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December, 2007

NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, December 31, 2007

TSA selects PDX as
Western Area's top airport

WASHINGTON, DC — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has named Portland International Airport (PDX) as the agency's Western Area Airport of the Year during the agency's national awards ceremony held last month. The award recognizes the airport that exhibits exceptional courtesy and attentiveness to all passengers and customers while offering the highest quality of airport security. As more than 14 million travelers pass through PDX this year, one thing they will notice is the recently renovated passenger checkpoints. Also, PDX has partnered with TSA to improve security through an agreement to add $1.2 million worth of TSA-funded closed circuit TV cameras and equipment. PDX and TSA are also in the design phase of a $138 million Port of Portland commitment to an in-line checked baggage screening system that will greatly improve the efficiency of baggage screening.


COSCO signs agreement
to build 20 new container ships

BEIJING — On Dec. 28, 2007, a signing ceremony was held in Beijing for a deal between COSCO and Yangzijiang Shipbuilding to build twenty 4250TEU Container Ships (sixteen plus four options). Zhang Fusheng, executive vice president of COSCO Group, Chen Derong, vice secretary of the Party Committee of CPC of Jiangyin People's Government and Ren Yuanlin, chairman of Yangzijiang Shipbuilding attended the event. Sun Jiakang, managing director of COSCO Container Line and Cao Zhiteng, managing director of Yangzijiang Shipbuilding signed the deal on behalf of both parties.


US Transportation Secretary
makes final China flights decision

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters has announced a final decision to select US Airways to inaugurate its first U.S.-China service in 2009 as well as to award additional U.S.-China passenger flights to American Airlines, Continental Airlines and Northwest Airlines also for 2009. The Department’s decision confirms its tentative decision issued in a Sept. 25 show-cause order. The awards are the result of an agreement signed in July by Secretary Peters and her Chinese counterpart to open up new opportunities between the two countries that will double the number of daily flights allowed between the United States and China over the next five years. U.S. Airways will fly between Philadelphia and Beijing, while American, Continental and Northwest each will use the awards to add a new daily flight to their existing U.S.-China service. American will begin Chicago-Beijing service, Continental will operate a new flight between Newark /New York and Shanghai, and Northwest will fly between Detroit and Shanghai. All 2009 services must begin on or about March 25, 2009. The new agreement with China also will result in two new daily flights to begin next year. In September Secretary Peters announced final decisions awarding Delta Air Lines a new daily flight between Atlanta and Shanghai and United a new daily San Francisco-Guangzhou service. Both carriers plan to begin the new flights in spring 2008.


Coast Guard breaks record
for cocaine seizures in 2007

WASHINGTON, DC — The Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard has announced a record year for cocaine seizures with 355, 755 pounds seized, worth more than $4.7 billion. Interagency and international interdiction efforts are closing in on smugglers, forcing them to adopt extreme tactics and move into new routes that take them thousands of miles off course from the direct sea routes they once used. The Coast Guard has achieved this year's record in maritime cocaine seizures even as smugglers adapt their tactics in response to effective counternarcotic measures. These desperate new tactics have been evident in dramatic interdiction successes by the Coast Guard and its partners.


Portland Maritime Museum
looking for Volunteer Coordinator

PORTLAND — The Oregon Maritime Museum is seeking a part-time Volunteer Coordinator, five hours a day, five days a week, Tuesday through Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday. Work performed primarily on board museum’s Sternwheeler PORTLAND, providing an interesting work environment. Job description includes a variety of functions, with emphasis to recruit/train/schedule volunteers while the vessel is moored as well as during a limited number of cruises. Salary will be $15.00 per hour or more depending on experience. If interested, call the museum office (503) 224-7724 or e-mail info@oregonmaritimemuseum.org.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, December 28, 2007

Port of Vancouver, USA director
earns four percent pay increase

VANCOUVER, WA — The Vancouver Port Commission, in its final meeting of 2007 on December 21, voted to increase the salary of Executive Directory Larry Paulson, effective January 1, 2008. Mr. Paulson’s salary in 2008 will be $159,120, a four percent increase over his 2007 salary. He will also continue to receive a $500 per month car allowance, which – per his recommendation – will not increase from the previous year. Commissioners Arch Miller, Brian Wolfe and Nancy Baker praised Paulson for his work as the leader of the port’s staff, and for all of his hard work on behalf of the port. In another unanimous decision, the commission voted to establish a separate retirement account for Mr. Paulson that will deposit $23,868 per year for two years, effective April 1, 2008.


