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May, 2010

NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, May 28, 2010

Greenbrier cutting work week
in wake of Portland River Plan

LAKE OSWEGO, OR — Gunderson LLC, a subsidiary of The Greenbrier Companies, has announced that it has implemented a four-day work week at its marine barge operation, to reduce production rates. The move, taken this week, affects close to 400 employees dedicated to marine barge manufacturing; the work schedule of the nearly 300 workers dedicated to Gunderson's rail operations is unaffected by the decision. "As a result of recent uncertainties in the marine market and the City of Portland's recent adoption of the River Plan, which is scheduled to become effective January 1, 2011, it is prudent for us to adjust production until there is more clarity," said William A. Furman, president and chief executive officer of Greenbrier. "Increased market uncertainty due in part to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and delays in oil drilling projects have affected our customers, causing them to become more cautious in their near term outlook and to delay decisions. In addition, the recently adopted River Plan will increase regulation, bureaucracy, and costs of operating the Gunderson facility. We, along with many other industrial companies located on the Portland waterfront, are appealing the River Plan with the State Land Use Board of Appeals. In the meantime, however, the Plan creates uncertainty and caution on our part, contributing to our decision." Gunderson, located at a deepwater facility on the Willamette River for over 70 years, manufactures railcars and marine barges. It is an active participant in the Working Waterfront Coalition (WWC), an organization of businesses concerned about the environmental health and economic vitality of the Portland harbor. The Company currently employs close to 700 personnel, down from peak employment of about 1,200. Gunderson was established by brothers Al and Chet Gunderson in 1919 and recently celebrated its 25th Anniversary under Greenbrier ownership.


Coast Guard keeping tabs
on vessel near Columbia mouth

ASTORIA — The Coast Guard reports it is monitoring the bulk carrier LUZON STRAIT, which was temporarily disabled outside the entrance of the Columbia River near Astoria, Thursday. The 503-foot Hong Kong-flagged ship was inbound near the Columbia River entrance when the crew reported loss of engine and generator power at 3:42 a.m. The Columbia River Bar Pilot aboard the vessel safely made anchorage outside of the shipping channel before troubleshooting and repairing the ship. A Coast Guard Sector Portland, marine inspector has responded to investigate the mechanical failure, determine the vessel’s ability to proceed to its destination of Portland and conduct sea trials approximately five miles offshore.


Weekly rail freight numbers
continue to gain ground

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads reports that the growth in rail freight traffic continued during the week ended May 1, 2010, as all 19 carload freight commodities and both intermodal categories were up from a year ago for the second consecutive week. U.S. railroads originated 295,718 carloads during the week ended May 1, up 16.3 percent from the comparable week in 2009. However, volume was still down 11.6 percent from 2008. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR now reports 2010 weekly rail traffic with comparison weeks in both 2009 and 2008. Intermodal traffic totaled 213,013 trailers and containers, up 13.2 percent from last year but down 5.4 percent compared with 2008. Compared with the same week in 2009, container volume increased 15.2 percent while trailer volume gained 3.2 percent. Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume was up 2.3 percent while trailer volume fell 33 percent. Total volume was estimated at 32.9 billion ton-miles, up 16.7 percent from last year but down 6.5 percent from 2008.


FHA unveils new tool
for finding traffic bottlenecks

WASHINGTON, DC — A new technology tool will help transportation planners, operators, and private shippers and carriers plan ahead by identifying key traffic chokepoints on some of the nation’s busiest roads, the Federal Highway Administration announced. State and local transportation agencies can use the information to prioritize their highway investments to target critical congestion needs. At the same time, businesses and freight companies can use it to more strategically time and choose their routes to avoid congested areas. The new Freight Performance Measures web-based tool, FPMweb, measures operating speeds for trucks at any given place and point in time along 25 interstate highways that are considered significant freight routes. Developed through a multi-year FHWA research initiative with the American Transportation Research Institute, a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit research trust, FPMweb is a first of its kind effort to capture information on truck travel speeds from around the country through on board GPS and satellite technology. Low speeds reflect congestion levels at a particular location and time of day. The FHWA also released the 2009 Bottleneck Analysis of 100 Freight Significant Highway Locations based on the research.


Coast Guard bans vessel
from calling US ports

WASHINGTON, DC — The Coast Guard announced Thursday it is restricting the Norwegian-flagged WILMINA from U.S. ports for three years due to several marine environment-related offenses. On May 4, the WILMINA was the subject of an examination conducted by officers from Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi. Subsequent to the initial examination, a seafarer provided Coast Guard officials information that the vessel was discharging oily water overboard in violation of the International Convention to Prevent Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). Coast Guard officers returned to the ship to conduct a follow on examination. The examination revealed inconsistencies in the vessel's oil record book, which its crew is required to keep; inoperable oily water separator equipment, which is required to remove oil from bilge water before it is pumped into the ocean; oily sludge in the ship's overboard discharge piping and a hose used to bypass the oily water separator with flanges containing oil inside. These findings all indicated deliberate acts to violate pollution prevention conventions and laws. The examination also revealed that the master and chief engineer were unfamiliar with and failed to comply with the safety management system for the vessel with regard to reporting critical equipment casualties and maintaining records and engine room alarms, including the oily water separator alarm printouts. On May 21, the Captain of the Port of Corpus Christi, Capt. R.J. Paulison, revoked the WILMINA's certificate of compliance and banned the vessel from returning to Corpus Christi for a period of three years. The Coast Guard's Office of Vessel Activities followed that up with this action, notifying the owner of the vessel, Wilmina Shipping AS, that it intended to extend the ban to all U.S. ports for a period of three years.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, May 27, 2010

Crowley, Gunderson make donation
to celebrate launch of new barge

ANCHORAGE — Crowley Maritime Corporation and Gunderson Marine recently made a $10,000 joint donation to the First Alaskans Institute to further advance education and cultural enrichment for Alaska natives. Crowley Vice President Craig Tornga presented Willie Hensley, a noted author, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the First Alaskans Foundation and former manager of Federal Government Relations for Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, along with First Alaskans Institute CEO Janie Leask, a Haida-Tsimshian and member of the Tsimshian Eagle Clan, with the check at a dinner commemorating the christening of Crowley's newest heavy-lift-series barge in Portland. Gunderson, which built the barge, and Crowley, which owns the new vessel, decided that in lieu of gifts to each other for the successful completion of this project, they would instead donate the money to a deserving organization. Mr. Tornga said First Alaskans Institute was chosen because of their commitment to the native Alaskan community.


Evergreen joins China Shipping
in new transpacific service

TAIPEI — Evergreen and China Shipping will commence a new transpacific service linking Los Angeles and Oakland with central and northern China to be called the China/South U.S. West Coast Service 2 (CPS2).This additional service is in response to the booming Asia/U.S. market. The port rotation is Oakland, Los Angeles, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Oakland. The CPS2 service will initially deploy five 4,000-TEU vessels by Evergreen Line and China Shipping. Round-trip transit time will be 35 days. The first vessel to depart will be EVER DEVELOP from Qingdao on May 29 and expected to arrive in Oakland on June 13. Evergreen is already involved in the original CPS service via a slot charter agreement with China Shipping Container Lines (CSCL) on its Asia America Central (AAC) service. Ports on the CPS2 service are covered by the AAC/CPS service.


U.S. Customs inks MOU
with People's Republic of China

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China on Supply Chain Security and Facilitation. The CBP-China Customs Memorandum of Understanding will serve as a key component of a cooperative security and trade relationship between the two nation’s customs agencies. The MOU was signed during the Strategic and Economic Dialogue, which took place in Beijing May 24 – 25. The Strategic and Economic Dialogue is an ongoing mechanism for addressing the challenges and opportunities that the U.S. and China share on a wide range of bilateral, regional, and global areas of immediate and long-term strategic and economic interest. Jointly led by the U.S. Departments of State and Treasury, and the Chinese Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Finance, leadership of both countries have committed to delivering concrete, meaningful, and sustained progress over time on long-term strategic and economic objectives through the S&ED.


NYK subsidiary company
completes LA solar project

LOS ANGELES — Yusen Terminals Inc. (YTI), a wholly owned subsidiary of NYK, has announced completion of the first tenant-installed solar project at the Port of Los Angeles (POLA). The pilot system, installed in cooperation with NYK Trading Corporation and designed by SeaPort Energy, will produce about 11,800 kWh/year using only 96 modules. This represents an emissions reduction equal to planting 5.7 acres of trees each year. The "CIS" solar photovoltaic cells, produced by Solar Frontier K.K., are considered to be environment-friendly "next-generation PV modules" because they use no silicon. Copper, indium and selenium are the major components of CIS solar cells. The CIS solar cells provide the highest photoelectric conversion efficiency of all thin-film modules as a result of their excellent absorption of available light. YTI's pilot project was installed adjacent to the wharf to demonstrate the durability of the CIS solar modules in a saltwater maritime environment.


