that have the
capability to adjust the power demand and speed of the escalators
based on load and usage. This is expected to improve energy
efficiency by 20 percent over the existing escalators. In recent
years, costly repairs have been required to keep the current
inventory of escalators in operation. The new equipment is
expected to save an estimated $250,000 in annual repair costs,
reduce maintenance downtime and improve customer service. The
total approved cost of the project is $55 million. At this time,
current construction estimates are projecting the final cost to
be lower than budgeted.
US rail freight numbers
increase during week
WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads (AAR)
reports steady results in weekly rail traffic with U.S. railroads
originating 294,271 carloads for the week ending May 14, 2011, up
1.6 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal
volume for the week totaled 231,875 trailers and containers, up
6.3 percent compared with the same week in 2010. Ten of the 20
carload commodity groups posted increases from the comparable
week in 2010. Commodity groups posting significant increases
included: metallic ores, up 17.5 percent; metals and products, up
17.2 percent, and grain, up 14.2 percent. Groups posting a
notable decrease included: waste and nonferrous scrap, down 16.9
percent; primary forest products, down 13.6 percent, and farm
products excluding grain, down 13 percent.
Washington Ferries to recognize
safety efforts of employees
SEATTLE — Washington State Ferries (WSF) is launching a
program to recognize the hard work and care that goes into
keeping passengers and crew members safe each day. Teams of ferry
employees who achieve the goal of having no injuries in a
three-month period will fly a green and white WSF safety pennant
at their worksite. This week also marks the 60th anniversary of
the ferry system and commemorates decades of proud and
distinguished service. Operating the largest ferry system in the
world for six decades with an unparalleled safety record is no
small feat. The system takes more than 22 million passengers on
more than 150,000 sailings per year. In the first quarter of
2011, eight out of 21 vessels and 13 out of 17 land facilities
(terminals, warehouse and maintenance facility) will receive the
quarterly safety pennant honor. If a worksite is injury-free for
an entire year, they will get a plaque.
NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Foss Maritime vessels earn
Jones F. Devlin awards
SEATTLE — A top national maritime organization is again
recognizing Foss Maritime Company’s commitment to safety,
citing 53 tugs and barges for outstanding safety records, an
increase of 11 vessels over 2009. The Chamber of Shipping of
America (CSA) presented the Foss vessels with 2010 Jones F.
Devlin Awards at the Annual Safety Awards Luncheon held this year
in New Orleans, Louisiana. The awards are given to self-propelled
merchant vessels that have operated for two full years or more
without a crewmember losing a full turn at watch because of an
occupational injury. Altogether, the Foss ships achieved the
equivalent of 221 years without a lost-time injury. Three levels
of achievement are recognized by CSA: A basic two-year award; a
three-year award; and a four-year award. A special award is given
annually to ships with five or more years of accident-free
operation.
Mario Cordero new member
of Federal Maritime Commission
WASHINGTON, DC — Mario Cordero of Long Beach, CA, was sworn
in on June 3, 2011, to the Federal Maritime Commisson for a term
to expire on June 30, 2014. Commissioner Cordero was nominated by
President Barack Obama on September 17, 2010, and confirmed by
the Senate on April 14, 2011. Prior to his appointment to the
FMC, Commissioner Cordero was an attorney in private practice and
served eight years on the Long Beach Board of Harbor
Commissioners where he spearheaded the port’s pioneering
Green Port Policy. He served one term as board president and two
terms as vice-president. Mr. Cordero also served as a professor
of Political Science at Long Beach City College, sat on the Long
Beach Community Development Commission, and served as vice-chair
of the Long Beach Ethics Review Task Force. The Federal Maritime
Commission is the federal agency responsible for regulating the
nation’s international ocean transportation for the benefit
of exporters, importers, and the American consumer. The
FMC’s mission is to foster a fair, efficient, and reliable
international ocean transportation system while protecting the
public from unfair and deceptive practices.
Port of Halifax adding two
Super post-panamax cranes
HALIFAX — Macquarie Infrastructure Partners, the owner of
Halterm Container Terminal Limited, will invest in two additional
Super post-panamax cranes (SPPX) at the Port of Halifax. In 2012,
the Port of Halifax will feature four SPPX container berths
equipped with seven SPPX cranes following the addition of these
new cranes. The Port of Halifax features the deepest container
berths on the Eastern Seaboard and can handle vessels of any
size. Existing capacity at the port can accommodate a tripling of
container volumes. A $35 million terminal project currently
underway includes the extension and deepening of the pier which
provides operational flexibility to accommodate two of the
world's largest vessels simultaneously.
Coast Guard command change
for Sector Columbia River
ASTORIA — U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River is
scheduled to hold a change-of-command ceremony today, at Sector
Columbia River, located at 2185 SE 12th Place Warrenton, Ore.