TNWA member carriers
adding ship to Asia/Europe run

SINGAPORE — The New World Alliance (TNWA) carriers – APL, Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) – have announced their intentions to deploy nine ships instead of the current eight ships in their Asia-Europe network. This is under review for selected services within TNWA's current operations consisting of four services to North Europe. The implementation of this change will occur in the first quarter of 2008, subject to berthing schedules and details being finalized. The changes enable TNWA carriers to provide additional buffer time in their schedules which are challenged by various factors in many of the ports. The sharp rise in fuel price requires TNWA to develop effective means to control their network costs and still provide high quality services. Although an additional vessel will be required to accomplish these changes, no further capacity is being introduced to the Asia-Europe trade. TNWA member lines APL, Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), serve more than 40 ports using in excess of 100 containerships in the major East-West container trades.


US Rail freight traffic
sees drop in numbers for week

WASHINGTON, DC — Freight traffic on U.S. railroads was off during the week ended December 15 in comparison with the corresponding week last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports. Carload freight totaled 322,571 cars, down 4.0 percent from last year. Volume was off 0.8 percent in the West and 4.5 percent in the East. Intermodal volume, which is not included in the carload data, totaled 239,223, off 0.6 percent from a year ago. Container volume edged down by 0.4 percent while trailer volume fell by 1.4 percent. Total volume was estimated at 34.0 billion ton-miles, a decline of 2.6 percent from the corresponding week last year. Cumulative volume for the first 50 weeks of 2007 totaled 16,368,852 carloads, off 2.4 percent from 2006; 11,638,239 trailers or containers, down 2.0 percent; and total volume of an estimated 1.69 trillion ton-miles, a 0.9 percent decline from last year.


Evergreen extends lease
with Port of Kaohsiung

TAIPEI — Evergreen Marine Corp (Taiwan) Ltd, which currently operates two container terminals in the Port of Kaohsiung, has extended its lease on its Container Terminal No 4 facility (Piers 115 and 116) for a further 10 years. The lease extension contract, which covers the period from March 1, 2008 to February 28, 2018, was signed by EMC's President, Jack Yen, and Director-General of the Kaohsiung Harbour Bureau, Ming-Hui Shieh, at the Evergreen International building in Taoyuan on Dec. 27.


Marcon brokers sale
of oil spill response vessel

COUPEVILLE,WA — Private Caribbean interests have purchased the U.S. flag, 145' x 35' oil spill response vessel CLEAN WATERS I (ex-Response 1, ex-Stacey Tide, ex-Martha Theriot) from the Marine Spill Response Corporation of Herndon, VA. CLEAN WATERS I was originally built as a small platform supply vessel by American Marine Corp. of New Orleans in 1964. It served as an OSV until 1983, last working out of Oxnard, California. The vessel is being re-flagged to St. Vincent and the Grenadines registry and expected to depart for the Caribbean in the near future. Marcon International, Inc. of Coupeville, WA acted as the sole and exclusive broker in the sale. To-date in 2007, Marcon International Inc., as shipbrokers, has sold or chartered 53 vessels and barges - an average so far this year of just over one per week.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, December 27, 2007

Port of Seattle selects Ko
to lead Social Responsibility office

SEATTLE — After establishing a new Office of Social Responsibility at the Port of Seattle, CEO Tay Yoshitani has announced the appointment of Elaine Ko as its director, to start on January 22. Since 2006, Ms. Ko has served as executive director of InterIm Community Development Association, Seattle, which facilitates community development in Seattle's International District. She also has extensive experience as a small business owner and an advocate for women and minorities. From1985-1991 she was director of the City of Seattle's Office for Women's Rights, which included staffing the lesbian and gay commission. The port's Office of Social Responsibility will manage the port's small business initiative and other existing programs, expand outreach efforts, and develop new projects such as transitioning military veterans into the workplace and getting surplus cruise ship supplies and equipment to needy residents.


