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August, 2009

NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, August 31, 2009

Port of Seattle welcomes
largest container ship to call

SEATTLE — The largest container ship to ever call the Port of Seattle, the 10,000-TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) ZIM DJIBOUTI was at the port's Terminal 18 on Thursday, August 27. The ZIM DJIBOUTI is deployed in the Grand Alliance's Pacific Northwest Service, which links Seattle to Singapore, Laem Chabang, Shekou, Hong Kong and Kaohsiung. The port welcomed the ZIM DJIBOUTI with an on-board plaque presentation commemorating the ship's first stop in Seattle. The largest ships to previously call in Seattle, the 9,000-TEU MARIT MAERSK and METTE MAERSK, were at the port in the first week of June.


Hard landing forces WSF
to shuffle ferry service lineup

SEATTLE — The Seattle/Bremerton ferry route has been reduced to one-boat service due to a hard landing of the 202-car WENATCHEE at Colman Dock Sunday morning, Aug. 30. The Seattle/Bainbridge Island route was on one-boat service from late Sunday morning until Sunday afternoon. For the remainder of Sunday, Aug. 30, WSDOT Ferries Division (WSF) reassigned the 144-car HYAK to the Seattle/Bainbridge Island route, restoring two-boat service to that route with the 5:30 p.m. sailing from Seattle. Overnight, WSF moved the HYAK to the Edmonds/Kingston route, and the 202-car PUYALLUP moved to the Seattle/Bainbridge route, restoring normal capacity on that route. This will reduce capacity on the Edmonds/Kingston route by 58 vehicles. The 124-car KITSAP will be the sole vehicle ferry serving the Seattle/Bremerton route for the remainder of Sunday, today, and until further notice. Today, the first car ferry sailing from Bremerton will be at 6:20 a.m. The one-boat schedule is posted at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries. WSF is also contacting private passenger-only ferry services to ascertain availability of vessels to provide additional service to Bremerton. The hard landing occurred at approximately 11:00 a.m. Sunday, at the conclusion of the 10:25 a.m. sailing from Bainbridge Island, with 163 vehicles on board. The WENATCHEE landed hard in Slip 3 at Colman Dock, causing damage to the vessel’s bow and the slip’s wing wall.


Horizon vessels take part
in anti-piracy exercises

CHARLOTTE, NC — Horizon Lines, Inc., recently participated in two separate anti-piracy system trials in an effort to better protect the lives of merchant mariners. In late July, International Maritime Security Network, LLC (IMSN) conducted safety drills and anti-piracy testing aboard the HORIZON CRUSADER, while the ship docked in Orange, TX. IMSN completed a test of the 'Triton Shield APS' system of deterrence and training. Included in the system drill were deterrent measures for approaching vessels, physical deterrents for potential unlawful boarders, security and fortification for the crew, and mitigating risk of penetration of the safe area. Training and education of key stakeholders was also conducted. Along with Horizon Lines' vessel operations teams, members of the Marine Engineer's Beneficial Association, Seafarer's International Union of North America, International Organization of Masters, Mates, and Pilots, U.S. Coast Guard and Port of Orange Port Authorities were in attendance. On August 11th, the vessel HORIZON CHALLENGER currently in reserve status and docked in Bayonne, NJ, was the site of the SAFE Solutions, LLC drill of their 'Nemesis 5000' anti-piracy technology. The Nemesis 5000 is described as a non-lethal, high pressure water system which integrates with a vessel's existing fire suppression system to prevent unauthorized boarding of the ship.


WSU project to look at
Port of Bremerton energy scheme

BREMERTON — A Washington State University graduate studies project will kick off a new sustainability initiative at the Port of Bremerton. A master's degree class from WSU's mechanical engineering program will perform a thorough analysis of energy systems in the port's terminal and administration building at Bremerton National Airport. The analysis will lead to detailed recommendations on how to improve the building's energy efficiency. The Engineering Design for Sustainability project is what is known as a Capstone Course, meaning it is the graduate group's final requirement for a masters of science in mechanical engineering. The work will be performed at no cost to the port other than incidental expenses for providing documents and other information needed by the students. The engineering recommendations will aim to produce energy efficiency throughout the facility and reduce overall energy consumption. The port recently decided not to proceed with building its Kitsap SEED clean technology incubation building, but to look for other ways to encourage clean-tech job creation. At the same time, it pledged to focus on improving environmental and energy efficiency practices in its existing operations. The port operates the Bremerton National Airport, marinas in Bremerton and Port Orchard, and the Olympic View Business and Industrial Parks.


NAFTA partner trade
down during month of June

WASHINGTON, DC — Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 31.5 percent lower in June 2009 than in June 2008, dropping to $50.8 billion in the sixth consecutive month with a year-to-year decline of greater than 27 percent, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 6.0 percent in June 2009 from May 2009. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors. Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. About 88 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land. The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in June was down 8.4 percent compared to June 2004, and up 17.6 percent compared to June 1999, a period of 10 years. Imports in June were up 11.8 percent compared to June 1999, while exports were up 24.9 percent.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, August 28, 2009

Bellingham Port Commission
files formal protest with NOAA

BELLINGHAM — The Port of Bellingham's Board of Commissioners has voted to submit a formal protest of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) site selection and lease acquisition process. "The best outcome for Bellingham is still to get NOAA, if we possibly can, because it would be an anchor tenant, would provide essential new jobs and would jumpstart our waterfront redevelopment," said Commission President Scott Walker. "We believe the new information we gained in the past few days made it essential that we take another look at filing a protest. We still believe Bellingham is the very best site for NOAA's facility." Last week the commission voted against filing a protest in a meeting that Commissioner Walker was unable to attend due to a death in his family. Commissioner Walker took part in Thursday's Special Commission meeting by phone, as did Interim Executive Director Fred Seeger. Following the commission decision last week, port staff and a legal team continued to evaluate the NOAA selection process, as well as the agency's comparison between the winning Newport, Ore., site and the Bellingham Shipping Terminal site. Both sites scored very high in NOAA's site technical evaluation, with Newport finishing slightly higher. The research found that the federal agency's official Solicitation for Offers (SFO) stated that sites under consideration could not be in a floodplain. According to Port Attorney Frank Chmelik, the analysis by the port's Washington D.C. lawyers indicates that NOAA may not have followed proper procedure to deal with the floodplain issue because, according to the port, the Newport site is in a floodplain.


SEED project organization
disolves at Port of Bremerton

BREMERTON — The Port of Bremerton reports the Kitsap SEED non-profit corporation, a volunteer organization formed to serve in an advisory role for the Kitsap SEED project, is dissolving. Jon Kroman, board member and spokesperson for the organization, said, "Our group fully concurred with the port's recent decision not to proceed with the SEED incubator building and the port's conclusion that it would be worthwhile to find new approaches for encouraging clean technology job creation in Kitsap County. Our four board members have established a good working relationship and may continue informally to explore ways in which clean technology could promote economic development in the county, including collaboratively with the port."


Sea-Tac Airport nets funds
for electric charging station project

SEATTLE — Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has been awarded $5 million in funds from the U.S. Department of Energy to add electric charging stations for airplane ground support equipment and replace 200 gas and diesel vehicles with electric vehicles, saving more than 400,000 gallons of fuel per year. The project jump starts Sea-Tac's efforts to be the first airport in the U.S. to fully electrify its fleet of ground support equipment. In addition to the fuel savings, the project is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 4,500 metric tons per year. Sea-Tac currently has about 650 ground support vehicles.


Rail freight traffic count
remains down during week

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads reports that rail carloadings for the week ended July 25, 2009 continue to show slight improvement, but rail traffic remains down compared with the same period last year. U.S railroads reported originating 273,943 cars, down 17.4 percent compared with the same week in 2008. Regionally, carloadings were down 15.6 percent in the West and 20 percent in the East. Intermodal volume of 193,332 trailers or containers was down 17.9 percent from the same week last year. Container volume fell 12.1 percent and trailer volume dropped 39.1 percent. Total volume on U.S. railroads for the week ending July 25 was estimated at 29.3 billion ton-miles, down 16.3 percent from the same week last year. All 19 carload freight commodity groups were down from last year with declines ranging from 2.9 percent for nonmetallic minerals to 57.9 percent for metallic ores. For the first 29 weeks of 2009, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 7,610,311 carloads, down 19.1 percent from 2008; 5,376,118 trailers or containers, down 17.2 percent, and total volume of an estimated 809.7 billion ton-miles, down 18.1 percent.