Transport groups back petition
calling for stand against piracy

LONDON — A coalition of organizations – from trade unions to shipowners’ associations and insurers – has joined forces to back a global e-petition demanding concrete action to end the piracy that is putting lives at risk and threatening world trade. The petition www.endpiracypetition.org is the centerpiece of a new campaign to persuade all governments to commit the resources necessary to end the increasing problem of Somalia-based piracy. It is intended to deliver at least half a million signatures to governments by IMO World Maritime Day, September 23rd. It calls on nations to:
• Dedicate significant resources and work to find real solutions to the growing piracy problem.
• Take immediate steps to secure the release and safe return of kidnapped seafarers to their families
• Work within the international community to secure a stable and peaceful future for Somalia and its people
The campaign is being backed by BIMCO, ICS, IFSMA, IMEC, IPTA, Intercargo, InterManager, International Group of P&I Clubs, INTERTANKO, ISF, ITF, IUMI and SIGTTO*, as well as national shipowners’ associations and trade unions worldwide.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Seattle Port Board Oks
immigration reform motion

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle Commission passed a motion during its May 11 session urging the United States Congress to take up immigration reform, citing national and economic security policy. In a letter to Washington’s congressional delegation, commissioners stated their support for providing for a regulated, orderly, safe and secure system of immigration into the United States. The importance of trade, economic development and equal opportunity is embedded in the Port Commission’s Bylaws and in the Commission motion on non-discrimination and equal opportunity passed September 1, 2009. Immigration policy also directly impacts the day- to-day operations of the seaport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, which is an important port of entry to the United States.


Coast Guard Cutter POLAR STAR
in Todd Shipyard for 18-month overhaul

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard Cutter POLAR STAR, one of the nation's two Polar Class icebreakers transited from the Coast Guard Base Seattle to Todd Shipyard in Seattle, Monday. Following the Coast Guard Commandant, Adm. Thad Allen, reactivating the icebreaker last March the POLAR STAR will now undergo an 18-month dockside and dry dock overhaul. The Coast Guard is the principal federal maritime enforcement agency in the Arctic with broad safety, security and stewardship missions.The scope of Coast Guard operations in the Arctic is expanding. The Coast Guard is the only federal agency currently operating surface vessels, two powerful icebreakers, capable of asserting a U.S. sovereign presence in Arctic ice covered waters.


Tall ships visiting
Port of Everett Marina

EVERETT — This summer, the Port of Everett Marina will host three tall ships at its South Visitor Dock located near Anthony’s Homeport restaurant. During their visit, the ships will offer free dockside tours and sailing opportunities to marina guests.
LADY WASHINGTON & HAWAIIAN CHIEFTAN -- Local movie star, the sailing ship LADY WASHINGTON from Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, arrived at the Port of Everett Marina May 25 with its companion ship, the HAWAIIAN CHIEFTAN. During their week long stay, LADY WASHINGTON will offer free dockside tours and educational programs aboard its ship. The two ships will also offer three-hour battle sails and adventure sails, available for purchase May 29 - 31. For more information or to inquire about seat reservations, visit www.historicalseaport.org.
ADVENTURESS -- The historic schooner ADVENTURESS will visit the Port of Everett Marina from June 17 - 24. The ADVENTURESS, which was named a National Historic Landmark in 1989, will offer free dockside tours aboard its 133’ wooden ship Saturday, June 19 between 9 a.m. to noon. An educational sail will be available for purchase following the tours from 1 – 4 p.m. The program will teach visitors about the importance of environmental stewardship to the health of our Puget Sound. For more information or to inquire about seat reservations, visit www.soundexp.org.


NOL posts Period 4 numbers
for container shipping performance

SINGAPORE — NOL has released its container shipping operating performance metrics for the 4 weeks (Period 4) from April 3, 2010 to April 30, 2010. For the four weeks of P4 2010, container shipping volumes increased 34 percent over the same period last year mainly due to higher volumes carried from the Intra-Asia and Transpacific trade lanes. Average revenue per FEU was 15 percent above the same period last year, largely due to improved core freight rates in a number of trade lanes, particularly on Asia-Europe, and also higher bunker recovery. The carrier reports the impact of annual contracting in the Transpacific will reflect in performance from Period 6 2010 onwards. P4 year-to-date, 2010 container shipping volumes increased 43 percent while average revenue per FEU increased five percent over the corresponding period in 2009. For more information, visit: http://www.nol.com.sg/investor/operational_update.html


Blessing of the Fleet ceremony
set for Memorial Day in Charleston

COOS BAY — Memorial Day activities in Charleston, Oregon, will focus on the annual Blessing of the Fleet and Memorial Service at the Charleston Fisherman’s Memorial Garden, near the launch ramp at the Charleston Marina, at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 31, 2010. The service will honor the more than 130 local men and women involved in commercial fishing and the fishing industry who have died since 1941. This year four names will be added to the “In Memory” Fisherman’s Plaque: James “Jimmy” A. Hovden, Richard “Dick” Harrington, Ron Oxford and Geo “Duffy” Bauder. 2010 will also mark the addition of three names to the “In Memory” Fishing Industry Plaque: George F. Hartley Sr., Emery S. Hanson and Raymond McKinley Self. This year, the Charleston community will dedicate this new section of the garden, which is a memorial wall to honor people involved in other aspects of the commercial fishing industry. Following the blessing and memorial service there will be a coffee and cake reception at the Charleston Marina RV Park recreation room, 63402 Kingfisher Road, near the Portside Restaurant. A U.S. Coast Guard motor lifeboat from Lifeboat Station Charleston will load floral arrangements to take to sea and lay on the water in a brief ceremony. The lifeboat will get under way immediately after the blessing and memorial service. The community is encouraged to provide floral arrangements or memorial wreaths, but they must contain only biodegradable materials. Local floral businesses can accommodate requests for this type of arrangement.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, May 24, 2010

Coast Guard keeps eye on ship
grounded in Columbia River

ASTORIA — The Coast Guard reports it responded to a 648-foot ship aground in the Columbia River near Kalama, Wash., Sunday. Sector Portland received a call at 1:30 p.m. stating the PACIFIC FLORES had run aground on its port bow due to a steering casualty. Station Portland diverted a 25-foot response boat to the scene. Two tug boats are on scene and have refloated the vessel. The ship holds 600 tons of fuel, however all forward tanks have been sounded and show no sign of leaking. No injuries have been reported and the vessel will remain at anchor in Kalama until the Coast Guard and the Washington Department of Ecology have completed their investigation.


Port of Olympia seeking new
Port Advisory Committee members

OLYMPIA — The Port of Olympia Commission is seeking applicants for the Port Advisory Committee (PAC). The commission will appoint four persons to fill open positions and will appoint two alternates who may be asked to serve if any regular members cannot complete their terms. The Port Advisory Committee comprises 12 citizen volunteers who meet periodically, or as needed, to address assignments from the commission. Individual PAC members also may be asked to participate with port staff on a range of port programs and projects. The PAC has contributed citizen advice and assistance to the port since formed by the commission in 1994. Applicants must be Thurston County residents. An interview committee of a port commissioner, the executive director and the chair of the Port Advisory Committee will recommend appointments to the commission. Criteria for selection are community and economic development activities; volunteer, board or committee experience; work experience; experience or knowledge of the port; and reasons for serving on the PAC. For an application form, call 360-528-8000 or visit the port’s website at http://www.portolympia.com/about/pac. The application deadline is Friday, May 28, 2010.


Change of command ceremony
set for Coast Guard Commandant

WASHINGTON, DC — Adm. Thad W. Allen will be relieved by Adm. Robert J. Papp, Jr., as commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard during a military change of command ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, 11 a.m., at Fort Lesley J. McNair. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will preside over the event.


Mitsui, FESCO boost frequency
of Japan to Russia service

TOKYO — Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced plans to upgrade the Japan-Russia route, Japan Trans Siberian Line (JTSL), jointly operated by MOL and Far Eastern Shipping Company (FESCO) from bi-weekly to weekly sailings. MOL and FESCO are the only ocean shipping companies to provide direct service, between Japan and Russia. Along with the direct service, the companies will launch a new Busan transhipment service to connect Japan and Russia in mid-June and offer Japan-Russia service weekly.


