|
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 vessels 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 nations 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 Peoples 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
nations 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 Washingtons 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 Commissions
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
Anthonys 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 Fishermans 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 Fishermans 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 ports
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 Canadas 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 firms 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 worlds 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 Obamas National
Export Initiative, the presidents plan to double American
exports over the next five years. Hes in Washington state
to learn more about the impact trade has on the states
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 programsincluding
critical infrastructure-related grantstotaling 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 terrorismin 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
Transportations 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 groups 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 Districts snag
vessel PUGET this weekend at the Anacortes Water Festival.
Attendance at the festival also marks the vessels 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 nations
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
ICTSIs 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. Westwoods 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 exceptionits
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 todays
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 worlds 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 regions working waterfront. The
selection committee noted Mr. Bryants 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 Portlands 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 worlds 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. APLs new website
includes the companys Environment Policy. The document
states the companys 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 Northwests
only shipping and logistics event in its own hometown. Held on
May 11 and 12 at the Benson Hotel, this years 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. Well 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 carriers 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 valuewhichever is
greaterfor 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
Seattles 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 Vancouvers
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 Bridges 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 ports 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 ports 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 ports 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 Canadas 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 Vancouvers 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 Canadas 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 Academys 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 years 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 schools 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.