Road projects to affect
Portland Airport traffic scheme

PORTLAND — Three intersection projects will affect traffic in the vicinity of Portland International Airport through January 2010. Drivers can expect some delays and are encouraged to drive cautiously and watch for construction signs. These city of Portland projects include new traffic signals, bike lanes and turn lanes.
Aug. 27 to Nov. 15
N.E. Alderwood Road and N.E. 82nd Avenue -- There will be intermittent lane closures during construction. Temporary traffic control measures will be in place.
Sept. 1 to Oct. 31
N.E. Alderwood Road and N.E. Cornfoot Road -- N.E. Cornfoot will be closed to traffic from the intersection of N.E. Alderwood to approximately 1,000 feet west of the intersection. N.E. Alderwood will be open to southbound one-way direction, however there will be no access onto Cornfoot from Alderwood. Starting Aug. 29, N.E. 47th Avenue and N.E. Columbia Boulevard will be open to north and south bound traffic and will provide access to Cornfoot Road.
Dec. 1 to Jan. 26, 2010
N.E. Columbia Boulevard and N.E. 47th Avenue -- Construction will begin on N.E. 47th. Two-way traffic will remain with intermittent lane
closures. Temporary traffic control measures will be in place.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, August 27, 2009

Suz Michel, Bob Weist
earn Thomas Crowley trophies

JACKSONVILLE — Suz Michel, director of people development and learning for Crowley in Seattle, and Bob Weist, vice president of sales and marketing for the logistics group were awarded 2008 Thomas Crowley trophies, the company's highest honor, at ceremonies yesterday at the company's Talleyrand terminal in Jacksonville, Fla. Created in 1985, only 50 of the company's 4,300-plus employees have been recognized with the limited edition, bronze sculpture depicting young Thomas Crowley as he ferried goods to and from ships on San Francisco Bay in the early 1890s. The trophy serves not only as a tribute to the founder of the company, but also to those honorees who have aligned themselves closely with the company's values and displayed outstanding performance along with dedication, leadership, initiative and productivity..


Matson Navigation Chairman
announces retirement plans

OAKLAND — Matson Navigation Company Chairman James S. Andrasick is retiring from the company, effective September 1, 2009. Mr. Andrasick has been Matson’s chairman since October 2008 and was the company’s president and chief executive officer from 2002 through 2008. During his tenure at the helm of Matson, Mr. Andrasick oversaw a number of major initiatives, including the construction of four new containerships, the start up of a new China service, the growth of the subsidiary, Matson Integrated Logistics, and the promotion of “green” programs both at sea and on land. Prior to his Matson responsibilities, Mr. Andrasick served as chief financial officer and treasurer of Matson’s parent company, Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., from 2000 – 2003.


Israel Corporation aids ZIM
with $60 million cash injection

HAIFA — An agreement has been reached whereby Israel Corporation (IC) will inject US$60 million to ZIM as part of its restructuring plan. The cash injection follows IC’s announcement at the beginning of the month that it is committed to ensuring the long term financial stabilization of ZIM. A plan has been put in place which includes a series of steps designed to formulate a long-term plan aimed at ensuring the company can prosper once the global markets recover. The strategy includes measures such as changing and modifying its lines, reducing the number of ships it operates, postponing deliveries of new ships, reducing costs of leased ships and other arrangements with ship-owners; and intensive negotiations with banks and financial institutions about restructuring ZIM’s debt. These steps have been taken while maintaining ZIM’s core activities and taking extra care to continue to give its customers a full range of services without interruption. ZIM continues to manage its business throughout the world and meet all suppliers' obligations.


Truck tonnage index
posts gains during July

ARLINGTON, VA — The American Trucking Associations’ advance seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 2.1 percent in July. In June, SA tonnage fell 2.4 percent. July’s gain, which raised the SA index to 101.9 (2000=100), wasn’t large enough to completely offset the reduction in the previous month. The not seasonally adjusted (NSA) index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 106.3 in July, down 0.9 percent from June. Compared with July 2008, SA tonnage fell 10.4 percent, which was the best year-over-year showing since February 2009. June’s 13.6 percent contraction was the largest year-over-year decrease of the current cycle.


Evergreen to rationalize
service with CKYH Alliance

TAIPEI — Evergreen Line has announced a rationalization plan with the CKYH Alliance (Coscon, "K"LINE, Yang Ming, Hanjin Shipping) for the U.S. East Coast / Northwest Europe Service. The new service combines their Evergreen Line's Trans Atlantic string of North Asia-U.S. East Coast-Europe pendulum service (NUE) and the Alliance's existing Trans Atlantic service - loop1 (TAS1) into a new Trans Atlantic Express service (TAE) commencing September 2009. The new TAE service will operate with four 2,400-TEU vessels with Evergreen Line and the CKYH Alliance each deploying two vessels. The port rotation is as follows, Antwerp - Bremerhaven - Rotterdam - Le Havre - New York -Norfolk - Charleston - Antwerp.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Port of Seattle gives Nickelsville
timeline for removal of encampment

SEATTLE — Port of Seattle officials have announced that the Nickelsville encampment must leave port property by September 30th. A second notice of trespass will be posted at Terminal 107 this week. While port commissioners considered requests for up to an additional 90 days, the port has no authority to provide temporary housing, the shoreline park is an inappropriate location for the encampment, and the camp violates Seattle city code. Port officials reiterated their hope that encampment members and advocates will continue efforts to find an appropriate site for the group, and that they will leave port property voluntarily.


Crowley adds SESOK
to Alaska River tug fleet

ANCHORAGE — The SESOK, Crowley's newest triple-screw diesel powered tug joined the fleet of Alaska river tugs this month, when it called St. Mary's on the Yukon River to pick up its first barge. Soon thereafter, the SESOK and its crew made stops along the Yukon River in Emmonak, Nome, Hooper Bay and Bethel to meet with Crowley personnel and villagers to celebrate the vessel's maiden voyage with community barbecues. Jointly designed by Crowley and Diversified Marine, the SESOK, which means "beluga whale" in the native Inupiaq language, boasts 1,362 horsepower and is equipped to safely propel petroleum/freight barges in river systems throughout Alaska. In April, Crowley took delivery of the NACHIK, the SESOK's sister vessel.


Tacoma Port Commission sets
study session with Sumner council

TACOMA — Tacoma Port Commissioners and Sumner City Council members are scheduled to meet together for the first time Monday, Aug. 31, to discuss ways the two organizations can work together to better serve the region’s economy. Transportation projects essential to creating jobs and expanding trade throughout Pierce County will top the agenda. This first-ever joint study session will be held at 6 p.m. at Pacific Crest Industries, 13610 52nd St. E. in Sumner. The public is welcome to attend. Discussions are expected to concentrate on transportation routes of mutual benefit to the city and the port, and how the two jurisdictions can provide political support to one another to secure funding for the improvements.


Washington DOT eyes
$435 million in rail grants

OLYMPIA — Northwest passenger rail advocates working toward expanded passenger rail service between Portland and Vancouver, B.C. had reason for optimism this week as the Washington State Department of Transportation applied for nearly $435 million in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants for the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor. Washington state officials believe their projects will compete well nationally due to the state’s longstanding financial support for high speed rail and partnership with Amtrak. Nearly $1.0 billion in capital and operating funds has been invested in high speed intercity passenger rail in the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor since 1994. The financial support comes from a combination of federal, state, and local support. Washington State alone has invested significantly with a total of almost $331 million.


'PacifiCat' catamaran ferry
heads out of Port Metro Vancouver

VANCOUVER, BC — Port Metro Vancouver reports that the first of three “PacifiCat’ fast ferries being transferred to Abu Dhabi has been loaded aboard a heavy-lift vessel at in preparation for shipment to the Middle East. PACIFIC VOYAGER, one of the three catamaran ferries recently purchased by Abu Dhabi Mar, a United Arab Emirates company that builds yachts and remodels vessels, was loaded onto the Dockwise vessel SWIFT at an anchorage near Deep Cove on Saturday, August 22, 2009. In order to load the vessel, the SWIFT took on water ballast, allowing it to sink deep enough for the 1,500-tonne catamaran to be floated aboard onto customized cradles. The water was then pumped out and the vessel secured for its 45-day voyage to Abu Dhabi. The SWIFT and its cargo will leave port today, for its destination. The PacifiCat ferries were operated from 1999 to 2000 by BC Ferries. They were sold in 2003 to the Washington Marine Group which announced in July that they had sold the three ships to Abu Dhabi MAR for an undisclosed amount.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, August 24, 2009

Tacoma Port Commissioners
to meet with Lakewood City Council

TACOMA — Port of Tacoma Commissioners and Lakewood City Council members will meet for the first time together today, to review a presentation on the Woodbrook Business Park Development Report. In 2001, the Lakewood Council zoned 117 acres of the Woodbrook neighborhood for industrial uses in light of its proximity to surrounding military bases, the Cross-Base Highway project, and Interstate 5, among other key factors. This summer, the city began construction of new sewer lines to Woodbrook and Tillicum. The Woodbrook Business Park Development Report contains in-depth information on current conditions, infrastructure, property holdings, and land uses and values. The Port of Tacoma partnered with the City of Lakewood in 2008 at the request of the city to fund this study of Woodbrook’s redevelopment potential. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, at the Clover Park Technical College Rotunda (Building 3). The public is welcome to attend and may review the report at www.cityoflakewood.us.