OOCL announces plans
for general rate increase

HONG KONG — OOCL reports it is implementing the next phase of its revenue recovery program with effect from July 1, 2010. The General Rate Increase will apply to all container types as follows:
Westbound from Europe to USA, Canada and Mexico
- USD 400 per 20’ container
- USD 500 per 40’ container
Eastbound from USA, Canada and Mexico to Europe
- USD 320 per 20’ container
- USD 400 per 40’ container


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, May 21, 2010

Tacoma port board Oks deal
for Hylebos creek project

TACOMA — Port of Tacoma Commissioners have approved a $2 million contract, the final step to enhancing and restoring a $12 million habitat site near Hylebos Creek. Plans for the 23-acre site on Marine View Drive include excavating contaminated and unsuitable soils and creating freshwater and intertidal marsh, forested upland and riparian habitat. The port bought the former Parsons property in 2005 for future habitat mitigation and restoration. Its tidally influenced location at the mouth of the salmon-bearing Hylebos Creek makes it especially valuable as restored habitat. It also sits next to habitat sites restored by other organizations, providing broader environmental benefit by connecting several restored areas along the creek. Work is expected to begin in early June and generate about 25 construction jobs. The restoration is expected to be completed before the end of the year.


Foss taps Stephens, Magill
for vice president positions

SEATTLE — Foss Maritime has announced that two marine transportation veterans – one a longtime Foss manager and the other a newly hired employee with extensive senior management experience – will take over key assignments at the company. Andy Stephens has been promoted to vice president, Business and Planning Development, where he will be responsible for developing initiatives for the consolidated business activities of Foss Maritime. Mr. Stephens, who joined the company in 1993, will also become chief of staff to Foss Maritime COO and President Gary Faber. Meanwhile, Mr. Faber announced the hiring of Mike Magill, who will become vice president, Technical Services. He will take over responsibilities for Foss’ shipyards, purchasing and engineering departments, areas previously managed by Mr. Stephens. Mr. Magill comes to Foss with 29 years of experience in the maritime transportation industry, most recently with K-Sea (formally Sea Coast Towing), where the scope of his position included divisional operations, fiscal performance, safety and compliance on the East Coast, the Gulf of Mexico and internationally. Mr. Magill is a graduate of New York Maritime College with a Bachelor of Engineering and holds an Unlimited Engineering License.


Eugene Kwan new director
at Vancouver Fraser Port Authority

OTTAWA — Canada’s Transport Minister John Baird has announced the appointment of Eugene Kwan of Vancouver, British Columbia, to the board of directors of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority for a term of three years. Mr. Kwan holds a law degree from the University of British Columbia. He is currently the president and chief executive officer of Agincourt Capital Corporation and senior counsel to Stikeman Elliott LLP, an international business law firm based in Canada. Formerly a partner of Stikeman Elliott, Mr. Kwan was the managing director of the firm’s Hong Kong office before joining the Hutchison Whampoa Group as a senior executive. Mr. Kwan brings extensive experience in investments, real estate and telecommunications to the port authority. An active community member, Mr. Kwan is president of the Fraser Valley Wineries Association and a director of the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation.


US rail freight traffic numbers
continue turnaround during week

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads reports that rail freight traffic is continuing to gain strength as weekly carload volume was at its highest level since the first week of December 2008, and weekly intermodal volume reached its highest level this year. U.S. railroads originated 298,218 carloads during the week ended April 24, 2010, up 14.6 percent from the comparable week in 2009. However, volume was still down 10.8 percent from 2008. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR now reports 2010 weekly rail traffic with comparison weeks in both 2009 and 2008. Intermodal traffic totaled 212,347 trailers and containers, up 15.1 percent from last year but down 5.4 percent compared with 2008. Compared with the same week in 2009, container volume increased 17.3 percent while trailer volume gained 4.2 percent. Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume was up 2.7 percent while trailer volume fell 34.5 percent. Carload volume was up 17.9 percent from last year in the East, but down 10.7 percent from 2008. In the West, carload volume was up 12.3 percent from last year but down 10.9 percent from two years ago.


Navios Maritime Holdings
plans to sell Capesize ship

PIREAUS, GREECE — Navios Maritime Holdings Inc., a global, vertically integrated seaborne shipping and logistics company, has announced that it has agreed to sell the NAVIOS POLLUX, a 2009 South Korean-built Capesize vessel with a capacity of 180,727 dwt to Navios Maritime Partners L.P. for $110.0 million in cash. Navios Holdings intends to use the proceeds from the sale of this vessel for operating purposes, such as repayment of indebtedness or reinvestment in vessels.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, May 20, 2010

Port of Vancouver, USA
eyes land deal with Farwest Steel

VANCOUVER, USA — The Port of Vancouver USA has announced plans to consider the surplus of up to 22 acres of industrial property in preparation for a potential sale to Farwest Steel Corporation, one of the leading distributors, processers and fabricators of specialty steel products in the Northwest. The potential $5,082,500 sale could bring 225 industrial jobs to Clark County. Farwest operates several facilities in Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, and Utah and hopes 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 family wage jobs, paying average annual wages of approximately $40,000, with benefits. The economic impact to the community will affect up to a total of 900 jobs benefiting from the consolidation. Farwest plans to construct a $20-$30 million facility that will contain its distribution, processing, fabricating and office support. The Port of Vancouver location will allow the company to grow their business and take advantage of access to the national rail system. The company projects receiving 200-300 rail cars annually.


Coast Guard keeps eye on
barge that snapped tow line

ASTORIA — The Coast Guard reports it closely monitored the efforts of a tugboat crew as it successfully regained control of a barge that was lost in tow Wednesday. Station Cape Disappointment received a call at approximately 6:50 p.m. from the tugboat MIKI HANA stating the cable being used to tow a 330-foot barge had snapped in 20-foot seas 10 miles west of Astoria during Wednesday night's storm. The master of the MIKI HANA requested Coast Guard presence on scene due to the hazards of working on deck in high winds and seas. Air Station Astoria, Ore., dispatched an HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew to monitor the MIKI HANA crew as they attempted to regain control of the barge. Initial attempts made by the MIKI HANA crew were unsuccessful. The Coast Guard remained in close contact with the MIKI HANA crew over the next several hours, and coordinated with the owners, the states of Washington and Oregon and the member agencies of the Regional Response Team. At approximately 11:10 p.m. the MIKI HANA crew retrieved the barge using an Orville Hook. The barge, containing approximately 700,000 pounds of construction material and 400 gallons of diesel fuel, remains offshore under the control of the MIKI HANA.


Allegiant to begin new flights
from Bellingham Airport

WASHINGTON, DC — The Port of Bellingham, Allegiant Travel Company and its subsidiary low-cost airline, Allegiant Air, LLC, have announced nonstop jet service between Long Beach, Calif. and Bellingham, Wash. will begin July 1. This is the fourth Southern California destination served by Allegiant from Bellingham. The new flights will operate three times weekly between Bellingham International Airport (BLI) and Long Beach Airport (LGB) with service Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Flights will depart Bellingham at 2:30 p.m. arriving in Long Beach at 5:05 p.m. Flights leaving Long Beach will depart at 5:45 p.m. arriving in Bellingham at 8:30 p.m. (all flight times are local). Allegiant offers nonstop service to six other vacation destinations from Bellingham: Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Calif., Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz., San Diego and San Francisco-Oakland, Calif. This is the first destination Allegiant will service from Long Beach Airport. Allegiant will utilize 150-seat, MD-80 series, jet aircraft on the route.


Greenbrier completes sale
of stock over-allotment option

LAKE OSWEGO, OR — The Greenbrier Companies has announced that it has closed the sale of an additional 500,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the 30-day over-allotment option exercised by the underwriters, in connection with its previously announced public offering of 4,000,000 shares of its common stock that closed on May 12, 2010. This brings the total number of shares sold by The Greenbrier Companies to 4,500,000 shares of common stock. BofA Merrill Lynch and Jefferies & Company, Inc. acted as joint book-running managers for the offering.


APL delivers giant cranes
to Kaohsiung, Taiwan terminal

KAOHSIUNG — APL, the world’s fourth-largest container shipping line, is installing four 90-meter-high gantry cranes that will increase cargo lifting capacity at its Kaohsiung marine terminal. Installation of the 1,650-ton cranes, manufactured in China, begins this week. When completed in July, APL will for the first time in Kaohsiung be able to efficiently handle vessels of 10,000 TEUs (twenty-foot-equivalent units) and greater. A specialized vessel delivered the four new cranes to Kaohsiung last week, it will be partially submerged, enabling the mammoth cranes to roll ashore at APL Berths 68 and 69. After that, installation, testing and certification are expected to take two months.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, May 19, 2010

National Maritime Day
set for observance May 22

WASHINGTON, DC — The Maritime Administration reminds us that May 22 is National Maritime Day, first declared by Congress in 1933. Its observance honors the contributions of the American merchant marine, civilians who have defended the freedom of the United States since 1775, and who executed the largest sealift the world has ever known during World War II. Observance of National Maritime Day also honors the maritime industry and the benefits it brings Americans in terms of transportation, jobs, goods, and recreational opportunities.