Port of Portland taps Sockeye
as new Agency of Record

PORTLAND — Sockeye Creative has announced it has been designated the Agency of Record for the Port of Portland. Twelve creative firms submitted responses to the port’s Request for Proposals issued in fall of 2007, with Sockeye emerging as the winner for providing the best strategic direction, understanding
of the port and its role in the economic health of the region and proven experience in brand development. Sockeye’s identity work for the Port will include web development and usability testing, advertising and design consulting, media placement and brand development. Sockeye will begin by assessing existing materials and evaluating how travel and overseas commerce through the port is perceived on a local and global scale. Sockeye will then develop a creative strategy based upon how the Port of Portland can best enhance the region's economy and quality of life by providing efficient cargo and air passenger access to national and global markets.


Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
plans changes to service

TOKYO — Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced the start of new service that consolidates the Singapore-Durban shuttle service (ZAX) and the Shanghai-Singapore service (CS1), effective January 2008. With this consolidation, the new service will call at major ports in China (Hong Kong, Shanghai, Xiamen, and Yantian), which allows for direct service between China and South Africa. In addition to Durban (ZAX original calling port in South Africa), calls at Maputo (Mozambique) will start with this upgrading. Only MOL will offer direct service between Asia and Maputo. This service upgrade meets the needs of the active seaborne trade on those routes. Seven 1,600-1,700 TEU-class containerships will be employed in the fixed-day weekly service. Ports of call include: Shanghai (China) - Xiamen (China) - Yantian (China) - Hong Kong (China) - Dachan Bay* (China) - Singapore - Durban (South Africa) - Maputo (Mozambique) - Singapore - Shanghai. Service will begin with the M/V MOL Agility V-4506A, departing Shanghai on January 17, 2008.


New rules proposed for
commercial driver's licenses

WASHINGTON, DC — Individuals seeking new commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) would be required to complete both classroom and behind-the-wheel training from an accredited educational program or institution under a proposed rule announced today by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Beginning three years after the effective date of a final rule, all applicants for a CDL or upgraded CDL would be required to provide a valid certificate from a truck driving program or institution accredited by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. The rule would not affect current CDL holders. For a “Class A” CDL (tractor-trailers), the proposed rule would require a minimum of 76 hours of classroom instruction and 44 hours of behind-the-wheel training for a total of 120 hours. For “Class B” (large “box” or van trucks) and “Class C” CDLs (hazardous materials or certain passenger-carrying vehicles), the proposed rule would require a minimum of 58 hours of classroom instruction and 32 hours behind-the-wheel training for a total of 90 hours. The training curriculum includes CDL safety regulations, vehicle operation and safe operating practices. The public is invited to comment on the proposed rule. Instructions are available at www.regulations.gov, docket number FMCSA-2007-27748. Public comments will be accepted until March 25, 2008.


NOAA receiving new
fisheries survey vessel

WASHINGTON, DC — A new NOAA fisheries survey vessel, launched on Dec. 19, in Mississippi, will be able to study fish quietly without altering their behavior. The ship, christened PISCES by Dr. Annette Nevin Shelby, professor emerita at Georgetown University and wife of Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama, has been designed to meet NOAA Fisheries’ specific data collection requirements as well as the new standards for a low acoustic signature set by the International Council for Exploration of the Seas. PISCES is the third of four new fisheries survey vessels of the same class. It will be homeported in Pascagoula, Miss., when placed into operation in late 2008, and will support NOAA Fisheries research and assessments in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and along the U.S. southeastern seaboard. PISCES is the third of four planned 208-ft. fisheries survey vessels to be built by VT Halter Marine that are replacing aging ships in the NOAA fleet. The vessel's capabilities will exceed those of older NOAA ships, including Pascagoula-based OREGON II.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Three Canadian ports
to combine January 1

VANCOUVER, BC — The Vancouver Port Authority (VPA) reports three Lower Mainland ports have received confirmation that the federal government has issued the "Certificate of Amalgamation" that combines the Fraser River Port Authority, the North Fraser Port Authority, and the VPA. The effective date of amalgamation of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA) will be January 1, 2008. The amalgamation of the three Canada Port Authorities is a policy measure under the Government of Canada's "Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative." The provincial government has also voiced its support for the amalgamation. As part of the amalgamation process, the three port authorities have developed blended functional teams that include representatives from each authority who have been working cooperatively since early 2007 toward the same amalgamation goals. The VFPA's jurisdiction will encompass the combined land, water and assets of the existing three Canada Port Authorities. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority will operate from the three existing port offices located in New Westminster, Richmond and at Canada Place in Vancouver. The VFPA's eleven-member Board of Directors will be announced on January 1, 2008.