During the ceremony, Capt. Douglas Kaup will transfer command to
Capt. Bruce Jones. Rear Adm. Gary T. Blore, commander of the 13th
Coast Guard District, will preside over the ceremony. Capt. Kaup
served as commander of Sector Columbia River since July 24, 2009,
and will retire from the Coast Guard with 31 years of
distinguished service at the conclusion of the ceremony. Capt.
Jones comes to Sector Columbia River from Coast Guard
Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he served as chief of the
Office of Strategic Operations. Capt. Jones also served as
commander of Air Station New Orleans from 2004-2006, personally
flying rescue missions following Hurricane Katrina. The
change-of-command ceremony is a time-honored tradition and deeply
rooted in Coast Guard and Naval history. The event signifies a
total transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability
for the command. The ceremony is attended by all members of the
unit so they all witness the transfer of leadership.
Trimac Transportation buying
assets of Benson Tank Lines
CALGARY — Trimac Transportation Ltd. (Trimac) has announced
the acquisition of Benson Tank Lines' (Benson) assets and
business for $4.0 million. Benson Tank Lines transports liquid
chemicals primarily out of the greater Vancouver, BC area,
Washington State and Alberta. The purchase includes approximately
60 trailers and 35 power units and will be financed through
existing lines of credit. Trimac is Canada's largest provider of
bulk trucking services with operations from coast to coast. In
addition, through its National Tank Services division, Trimac
performs repairs, maintenance and tank-trailer cleaning services
for both the Trimac fleet and for third party commercial
customers. Trimac also provides third party transportation
logistics services in Canada and the United States through its
wholly owned subsidiary Bulk Plus Logistics.
NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
APL president announces plans
to leave company in September
SINGAPORE — NOL Group has announced the resignation of Eng
Aik Meng as president of its APL shipping business. The container
transportation and logistics group has named Kenneth Glenn,
currently president of its North Asia Region, as his replacement.
NOL said Mr. Eng will leave the company September 1, to take a
new position outside the transportation industry. Mr. Eng joined
APL in 1993, holding positions in Strategic Planning and as head
of its Intra-Asia Trade. He left in 2007, but returned in 2008 as
president of APL. Mr. Glenn is a 32-year industry veteran, who
joined APL in 2000. He was the company's top executive in India
when it introduced that country's first private freight-rail
business, IndiaLinx, in 2007. Since January 2009, he has been
North Asia President. Mr. Glenn was the senior vice president in
charge of APL's Asia-Europe Trade from 2000 to 2005. Before
joining APL, Mr. Glenn spent 21 years with Sea-Land Corporation
in a variety of executive roles, including vice president of the
Asia-Europe and Atlantic Tradelanes and vice president and
general manager for the former Soviet Union. In his new role, Mr.
Glenn will manage APL's worldwide container transportation
business, which includes shipping and intermodal rail operations.
He will also have accountability for the company's marine
terminals in the U.S., Asia and Europe. APL is the world's
seventh-largest container shipping line.
Freight transport index finds
shipments down during April
WASHINGTON, DC — The amount of freight carried by the
for-hire transportation industry declined 1.0 percent in April
from March, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's
Bureau of Transportation Statistics' (BTS) Freight Transportation
Services Index (TSI). The April decrease followed a rise in
March. BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology
Administration, reported that shipments measured by the Freight
TSI rose 14.0 percent over the last 24 months, starting in May
2009, after declining 15.7 percent in the previous 15 months
beginning in February 2008. 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 24 months. In April 2011, freight shipments returned to
about the same level as September 2008 when the amount of freight
shipped was early in its decline. For the first four months of
2011, freight shipments measured by the index were up 0.6
percent. For the full year 2010, freight shipments increased 6.2
percent, revised from 6.4 percent reported previously. For the
fourth quarter of 2010, freight shipments increased 1.9 percent,
revised from 2.1 percent. The TSI is a seasonally adjusted index
that measures changes from the monthly average of the base year
of 2000. It includes historic data from 1990 to the present.
Coast Guard cutter captain
suspended due to grounding
PORTSMOUTH, VA — Vice Adm. Robert C. Parker, commander of
the Coast Guard’s Atlantic Area, has temporarily relieved
the commanding officer of a Wilmington, N.C., based cutter citing
a loss in confidence in the officer’s ability to command.
Cmdr. Harry Schmidt, the commanding officer of the 210-foot
cutter DILIGENCE, currently on patrol in the Caribbean, has been
temporarily assigned to Coast Guard District 7 pending the final
results of an administrative investigation. While the
investigation has not been finalized, the circumstances that
precipitated this action are associated with a grounding last
month. Cmdr. Teri Jordan, the commanding officer of the
Pascagoula, Miss., based Coast Guard Cutter DECISIVE, has assumed
temporary command to ensure continuity of command, unit
readiness, conduct training and operate the ship during the
remainder of the patrol and return to homeport in Wilmington.