Treasury Secretary talks trade
with Washington Governor

TACOMA — Yesterday, Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire welcomed U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner to the Port of Tacoma where the two discussed ways to expand trading opportunities. Sec. Geithner is working closely on President Obama’s National Export Initiative, the president’s plan to double American exports over the next five years. He’s in Washington state to learn more about the impact trade has on the state’s economy before he travels to China later this week for the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue. Following a tour of the Port of Tacoma, Gov. Gregoire and Sec. Geithner met with several community bankers to discuss the new federal Small Business Lending Fund, as well as ongoing concerns about access to capital.


Somali pirate pleads guilty
in MAERSK ALABAMA case

WASHINGTON, DC — Abduwali Abdukhadir Muse, the Somali pirate who led the hijacking of the MAERSK ALABAMA container ship in the Indian Ocean, has pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court to two felony counts of hijacking maritime vessels, two felony counts of kidnapping, and two felony counts of hostage taking. Mr. Muse's guilty plea arose from his participation in the April 8, 2009, hijacking of the MAERSK ALABAMA container ship in the Indian Ocean, and the subsequent taking of the captain of the ship as a hostage, as well as his participation in the hijacking of two other vessels in late March and early April of 2009 and related hostage-taking, announced Preet Bharara, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.


Navios Maritime Holdings
makes payment on fleet

PIRAEUS, GREECE — Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. (Navios Holdings) has announced that it has made the initial payment of $171.7 million for the acquisition of 11 product and chemical tanker vessels. The installment was funded by $133.0 million drawn from two credit facilities and $38.7 million from available cash. The $206.0 million balance will be paid in installments ending with delivery of the vessels. The initial payment has not yet been made for the two additional product tankers that are part of the 13 vessel fleet. Navios Holdings has previously announced a definitive agreement pursuant to which it will sell the 13 vessel fleet, comprised of 11 product tankers and two chemical tankers to Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation (Navios Acquisition) at cost (an aggregate of $457.7 million for 13 vessels). However, if Navios Acquisition's stockholders do not approve the vessel acquisition at the special stockholders meeting to be held Tuesday, May 25, 2010, Navios Holding will acquire and manage this fleet.


Judge renews dismissal
of Horizon Lines lawsuit

CHARLOTTE, NC — Horizon Lines, Inc. has announced that its motion to dismiss a securities class-action lawsuit accusing the company and certain current and former senior officers of misleading investors has been granted by a federal judge for a second and final time. The company's motion to dismiss the suit was granted with prejudice on May 18, 2010, by Federal District Court Judge Harvey Bartle III, who ruled that the complaint did not meet the pleading standards of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. The ruling was made in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. Judge Bartle found the complaint failed to plead facts showing that the officers responsible for making public statements about the company's performance were aware of an alleged price-fixing conspiracy in the Puerto Rico tradelane, in which three lower-ranking Horizon Lines managers were subsequently implicated and pled guilty. The plaintiffs have the right to file an appeal within 30 days of the May 18 ruling.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, May 17, 2010

DHS secretary announces
new slate of preparedness grants

WASHINGTON, DC — Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano has announced the fiscal year 2010 Preparedness Grants for nine federal programs—including critical infrastructure-related grants—totaling nearly $790 million to assist state, local and tribal governments and the private sector in strengthening preparedness for acts of terrorism, major disasters and other emergencies. The critical infrastructure and preparedness grants announced include specific steps undertaken by DHS to improve the ability of grant applicants to maximize funding and also incorporate input from state, local, tribal and territorial and private sector partners. Awards will be made on a rolling basis over the summer. Two transportation areas included in the FY 2010 grants are: Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) – $253.4 million to protect critical transit infrastructure from terrorism—in addition to $150 million in transit security grants provided by the Recovery Act (1, 2), totaling $403.4 million — including: Freight Rail Security Grant Program (FRSGP) – $14.5 million to protect critical freight rail systems infrastructure from acts of terrorism resulting from railroad cars transporting toxic inhalation hazardous materials and the Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) – $288 million to protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism; enhance maritime domain awareness and risk management capabilities to protect against improvised explosive devices and other non-conventional weapons; conduct training and exercises; and support implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)—in addition to $150 million in port security grants provided by the Recovery Act (1), totaling $438 million. Further information on the preparedness grant programs is available at www.dhs.gov and www.fema.gov/grants.


Alaska Air Cargo flight
marks opening of salmon season

SEATTLE — Last Friday, Alaska Air Cargo delivered the season's first shipment of Copper River salmon to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The arrival of Copper River salmon marks the start of the summer salmon season and is anticipated by seafood lovers throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Alaska Air Cargo's fish-filled freighter arrived with Copper River king and sockeye salmon from three seafood processors: Ocean Beauty Seafoods, Trident Seafoods and Copper River Seafoods. Alaska Airlines plays a significant role in supporting the Alaska seafood industry, which is recognized worldwide for its sustainable fishing practices. Last year, the carrier flew more than 25 million pounds of fresh Alaska seafood to the Lower 48 states and beyond, including nearly 700,000 pounds of Copper River salmon. The arrival of the annual Copper River salmon harvest highlights the importance of air cargo for the Puget Sound region which generates an estimated $16 billion in air freight through Seattle-Tacoma International airport each year. In addition, more than 135,000 jobs in Washington state are related to air cargo shipped through Sea-Tac earning $8 billion in wages and salaries and contributing $737 million in state and local taxes. The Port of Seattle owns and operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) offering daily non-stop service to over 100 destinations.


Freight transportation index
jumps 0.9 percent in March

WASHINGTON, DC — The Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) rose 0.9 percent in March from its February level, rising for the third consecutive month, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reports. The March Freight TSI rose 2.6 percent from March 2009, the first year-to-year increase in the freight index since July 2008. BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the Freight TSI index has risen 4.5 percent over the last 10 months, starting in June, after declining 15.3 percent in the previous 10 months beginning in August 2008. The index has increased in eight of the last 10 months. The index started 2010 with an increase of 1.6 percent in the first three months. The Freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in freight shipments in ton-miles, which are then combined into one index. The index measures the output of the for-hire freight transportation industry and consists of data from for-hire trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight. The March Freight TSI of 97.8 is a 4.5 percent increase from the recent low of 93.5 reached in May 2009. In May, the index was at its lowest level since June 1997. The Freight TSI is down 13.4 percent from its historic peak of 112.9 reached in May 2006.


Baltic Trading takes delivery
of pair of Capesize newbuildings

NEW YORK — Baltic Trading Limited, a drybulk company focused on the spot market, has announced that it has taken delivery of the BALTIC BEAR, a Capesize newbuilding, and the BALTIC JAGUAR, a 2009-built Supramax vessel. The BALTIC BEAR and the BALTIC JAGUAR are the third and fourth vessels, respectively, to be delivered to the company under agreements signed in February 2010 to acquire four 2009-built Supramax drybulk vessels from an unaffiliated third party as well as two Capesize newbuildings from another unaffiliated third party. The BALTIC BEAR was delivered to its charterer, Cargill International S.A., on May 16, 2010 to commence a spot market-related time charter for 11 to 13.5 months. The BALTIC JAGUAR was delivered to its charterer, Clipper Bulk Shipping N.V., on May 15, 2010 to commence a spot market-related time charter for 11 to 13.5 months.


Neptune Orient Lines sees
better numbers during quarter

SINGAPORE — Container shipping and logistics group Neptune Orient Lines (NOL) has reported a US$98 million net loss for the first quarter of 2010 (1Q10). The loss was 60 percent less than the US$245 million loss for the first quarter of 2009 (1Q09). NOL said the Core EBIT loss in the first quarter was US$74 million. Revenue was US$2.1 billion, up 36 percent from US$1.5 billion a year ago. The group’s container shipping line, APL, reported a 46 percent increase in 1Q10 volume year-on-year, as global trade demand strengthened. Revenue in 1Q10 was up 39 percent to US$1.8 billion. The Core EBIT loss decreased 55 percent to US$106 million. Average revenue per FEU (Forty-Foot Equivalent Unit) increased two percent. “The result, while reflecting improvement, still is not satisfactory,” said NOL Group President and CEO Ronald D. Widdows, “but the increase in volume and revenue provides a foundation for turning around our performance as the global economy recovers and we begin to see the effects of rate and asset utilization improvement, particularly in the Transpacific trade.”