Bellingham Port Commission
backs away from NOAA protest

BELLINGHAM — The Port of Bellingham's Board of Commissioners has decided that they will not submit a formal protest of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) site selection and lease acquisition process. The key reason the commission did not submit a protest was because analysis demonstrated that Bellingham likely would not be chosen even if it won a protest on several technical rating issues. Pursuing a protest could cost up to $300,000 in port funds, according to legal experts the port consulted with prior to the decision. According to the port, the state of Oregon provided nearly $20 million in bonding capacity to the Port of Newport's project, which allowed Newport to greatly reduce its project costs. This state assistance resulted in Newport's lease proposal being $1.5 million a year less than the Bellingham offer. The commission voted on a motion to cease all spending on the effort to protest the NOAA site selection after more than two hours in an executive session to discuss the legal issues at stake.


Tanker chief engineers
hit with pollution indictment

WASHINGTON, DC — A federal grand jury in Houston has returned an indictment charging two crewmembers of the oil tanker GEORGIOS M with making false statements, violating federal law designed to prevent pollution from ships and obstruction of justice, the Justice Department announced. According to the indictment, Ioannis Mylonakis and Argyrios Argyropoulos, served as Chief Engineers aboard the oil tanker GEORGIOS M and each have been charged with violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS), making material false statements to the U.S. Coast Guard and obstruction of justice. Both are accused of maintaining false oil record books aboard the oil tanker that concealed deliberate discharges of oil-contaminated waste directly into the ocean. The defendants are accused of being responsible for the oil record book when the oil tanker entered various ports in Texas from 2006 to 2008 including Corpus Christi, Texas City and Houston.


Air service to continue
between PDX and OTH

NORTH BEND, OR — The Coos County Airport District has announced that SkyWest has agreed to continue service between the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (OTH) in North Bend, Ore., and Portland International Airport (PDX) without subsidy. With the Portland routes approved without subsidy, travelers to and from Oregon's southern coast maintain their north- and southbound flight options, as SkyWest continues service between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and OTH. Since agreeing to take over service between Southwest Oregon Regional Airport and Portland International Airport in fall 2008, SkyWest and the airport have worked together to ensure better service and travel options on their northbound routes. Load factors during the summer months have been on the rise, and continued community support is essential to ensure ongoing service.


FMC dismisses investigation
of LA/Long Beach port practices

WASHINGTON, DC — Citing a change in circumstances, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has announced that, by a 3-0 vote, it determined to dismiss FMC Docket No. 08-05, City of Los Angeles, California, Harbor Department of the City of Los Angeles, Board of Harbor Commissioners of the City of Los Angeles, City of Long Beach, California, Harbor Department of the City of Long Beach, and the Board of Harbor Commissioners of the City of Long Beach – Possible Violations of Sections 10(b)(10), 10(d)(1) and 10(d)(4) of the Shipping Act of 1984. Among the practices under investigation were the employee-driver mandate, incentive payments and provisions addressing access to marine terminal facilities to certain harbor trucking providers pursuant to the Clean Truck Programs of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The commission's order granted a motion to dismiss filed by its Bureau of Enforcement (BOE). Changed circumstances cited in support of dismissal included the grant of a preliminary injunction in unrelated U.S. District Court litigation which enjoins the employee-driver and off-street parking requirements of the concession programs. Further, the commission noted that the ports, on their own initiative, modified their Clean Truck Programs in such a manner as to alleviate the commission's concerns relative to the Clean Truck Fee and Incentive programs. The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach filed a reply supporting BOE's request. Dismissal of this investigation concludes the commission's inquiry into the Clean Truck Programs at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, August 21, 2009

Funds headed to Puget Sound
for updated nautical charts

WASHINGTON, DC — Commerce Secretary Gary Locke has announced the award of a contract worth more than $1.3 million to Williamson and Associates of Seattle to survey the floor of Puget Sound. Part of a nationwide project funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will map the seafloor, collect data in critical coastal areas, and update nautical charts. Last surveyed in the mid-1930s using lead line measurements, data from the effort will support safe marine transportation and characterize marine habitats. Coastal managers can also use the information to select appropriate sites for renewable energy projects and to monitor the effects of climate change. NOAA uses the data collected from the seafloor surveys to update the nautical charts that are used by commercial and recreational mariners. Mariners rely on those charts for safe transit, looking for water depths and the locations of both natural and manmade underwater obstructions that could interfere with navigation.


Marcon acts as broker
in sale of cruise vessels

COUPEVILLE, WA — Marcon International, Inc. of Coupeville, Washington reports that the sales of the two U.S. flag mini-cruise ships WILDERNESS DISCOVERER (ex- MAYAN PRINCE) and WILDERNESS ADVENTURER (SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE, CARIBBEAN PRINCE) have concluded. Both vessels were sold by creditors JPMorgan Chase to private Pacific Northwest interests for Alaskan operations to begin in May 2011. The vessels will be operated under a new small ship adventure brand called "InnerSea Discoveries", which is designed to be more adventuresome and appealing to a broad spectrum of younger-minded and experiential travelers. The vessels were bought back by Washington Mutual, Inc. (WaMu) at U.S. Marshal's Sale held in Seattle in May 2006 after Glacier Bay Cruise Lines filed for bankruptcy. After a number of failed attempts to sell, they were inherited by JPMorgan Chase during the takeover of WaMu in September 2008. The boats were laid-up in fresh water in Seattle at the time of sale where they are expected to remain during their refitting. Purchase of both vessels was accepted in late March 2009, but due to a number of issues in providing clear title, the closing of the sale was delayed until now. WILDERNESS ADVENTURER was purchased for $201,240 and WILDERNESS DISCOVERER for $314,760. Marcon International acted as sole and exclusive broker in the sale and had previously sold the 31 passenger WILDERNESS EXPLORER shortly after the 2006 U.S. Marshal's Sale.


California Maritime Academy
finishes high on rankings lists

VALLEJO, CA — The California Maritime Academy has received some very positive news from independent sources in the form of strong rankings from USNews & World Report and Forbes magazine’s annual surveys of the nation’s best undergraduate colleges and universities. The 2010 USNews survey, based on responses from academic faculty and deans with knowledge of specific institutions, again ranked Cal Maritime fifth among 17 ranked Baccalaureate schools in the western U.S. - second only to the U.S. Air Force Academy among public schools in that category. Cal Maritime also was chosen as one of the nation’s top 100 public colleges and universities (#61) for Forbes’ 2009 rankings of America’s Best Colleges - the only state maritime academy to make the list.


Rail traffic numbers
make gains during week

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads reports that rail carloadings for the week ended July 25, 2009 continue to show slight improvement, but rail traffic remains down compared with the same period last year. U.S railroads reported originating 273,943 cars, down 17.4 percent compared with the same week in 2008. Regionally, carloadings were down 15.6 percent in the West and 20 percent in the East. Intermodal volume of 193,332 trailers or containers was down 17.9 percent from the same week last year. Container volume fell 12.1 percent and trailer volume dropped 39.1 percent. Total volume on U.S. railroads for the week ending July 25 was estimated at 29.3 billion ton-miles, down 16.3 percent from the same week last year. All 19 carload freight commodity groups were down from last year with declines ranging from 2.9 percent for nonmetallic minerals to 57.9 percent for metallic ores. For the first 29 weeks of 2009, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 7,610,311 carloads, down 19.1 percent from 2008; 5,376,118 trailers or containers, down 17.2 percent, and total volume of an estimated 809.7 billion ton-miles, down 18.1 percent.