Seattle Customs officers
seize shipments of Aqua Dots

SEATTLE — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Seattle have intercepted several large shipments of toy Aqua Dots during the last three weeks. The toys are manufactured in China and contain butanediol. If accidentally ingested, the butanediol in the toy’s small pieces reacts with an enzyme in the blood and converts to gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), which can cause agitation, respiratory depression, vomiting, unconsciousness, coma, and death. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and foreign governments have received reports of significant illnesses to children caused by these products, including many comas. CBP officers targeted the shipments for examination prior to their arrival in Seattle aboard the container ships WAN HE and COSCO XIAMEN. The Aqua Dots were seized coming out of the Foreign Trade Zone in Seattle. These shipments had been previously entered into the trade zone prior to the ban. CBP officers placed manifest “holds” on targeted bills-of-lading based upon information from the CPSC recall notice for Aqua Dots products. Upon being discharged from the
vessel, the containers were subsequently moved to a central examination station for an intensive inspection. In early November, the North American distributor asked its customers to stop the sale of Aqua Dots and joined in an immediate recall of all Aqua Dot toys imported since April 2007. However, some shipments were already in route to the United States or in foreign trade zones.


Four firms win approval
for Panama Canal expansion bids

PANAMA CITY — The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced that four global consortia have been selected to bid on the "design-build contract" to create the locks for the Panama Canal expansion. The Expansion Program will build a new lane of traffic along the Panama Canal through the construction of a new set of locks, doubling capacity and allowing more traffic and longer, wider ships. In what will be the largest and most important project under the $5.25 billion expansion, the winner of this contract will design and build two locks complexes. Each of the four consortia will be allowed to respond to the ACP’s Request for Proposal (RFP), which is expected to be released very soon. The consortia are: Consorcio C.A.N.A.L.; Consorcio Atlántico-Pacífico de Panamá; Consortia Bechtel, Taisei, Mitsubishi Corporation; and Consorcio Grupo Unidos por el Canal.


MarAd removing five ships
from James River reserve fleet

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration has announced that it has awarded new contracts to dispose of five ships: four from the James River Reserve Fleet in Newport News, Va., and one from the Beaumont Reserve Fleet in Texas. The four from the James River Reserve Fleet had all been under a contract with North American Ship Recycling of Sparrows Point, Md., which ceased operations before it could take possession of the ships. Three vessels from the James River fleet, PRIDE, SCAN, and CAPE CHARLES, will be dismantled at the Marine Metals, Inc. facility in Brownsville, Texas, under the terms of three contracts worth a total of more than $1.4 million. The SOUTHERN CROSS, also a James River ship originally awarded to the Sparrows Point firm, will be dismantled at the Esco Marine facility in Brownsville, Texas under the terms of a contract for $617,600. BANNER, which is currently at the Beaumont fleet site, will also be dismantled at Esco, under the terms of a contract for $532,726. The Maritime Administration keeps ships in three National Defense Reserve Fleet sites to support Armed Forces movements and to respond to national emergencies. Those sites are the James River Reserve Fleet in Newport News, Va., the Beaumont Reserve Fleet in Beaumont, Texas; and the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet in Benicia, Calif. When the ships become obsolete, the Maritime Administration arranges for their disposition in an environmentally-sensitive manner.


New year brings change
of FANZL brand to Hamburg Sud

HAMBURG — With effect from January 1, 2008, the Hamburg Süd shipping group will be replacing its brand "FANZL Fesco Australia New Zealand Liner Services" with the Hamburg Süd brand. The FANZL office in Seattle will from then on be assuming responsibility for Hamburg Süd’s customer activities on the US West Coast as a Customer Service Center.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, December 24, 2007