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, May 14, 2010

Corps' snag vessel PUGET
returning to work following festival

SEATTLE — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites the public to take advantage of the Seattle District’s snag vessel PUGET this weekend at the Anacortes Water Festival. Attendance at the festival also marks the vessel’s return to its mission in and around the waters of Puget Sound. During festival hours, May 14 to 16, the PUGET will be available for fest-goers to see the inner workings of one of the hardest-working vessels on the waters in the Pacific Northwest. The PUGET removes nearly 14 tons of debris and hazards from navigable waterways each day. Removal of this debris in the Puget Sound benefits one of the largest ferry operations in the United States; Navy, Coast Guard, Commerce ships; and more than 300,000 recreational crafts a year. This week also marks the return to waters for the PUGET after being in drydock to receive much needed repairs. The repairs were funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment act. The contract to the Lake Union Drydock Co., Seattle,was awarded on Nov. 4, 2009, which included replacement of the old diesel engines with electronic ignition tier II Cummins diesel engines and transmissions. Also included were haul out of the vessel, hull inspection, high pressure water blasting to clean the hull, repair of areas of the hull that were severely corroded, repair of the steering system, repair of the crane deck which was excessively pitted, capstan winch replacement and numerous other minor repairs and painting of the vessel. The total cost was $606,592.


String of gains predicted
for major US container ports

WASHINGTON, DC — Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to be up 10 percent in May with double-digit increases expected into this fall as the U.S. economy improves, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. U.S. ports handled 1.07 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units in March, the latest month for which actual numbers are available. That was up seven percent from February, traditionally the slowest month of the year, and up 12 percent from March 2009. It was also the fourth month in a row to show a year-over-year improvement after December broke a 28-month streak of year-over-year monthly declines. One TEU is one 20-foot cargo container or its equivalent. April was estimated at 1.11 million TEU, a 12 percent increase over last year as spring products headed for store shelves. May is forecast at 1.14 million TEU, up 10 percent from last year; June at 1.19 million TEU, up 17 percent; July at 1.25 million TEU, up 13 percent; August at 1.32 million TEU, up 14 percent; and September at 1.35 million TEU, up 19 percent. The large year-over-year percent increases are partly due to easy comparisons against unusually low numbers last year.


PDX runway improvement work
may have neighbors hearing noise

PORTLAND — Portland International Airport neighbors should expect some changes when construction resumes Monday, May 17, bringing major runway improvements. Supplementing community discussions at dozens of meetings and open houses over the past several years, the Port of Portland is mailing postcards and placing newspaper advertisements this week as part of the continued informational outreach to neighbors. The work is the second phase of a three-year runway rehabilitation program that continues through mid-October. The second phase of the project will extend the north runway, which is needed to accommodate larger aircraft requiring the extra length for takeoff when the longer south runway closes for rehabilitation in 2011. The construction approach is designed to keep the airport fully operational, while keeping changes in air traffic and noise as brief as possible. During periodic north runway closures, more propeller aircraft are expected to use the north-south (crosswind) runway. That means airport neighbors may notice some temporary increases in aircraft noise, especially during the complete closure of the north runway from mid-July to mid-September. The Federal Aviation Administration will continue to restrict jet use on the crosswind runway, except when winds or other conditions require, and late-night propeller aircraft will avoid the crosswind runway when possible.


Weekly rail freight traffic
continues to show improvement

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads reports that signs of recovery in U.S. freight rail traffic continue to gain momentum, with carload volume last week reaching its highest level since the week ended December 6, 2008. U.S. railroads originated 296,599 carloads during the week ended April 17, 2010, up 16.1 percent from the comparable week in 2009. However, volume was still down 11.6 percent from the same week in 2008. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR now reports 2010 weekly rail traffic with comparison weeks in both 2009 and 2008. Intermodal traffic totaled 209,903 trailers and containers, up 14.6 percent from last year but down 6.3 percent compared with 2008. Compared with the same week in 2009, container volume increased 16.7 percent while trailer volume gained 4 percent. Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume was up 1.6 percent while trailer volume fell 35.3 percent. Carload volume gained 19.6 percent from last year on Eastern railroads and 13.8 percent on Western carriers. Compared with 2008, however, carload volume was down 13.6 percent in the East and 10.2 percent in the West.


Sports fans get break
at Sea-Tac Airport parking area

SEATTLE — During high traffic afternoon dates, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport invites Mariners and Sounders FC fans to "go green to the park" with a 50 percent parking discount if you take Link Light Rail to Safeco Field and Qwest Field on May 20 or 26. Terminal Direct parking at Sea-Tac Airport offers the most convenient access to the airport terminal and quick connection to Link Light Rail. You'll park on the 4th floor of the airport garage, an easy walk to the pedestrian bridge leading to the SeaTac/Airport station. During the Mariners afternoon games on May 20 and 26, including the Sounders FC game the night of May 26, customers parking in Terminal Direct will enjoy a $2 per hour rate. The discount period begins two and a half hours before game time and you get the chance to see the Mariners or Sounders FC game without the hassle of downtown parking. Discounted parking is available for up to eight hours and will automatically be credited at the special rate when you exit the airport parking garage. Catch Link Light Rail on the Terminal Direct parking level and travel to the Stadium Station, where you're an easy walk to Safeco and Qwest Field. The airport's Terminal Direct parking is a perfect way to make the connection to Link Light Rail and stay out of the traffic hassles on game days. Fans riding Link to the game can skip any post-game ticket lines by purchasing a round trip ticket ahead of time or by using an ORCA card from any ticket vending machine before boarding. The round trip fare from SeaTac/Airport station on Link Light Rail to the Stadium station is $5.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, May 13, 2010

ICTSI inks deal to operate
Port of Portland container terminal

PORTLAND — International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) has signed a 25-year lease with the Port of Portland for the container/breakbulk facility at Terminal 6. Under the terms of the agreement, ICTSI will pay the port $8 million at closing in addition to an annual rent payment of $4.5 million, subject to any increases in the consumer price index. As terminal volumes increase over time, ICTSI will pay the port additional incremental revenue per container moved. The Port of Portland will continue to be responsible for providing security services at Terminal 6. ICTSI develops, manages and operates container ports and terminals worldwide. The Port of Portland will be ICTSI’s exclusive focus on the West Coast. Based out of Manila, Philippines, ICTSI is an independent international container terminal operator and has experience operating 18 terminals in 13 countries, including a terminal in Naha, Okinawa, where ICTSI also handles provisions for the United States military. The company has recently concluded agreements to operate and develop container terminals at the Port of Muara in Brunei, the Port of La Plata in Argentina and the Port of Manzanillo in Mexico.


Port of Seattle signs
new lease with PCC Logistics

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle signed an additional lease with PCC Logistics, a long-time port customer expanding its business at Terminal 104. The new property will allow the company to take full advantage of the existing rail connection, which can handle approximately ten rail cars per day. This transloading operation will result in an additional 72,000 TEUs of export containers annually, requiring the hiring of 90 new full-time employees. PCC Logistics was formed in 1988 as an Oakland, CA based warehouse and logistics operator. Operating in Seattle for over 15 years, PCC currently operate in 16 locations in Washington, California, Nevada as well as China, providing transloading, warehousing, trucking, USDA fumigation and third party logistics. PCC Logistics has been a customer of the Port of Seattle on Harbor Island for 15 years.


Foss Maritime launches
new King River class tug

SEATTLE — Foss Maritime and Cruz Marine LLC have partnered to launch the first of the King River class of tug: a shallow draft vessel designed specifically for remote, extreme environments like the north slope of Alaska, the Canadian Arctic and the Russian Far east. Gary Faber, president and COO of Foss Maritime, lauded the DANA CRUZ for reflecting both the core competencies and the core values of the Foss/Cruz partnership. The DANA CRUZ is the first of a new King River tug class. The DANA CRUZ is powered by three low-emission Caterpillar EPA Tier 2 engines. The tug was designed by AG McIlwain with an ABS Load Line and is 92 feet long and 36 feet wide. Built to work in remote, shallow draft environments, the Dana Cruz will be headed north to support the summer ice-free construction season in Western Alaska and the North Slope. Foss Maritime employees and vessels have supported the oil and gas industry in Alaska since 1929.


Public stock offering
closes for Greenbrier

LAKE OSWEGO, OR — The Greenbrier Companies has announced that it has closed its previously announced public offering of 4,000,000 shares of its common stock. BofA Merrill Lynch and Jefferies & Company, Inc. acted as joint book-running managers for the offering. The offering was made under Greenbrier's shelf registration statement which was filed with, and declared effective by, the Securities and Exchange Commission. The offering was made solely by means of a written prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. Copies of the prospectus supplement and the prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, copies may be obtained from BofA Merrill Lynch, 4 World Financial Center, New York, NY 10080, Attention: Preliminary Prospectus Department, or e-mail Prospectus.Requests@ml.com; or from Jefferies & Company, Inc., 520 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10022, Attention: Syndicate Prospectus Department.