Public invited to tour
Port of Olympia facilities

OLYMPIA — Windmill blades from Brazil and logs going to Japan are among the features of Port of Olympia’s tours of the working waterfront. The public is invited to participate in a guided tour on Sunday, Aug. 23, during the annual Sand in the City event at Port Plaza on Budd Inlet. The half-hour tours are scheduled at 11:00 a.m. and 12:00, 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. Visitors can sign up on Sunday beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the port booth on the Plaza, which is just north of Percival Landing on Budd Inlet, or call 360-528-8000 on Friday. The tours are among the many family attractions at Port Plaza during the Hands On Children’s Museum’s Sand in the City event http://www.hocm.org/.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, August 20, 2009

Port Tracker Report finds
continued drop in box numbers

WASHINGTON, DC — Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to total 12.3 million containers for 2009, a drop of 18.8 percent since last year and the lowest level in seven years, according to the monthly Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and IHS Global Insight. The 12.3 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units forecast for 2009 compares with 15.2 million TEU last year and is the lowest level since the 11.6 million TEU seen in 2002. One TEU is one 20-foot container or its equivalent. U.S. ports surveyed handled 1.01 million TEU in June, the most recent month for which actual numbers are available. That was down two percent from May and 22 percent from June 2008, marking the 24th month in a row to see a year-over-year decline.


Lufthansa Cargo adds flights
to Seattle-Tacoma Airport

SEATTLE — Enhancing the Northwest region's trade links to Europe, the Port of Seattle will welcome Lufthansa Cargo Airlines as a new freighter service to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with their first arrival today. Lufthansa's MD-11 freighter will serve Sea-Tac twice a week from Frankfurt, Germany, with a connection continuing to Los Angeles. This will be the third freighter service from Sea-Tac to Europe and serves a market (Frankfurt) previously not served by freighter. Other European freighters serving Sea-Tac are Cargolux to Luxembourg and Martinair to Amsterdam. Currently, the airport is served by four freighter services to Asia. Lufthansa German Airlines only recently began passenger service to Sea-Tac in March of 2008. Lufthansa Cargo, a wholly-owned Lufthansa subsidiary, provides belly-cargo service on these passenger flights, however, the freighter addition will add "main-deck" cargo capacity that allows for larger items to be shipped by air and greater volumes per flight. Lufthansa Cargo's MD-11 freighter is capable of transporting more than 90 tons of cargo at its full range capability.


Boeing taps Perry Moore
to manage Portland operation

SEATTLE — Perry Moore has been named general manager of Boeing Fabrication's Portland manufacturing site, effective immediately. In his new role, Mr. Moore also serves as the site executive within the State of Oregon working with government and community agencies and representing Boeing. Mr. Moore reports to Ross Bogue, vice president and general manager of Boeing Fabrication, a Boeing Commercial Airplanes organization. The Boeing Portland site, located in Gresham, serves as the manufacturing center of excellence for fabrication and assembly operations of complex machining, gear systems and end-item pilot controls for Commercial Airplanes.


Horizon Lines earns
Quest for Quality award

CHARLOTTE, NC — Horizon Lines, Inc., has earned a 2009 Quest for Quality Award in the ocean carrier category from Logistics Management magazine. The Quest for Quality Award recognizes leading logistics and transportation providers for service excellence and customer satisfaction based on performance, value, information technology, customer service, equipment and operations. The Quest for Quality Award is based on a wide-ranging survey conducted each year by Logistics Management, a monthly publication for supply chain professionals. The publication surveys qualified buyers of logistics and transportation services to evaluate providers on service excellence and customer satisfaction.


Navious Maritime Holdings
buying two Capesize vessels

PIRAEUS, Greece — Navios Maritime Holdings Inc., a global, vertically integrated seaborne shipping and logistics company, has announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire two Capesize vessels, currently under construction at the same South Korean Shipyard, to be delivered in the second half of 2010. The aggregate nominal purchase price for the two new vessels will be approximately $141.5 million payable with a combination of cash, and mandatorily convertible preferred stock. The effective purchase price for the two vessels, assuming a $10.00 conversion price of the preferred stock, would be $115.6 million ($57.8 million per vessel). The vessels will be employed under existing long-term charter-out contracts with an average length of 10 years and will generate approximately $17.4 million in annual EBITDA (assuming operating expense of $5,000 per day and 360 revenue days per year).


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Commerce Secretary to announce
ARRA funding for maritime projects

WASHINGTON, DC — On Thursday, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke will announce millions of dollars of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding to strengthen the economy, create jobs, and support safe and efficient marine commerce and trade, which contributes more than $742 billion and 13 million jobs to the economy annually. The awarded contracts will help the Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) map the seafloor, collect data in critical coastal areas, and update nautical charts of approximately 2,000 square nautical miles in the Chesapeake Bay and other areas along the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of Mexico.


Panama Canal Authority
puts expansion plans in motion

PANAMA CITY — The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) reports it has reached a critical milestone for the Canal Expansion Program moving ahead on time and on budget. Culminating months of work, the ACP received Grupo Unidos por el Canal’s (GUPC) performance and payment bonds and signed the contract. On August 18, ACP Executive Manager and Locks Project Management Division and Contracting Officer Jorge de la Guardia issued the Notice to Commence work slated for August 25, 2009. The scope of work included in the contract encompasses the design and construction of the canal’s new set of locks and water-saving basins on both the Pacific and Atlantic ends of the canal.


Corps closing Ballard locks
for salmon structure inspection

SEATTLE — Both the large and small locks at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard will be closed to all marine traffic from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. tomorrow. The closure will allow dive teams to inspect an Adult Salmon Exclusion Structure immediately upstream of the locks. The structure prevents salmon access to the locks’ salt water return system and improves the viability of the salmon runs, which use the fish ladder to return upstream to their spawning grounds. The design allows for the doors to be manually closed during migration and opened when the salmon are not migrating. For current information about activities at the locks, visit the Corps of Engineers Web site at www.nws.usace.army.mil and select “Dams and Locks” then “Lake Washington Ship Canal” from the left column.


General Dynamics NASSCO
launches new Navy supply ship

SAN DIEGO — General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, has launched the U.S. Navy's newest supply ship, USNS MATTHEW PERRY (T-AKE 9), during a christening ceremony at the shipyard. The ship is named in honor of Commodore Matthew C. Perry, the U.S. Navy officer who established American trade with Japan in the mid-19th Century. Vice Adm. Richard Hunt, the commander of the U.S. Navy's 3rd Fleet, was the ceremony's principal speaker. Ms. Hester Evans, the great-great-great granddaughter of Commodore Perry and the ship's sponsor, christened the ship by breaking the traditional bottle of champagne against the bow before the 689-foot-long ship slid into San Diego Bay. Approximately 2,000 people attended the ceremony.


Coast Guard cutter recovers
sonobuoy while on Arctic duty

ARCTIC OCEAN — A Coast Guard Cutter HEALY boatcrew along with a scientist from Scripps Institution of Oceanography recovered a sonobuoy, Aug. 8, 2009, while on a scientific research mission in the Arctic Ocean. The 1,100-pound sonobuoy spent nearly a year on the ocean floor at a depth of almost 1,000 feet measuring ambient noise at its location. To locate and recover the device the HEALY was steered to the position the sonobouy was deployed a year ago. A signal was sent from the cutter to the buoy that commanded it to release the ballast weights that held it to the bottom of ocean. After a 10-minute assent, the device reached the surface and was located by the boatcrew. The crew towed the buoy to the stern of the HEALY where it was hoisted onto the ship using a large a-frame crane. While deployed, the sonobouy recorded sounds made by whales, seals and other marine mammals. It also monitored sounds created by movements of ice sheets above and the sea floor below. This information will be used to help scientists understand the natural sound level in the ocean. The HEALY’s current mission is of part of the U.S. Extended Continental Shelf Task Force’s efforts to determine the outer limits of the U.S. continental shelf.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, August 17, 2009

Panama Canal marks
95 years of operations

PANAMA CITY — On August 15, the Panama Canal celebrated 95 years of service as an engine of global trade and national growth. Since the steamship Ancón’s inaugural Canal passage August 15, 1914, the waterway has offered safe, reliable and efficient service to more than 983,000 transits. The canal will reach the significant mark of one million transits next year. On this anniversary, the canal finds itself engaged in the largest project since its inauguration, the Expansion Program, which broke ground September 2007. The expansion of the canal will permit the transit of larger ships carrying more cargo, which will affect economies of scale and increase the usage of the Panamanian waterway. Additionally, just like the construction of the canal, expansion will contribute to technological advancement in the diverse fields of engineering and construction, among others.


Coast Guard training exercise
set for Port Angeles, Seattle

PORT ANGELES — In support of the North Pacific Coast Guard Forum, an international partnership of Coast Guard-like agencies from several countries, the U.S. Coast Guard will host an international, humanitarian service training exercise August 23-27 in the Port Angeles and Seattle areas. Coast Guard ships from Japan, Canada, Russia and the United States, as well as observation teams from China and South Korea, are scheduled to participate in various events. The ships are scheduled to visit and operate out of the Port Angeles area August 23rd and will travel to Seattle August 26th.