Coast Guard operations have not been impacted. The DILIGENCE is a
210-foot Reliance class cutter with a crew complement of
approximately 75 officers and enlisted members.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines earns
DBJ environmental rating
ROTTERDAM — Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced
the company’s acquisition of the “DBJ Environmental
Ratings” from the Development Bank of Japan Inc. (DBJ), and
received a loan based on the rating. MOL reports its acquisition
of the DBJ Environmental Ratings is the first in the ocean
shipping industry. In addition, the company received the highest
rating from DBJ, which cited MOL’s “particularly
forward-looking approaches to environmental consciousness.”
Based on its own screening system, DBJ evaluates corporate
environmental management, selects the top companies, and applies
three-tier interest rates depending on companies’
environmental rating scores. Its top-level rating on MOL reflects
ongoing efforts to ensure safe operation such as establishment of
the Safety Operation Supporting Center, which monitors all
operated vessels on a round-the-clock basis, in addition to
promotion of the next-generation vessel concept Sempaku ISHIN
project aimed at reducing CO2 emissions, and a comprehensive
approach to “Eco Sailing” in pursuit of more
environmentally efficient operation.
Portland Wheat Marketing Center
offering pair of new courses
PORTLAND — Dr. Gary Hou, Wheat Marketing Center technical
director, has announced two courses being offered at the center
in Portland. The first course is a Flat Bread Technology Short
Course being held July 12 -15 and the second is an Advanced Asian
Noodle Technology Short Course from August 8-12. The Flat Bread
Technology Short Course is designed for hands-on learning of the
processing technology for improving quality of Middle Eastern
flat breads and flour tortillas. The course is designed for flat
bread manufacturers, flour millers, restaurants, ingredient
suppliers, researchers, and scientists and will provide
participants with a better understanding of formulation,
processing technology, evaluation techniques, and the
functionality and application of food ingredients in Middle
Eastern flat bread and flour tortillas. The second course,
Advanced Asian Noodle Technology Short Course, is designed to
provide participants with advanced knowledge and techniques to
improve noodle production and quality. This course is for noodle
manufacturers, flour millers, ingredient suppliers, product
developers, researchers, and scientists. Information and further
details (course brochures and registration forms) about these
courses are available at the WMC website www.wmcinc.org or by
contacting Dr. Gary Hou at ghou@wmcinc.org. The Wheat Marketing
Center is a private, non-profit corporation that is a bridge
between wheat producers of the Great Plains and the Pacific
Northwest and wheat importers throughout the world.
NEWS BULLETIN
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Port of Vancouver, USA
closes Farwest land sale
VANCOUVER, USA — The Port of Vancouver USA has announced the
closing of the sale of 20 acres of industrial land to Farwest
Steel Corporation, a Northwest distributor, processor and
fabricator of specialty steel products. Closing is the final step
in the real estate transaction between the two parties. The
$5,082,500 sale is expected to bring up to 225 industrial jobs to
Clark County. The decision to sell the property was made last
year by the port’s board of commissioners on August 10,
2010. As required by law, public comment on the proposed sale and
action by the board declaring the property as surplus occurred in
June of 2010, preceding the commissioners’ unanimous
decision to sell. Also part of the process was development of a
Purchase and Sale Agreement between the port and Farwest that set
strict criteria for the sale, including a requirement that the
land be used for industrial purposes; a minimum job requirement;
and a repurchase clause if the company does not start
construction within 12 months, decides to sell the land or ceases
operations. These covenants ensure that the commission’s
criteria for the sale are protected. Farwest operates several
facilities in Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho and Utah and
plans to consolidate some of their distribution, processing and
fabrication operations in Vancouver. Approximately 100 jobs will
be relocated to the port, with plans to add an additional 125.
Farwest will generate jobs, paying an average annual wage of
approximately $40,000, with benefits. Farwest plans to construct
a $40 million facility that will contain its distribution,
processing, fabricating and office support. Construction is
slated to begin in July of this year, with the facility being
operational in 2012.
K Line vessel rescues
pair of stranded sailors
TOKYO — DAIO AZALEA, a woodchip carrier owned by an overseas
subsidiary of TAIYO NIPPON KISEN CO., LTD. which is the
wholly-owned ship managing subsidiary of "K" Line,
rescued two Italians from STELLA COMETA, a 43-foot catamaran that
sank 900 miles east of Boston on May 11. STELLA COMETA was on a
voyage from New York City to Portugal, but the vessel requested
the rescue after suffering a broken mast and was taking on water
after hitting a large wave. DAIO AZALEA was 28 miles from the
stricken sailboat when the U.S Coast Guard radioed a request to
assist at around 5:15 p.m. local time on May 11. DAIO AZALEA
rushed to the scene and at around 7:45 p.m. found the abandoned
crew members in life rafts. As rescue operations continued in the
darkness of night while facing heavy and threatening sea
conditions, both of the Italians were finally safely transferred
to DAIO AZALEA at around 10:30 p.m. Once onboard, their health
condition was reportedly good and they safely disembarked at
Pozzalo port in Italy on May 23.