Genco Shipping inks
time charter for Panamax ship

NEW YORK — Genco Shipping & Trading Limited has announced that it has reached an agreement to sign a time charter for the GENCO BEAUTY, a 1999-built Panamax vessel, with D/S Norden A/S, Copenhagen for approximately 11 to 13.5 months at a rate of $27,000 per day, less a five percent third-party brokerage commission. The time charter is expected to commence following the expiration of the vessel's current time charter on or about May 17, 2010 and is subject to the completion of definitive documentation. Currently, Genco has approximately 70 percent of its fleet's estimated available days secured on contracts for the remainder of 2010.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Westwood to carry containers
from Port of Portland to Japan

PORTLAND — A new international shipping service announced by Westwood Shipping Lines and the Port of Portland will soon provide regional exporters with direct access to ports in Japan. Starting on July 11, the monthly service will provide space for more than 200 containers per month under a six month contract. Once successfully established, port officials say the service could quickly increase in both volumes and frequency of vessel calls. Westwood’s Portland service will carry non-refrigerated containerized agricultural products including hay, as well as paper products and other commodities from valley, upriver and inland customers. Ports of call in Japan will include Shimizu, Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka and Nagoya, as well as Busan, South Korea. Westwood provides service to more ports in Japan on a direct call basis than any other carrier.


Port of Tacoma releases
annual report for 2009

TACOMA — The Port of Tacoma has published its 2009 annual report, which is now available online and in print. The report highlights the recent changes in the global economy, their impact on the port, its customers and the Puget Sound region, and how the port is working to stay successful. The theme of the annual report is “Meeting the Challenges of Change.” Ports around the world faced enormous challenges in 2009 as a result of what many economists have called the worst recession since the Great Depression. The Port of Tacoma was no exception—its container traffic was down 17 percent for the year, very close to the decline reported for U. S. West Coast ports as a whole. The annual report highlights some of the ways that the port is focusing on meeting the challenges of change in today’s global economy. These include maximizing the use of existing terminal, rail and real estate assets, focusing on cooperative, market-friendly environmental programs, making strategic investments in road and rail infrastructure, and optimizing the use of technology at the Port to increase efficiency and customer focus. The annual report is available at: http://www.portoftacoma.com/page.aspx?cid=411.


Widdows, Hemingway earn
2010 Connie Award honors

LONG BEACH, CA — Ron Widdows, group president and chief executive officer of NOL, and Jon Hemingway, CEO and president of SSA Marine/Carrix, have been selected as recipients of the 2010 Connie Awards to be presented September 30, by the Containerization and Intermodal Institute (CII) at a dinner marking its 50th anniversary. Each recipient is being recognized with this award for significant influence on containerization in world trade and transportation. The event is an industry-wide dinner at the Renaissance Hotel in Long Beach, CA. CII, founded in 1960, has been presenting the Connie Award since 1972 and it has become the most coveted honor in the field of containerization and its ancillary industries. Among some 40 recipients to date are James McKenna, Malcom McLean, Thomas B. Crowley Sr., Bruce Seaton, Robert McEllrath, Chuck Raymond, Anthony A. Scioscia and Douglas Tilden. The recipients were chosen following an industry poll. Both recipients are being honored for innovative spirit in their careers and at their respective companies, as well as for positive influence on the industries they serve. Mr. Widdows, whose company also owns and operates APL, has been in the maritime industry for more than 40 years. Mr. Hemingway is a lawyer who joined the family stevedoring business in 1985. Both received early educations at the University of Washington.


Foss hybrid tug honored
for environmental excellence

SPOKANE, WA — A major Washington state business group is honoring Foss Maritime for the world’s first hybrid tug, a vessel delivering on its promise to bring cleaner air and greater fuel efficiency to ports and merchant fleets. The Association of Washington Business (AWB) announced Foss won an Environmental Excellence Award in the Green Enterprising Technologies category for the CAROLYN DOROTHY, which was built cooperatively with the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to help those communities cope with local air pollution issues. The CAROLYN DOROTHY was introduced in the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles in January of 2009 as an innovative approach to reducing air pollution. The vessel was designed to retain the power and maneuverability of conventional Dolphin class sister tugs, while dramatically reducing emissions, maintenance costs, noise and fuel consumption.


Port of Seattle Commissioner
named top elected official

SEATTLE — Port of Seattle Commission President Bill Bryant is the 2010 Maritime Elected Official of the Year. The award was announced at this year's Maritime Festival luncheon, an annual event celebrating the region’s working waterfront. The selection committee noted Mr. Bryant’s commitment to environmental projects as well as his ongoing leadership in major transportation projects in and around port facilities. In the same program, Holland America Line won the 2010 Marine Environmental Business of the Year Award. In 2009, the three Holland America Line ships based at the Port of Seattle eliminated nearly 2,615 tons of diesel engine emissions annually through a combination of fuel conservation and shore power use. Along with air pollution reduction, Holland America Line did not discharge waste water into Puget Sound during the 2009 Alaska cruise season.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, May 10, 2010

US steel imports jump
during month of March

WASHINGTON, DC — The International Trade Administration reports that preliminary data released show that overall steel imports in March 2010 increased 24.5 percent from February 2010. This change in the March total volume of steel imports resulted from increases in several categories including carbon and alloy oil country goods 65.9 percent, plates in coils 68.5 percent, and hot dipped galvanized sheets and strip 52.5 percent. The only significant decrease was carbon and alloy reinforcing bars -25.7 percent. March 2010 imports of steel mill products were up 28 percent compared to March 2009.


PDX Citizen Noise Committee
sets May 13 meeting in Parkrose

PORTLAND — The Portland International Airport Citizen Noise Advisory Committee will meet from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, May 13 at Parkrose High School, 12003 NE Shaver St. in Portland. The meeting will include general information about aircraft operations and noise in the Parkrose/Maywood Park area. The community is invited and public comment is welcome. The meeting agenda is available at www.portofportland.com/cnac_agenda.aspx. The committee is the Port of Portland’s official forum for working with the community on issues related to aircraft noise. Committee representatives are from northwest Oregon and southwest Washington. Eleven members are appointed by various city and county jurisdictions, and four representatives are appointed by the Port in an effort to maintain geographic diversity on the committee. Technical assistance is provided by the FAA and the Oregon Air National Guard. Committee meetings are open to the public and include time for public comment.


APL creating website
devoted to environment

SINGAPORE — APL reports it has introduced a new website that addresses how the world’s fourth-largest container shipping line is meeting the environmental challenges of world trade. The new site highlights initiatives the carrier is undertaking onboard vessels and at its terminals to reduce air emissions and protect water quality. According to the website, http://www.apl.com/environment/, APL has implemented numerous measures to minimize the impact of trade on the environment. They include: Slow steaming, Cold-ironing, Emulsified fuel, Biodiesel fuel and a vessel speed reduction program. APL’s new website includes the company’s Environment Policy. The document states the company’s commitment to responsible environmental management across operations worldwide.


Corps releases locks schedule
for summer recreational boaters

PORTLAND — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers will pass recreational boaters through their navigation locks using a summer schedule May 15 through Sept. 15. All eight Corps dams in the Columbia-Snake river system will use the same schedule. Portland District operates navigation locks at Bonneville Dam, near Cascade Locks, Ore.; The Dalles Dam, near The Dalles, Ore.; and John Day Dam, near Rufus, Ore. Walla Walla District operates navigation locks at McNary Dam, near Umatilla, Ore.; Ice Harbor Dam, near Burbank, Wash.; Lower Monumental Dam, near Kahlotus, Wash.; Little Goose Dam, near Starbuck, Wash.; and Lower Granite Dam, near Pomeroy, Wash. All locks will pass recreational vessels heading upriver at 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., and recreational vessels heading downriver at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Recreational vessels have precedence over commercial vessels during these designated times. Recreational vessels may be allowed to lock through with commercial craft at other times, at the discretion of the lockmaster.