Port of Portland buys
Reynolds site in Troutdale

PORTLAND — In a recent presentation to state legislators, Port of Portland Executive Director Bill Wyatt announced that the port has acquired the 700-acre former Reynolds Metals Company aluminum plant site adjacent to the Troutdale Airport. The port will purchase the site for $17.25 million and plans to create the Troutdale Reynolds Industrial Park covering more than 350 acres developed in three phases for industrial use. The city is currently reviewing the port’s application for the new industrial subdivision. FedEx Ground Package System Inc. has expressed interest in purchasing a 78-acre lot in the first phase of the park for construction of a new state-of-the-art distribution hub. Built in 1941, the aluminum plant provided jobs for hundreds until it ceased operations in 2000. In 2004, Port Commissioners approved the purchase of the property. Since then, the Superfund site has been cleaned to industrial standards, the land was annexed to the city of Troutdale, the Columbia Cascade Enterprise Zone was created, and structures on the site were removed to clear the land for new development.


Port of Olympia completes
cleanup study for East Bay area

OLYMPIA — The Port of Olympia has completed a draft Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS) of the 14-acre East Bay Redevelopment area, which includes a conceptual Cleanup Action Plan (CAP). The study and action plan were submitted to the Washington State Department of Ecology under the Voluntary Cleanup Plan (VCP) program on December 21. The goal of the action proposed in the plan is to make the site fully open to the general public. Located between Marine Drive NE, State Avenue, and South Adams Street in downtown Olympia, the area is anticipated to be redeveloped over time as a vibrant urban center by public partners, including the Port, the LOTT Alliance, and the Hands On Children's Museum in coordination with the City of Olympia. Current projects planned for the area include a new location for the Hands On Children's Museum, development of an administrative and education center and expansion of the treatment plant by LOTT, and other commercial redevelopment by the Port of Olympia. The probable cost of the remedy recommended by the Port to Ecology is estimated at between $1.3 and $2.3 million, excluding the parcel being sold to LOTT.


Apprenticeship slots in line
for Sea-Tac Airport

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle has announced a Memorandum of Understanding offering new apprenticeship opportunities at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The agreement was also signed by Parsons Constructors, Inc., the Seattle-King County Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO and the participating local unions, Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, Laborers Local #242 & 440 and Operating Engineers Local #302. Currently, the contractors, unions, and the port - all parties to the Project Labor Agreement - already work with the Washington State Apprenticeship Council to increase the pool of workers skilled in the trades. Under the new agreement, pre-qualified applicants from community-based pre-apprenticeship programs will be given "preferred entry" into apprenticeship programs. Veterans will also have the opportunity for preferred entry status. Through the "Helmets to Hardhats" program, as well as other community organizations dedicated to helping veterans enter the workforce, veterans will have the opportunity to become an apprentice and learn a skilled trade. Preferred hire apprentices will be guaranteed up to six months or 1,000 hours when working with prime contractors.


Port of Vancouver, USA
names Holtby property manager

VANCOUVER, USA — Kathy Holtby has joined the Port of Vancouver’s facilities department as property manager. Her responsibilities will include working with current and prospective tenants, managing leases, and negotiations for future development. As a former director of market feasibility for the former Red Lion Hotel Executive Office, Ms. Holtby is no stranger to the port. Her experience most recently includes work as a real estate associate for Prudential NW Properties in sales and land development.


Cutter returns to homeport
following series of upgrades

PORT ANGELEDS — The Coast Guard Cutter CUTTYHUNK and its crew, commanded by Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Smasne, arrives in her homeport of Port Angeles, Wash., December 25. The CUTTYHUNK's return to the Olympic Peninsula concludes a 7,300 nautical mile transit from the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, Maryland. The cutter left homeport during September of 2006. The CUTTYHUNK departed the service's only shipyard November 20 after a six million dollar overhaul of engineering, communication, and navigation equipment. The upgrades were part of the service's Mission Effectiveness Project (MEP). The MEP is designed to replace aging systems on board select ships in order to improve reliability, reduce future maintenance costs, and meet required mission hours. The project is intended to maintain effective missions of the 110-foot Island Class cutters for an additional 15 years. Primarily built as a law enforcement platform, the CUTTYHUNK is considered a mult-mission resource used in search-and-rescue, marine environmental protection, and homeland security missions. The normal crew consists of one officer, two chief petty officers, and 13 enlisted personnel. A re-commissioning ceremony for the CUTTYHUNK is scheduled for February 2008.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, December 21, 2007