Memorandum of Understanding inked
for anti-piracy training center in Djibouti
LONDON — A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to allow the
International Maritime Organization (IMO) to fund the building of
a regional training center in Djibouti, to promote the
implementation of the Code of Conduct concerning the Repression
of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in the Western Indian
Ocean and the Gulf of Aden (Djibouti Code of Conduct), was signed
on May 30, 2011, in Djibouti. The MOU was signed by Mohamed
Moussa Ibrahim Balala, minister of Equipment and Transport,
Republic of Djibouti, and Koji Sekimizu, director, Maritime
Safety Division, IMO, at the opening ceremony of a high-level
meeting, held to formulate a regional coordination process for
maritime security training and to endorse the regional training
center. After the signing ceremony, the meeting went on to adopt
a resolution to establish the mission and objectives of the
regional training center in Djibouti; the coordination process
for regional maritime training; and the process for the
programming of regional training. The training center will be
built using funds donated by Japan to the IMO Trust Fund for the
implementation of the Djibouti Code of Conduct, which has been
signed by 18 countries in the region. The signing marks the end
of a lengthy planning process and building work is expected to
commence, on land donated by the Republic of Djibouti, by the end
of June 2011.
Marcon helps broker sale
of Island Tug and Barge vessel
COUPEVILLE, WA — Marcon International, Inc. reports that
Island Tug and Barge Ltd., of Vancouver, B.C, Canada, has sold
its special purpose, combo deck/tank barge ITB-5 to City Services
Ltd. of Freeport, Bahamas. The 161.4' x 47.9' x 10.9' barge was
built in 1979 at McKenzie Barge & Marine Ltd. in North
Vancouver, British Columbia. The vessel is Transport Canada
Classed "A" Oil barge for cargoes with flash points
below 60 deg C. ITB-5 was designed and certified to carry both
bulk oil and deck cargoes, with a below deck capacity of
10,000BBL in 10 cargo tanks. The barge is fitted with three
independent discharge systems, three 550BPH Paramount centrifugal
cargo pumps, hydraulic hose reels and closed loading and vapour
recovery with a common vent/overfill system. With its internal
piping, reinforced wood sheathed cargo deck, large hydraulic bow
ramp and stern winches the barge is also suitable for carrying
rolling stock and miscellaneous deck cargoes. ITB-5 has worked
most of its life trading between Vancouver and the coastal
communities throughout British Columbia, Canada. This is the
third transaction that Marcon International, Inc. has helped
broker for the seller over the years and the second sale to the
buyer in the last year.
Large and small Ballard locks
closed for inspection today
SEATTLE — Both the large and small locks at the Hiram M.
Chittenden Locks in Ballard will be closed to all marine traffic
from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. today.The closure will allow
construction crews and dive teams the opportunity to inspect the
salmon exclusion structure immediately upstream of the locks. The
staff will make maximum efforts to complete the work as soon and
as safely as possible. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle
District, which operates the locks, installed this interim
structure to prevent salmon from being trapped in the saltwater
return system. The structure prevents salmon access to the
locks’ saltwater return system and improves the viability of
the salmon runs, which use the fish ladder to return upstream to
their spawning grounds. The design allows for the doors to be
manually closed to screen fish during migration and opened when
the salmon are not migrating. Emergency vessels on an emergency
call will have access to the locks during the closure. Boaters
may call the lockmaster on duty at 206-783-7000 to verify that
the locks are open. For current information about activities at
the Locks, visit the Locks’ Web site at
http://go.usa.gov/3sV.
NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, June 6, 2011
Foreign-Trade Zone expanding
at Port of Quincy, Washington
QUINCY, WA — The U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones Board recently
issued Order No. 1764, which approves the reorganization and
expansion of the Service Area of Foreign Trade Zone 203 under the
"Alternative Site Framework" plan to now include the
Port of Quincy and the greater Quincy, Washington area. As a
result of this order, companies or businesses wanting to locate
in the Port of Quincy can now get approved to use the FTZ in 30
days or less. Foreign Trade Zones were created in the United
States to provide special customs procedures to U.S. plants
engaged in international trade-related activities. Duty-free
treatment is accorded items that are processed in FTZs and then
re-exported, and duty payment is deferred on items until they are
brought out of the FTZ for sale in the U.S. market.