Cleanup effort planned
for Charleston Marina area

COOS BAY — The Charleston community will work together to clean up the Charleston Marina, Hallmark Creek and surrounding tideflats, as well as the downtown area from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 22. Project partners are Charleston neighbors, business owners, Oregon International Port of Coos Bay, Charleston Community Enhancement Corporation, South Slough Reserve and student volunteers from Sunset Middle School. Activities will include trash and roadside cleanup, and weed and invasive plant removal. Volunteers also will be recycling, painting and removing graffiti. Gardening tasks will include some native plant and flower landscaping in the boat basin, along with pruning, trimming and mulching. People who plan to attend can bring tools and work gloves, and the CCEC will provide some. Donors will provide the native plants and flowers. The Port of Coos Bay will provide dumpsters. Volunteers should dress for the weather and are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes or work boots. To help on May 22, go to the www.SOLV.org web site to register.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, May 7, 2010

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines vessel
collides with freighter and sinks

TOKYO — Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) reports that the MOL-owned bulker BRIGHT CENTURY collided with a freighter in foggy conditions while under way on the high seas approximately 23 miles east of the Shangdong Peninsula, China, and sank some 40 minutes later, on May 2, 2010, at around 5:30 a.m. local time. The crew of 23 was rescued by another vessel steaming nearby. The vessel with which BRIGHT CENTURY collided was the Liberia-registered SEA SUCCESS. That vessel's crew was rescued by helicopter and all are safe. It has been reported that the SEA SUCCESS is now docked. The BRIGHT CENTURY left Dampier, Australia, with about 170,000 tons of iron ore bound for the port of Bayuquan, Liaoning Province. At the time of its sinking, the vessel had around 400 tons of fuel oil and about 70 tons of diesel oil left in its tanks. An oil slick approximately 5,500 meters long and 1,000 meters wide has been observed, and Chinese authorities are taking the necessary countermeasures. As of May 7, none of the slick had touched shore. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.


The Greenbrier Companies
prices public stock offering

LAKE OWSEGO, OR — The Greenbrier Companies has announced the pricing of its previously announced public offering. Pursuant to the offering, Greenbrier agreed to sell 4,000,000 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $12.50 per share. Greenbrier has also granted the underwriters of the offering an option for 30 days to purchase up to 600,000 additional shares of common stock at $12.50 per share. These shares will be offered on the same terms and conditions solely to cover over-allotments, if any. The offering is expected to close on May 12, 2010, subject to customary closing conditions. BofA Merrill Lynch and Jefferies & Company are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.


Port of Portland hosting
Northwest Intermodal Conference

PORTLAND — The Port of Portland reports it is proud to host the Northwest Intermodal Conference, the Pacific Northwest’s only shipping and logistics event in its own hometown. Held on May 11 and 12 at the Benson Hotel, this year’s speaker lineup features timely presentations by industry experts representing a variety of sectors, and registration remains open. Bill Wyatt, executive director for the Port of Portland, will be on hand to provide opening remarks. “It has been three years since this event started here, and things have changed dramatically since then — both in the world and right here in our own backyard,” said Mr. Wyatt. “We’ll all have a lot to talk about as we welcome the conference back to Portland this year.” This third-annual event is presented by Cargo Business News. Registration is available online at www.northwestintermodal.com.


US rail freight traffic
continues to see gains

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads reports that freight traffic on U.S. railroads was once again up sharply for the week ended April 10, 2010 compared with the same period a year ago. U.S. railroads originated 288,495 carloads during the week, up 16.4 percent from the comparable week in 2009, with all 19 carload commodity groups showing increases from last year. However, volume was still down 12 percent compared with the same period in 2008. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR now reports 2010 weekly rail traffic with comparison weeks in both 2009 and 2008. Intermodal traffic totaled 203,549 trailers and containers, up 14.2 percent from last year but down 10.5 percent compared with 2008. Compared with the same week in 2009, container volume increased 18.2 percent while trailer volume slipped 4.8 percent. Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume was down 2.7 percent while trailer volume slumped 38.8 percent. Carload volume gained 16.9 percent from last year on Eastern railroads and 16.1 percent on Western carriers. Compared with 2008, however, carload volume was down 14.8 percent in the East and 10 percent in the West. Among the 19 carload commodity groups, particularly strong gains were reported in shipments of metals (108.6 percent); metallic ores (97.6 percent); primary forest products (54.4 percent); scrap (54 percent); motor vehicles (35.5 percent), and chemicals (26 percent).


USADA member carriers
plan general rate increase

SONOMA, CA — The United States Australasia Discussion Agreement (USADA) has announced that they have adopted a guideline calling for a General Rate Increase of $150.00 US per 20ft container and $300.00 US per 40ft container to apply on dry and refrigerated shipments moving from the United States to points and ports in Australia and New Zealand, effective June 1, 2010. All rate actions undertaken by the members of USADA are done on a voluntary and non-binding basis. Customers needing additional information should contact their carrier’s sales or customer service representative. USADA carriers include: CMA-CGM, Hamburg Sud, Hapag-Lloyd AG, Marfret. Maersk Line and US Lines.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, May 6, 2010

FMC calling for comment
on new NVOCC rules

WASHINGTON, DC — The Federal Maritime Commission has released for comment a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that, when final, would relieve nearly 3,300 FMC-licensed Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carriers (NVOCCs) from the costs and burdens of publishing in tariffs the rates they charge for cargo shipments. The commission requests comment on the proposed rule. Written comments are due by June 4, 2010. If an interested party requests an opportunity to present oral comments to the Commission by May 14, 2010, the commission will also hold a public meeting to receive those comments on May 24, 2010. The commission will announce the time and details of the meeting on its website prior to the meeting date. The proposed rule, when final, will establish an instrument called a "negotiated rate arrangement." Licensed NVOCCs who enter into negotiated rate arrangements with their customers will be exempted from the requirement of publishing their rates in tariffs, so long as they meet several conditions, including: NVOCCs would continue to publish rules tariffs containing terms and conditions governing shipments; NVOCCs would be required to provide those rules to the public free of charge; Rates charged by NVOCCs must be agreed to and memorialized in writing by the date cargo is received for shipment; and NVOCCs must retain documentation of the agreed rate and terms for each shipment for a period of five years, and must make that documentation available promptly to the Commission on request. Chairman Richard A. Lidinsky, Jr., Commissioner Rebecca F. Dye, and Commissioner Michael A. Khouri voted to issue the proposed rulemaking. Commissioner Joseph E. Brennan dissented.


Port of Seattle program
gets old trucks off the road

SEATTLE — A partnership program involving the Port of Seattle and local environmental agencies and organizations has taken over 171 of the oldest, most polluting trucks servicing the Port of Seattle off the road, removing over 2 tons of fine particles from the air in and around the port annually. The Scrappage and Retrofits for Air in Puget Sound (ScRAPS) program, which started last November, has exceeded expectations, providing truckers $5,000, or the blue book value—whichever is greater—for scrapping their old truck. Newer, replacement trucks typically emit 60 to 80 percent less air pollution, resulting in immediate air quality benefits for communities adjacent to the port. The Port of Seattle provides these updates on the ScRAPS program regularly. Learn more about the Port of Seattle’s environmental initiatives and programs, and follow the Port of Seattle on Facebook and Twitter (twitter.com/portofseattle).


Port Metro Vancouver taps Griffin
as planning & development director

VANCOUVER, BC — Port Metro Vancouver has announced the appointment of Mark Griffin to the position of director, Planning & Development. As Director of Planning & Development, Mr. Griffin is responsible for leading the implementation of project agreements with government and commercial partners, ensuring the port authority takes an integrated approach to port planning, development and supply chain activities, and has overall responsibility for the delivery of Port Metro Vancouver’s planning processes and program of development activities. Mr. Griffin brings extensive international experience in the planning, design, and implementation of marine and aviation terminal facilities, and the integration of these facilities with landside transportation systems. He has worked with organizations including Wilbur Smith Systems as associate in charge, Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments as director of planning, Southern California Association of Governments as senior regional planner. Mr. Griffin has also worked with organizations in Asia including Pacific Architects & Engineers in Tokyo as vice president & general manager, Bechtel Corporation in Hong Kong as business development manager, and Tokyu Corporation in Tokyo as planner, Office of the President.


Trailer Bridge dismissed
from Puerto Rico lawsuit

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Trailer Bridge, Inc. has announced that in a non-final order of the court, the company has been dismissed with prejudice against the named plaintiffs from a lawsuit seeking class action status related to alleged anti-competitive activity in the Puerto Rico marine trade. In an April 30, 2010 ruling by non-final order, the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico granted Trailer Bridge’s motion to be dismissed with prejudice from the lawsuit.