FreeSeas announces charters
for three Handysize vessels

PIRAEUS, Greece — FreeSeas Inc., a transporter of dry-bulk cargoes through the ownership and operation of a fleet of seven Handysize vessels and two Handymax vessels, has announced new charters for three of its vessels, the FREE ENVOY, the FREE HERO, and the FREE IMPALA. The M/V FREE ENVOY, a 1984-built, 26,318 dwt Handysize vessel, has been delivered to its charterers at a daily rate of $7,900 for a spot time charter trip of 40-50 days. The M/V FREE HERO, a 1995-built, 24,318 dwt Handysize vessel, has been delivered to its charterers for a spot time charter trip of approximately 25-30 days at a rate of $13,000 per day. The M/V FREE IMPALA, a 1997-built, 24,111 dwt Handysize vessel, has been delivered to its charterers at a daily rate of $8,750 for a spot time charter trip of 25-40 days.


Border Protection personnel
make food drive donations

BLAINE, WA — Personnel of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection pitched in and sponsored a food drive to benefit local food banks in support of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Summer of Service” program. As part of the national effort, CBP officers at the Blaine area ports and Vancouver pre-clearance station donated and distributed a combined 1,266 pounds of food to the Blaine and Sumas city food banks. The goal of this donation drive is to help restock food banks which face their greatest challenge during economic downturns when contributions are slowed. This giving provides a passage from temporary crisis to stability for many families subsiding on limited incomes permitting them to pay for other great needs such as medical expenses, housing, and childcare. Among the items collected were rice, oatmeal, pasta, tomato products, canned vegetables, fruit, chicken, turkey, tuna and perhaps the all time favorite for children, macaroni and cheese.


NYK Group makes donations
to non-profit organizations

TOKYO — From June 3 through June 30, the NYK Group conducted a campaign to encourage donations from its employees and directors to non-profit organizations (NPO) recommended by the Japan Philanthropic Association (JPA), an association that has been active since 1991 promoting social contribution activities that allow corporations to fulfill their responsibilities to society. The donations were then matched by the company, resulting in a sum total of 1.4 million yen for the NPOs. The JPA pools contributions from a variety of companies and their employees and then donates the entrusted contributions to selected NPOs. The unique feature of the system established by the JPA is that it encourages collaboration between the company and its employees and helps build strong, trusting relationships between donors and recipients. Events are sponsored so that donors and recipients can learn more about each other, and once a donation is made, periodic reports are provided about how the contributions are being utilized. This year, three organizations—Nishiwaki Kikin, the Carillon Child Center, and the Childline Support Center—were highlighted.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, August 14, 2009

ZIM LOS ANGELES
makes first stop in Seattle

SEATTLE — The containership ZIM LOS ANGELES made its first call at the Port of Seattle on Wednesday, August 12. The 8,400-TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) ship is deployed in the Grand Alliance's Pacific Northwest Service, which links Seattle to Singapore, Laem Chabang, Shekou, Hong Kong and Kaohsiung. The service calls at the port's 196-acre (79-hectare) Terminal 18, which is leased and operated by SSA Terminals. The port welcomed ZIM LOS ANGELES with an on-board presentation of a plaque commemorating the first stop in Seattle. The 10,000-TEU ZIM DJIBOUTI is scheduled to call Seattle later this month.


Sailing vessel returns to Everett
following around the world cruise

EVERETT — Flying all the nations flags obtained around the world will be a colorful and welcome site to family and friends of Sailing Vessel MOOREA, a 1974 - 35’ Dufour Sloop, Captained by Kelly and First Mate & Wife Kelly Waterhouse, who will gather on August 29, 2009 to “Welcome Home MOOREA”, to the Port of Everett, 1700 West marine View Drive at 2:00 pm. MOOREA and crew, cut dock lines from this very same location July, 2005, four years & seven days prior to the completion of their circumnavigation voyage on July 10, 2009. Family and Friends are eager to Welcome Home MOOREA after completing their world cruise, of 33,000 nautical world miles visiting over 31 countries. For more information about The Adventures of Sailing Vessel Moorea, please visit www.kkmoorea.com.


US rail freight traffic
down again during week

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads reports that rail traffic continues to reflect the sluggish economy with traffic remaining down year over year for the week ended July 18, 2009. U.S railroads reported originating 268,553 cars, down 17.9 percent compared with the same week in 2008. Regionally, carloadings were down 17.3 percent in the West and 18.9 percent in the East. Rail carloadings were at their highest level in 15 weeks. Intermodal volume of 189,541 trailers or containers was down 18.8 percent from the same week last year. Container volume fell 13.5 percent and trailer volume dropped 38.6 percent. Total volume on U.S. railroads for the week ending July 11 was estimated at 28.7 billion ton-miles, off 17.3 percent from the same week last year. Seventeen of the 19 carload freight commodity groups were down from last year with declines ranging from 11 percent for chemicals to 51.6 percent for metallic ores. The commodity group showing a significant increase over last year was farm products other than grain, which was up 19.8 percent. For the first 28 weeks of 2009, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 7,337,655 carloads, down 19.1 percent from 2008; 5,182,786 trailers or containers, down 17.2 percent, and total volume of an estimated 780.4 billion ton-miles, down 18.2 percent.


Vessel management firm
pleads guilty in COSCO BUSAN case

WASHINGTON, DC — Fleet Management Ltd., a Hong Kong-based ship management firm, has pleaded guilty to a criminal violation of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 for its role in negligently causing the discharge of more than 50,000 gallons of fuel oil into San Francisco Bay from the COSCO BUSAN when the vessel struck the San Francisco Bay Bridge in dense fog on Nov. 7, 2007. Fleet Management also pleaded guilty to felony obstruction of justice and false statement charges for creating false and forged documents after the crash at the direction of shore-based supervisors with an intent to deceive the U.S. Coast Guard. The guilty pleas were made as part of a plea agreement with the government that is subject to approval by Judge Susan Illston of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. If the plea terms are approved by the Court, Fleet has agreed to pay a total $10 million criminal penalty. Of this amount, $2 million would be devoted to fund marine environmental projects in San Francisco Bay.


Coast Guard awards medals
to pair for life saving efforts

SEATTLE — Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Capt. Suzanne Englebert presented Certificates of Valor yesterday, to Bruce Johnson and Stevie Kokita for their heroic actions on the evening of June 28, 2008. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Kokita rescued a man from a vehicle that plunged into Puget Sound after the vehicle smashed through the parking lot barrier in the Des Moines Marina in Des Moines, Wash. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Kokita immediately jumped into the water to assist with the rescue. The driver of the automobile was taken safely to shore. Tragically, the passenger died in the accident. The Certificate of Valor is awarded to those who exhibit courage in saving a life or attempting to save a life at extreme risk.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, August 13, 2009

Congressional delegation celebrates
dedication of Port of Vancouver terminal

VANCOUVER, USA — The complete U.S. Congressional delegation that represents Southwest Washington will participate in the dedication of the Port of Vancouver USA’s new Terminal 5, today, from 10-11:30 a.m., with the formal program beginning at 10:30. Sen Patty Murray, D-Wash., Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Rep. Brian Baird, D-Wash, will each speak during the dedication ceremony, which commemorates not only the new marine terminal, but also the groundbreaking of a new unit-train rail facility on the terminal as well. Terminal 5 was previously home to the Alcoa – and later Evergreen – Aluminum smelter and extrusion facilities, which once hosted as many as 3,000 jobs for the Vancouver area. While aluminum operations shut down completely several years ago, the property hasn’t been fully utilized since Alcoa ceased its operation in 1985.


Everett Port Commission
puts building's fate up to vote

EVERETT — The Port of Everett Commission has voted unanimously to allow the voters of the Port District to decide the fate of the historic Collins Building by putting the matter up to a public vote in November. On November 3, 2009, the voters will have the chance to vote up or down a one-time, $15 million capital tax levy to restore the 60,000 square foot building. The Collins Building was constructed in about 1925, and operated as a casket manufacturing factory on the Everett waterfront until the 1990s. The port acquired the Collins Building, along with 23 acres around the building, in 1991. On June 16, 2009, the Port Commission voted to deconstruct the Collins Building, and mitigate for the loss of the structure by ensuring pieces of the building lives on in the community. To pass, 60 percent of the Port District must vote in favor of the capital levy. For taxpayers, this would mean a commitment of approximately $1.06 per assessed $1,000 home value for one year. This is about $318 for a 300,000 home.