Performance audit discovers
improvements needed at Port of Seattle

SEATTLE — The Washington State Auditor’s Office has released the results of a performance audit of the Port of Seattle’s capital program. The performance audit identified several areas where the port’s capital program management should be improved. "I am taking the results of this audit seriously," said CEO Tay Yoshitani. "I welcome the majority of recommendations from this audit, and believe they reflect genuine opportunities to improve our construction management and contracting practices." In fact, he noted, many of these recommendations also were identified in a port-initiated performance audit earlier this year. A 37-point action plan resulting from the earlier audit is already being implemented. "It is disappointing that our own policies and procedures were not followed in some instances," Mr. Yoshitani added. "This is something we will address throughout the organization." Mr. Yoshitani has appointed an internal team to address the two overarching recommendations: centralizing procurement-related activity and clarification of the port commission’s oversight and staff reporting requirements for major construction programs. While the port reports it does not agree with all the conclusions of the performance auditor, commissioners and staff will work with customers, policymakers and other stakeholders in giving full consideration to each recommendation.


Horizon Lines thanks Congress
for keeping Puerto Rico tonnage tax

CHARLOTTE, NC — Horizon Lines, Inc. has announced it is pleased that the tax writing committees in Congress chose to strike the Puerto Rico tonnage tax repeal language from the Technical Corrections Act legislation passed by Congress this week. This progress is in no small part due to the active support of maritime unions, the US Chamber of Commerce and the government of Puerto Rico. The original intention of the tonnage tax election as an alternative to the corporate income tax was to encourage investment and job creation.


Jack Fabulich leaving
Tacoma Port Commission

TACOMA — After more than three decades on the Port of Tacoma Commission, Chairman of the Board Jack Fabulich has struck the gavel for the final time to close a commission meeting. When Mr. Fabulich first served as a commissioner 31 years ago, the Port of Tacoma was a small regional port focused on breakbulk and grain, logs and other natural resource-based cargoes. "Jack's leadership helped change us from that sleepy little port of 1976 to one of North America's premier container ports today," said Dick Marzano, a longtime Tacoma longshoreman and current President of the Port Commission. Mr. Fabulich and his fellow commissioners helped bring Sea-Land, Maersk Line, Hyundai Merchant Marine, "K" Line, Evergreen and Yang Ming Line to Tacoma, increasing the port's container volumes from 85,000 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) in 1977 to nearly 2.1 million TEUs today. Meanwhile, total the port's auto business grew from 19,000 to 178,000 units, and total tonnage expanded from 3.9 to 19.9 million short tons. To honor his contributions to the port and the Greater Tacoma community, fellow commissioners and port staff honored Fabulich on Wednesday, December 19 by rededicating the Port Business Center, a five-story office building that hosts commission meetings, as The Fabulich Center.


Both sides of rail traffic
increase during week

WASHINGTON, DC — Both total freight volume and carload freight were up on U.S. railroads during the first week of December in comparison with the corresponding week last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports. Total volume was estimated at 34.6 billion ton-miles, up 2.7 percent from the corresponding week last year. Carload freight totaled 328,432 cars, up 1.5 percent from last year, with loadings up 3.2 percent in the West but down 0.8 percent in the East. A total of 239,742 trailers and containers were loaded during the week, down 0.7 percent the comparable week last year. Container volume was off 0.7 percent while trailer loadings slipped 0.9 percent from last year. Nine of 19 Individual carload commodities were up from last year, with metallic ores up 13.0 percent, nonmetallic minerals up 10.5 percent, and chemicals up 9.0 percent. On the downside, coke was off 33.1; farm products (excluding grain) declined by 27.0 percent; and lumber and wood products fell 21.2 percent. Cumulative volume for the first 49 weeks of 2007 totaled 16,046,281 carloads, off 2.4 percent from 2006; 11,399,016 trailers or containers, down 2.0 percent; and total volume of an estimated 1.66 trillion ton-miles, a 0.9 percent decline from last year.