Marcon boosting staff
with hire of Jon Thielemann
COUPEVILLE, WA — Marcon International, Inc. of Coupeville,
Washington has announced that Jon Thielemann has joined their
brokerage staff. Marcon now has seven full-time brokers plus four
administrative staff tracking over 14,000 vessels and barges
worldwide. Mr. Thielmann began his commercial marine industry
experience in 2001, involved first in sales and
purchase/chartering brokerage for Barry Rogliano Sales USA in the
Offshore Support Vessel markets and Tanker markets with Lone Star
R.S. Platou, Inc. in Houston. He spent the past four years as a
Tanker derivatives (FFA) broker located in Houston for Imarex
Inc. and in New York for Poten Energy Services. Marcon
International, Inc. has specialized for the past 30 years in
sales, purchases, charters and appraisals of vessels and barges
in the towing, marine construction and offshore petroleum
industries.
AAR taps Laurie Knight
as Government Affairs VP
WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads (AAR)
has announced Laurie Knight will join the association as senior
vice president of Government Affairs, effective July 25, 2011.
Ms. Knight will succeed Hubert “Obie” O’Bannon who
will retire after 23 years with the association. Most recently,
Ms. Knight was executive vice president of government affairs at
the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), where for five
years she was responsible for effectively representing the
broadcasting industry before Congress and federal agencies. Prior
to NAB, Ms. Knight was director of government affairs for the
National Beer Wholesalers Association. She also served as
legislative director for U.S. Rep. Jim Turner (D-Texas).
New NYK bulk carrier
first to use hybrid turbocharger
TOKYO — On May 31, NYK reports it took delivery of a new
180,000 DWT bulk carrier, SHIN KOHO, at the Tsu Shipyard of the
Universal Shipbuilding Corporation (Tsu City, Mie Prefecture).
SHIN KOHO is the first carrier in the world to be fitted with a
hybrid turbocharger, which was jointly developed by four
companies: NYK, the Monohakobi Technology Institute (MTI), the
Universal Shipbuilding Corporation, and Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries, Ltd. Shin Koho will transport iron ore from Australia
and other countries. A turbocharger is a device that turns a
turbine at high speed by utilizing exhaust gas from the main
engine, then drives a compressor by the turbine, and finally
supplies combustion air to the engine. While utilizing waste
energy, a turbocharger boosts the output power of the engine by
enabling it to aspirate at a level higher than that for the
original engine displacement. In addition to these basic
functions, a hybrid turbocharger utilizes the extra rotational
power generated by the turbine for electric power generation.
SHIN KOHO can meet all its onboard electric power requirements
for normal operation by using a hybrid turbocharger instead of
diesel generators and by reducing the use of the diesel
generator, the hybrid turbocharger contributes to a further
reduction of CO2 emissions.
PDX Citizen Noise Committee
to meet at Pearson Air Museum
PORTLAND — Portland International Airport Citizen Noise
Advisory Committee will meet from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, June 9,
in Vancouver at the Pearson Air Museum, 1115 E. 5th Street. The
community is invited, and public comment is welcome. The meeting
will include an overview of the Pearson Airpark presented by the
airport manager Willy Williamson and a project update on the
south runway reconstruction, which is currently underway.
Attendees will also receive Oregon Air National Guard and noise
management updates and hear a community outreach report. Port
Noise Management staff, CNAC members, and the Oregon Air National
Guard will be available to answer questions. The full meeting
agenda is available at www.portofportland.com/cnac_agenda.aspx.
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, June 3, 2011
Port of Port Angeles buying
Marine Drive industrial property
PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles has purchased
approximately two acres of industrial property located at 720
Marine Drive in Port Angeles. The property is located across
Marine Drive from the port’s Boat Haven, boat yard, marine
terminals, various marine trade tenants and Westport Shipyard.
The property was formerly owned by Blake Sand and Gravel.
According to the port, the purchase is in line with the goals set
out in the port’s Strategic Plan of acquiring new industrial
properties to support current jobs/businesses or create new
family wage jobs in Clallam County. The port’s Executive
Director, Jeff Robb stated, “The purchase of this property
compliments the port’s existing industrial/waterfront
property portfolio. The ultimate goal for this property is to put
it to work for the citizens of the port district by creating
jobs.”
Port of Tacoma handles
firefighting helicopters
TACOMA — Two firefighting helicopters being shipped from
Australia flew out from the Port of Tacoma this week on their way
to fight fires in Canada. The helicopters were shipped to Tacoma
on the ANIARA, a Wallenius Wilhelmsen Line vessel. The
helicopters were built by VIH Helicopters Ltd, Canada's oldest
privately owned helicopter company. The agent for the shipment
was Panalpina, Inc. Prior to arriving in Tacoma, the helicopters
were used to fight fires in Australia. Now that summer is over in
Australia, they are headed to Canada to fight fires there during
the summer. In Australia, the two helicopters were used by the
Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia under
a contract with the National Airborne Fire Center. The aircraft
were based in the capital city of Perth and the rural Shire of
Busselton. Company officials plan to deploy two Sikorsky S- 61s
to Australia again later this year in preparation for the
2011-2012 fire season. “I hope we are able to use the Tacoma
port facility and WWL for that shipment,” said Bill Ross,
helitanker project manager for VIH Helicopters, Ltd., “Our
experience with both have been very good. The level of
cooperation from top to bottom has been much appreciated.”