Alaska Airlines to add
Portland to Chicago flights

SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines has announced it will inaugurate daily service between Portland and Chicago, starting Nov. 16, 2009. To celebrate, Alaska Airlines is offering $99 one-way fares on the new nonstop route for tickets purchased by Aug. 31, for travel by Jan. 31, 2010. Fares are available for purchase on alaskaair.com or by calling (800) ALASKAAIR (800-252-7522 or TTY/TDD line 800-392-0228). Flights will depart daily from Portland at 10:10 a.m. and arrive at Chicago O’Hare International Airport at 4 p.m. Flights will depart Chicago at 4:45 p.m. and arrive in Portland at 7:10 p.m. Times are based on local time zones. Alaska Airlines will operate the new route with fuel-efficient Boeing 737 aircraft. Alaska Airlines inaugurated service to Chicago in June 2000 and today offers daily nonstop service to the Windy City from Seattle and Anchorage, Alaska.


Freight transportation index
holds steady during June

WASHINGTON, DC — The Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) was unchanged in June from its May level, remaining at its lowest level in 12 years, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reports. BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the Freight TSI has declined in all but two of the last 11 months. The index has declined 14.8 percent in that 11-month period. 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 June Freight TSI of 94.0 is the same as in May, remaining at its lowest level since June 1997 when it was 92.4. The Freight TSI is down 16.7 percent from its historic peak of 112.9 reached in May 2006. The 6.3 percent decline in the first six months of 2009 was the largest in the last decade, exceeding the 4.6 percent decline for the first six months of 2000. The 14.2 percent decline in the Freight TSI from June 2008 to June 2009 was the largest June-to-June decline in the 20 years for which the TSI is calculated.


Port of Seattle reports on status
of homeless camp on port property

SEATTLE — On July 23rd, the Nickelsville encampment moved onto the Port of Seattle’s Terminal 107 public park without permission. Port staff members believe that legally, the Port of Seattle has neither the authority to provide housing nor the ability to donate property for the encampment. “We understand the difficult situation that many of the Nickelsville members are in, and share the concern of many in our community about the serious problem of homelessness,” said Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani. “But the port must consider not just our legal authority and our responsibility to create jobs and economic growth for the region, but the needs and wants of other residents in the region who live adjacent to and use port parks and facilities every day.” Mr. Yoshitani has asked Washington State Auditor Brian Sonntag, Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna and Washington State Speaker of the House Frank Chopp to clarify the port’s legal authority to donate the property for housing. Mr. Yoshitani hopes the request for legal clarification can be expedited. In a separate action, the port has withdrawn the motion for unlawful detainer filed before King County Superior Court. The motion was scheduled to be heard on August 13th. However, the port reserves the right to proceed with the Notice of Trespass given to the encampment on July 24th, and Mr. Yoshitani has instructed staff members to continue working toward the previously stated August 21st deadline for the encampment to leave port property.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Duane Pearson selected
as Everett Port Commissioner

EVERETT — The Port of Everett Commission appointed Mukilteo resident Duane Pearson to the District 2 seat on Aug. 4, 2009. Commissioner Pearson was sworn in that day, and is now an active member of the port commission. Commissioner Pearson has resided in the port district for more than 60 years, and is familiar with the port’s various operations and business endeavors. He also served on the port’s properties advisory committee. His beneficial expertise includes knowledge in the banking, insurance and real estate fields. Commissioner Pearson spent the bulk of his career as a general manager of Real Estate with Simpson Investment Company in Seattle, a private company in the wood products industry. Commissioner Pearson will hold the District 2 position on an interim basis until the results of the general election in November 2009 election are certified. The special filing for the post is scheduled for Aug. 19-21.


New Port of Seattle terminal
welcomes first vessel call

SEATTLE — The first vessel to call at the Port of Seattle's new Terminal 30 arrived on Saturday, August 8. China Shipping's CSCL JAKARTA tied up at the Terminal's North Berth, where it discharged and loaded containers. The Port of Seattle invested nearly $50 million in the 70-acre, two-berth facility. China Shipping and SSA Terminals will operate the terminal in a joint venture under a long-term agreement. China Shipping has called at the Port of Seattle since 1999. The carrier's previous home in Seattle was at the port's Terminal 18. Construction of the terminal generated approximately 600 jobs and the facility will support 400 ongoing jobs related to cargo operations.


Panama Registry sees rise
in number of vessel onboard

PANAMA — Panama Registry continues to post record figures reaching 8,644 vessels exceeding 500 dwt, totaling 202.6M gt at July 10, 2009, up from 8,605 vessels totaling 183.5M gt as of December 2008, according to Lloyd’s Register. Panama’s merchant fleet represents 21.87 percent of the world’s total fleet. Japan is the largest customer of Panama’s Ship Registry accounting for 45.4 percent of the total fleet, followed by Korea, 7.1 percent, China, 6.7 percent, Greece, 6.4 percent and Taiwan, 4.3 percent. From 2007 to 2009 a number or 1,539 vessels registered in Panama’s merchant fleet are new buildings totaling 42.8M gt, with some 364 new buildings vessels registering during the six months of this year. From May 1, 2009 to July 31, 2009, some 166 vessels less than three years old and over 500 gt have been registered under Panama flag, of which 55 have been delivered in 2009 and one will be delivered in 2010.


New firefighting station open
at Bellingham International Airport

BELLINGHAM — The Bellingham International Airport has boosted its emergency response capabilities with the opening of a new state-of-the-art Airport Rescue Firefighting Station. The port has nine airport operations specialists who provide the first emergency response to aircraft. The new 7,550 square foot facility has three equipment bays, a state-of-the-art communications room, kitchenette and training room. The building also has 1,500 square feet of unfinished space available for future expansion as the airport grows. The airport has experienced tremendous growth in recent years and last month over 1,000 people a day flew out of the Bellingham commercial airport. With Allegiant Air, Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines, passengers now have seven non-stop destinations available. The port began planning for the new facility in 2003 because of increased aircraft traffic near the old station, which was near the US Customs clearing office. The new facility alongside the runway at 2005 W. Bakerview Road allows for faster response to potential aircraft emergencies. More than 95 percent of the design and construction costs on the $2.7 million dollar facility were paid for through Federal Aviation Administration funding. The new facility was designed to meet safety regulations for both the current size classification of the airport as well as the future size classification, if the airport growth continues.


Wright brothers characters
appearing at pair of air shows

PORTLAND — Two fellows who look a lot like Orville and Wilbur Wright will speak to audiences and pose for photographs at two popular air shows this month – the Northwest Antique Airplane Fly-in at Pearson Field in Vancouver, Wash., on Aug. 15, and the Oregon International Air Show at Hillsboro Airport on Aug. 29. The appearances are part of a summer campaign called “Thank you, Orville and Wilbur. Because of you, I can fly!” It was launched by the Port of Portland last month to recognize and support the 14 airlines that serve Portland International Airport. The Pearson Field Airport event will feature an Orville and Wilbur costume contest with $500 travel gift certificates for the best costumes in three categories. Prizes will also be awarded at the Oregon International Air Show at Hillsboro for the winners of the “Thank you, Orville and Wilbur” essay contest under way now. Submissions for the essays can be submitted online until Aug. 17. For details on all events and contests, visit www.flypdx.com.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, August 10, 2009

WSF calling for bids
to build new 64-car ferries

SEATTLE — The plan to improve Washington’s ferry fleet takes another step forward with the advertisement on Aug. 7, of a contract to build at least two new 64-car ferries. The Washington State Department of Transportation’s Ferries Division (WSF) is building four new ferries in the next five years to replace its aging fleet. Nine of WSF’s 20 auto-passenger ferries are between 40 and 60 years old and must be replaced in the next 20 years. The last new Washington State Ferry was put into service in 1999. The state recently sold four 82-year-old Steel Electric class ferries after they were removed from service for safety reasons. WSF awarded a $65.5 million contract to Todd Pacific Shipyards in December 2008 to build one 64-car ferry, which is scheduled to be delivered in summer 2010. The Port Townsend/Keystone route is currently being served by the Steilacoom II leased from Pierce County. The 2009 Transportation Budget provided $114.8 million for construction of 64-car ferries in the 2009-2011 biennium, and $69.4 million in the 2011-2013 biennium. WSF will pursue a contract for the second and third 64-car ferries with an option to purchase a fourth 64-car ferry. However, if sufficient resources are available to build one 144-car ferry prior to exercising the option to build the fourth 64-car ferry, WSF will pursue procurement of a 144-car ferry instead of a fourth 64-car ferry. The bid package was posted on WSF’s contracts Web site on Friday, August 7. WSF will open bids on the additional 64-car ferries contract this fall.