Port of Tacoma places
2008 budget document online

TACOMA — The Port of Tacoma’s 2008 Budget Document is now available online. The 105-page document covers all aspects of the Port of Tacoma’s business, from a broad operational overview and Port history to budget detail, business outlook, Capital Improvement Program, Plan of Finance and environmental stewardship. To read the 2008 Budget Document, visit the port's web site at www.portoftacoma.com.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, December 20, 2007

Port of Camas-Washougal
names Ripp executive director

CAMAS, WA — David Ripp has been appointed executive director of the Port of Camas-Washougal and will officially take office January 7, 2008. Under the port commission’s direction, Mr. Ripp and his 12-member staff will be managing the operations of the port’s 400-acre industrial park, a 79-hangar general aviation airport, and a 350-slip pleasure boat marina. Mr. Ripp previously served as the executive director of the Port of Woodland for the last 13 years, handling a wide range of property development, construction management, capital funding, and government affairs. Prior to the Port of Woodland, Mr. Ripp successfully managed a Norwest Financial branch in Stockton, California, for four years before returning to his roots in the Pacific Northwest. Dave also spent some time working part-time as a welder in Woodland and Bellingham between 1980 to 1990.


Port of Tacoma honored
for financial report excellence

TACOMA — The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has awarded the Port of Tacoma its Certificate of Excellence for the port’s 2006 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). According to the announcement from the Chicago-based GFOA, the award is the “highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.” The port’s 2006 CAFR was judged by an impartial panel to meet high standards and demonstrate a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate the port’s financial story, the GFOA announcement stated. GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving 16,000 government finance professionals throughout North America.


New bike/pedestrian path
completed near Portland Airport

PORTLAND — The last major element of the Portland International Airport Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is now complete with the opening of a multiuse path connecting Portland International Airport and Northeast Marine Drive. The new 12-foot-wide, approximately half-mile-long asphalt pathway runs between Marine
Drive and Northeast Frontage Road and connects with the existing bicycle and pedestrian path that serves PDX. The existing pathway runs along Frontage Road parallel to Northeast Airport Way and has been used daily by airport workers and other members of the community since it opened in September 2005. Where the new path meets Marine Drive, a signal allows users to cross the road and continue down the north slope of the levee to the Marine Drive Trail. The new connection is an important link for bike commuters who work at the airport terminal and at surrounding businesses. It is also an important piece of the regional bicycle and pedestrian trail system, allowing recreational riders to more easily move through the airport vicinity.


Holland America Line named
best cruise value for 16th year straight

SEATTLE — World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society (WOCLS) members have named Holland America Line as the Best Overall Cruise Value in the industry once again. The line was honored with the distinction for the 16th year in a row. WOCLS is a 25-year-old organization comprised of thousands of experienced cruisers who average taking two cruises a year. The society reviews all cruise lines annually and noted in its monthly publication, Ocean and Cruise News, that, "Holland America Line passengers continue to mention the excellent value that the line provides and with the most recent completion of their Signature of Excellence program, they easily win again within this category. Further adding to the sense of value is the consistency of the product across its entire fleet of ships."


Sea-Tac Airport celebrates
30 millionth passenger for '07

SEATTLE — Recognizing its busiest year ever, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has honored a Seattle family's 3-month old as its "30 Millionth Passenger" for 2007, the first time that number has ever been exceeded during one year. The airport also experienced its busiest month ever during the summer and is projected to serve more than 31.3 million passengers before the end of the year. Three-month-old Ian Peyton of Seattle arrived at Sea-Tac with parents Tracey and Jana Marie, 4 ½-year-old sister Chloe, and grandparents James and Lois Marie Repoz. Ian, who was born on September 11th this year, was heading out with his family to the Cayman Islands for the holiday. The family was randomly selected as they passed through the central security checkpoint at 11:30 a.m. this morning. The family received a gift package from airlines, retailers and the Port of Seattle. After a brief ceremony, the family received a ride to their gate in a cart that sported a sign which read, "30 Millionth Passenger On Board."


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Port of Longview honored for
20 years of clean audits

LONGVIEW — Port of Longview Commission President Walt Barham has been presented with a letter from the Washington State Auditor’s Office, commending the port for 20 consecutive years of "clean audits" with no findings. In his comments to the board, Audit Manager Jasen McEathron referred to this as a "rare accomplishment" among public entities in the state. The letter was presented at the port’s regular Board meeting, which also happened to be the last meeting for out-going Commissioner Barham.