Gunderson unveils
new habitat roof project
PORTLAND — Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman, presided
over the dedication of Gunderson LLC's new Habitat Roof pilot
project June 1, at its Portland manufacturing site on NW Front
Avenue. The 1,000 square foot roof is believed to be the first of
its kind in the surrounding industrial area and will be used to
study the feasibility of creating habitat value on such roofs.
The roof is expected to create a habitat for insects and small
animals and provide a natural stormwater filter. It was
fabricated and erected by Gunderson employees and received its
inspiration from Bureau of Environmental Services activities in
this area. In his dedication presentation, Commissioner Saltzman
said, "We are happy that our bureaus could support this
positive example of promoting improvement in the environment and
supporting business objectives at Gunderson. We hope that we can
continue working together to create many more such opportunities
at Gunderson and elsewhere at industrial sites." Gunderson
will commence construction on the second phase of the pilot
project this summer. The second phase will be approximately 2.5
times larger than the first phase.
US rail freight traffic
has up/down week
WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads (AAR)
reports mixed results in weekly rail traffic with U.S. railroads
originating 281,860 carloads for the week ending May 7, 2011,
down 2.6 percent compared with the same week last year.
Intermodal volume for the week totaled 232,178 trailers and
containers, up 11.2 percent compared with the same week in 2010.
Six of the 20 carload commodity groups posted increases from the
comparable week in 2010. Commodity groups posting significant
increases are grain, up 19.9 percent, and metals and products, up
13.1 percent. Groups posting a notable decrease are: primary
forest products, down 19.5 percent; nonmetallic minerals, down
16.3 percent, and waste and nonferrous scrap, down 13.7 percent.
Pair of Corps vessels
on display for Rose Festival
PORTLAND — Two U.S. Army vessels are lining up with naval
and Coast Guard ships from the U.S. and Canada for the 2011
Portland Rose Festival. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hopper
dredge ESSAYONS and survey vessel REDLINGER will welcome visitors
beginning June 9. The largest ship in the Corps of Engineers'
dredge fleet, the hopper dredge ESSAYONS is returning to the Rose
Festival Fleet Week lineup; mission requirements have prevented
the ship from participating since 2002. The ESSAYONS and its crew
work steadily from March to October maintaining federal
navigation channels primarily on the West Coast, Alaska and
Hawaii. The dredge is also equipped and ready for worldwide
deployment. The ESSAYONS will be moored just south of the
Morrison Bridge June 9 through 12 and open to Rose Festival
visitors from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The
newest addition to the Portland District's fleet, survey vessel
REDLINGER was introduced to the public at last year's Rose
Festival and returns for the 2011 festivities. The REDLINGER will
be moored near the Ankeny Pavilion south of the Burnside Bridge
June 9 through 11. Visitors are welcome to tour the vessel and
meet crew members from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The REDLINGER is based
at the U.S. Moorings in Portland, and is one of four District
survey boats providing hydrosurvey data for areas along the
Columbia and Lower Willamette rivers.
NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Asiana adding Portland Airport
to list of all-cargo destinations
PORTLAND — A new gateway to the Pacific Rim opens Sept. 2
when Asiana Cargo launches nonstop air cargo service at Portland
International Airport, connecting Oregon and Southwest Washington
businesses with Asia. Asiana will bring its all-cargo service
aboard a Boeing 747 freighter, departing PDX Wednesdays, Fridays
and Sundays to Incheon, Korea. Incheon is a hub for Asiana,
offering connecting air cargo service throughout Asia, including
destinations like Osaka, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Penang. The
flight will return to PDX via Anchorage, Miami and Atlanta.
Oregon’s top three trading partners are in Northeast
Asia—Japan, Korea and China—all served by the new
flight. Oregon is the ninth ranked state in the country in terms
of export value per capita. More than 470,000 Oregon jobs are
supported by international trade, including imports and exports.
Port of Seattle warns drivers
of delays due to transport projects
SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle reports that a combination of
transportation projects in the vicinity of the S. Spokane St /
East Marginal Way S. intersection this summer will likely impact
traffic significantly, including freight. The port says it has
been working closely with the Seattle Department of
Transportation (SDOT) and the Washington State Department of
Transportation (WSDOT) to mitigate impacts on traffic as much as
possible. The three agencies have created detour routes as well
as detailed traffic management plans, which include uniformed
police officers on site to assist with traffic flow. Staff from
all three agencies will be monitoring traffic flow and make
adjustments to minimize impacts to the extent possible. Projects
involving East Marginal Way will impact access to port facilities
and other maritime and industrial businesses in the SODO area.