Stork Craft moving offices
to Port of Bellingham location

BELLINGHAM — Just a year after locating its Distribution Center in Bellingham, Stork Craft (USA) Inc. relocated its United States administrative offices from Las Vegas to Bellingham. Last week Stork Craft opened an office at the port's Bellwether Building. In addition to the general manager, Stork Craft plans to have six to 10 more administrative employees work in the Bellingham office. The company's world headquarters are in Vancouver, B.C. Stork Craft is the largest supplier of juvenile furniture in the world, with factories located in China, Indonesia and Vietnam; and international distribution in Canada, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.


Dead whale discovered
in Tacoma's Blair Waterway

TACOMA — The Port of Tacoma reports it is working with marine mammal response network members to determine the cause of death of a whale discovered Friday in a Commencement Bay waterway. A Port Security officer spotted the whale, estimated to be 30 to 35 feet long, at the south end of the Blair Waterway. It’s unclear yet whether the whale, believed to be a fin or sei, came in with a container ship. Members of the response network, which includes NOAA-Fisheries, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and Cascadia Research Collective, said the whale also appeared to have a throat injury, which might indicate an attack by an Orca or other animal. The port had the whale towed to a secure location, where wildlife biologists examined it Saturday morning to determine the cause of death.


Horizon Lines recognized
for perfect schedule reliability

CHARLOTTE, NC — Horizon Lines, Inc., has topped the list of ocean carriers worldwide for schedule reliability in the second quarter 2009 with 100 perecnt on time performance, according to Drewry Shipping Consultants, based in London. This honor comes after Horizon Lines was awarded the Platinum Carrier Award earlier this year from home improvement retailer Lowe's Companies Inc. for providing 100 percent on-time service in 2008. Horizon Lines is the only ocean carrier serving each of the domestic U.S. trades of Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and Puerto Rico. Horizon Lines has been continually recognized in recent years for schedule integrity, vessel maintenance and safety programs, while making efficiency gains to help mitigate the environmental impact from its ships.


Electric boat nets contract
to repair damaged submarine

GROTON, CT — The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $65.2 million contract to perform repair work on USS HARTFORD (SSN-768), a Los Angeles-class submarine damaged in a collision March 20. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics. Under the contract, Electric Boat will install a hull patch, bridge-access trunk, port retractable bow plane and the sail, which were fabricated under a previously awarded contract. In addition, Electric Boat will perform selected maintenance work on the submarine.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, August 7, 2009

Port of Camas-Washougal
nets judgement against Riverwalk

WASHOUGAL — The Port of Camas-Washougal has announced the conclusion of the second phase of the arbitration process between the port and Riverwalk on the Columbia, LLC. The port filed a motion with the Clark County Superior Court to confirm the recent arbitration award and for entry of judgment against Riverwalk on the Columbia, LLC. The arbitration panel awarded to the port substantial attorney's fees and costs in the amount of $607,852.67. A copy of the port's Motion to Confirm Arbitration Award is available from the port's Web site at http://portcw.com/news.htm


Port of Everett has clean audit
for 12 consecutive years

EVERETT — The Port of Everett demonstrated its high financial standards once more by achieving another clean audit, marking the 12th consecutive year with no findings reported by the State Auditor’s office. Representatives from the Washington State Auditor’s Office visited the port between June 1 and July 8 to review its financial documents from the period of Jan.1, 2008 through Dec. 31, 2008. The scope of the audit included the evaluation of financial statements, as well as documentation. related to the accountability of public resources and compliance with laws and regulations, such as open public meetings, gift of public funds, compliance with contracts and agreements and contract change orders. At the exit conference, the Auditor’s Office commended the port for positive cooperation in the audit process, and thanked staff for their “helpfulness and timely response” to all audit requests.


US rail freight traffic
continues string of down weeks

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads reports that rail traffic remains down year over year for the week ended July 11, 2009. U.S railroads reported originating 262,210 cars, down 17.9 percent compared with the same week in 2008. Regionally, carloadings were down 12.8 percent in the West and 25.6 percent in the East. Rail carloadings were at their highest level in 14 weeks. Intermodal volume of 176,887 trailers or containers was down 23.7 percent from the same week last year. Container volume fell 19.4 percent and trailer volume dropped 40.3 percent. Total volume on U.S. railroads for the week ending July 11 was estimated at 28 billion ton-miles, off 16.9 percent from the same week last year. All 19 carload freight commodity groups were down from last year, with declines ranging from 4.2 percent for the catch-all category labeled “all other carloads” to 58.4 percent for metals and metal products. For the first 27 weeks of 2009, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 7,069,102 carloads, down 19.2 percent from 2008; 4,993,245 trailers or containers, down 17.1 percent, and total volume of an estimated 751.7 billion ton-miles, down 18.2 percent.


Neptune Orient Lines
releases first half numbers

SINGAPORE — Global container shipping, terminals and logistics group Neptune Orient Lines (NOL) has announced a net loss for the first half of 2009 (1H09) of US$391 million, compared with a net profit of US$196 million for the same period of 2008 (1H08). For the second quarter of 2009 (2Q09), NOL recorded a net loss of US$146 million. At the Core EBIT level NOL posted a loss of US$353 million for 1H09. Revenue for 1H09 was down year-on-year by 37 percent to US$2.931 billion.


Marcon brokers sales
of supply boat/deck barge

COUPEVILLE, WA — Marcon International, Inc. of Coupeville, Washington reports the sales of both a 166' supply boat in the Arabian Gulf and a 5,000dwt ocean deck barge on the U.S. West Coast. United Salvage and Towing (Phils) Inc. of the Phillipines sold their 1979 built supply vessel GULF VENTURE to Middle East Buyers on private terms. Constructed at Halter Marine of Patterson, Louisiana, USA; the 166' x 38' x 13' depth vessel worked in the Middle East for most of 2009, so Buyers were able to inspect and take delivery with minimal travel and repositioning. Young Brothers Ltd. of Honolulu, Hawaii has sold their 250.0' x 72.0' x 14.5' ocean deck barge MAKAHANI to Pacific Cachalot, Ltd. of British Columbia. The 5,000stdw barge was originally built in 1982 by Bergeron Industries of Perlington, Mississippi, brought around to the West Coast by Zidell Marine of Portland and equipped with 24 hopper bins on deck with clamshell doors and a conveyor discharge system for the aggregate trade. Marcon International Inc. has sold or chartered 21 vessels and barges during 2009. Sales of several additional vessels and barges are expected to be concluded within the next few weeks.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, August 6, 2009

Surgery center under construction
on Port of Bellingham property

BELLINGHAM — The Port of Bellingham has announced that Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute has begun construction on 1.9 acres of leased land near the Bellingham International Airport. Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute recently received a building permit to construct a 9,300 square foot surgery center on Mitchell Way. The high-tech eye care facility will provide a low-stress, comfortable, homelike atmosphere. The company acquired a land lease from the port in 2007 that extends over a 25-year period with two 15-year renewal periods. The general contractor is Schwiesow Construction and the facility should be completed by February 2010. Approximately 12 part and full-time employees will work out of this new surgery center.


Port Metro Vancouver
posts mid-year numbers

VANCOUVER, BC — Mid-year cargo statistics released by Port Metro Vancouver (PMV) include several positive areas of growth among expected reductions. While overall tonnage was 48.8 million tonnes, down almost 17 percent from the same period in 2008, there were increases in commodities such as grain and petroleum. The cruise sector showed improvement from the first half of 2008, with an increase of five percent in revenue passengers to 354,251. Container volumes declined 15 percent, for a total of 1.04 million TEU. Containerized full imports, down 25 percent, reflected reductions in the retail economy for this period. Laden container exports decreased eight percent, reflecting stability in demand for woodpulp, grains and agri-products such as special crops.


US joins Republic of Philippines
in anti-piracy joint agreement

WASHINGTON, DC — On July 31, 2009, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood met with President Gloria Arroyo of the Republic of the Philippines and signed the first joint nonbinding Memorandum of Cooperation between the two nations to address the piracy issue. It is estimated that pirates have carried out more than 82 attacks this year just in the waters of the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast, and more than 199 seafarers are currently being held captive. Piracy threatens the health and safety of all seafarers and disrupts the free flow of maritime commerce in major commercial corridors. The problem deeply concerns both nations, since many U.S. vessels have been threatened by these activities, and the Philippines is the world’s largest supplier of seafaring labor. Working together, the two nations can improve counter-piracy training and education. The agreement calls upon both nations to develop best practices to enhance vessel security, conduct drills to ensure seafarers are prepared to respond to acts of piracy, and share information. The two nations will also examine ways to strengthen legislation and regulations to address this problem.