Crowley makes donation
to Haiti relief fund

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Crowley Maritime Corporation and its employees this week donated $80,000 to the American Red Cross in support of Haiti relief efforts. Bill Pennella, Crowley vice chairman and executive vice president; Francheska Acevedo, Crowley human resources representative and John Hourihan, senior vice president and general manager of Crowley's Latin America service, presented the check to Jack Morgan, CEO of the Northeast Florida Chapter of the American Red Cross. Shortly after the massive earthquake, Crowley, who offers weekly scheduled commercial cargo service to Haiti, announced to its employees that the company would match all donations dollar-for-dollar made specifically to the American Red Cross Haiti relief fund. Crowley employees and crewmembers throughout the U.S. and abroad participated in the charity drive.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Boeing plans cleanup project
for lower Duwamish Waterway

SEATTLE — Boeing has announced an environmental cleanup and habitat restoration project that will create nearly five acres of contiguous intertidal wetlands, restore more than half a mile of waterway and establish a resting area for migratory fish in and along the lower Duwamish Waterway. Boeing has reached a settlement agreement to clean up high priority areas. The agreement – signed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Department of Interior, the Washington State Department of Ecology and the Suquamish and Muckleshoot Indian tribes – fulfills significant federal and state requirements for Boeing along the waterway. This agreement is part of the overall process to clean up the Duwamish Waterway and focuses on restoration of the waterway ecosystem as cleanup continues. Cleanup and restoration activity is scheduled to begin in fall 2012, once final agency approvals and permits are obtained, and expected to take several years to complete. The project will involve excavating more than 100,000 cubic yards of sediment and replacing it with clean sand.


Port of Anacortes celebrates
completion of small craft hoist

ANACORTES — The Port of Anacortes held a ribbon cutting ceremony last month, to mark the completion of the P/Q Pier Small Craft Hoist at the north end of the port’s Cap Sante Boat Haven. The P/Q Dock Small Craft Hoist has been a project considered by the port as far back as 1991. This public access project, funded by the port’s Tax Fund, was adopted in the 2009 Capital Improvement Plan and construction was authorized by the Anacortes Port Commission on September 3, 2009. The project reached substantial completion in March 2010. The final contract amount with Culbertson Marine Construction was completed within the authorized construction budget. The project involved both in-water and upland improvements. In-water project elements included demolition of the existing P/Q Pier surface, reinstallation and widening of P/Q Pier surface, installation of new hand railing systems, installation of a two-ton crane and hoist system for launching of small crafts at the end of P/Q Pier, installation of pilings and caps, a new staging float, upgraded dry fire suppression to Docks P & Q, and site communications and electrical improvements. The Kona crane is designed primarily for single point lifts of sailing vessels up to 24 feet in length, with a beam of 8.9 feet, a draft of 4 feet and weighing no more than 3500 pounds. At the ceremony, Port Executive Director, Bob Hyde, voiced the port’s appreciation for the tremendous input received from the Small Boat Center Group as well as the expertise of many consultants, contractors and planners in working to make the new small craft hoist a reality.


Port Metro Vancouver
calling for rail service review

VANCOUVER, BC — In an effort to highlight the critical importance of rail service to the success of Canada’s Asia Pacific Gateway, Port Metro Vancouver is calling on Ottawa to implement a commercial approach to defining, measuring, monitoring and ensuring a high level of rail service. The port proposed its recommendations on Friday in a detailed submission to the Transport Canada Rail Freight Service Review Panel. Port Metro Vancouver’s Rail Freight Service Review submission is based on consultations and evidence gathered from more than 50 organizations including rail customers, stakeholders, railways and industry associations. The report demonstrates that the rail freight system currently serving the port works reasonably well at a broad level, but lacks the consistency and reliability necessary to meet customer and stakeholder needs and capitalize on Canada’s trade growth potential. To address these and other issues, Port Metro Vancouver recommends a commercial approach to rail service matters that includes developing and implementing service agreements, providing a commercial dispute resolution mechanism to address problems, expanding the use of rail assets and networks through commercially negotiated co-production agreements, and implementing independent monitoring to evaluate and report on performance. In the event that a commercial approach fails to deliver the required improvements in supply chain performance then the port notes that a more wide ranging review of the regulatory environment would be needed.


Crowley Maritime marks opening
of new 'green' corporate headquarters

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Crowley Maritime Corporation Chairman, President and CEO Tom Crowley, elected area officials and business leaders gathered at the company's corporate headquarters in Jacksonville May 4, to commemorate the completion of Crowley's office building renovation project and its United States Green Building Council LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver Award Designation. The Crowley building is only the second building in Jacksonville to attain the LEED Silver award for commercial interiors. With a total renovation and construction budget of $8.5 million, Crowley's goal was to convert the five-story, 110,000 square-foot office building into an open office environment that would promote environmental sustainability, enhance teamwork and collaboration and reflect the company's brand and culture.


Cal. Maritime Academy vessel
sets sail on training voyage

VALLEJO, CA — Nearly 260 cadets from The California Maritime Academy set sail Monday morning on the first of two two-month training voyages to Asia aboard the Academy’s 500-foot training vessel, GOLDEN BEAR. The GOLDEN BEAR is operated and maintained by the students under the supervision of about four-dozen faculty and staff. This year’s voyage began Sunday with a day of training exercises on San Francisco Bay, including visits to the ports of Richmond and Oakland, maneuverings and anchoring exercises off Treasure Island and then docking Sunday afternoon at Pier 27 in San Francisco. The ship departed the city at 8 a.m. Monday. Every cadet at the academy, a part of The California State University system, sails on at least one training voyage during their four years at the University. Students in the school’s licensed maritime tracks, seeking to become deck officers and engineers make at least two cruises and often supplement that with an additional summer co-op placement aboard a commercial sailing vessel. The summer training provides license-track students the hours of sea experience at the helm, navigating, and in the engine room that they need to graduate and work aboard ships of any size worldwide.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, May 3, 2010

Port of Tacoma breakfast
delivers message of improvement

TACOMA — The Port of Tacoma and its longshore workforce are positioning the port to take advantage of an improving business climate amid strong signs that economic tide is already beginning to turn. Those were the key messages delivered by officials of the port and Local 23, International Longshore and Warehouse Union, at a standing-room-only breakfast gathering attended by more than 250 Port customers, transportation industry representatives, local business and community leaders and elected officials on April 28, in Tacoma. Port Commission President Don Johnson said the Port “has worked hard over the last year to meet the tough challenges of the global economy. We have made critical adjustments, and we continue to position our port to provide our customers with the most efficient and reliable service available.”


Greenbrier Companies plans
public common stock offering

LAKE OSWEGO, OR — The Greenbrier Companies has announced that it has commenced an offering of 4,500,000 shares of its common stock pursuant to an underwritten public offering. In connection with the offering, Greenbrier intends to grant the underwriters an option for 30 days to purchase up to an additional 675,000 shares of its common stock to cover over-allotments, if any. The offering will be made pursuant to a shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 7, 2010, which has been declared effective, and a preliminary prospectus supplement, filed with the SEC on May 3, 2010. Greenbrier intends to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures, repayment or repurchase of a portion of indebtedness or acquisitions of, or investments in, complementary businesses and products.


US rail freight traffic
climbs during week

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads has reported that U.S. railroads saw sharp gains in traffic for the week ending April 3, 2010, compared with levels from one year ago. U.S. railroads originated 290,217 carloads during the week, up 10.7 percent from the comparable week in 2009. This was the sixth consecutive week carload volume has topped year-over-year levels compared with 2009, while traffic was still down 11.8 percent compared with 2008. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR now reports 2010 weekly rail traffic with comparison weeks in both 2009 and 2008. Good Friday, which is observed as a holiday on many railroads, occurred during the 2010 week but not in the comparison weeks from 2009 and 2008. Intermodal traffic totaled 196,257 trailers and containers, up 6.2 percent from last year but down 9.4 percent compared with 2008. Compared with the same week in 2009, container volume increased 7.8 percent and trailer volume dipped 1.5 percent. Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume was down 1.9 percent while trailer volume fell 35 percent. This was the twelfth straight week intermodal volume was above 2009 levels. Total volume for the week was estimated at 31.3 billion ton-miles, up 11 percent from last year, but down 9.3 percent from 2008.


Hamburg Sud, Alianca
set general rate increase

HAMBURG — Hamburg Süd and Aliança have announced they will implement a General Rate Increase (GRI) of EURO 350 per TEU, effective June 1, 2010 for all cargo moving from Europe to South America East Coast destinations. The rate restoration will take effect from the following voyages: RIO NEGRO (Voy. 023sb, ETS Rotterdam 4 June 2010), CMA CGM VIOLET (Voy. 022sb, ETS Rotterdam 1 June 2010).


Genco Shipping signs
time charter for Supramax ship

NEW YORK — Genco Shipping & Trading Limited has announced that it has reached an agreement to sign a time charter for the GENCO PREDATOR, a 2005-built Supramax vessel, with Pacific Basin Chartering Ltd. for approximately 11 to 13.5 months at a rate of $22,500 per day, less a five percent third-party brokerage commission. The time charter is expected to commence on or about May 7, 2010 and is subject to the completion of definitive documentation. Currently, Genco has approximately 67 percent of its fleet's estimated available days secured on contracts for the remainder of 2010.