Below are details about related closures and details as well as
contact information.
* East Marginal Way Grade Separation: Beginning at 7:00 pm on
June 3, the intersection at lower Spokane Street and East
Marginal Way will be closed through June 9. This project will
build a bridge over the railroad tracks so that road and rail
traffic are separated, improving the flow of traffic.
* East Marginal Way at Horton Bridge Rehabilitation: Beginning
June 6, SDOT will work to replace the existing outdated bridge
with a new asphalt roadway. The old structure will be demolished
and the area will be filled to make way for the at-grade roadway.
Once a bypass is in place, East Marginal Way will be closed
between South Horton Street and South Hinds Street until
approximately early September.
Horizon Lines note holders
Ok new financial structure scheme
CHARLOTTE, NC — Horizon Lines, Inc. has announced that it
and holders of the majority of its 4.25 percent convertible
senior notes have entered into agreements for a transaction that
will refinance the company's entire capital structure. The
company reports that the agreement with the note holders
contemplates a complete refinancing, in conjunction with a new
asset-based revolving loan facility (ABL) of up to $125 million,
which is under negotiation with a leading financial institution.
The company's current debt structure consists of a $225 million
senior secured revolving credit facility, a $125 million secured
term loan, and $330 million of unsecured 4.25 percent convertible
senior notes. Horizon points out that the recapitalization will
eliminate the refinancing risk related to the maturity of the
existing convertible notes and the existing bank debt in 2012,
and will provide liquidity to fund continued operations through
the new senior secured notes and new ABL Facility. At the same
time, the recapitalization provides for the immediate
deleveraging of the balance sheet by $50 million through a
debt-for-equity exchange and provides the potential for
additional deleveraging through the early conversion of the new
convertible secured notes to be issued in the exchange offer.
During and after the recapitalization process, the company
intends to conduct business as usual throughout its tradelanes.
Lynden International taps Ogle
as Asia Pacific development boss
SEATTLE — Lynden International has named Charlie Ogle
director of Business Development for the Asia Pacific market. Mr.
Ogle will be based in Seattle and is responsible for sales,
strategic plan development and managing Lynden agents in this
important trade lane. Mr. Ogle has extensive experience in the
transportation industry including key roles in operations and
sales at Sea Land Service Inc. in Alaska, Saudi Arabia, New York,
Seattle and Southeast Asia. He also held management positions at
Airborne Express, DHL Global Forwarding and, most recently, as
vice president at TransNet Inc. in Issaquah, Wash. Lynden
International is one of the Lynden family of companies whose
combined capabilities include: worldwide air and ocean
forwarding, international shipping, freight shipping and
logistics, trade show shipping, truckload and less-than-truckload
transportation, scheduled and charter barges, intermodal bulk
chemical hauls, scheduled and chartered Hercules L-382 cargo
aircraft and multi-modal logistics.
Port of Everett bringing back
Working Waterfront Harbor Tours
EVERETT — The Port of Everett will partner with the Everett
Parks Department to kick-off its 3rd annual series of Working
Waterfront Harbor Tours. The series consists of five tours
exploring the Everett waterfront. During each free tour, port
staff will host 75 guests on a ferry ride while providing a
unique look at the port’s diverse roles along the
waterfront. Topics of discussion will include international
trade, property development, marina facilities, public access
amenities and environmental stewardship. Last year, the port
expanded its program to include an additional tour and
alternative tour times to accommodate additional guests. This
season’s harbor tour dates include:
Wednesday, June 22 from 5:30 p.m – 6.30 p.m
Wednesday, June 29 from 5:30 p.m – 6.30 p.m
Sunday, July 17 from 10 a.m-11.am
Sunday, August 14 from 10 a.m-11 a.m.
September 7 from 5:30 p.m-6.30 p.m
The ferry will board at the port’s 10th Street Boat Launch
and Marine Park 15-minutes before each set departure time. Sunday
guests must pay a $3 parking fee per vehicle. Space is limited,
and children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. To check
availability and make seat reservations, call the Jetty Island
Kiosk at 425.257.8304.
NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Stock exchange warns Horizon Lines
of failing to meet listing standards
CHARLOTTE, NC — Horizon Lines, Inc. has announced that the
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has notified the company that it
has fallen below the NYSE's continued listing standards related
to minimum market capitalization in combination with
stockholders' equity. Horizon Lines is considered below continued
listing criteria established by the NYSE because the company's
market capitalization averaged less than $50 million over a
consecutive 30 trading-day period at the same time that
stockholders' equity was below $50 million. According to NYSE
continued listing criteria, a NYSE- listed company must maintain
average market capitalization of not less than $50 million over a
30 trading-day period or stockholders' equity of not less than
$50 million. Horizon Lines' stockholders' equity was below $50
million in its most recent 10-Q filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on April 29, 2011, for the quarter ended
March 27, 2011. Horizon Lines has notified the NYSE that it will
submit a plan to restore compliance. The company has 45 days from
receipt of the May 24, 2011 notice to submit a plan and the NYSE
has 45 days from receipt of the plan to accept or reject it. If
the plan is accepted, the company has up to 18 months to
demonstrate compliance with the NYSE continued listing standards.
During this 18-month period, the company's shares will continue
to be listed and traded on the NYSE, subject to compliance with
other NYSE continued listing standards. The company is currently
in discussions to refinance its debt and, as part of the plan to
restore compliance, it hopes that a successful refinancing
outcome, if achieved, will help cure the deficiency.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics
names Kohli as manager in india
LYSAKER, Norway — Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL), the
global shipping and logistics provider, has appointed Gur Prasad
Kohli as managing director for India. Mr. Kohli, who will be
based in Chennai, joins WWL after serving for the past five years
as managing director in Hong Kong for Wilhelmsen Ships Service.
Mr. Kohli has more than 20 years experience in shipping and
logistics. After 18 years at sea, including four years as a
captain, Mr. Kohli served ashore in various business units
throughout Asia with the Wilh. Wilhemsen Group. Mr. Kohli has a
wide variety of experience in Ship Management, Agency, Freight
Forwarding and Marine Products, and he holds a degree in Business
Administration.
Cargill taps Roger Janson
as ocean transport business boss
GENEVA — Cargill has appointed Roger Janson as head of its
ocean transportation business. Based in Geneva, Mr. Janson
succeeds Gert-Jan van den Akker who has assumed a corporate
leadership position in Cargill’s energy, transportation and
industrial group of businesses and will be relocating to
Singapore. Cargill is one of the world's leading charterers of
dry bulk freight, having around 350 vessels on charter at any one
time and moving about 185 million tonnes of physical goods around
the world each year. Mr. Janson has been with Cargill since 1988
and has most recently led Cargill’s European grain, oilseeds
crush and biodiesel trading operations. He began as a trainee
trader in Amsterdam before moving to Kuala Lumpur, then Paris and
has lived and worked in Geneva since 2000. Mr. Van den Akker
joined Cargill in Amsterdam in 1987 as a grain trader and held a
number of positions of increasing responsibility in Asia before
joining Cargill’s ocean transportation business, which he
has led since 2007.
Customs inks Federal Register notice
regarding anti-dumping payments
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Customs and Border Protection has
published in the Federal Register a notice that any domestic
producer who is entitled to file a claim under the Continued
Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000, also known as the Byrd
Amendment, must file their claim no later than July 26. The
purpose of the CDSOA is to disburse anti-dumping and
countervailing duties collected by CBP to domestic producers
injured by foreign dumping and subsidies. The notice gives
detailed instructions and requirements to ensure timely filing of
claims. Any certifications received by the CBP Revenue Division
after July 26 will not be eligible to receive a distribution. The
notice also lists all harmed domestic producers who are entitled
to file a claim under the CDSOA. Continued Dumping and Subsidy
Offset Act of 2000 Certification, CBP Form 7401, may be used to
apply for CDSOA distribution. This form is available online. at
www.pay.gov. The certification can be submitted electronically
through www.pay.gov or by mail. Written certifications and other
correspondence should be addressed to the Assistant Commissioner
Office of Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection,
Revenue Division, Attention: Melissa Kurth, 6650 Telecom Drive,
Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN, 46268.
Port of Coos Bay seeking
rail safety program volunteers
COOS BAY — The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay is
seeking letters of interest from adults who would like to serve
as railroad safety program volunteers. Information will be
forwarded to Oregon Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI) for an
application review process, prior to selection for certification
training. The next OLI statewide training is scheduled June
25-26. Presenters are limited to providing only OLI approved
railroad safety education programs. Presenters are not authorized
to express their opinions or to discuss topics other than those
provided in the OLI training guide. The Port of Coos Bay
currently is rehabilitating the Coos Bay rail line between Eugene
and Coquille, and is beginning its public safety information
campaign. The port will partner with OLI in offering
presentations to schools, businesses and community groups in
towns along the rail line. OLI presenter certification requires a
volunteer to undergo a background check and day-long training
session, in addition to making a minimum of four presentations
annually. People interested in becoming Operation Lifesaver
volunteers in western Lane, western Douglas and Coos counties
should submit a letter of interest by June 10, indicating
relevant experience to: Oregon International Port of Coos Bay
P.O. Box 1215 Coos Bay, OR 97420-0311 Email:
portcoos@portofcoosbay.com or Fax: 541.269.1475