APL nets environmental award
from Port of Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES — Global shipping leader APL has received the Port of Los Angeles' top environmental prize for improving air quality. The world's seventh-largest container carrier, APL received the second annual Clean Air Action Plan Award at a ceremony attended by Southern California maritime and government officials. In presenting the award, the port hailed "innovative operations and technologies that improve air quality," at APL’s Global Gateway South marine terminal.


Schnitzer recycling program
benefits from 'clunker' vehicles

PORTLAND — The “Clunkers Recycling Dealer Program” set up by Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. and its Auto Parts Business subsidiaries GreenLeaf Auto Recyclers and Pick-N-Pull Auto Dismantlers has gained a significant positive response from new car dealerships receiving trade-ins of “clunker” vehicles through the federal government’s recently implemented Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS). Hundreds of new car dealerships have registered with Schnitzer’s Clunkers Recycling Dealer Program, with an expectation that additional new car dealerships will recognize the benefits of working with Schnitzer facilities as dealers ramp up to timely process the large numbers of Clunkers being traded in. Under Schnitzer’s Clunkers Recycling Dealer Program, Schnitzer will provide dealerships an immediate quote for their Clunker that is guaranteed for 15 business days and provide a certificate of destruction, free towing services, and quick payment.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, August 5, 2009

NOAA Marine Operations Center
to be built at Newport, Oregon

WASHINGTON, DC — NOAA has selected the Port of Newport, Ore., to be the new home of the agency’s Marine Operations Center-Pacific beginning in 2011 pending the signing of a 20-year lease. NOAA selected the site following a rigorous process involving an extensive review of proposals submitted by sites in Washington and Oregon, both of which are centrally located for all NOAA ship operations on the West Coast. The current lease expires on June 30, 2011. Considerations in selecting the site included NOAA’s infrastructure needs, proximity to maritime industry resources and NOAA labs, quality of life for civilian employees, officers and crew, the ability to meet the desired occupancy date of July 2011 in addition to lease cost.


Foss Maritime operations
earn zero injury honors

SEATTLE — Two regional divisions of Foss Maritime celebrated important safety milestones July 31. Southern California and El Segundo operations have gone a year without a lost-time injury, and San Francisco Bay operations have gone a year and a half. “This industry has historically focused on getting the job done and has accepted the notion that injuries are sometimes part of the cost of doing business,” said Gary Faber, president and chief operating officer of Foss. “At Foss we have rejected that attitude and have a stated goal of zero injuries. The impressive achievement of the Southern California and San Francisco regions is a very important step toward that goal.”


Sea-Tac Airport continues string
of best recycling workplaces

SEATTLE — King County's Solid Waste Division has, for the third year in a row, named Port of Seattle - Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to the third-annual Best Workplaces for Recycling & Waste Reduction, one of 65 organizations to make the list this year. Sea-Tac Airport is being recognized for strong internal recycling programs and for a commitment to reducing the amount of waste produced. To qualify as a Best Workplace for Recycling & Waste Reduction, organizations met at least 10 criteria out of a list of 33 good business recycling practices-choices that range from placing recycling bins by every desk, to collecting food scraps for on or off-site composting, to having internal 'green teams.'


Shipper hit with penalties
for illegal bilge waste dumping

WASHINGTON, DC — The operator of an ocean-going chemical tanker ship has been sentenced in federal court to pay a fine of more than $2 million for polluting the high seas, the Justice Department announced. Consultores de Navegacion, a Spanish company that operates the M/T NAUTILUS, an ocean-going chemical tanker ship, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to pay a fine of more than $2 million and serve three years of probation for criminal violations related to the overboard discharge of oil-contaminated bilge waste on the high seas. The company pleaded guilty on April 6, 2009, to conspiracy, falsification of records, obstruction, and two violations of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships for failing to maintain an accurate oil record book.


Special cruise series targets
divorced and single again market

PORT EVERGLADES — National Cruise retailer Cruise.com has announced a series of cruises dedicated to the 'divorced and single again' market. "These cruise groups were designed for divorced individuals to meet, party and perhaps even connect with others who have shared similar relationship experiences," said Anthony Hamawy, President of Cruise.com. Special activities planned include private parties, games, prizes, and more. The divorcee cruises are currently scheduled for three sailings this year including Oct. 16 on the Norwegian Sky for three nights to the Bahamas from Miami, Nov. 16 aboard the Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the seas for five days to Mexico from San Diego, and Dec. 18 aboard Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas for three day Bahamas from Miami.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, August 3, 2009

Port of Seattle program
cuts sulfur dioxide emissions

SEATTLE — Ships at the Port of Seattle have reduced emissions of sulfur dioxide by at least 80 percent and diesel particulate matter by 60 percent through an innovative program called At-Berth Clean Fuels. The program was unveiled aboard Matson Navigation's M/V MANOA, at the port's Terminal 18. At-Berth Clean Fuels (ABC Fuels) was devised by the port and shipping lines that call Seattle in order to meet the goals of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, a joint effort by the Ports of Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver (Canada) and their private sector partners to reduce maritime related air emissions. Vessels participating in ABC Fuels agree to use low sulfur fuel (0.5% or less) in their auxiliary engines while docked in Seattle. In exchange, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency helps defray the cost of the more expensive low sulfur fuel by providing participating vessels with $1,500 for each port call. So far 37 ships from six container lines and one cruise line are participating in ABC Fuels. Those ships have made 91 stops at Seattle since January and represent about 35 percent of the vessels that make frequent calls at the port. Sulfur dioxide emissions from those vessels have declined by more than 20 tons.


Panama Canal Authority
calling for project proposals

PANAMA CITY — The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has released its Request for Proposals (RFP) for the fourth dry excavation contract, the second largest and most complex project after the locks contract. Rounding out the last of four dry excavation projects, this dry excavation project represents a key portion of expansion’s new access channel linking the new Pacific locks with the waterway’s existing Gaillard Cut (the narrowest stretch of the Panama Canal). The scope of work will include 27 million cubic meters of unclassified excavation, the installation of a backfilled cellular cofferdam water barrier and the construction of an earth-rock filled dam that will conform part of the eastern bank of the access channel.


Trade between NAFTA partners
drops sharply during May

WASHINGTON, DC — Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 35.4 percent lower in May 2009 than in May 2008, the biggest decline from the same month of the previous year on record, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the value of North American surface trade dropped to $47.9 billion in the fifth consecutive month with a year-to-year decline of greater than 27 percent. Imports from Canada and Mexico to the U.S. in May were down 38.1 percent from May 2008 while exports from the U.S. declined 32.0 percent. Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. About 88 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land. The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico fell 3.7 percent in May 2009 from April 2009. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors. The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in May 2009 was down 9.9 percent compared to May 2004, and up 16.1 percent compared to May 1999, a period of 10 years. Imports in May were up 12.0 percent compared to May 1999, while exports were up 21.2 percent.


Hanjin Shipping plans
rate increases, fuel charge

SEOUL — Hanjin Shipping is introducing a rate restoration program for the Trans-Atlantic trade effective September 1st, 2009. The amount of rate increase for all shipments between Europe and North America in both directions is USD 150 per TEU and USD 225 per FEU. Hanjin Shipping comments that despite the company’s continuous efforts to reduce costs, this rate restoration is inevitable in order to maintain quality service to its customers under the current economic climate. Additionally, in response to rapidly increasing fuel costs, Hanjin Shipping will be introducing a fuel recovery charge (FRC) for all shipments between North Europe and South America effective August 15th, 2009. The charge is USD 73 per TEU and USD 146 per FEU for Northbound and EUR 55 per TEU and EUR 110 per FEU for Southbound.


President taps Matsuda
as MarAd deputy administrator

WSHINGTON, DC — David T. Matsuda was named deputy Maritime Administrator by the President on July 28, 2009, and was officially sworn into office on July 30, 2009. Mr. Matsuda served as Acting Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy from March 2009 until his appointment as Deputy. Prior to that, he spent seven years on Capitol Hill. While working in the Senate, Mr. Matsuda was engaged in the formulation and debate of most major federal transportation legislation from 2002-2009. Most recently he served as senior counsel and primary transportation advisor to U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg of New Jersey. In 2002, Mr. Matsuda became a Georgetown University Government Affairs Institute fellow on the staff of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. From 1998 to 2002, he worked as an attorney with the safety law division of the Federal Railroad Administration.