Governor earmarks funds
to build three new ferries

SEATTLE — Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire has proposed investing $100 million in the Washington state ferry system to improve safety and increase capacity. The governor’s 2008 supplemental budget proposal of $100 million for the construction of three new ferries will allow the state to retire the 80-year old steel electric ferries, the oldest vessels in the fleet. The governor announced that the state will rent a ferry from Pierce County in order to resume auto-service on the Port Townsend-Keystone route by mid-to late-January and that passenger only ferry service will be provided between Seattle’s Colman Dock and Port Townsend during the holiday season. In addition, the state signed a contract with Todd Pacific Shipyards to move forward with a procurement process that has been marked by challenges since being authorized by the Legislature in 2001.


Foss taps Mike O'Shea
as oil field services V.P.

SEATTLE — Mike O’Shea has been hired as Foss Maritime Company’s vice president of oil field services, a new position that reports to Foss’ president and chief operating officer. The new position was developed to meet Foss’ current and future oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) customers’ needs and support large oil and gas projects in Alaska and other remote locations around the globe. Mr. O’Shea will be located in Anchorage, Alaska, to allow hands-on oversight and management of Alaska-based oil and LNG projects. Mr. O’Shea, who has been on the job since November 15, has over 20 years of marine transportation experience. He most recently handled sales and operations management for major projects throughout Alaska and on the North Slope as director of business development for Crowley Maritime Corporation.


Freight transportation index
rises during month of October

WASHINGTON, DC — The Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) rose 1.3 percent in October from its September level, rising after a one-month decline that brought the index to its lowest level since January 2004, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reports. The October rise was the largest monthly increase since May 2006. At 109.5, the freight TSI is down 3.2 percent from its peak of 113.1 achieved in November 2005.
The freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in the output of services provided by the for-hire freight transportation industries. The index consists of data from for-hire trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight. The October increase pushed the freight index into positive territory for the year after having been down for the first nine months. For the first 10 months of 2007, the freight TSI was up 0.6 percent. In 2005 and 2006, the index declined during the 10-month period.


Holland America Line
continues 'Best Value' string

SEATTLE — World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society (WOCLS) members named Holland America Line as the Best Overall Cruise Value in the industry once again. The line was honored with the distinction for the 16th year in a row. WOCLS is a 25-year-old organization comprised of thousands of experienced cruisers who average taking two cruises a year. The society reviews all cruise lines annually and noted in its monthly publication, Ocean and Cruise News, that, "Holland America Line passengers continue to mention the excellent value that the line provides and with the most recent completion of their Signature of Excellence program, they easily win again within this category. Further adding to the sense of value is the consistency of the product across its entire fleet of ships."


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, December 17, 2007

Portland Port Commission
Oks sale of headquarters building

PORTLAND — Port of Portland Commissioners have approved the sale of the port’s headquarters office building in downtown Portland to a commercial real estate company for $29.2 million. As part of the transition from owner to tenant, the sale starts the clock on the countdown to the consolidation of all port staff to a new headquarters at the Portland International Airport. In May, the port commission approved a real estate listing agreement with Grubb and Ellis Company to competitively market the building. After two rounds of competitive offers from interested buyers, Washington Real Estate Holdings LLC (Washington Holdings) emerged as the buyer. Washington Holdings is active in the acquisition, development and financing of commercial real estate throughout the Western United States. Financing for the transaction will be sourced from the Washington State pension system. Until the new building is move in ready, the port will lease the downtown building at 121 NW Everett Street for seven percent of the purchase price less rents received from other tenants (approximately $2,000,000). Rent will escalate three percent each additional year. The lease expires on May 31, 2010, with an option to extend to August 31, 2010. After the Port vacates the building, the buyer intends to operate it as a multi-tenant commercial office building. The port’s new headquarters will be built on the top three stories of a new 10-story parking garage at the airport, and construction is currently underway. Officials expect the project will be completed in 2010.


Matson ads ro-ro capacity
with return of MV MOKIHANA

OAKLAND — Matson Navigation Company’s MV MOKIHANA has re-entered the company’s Hawaii service following modification work that involved adding a new auto garage. The new design increases Matson’s Hawaii roll on-roll off (“ro-ro”) capacity by 1,200 autos and provides new service features and efficiencies in addition to the ability to carry 1,000 containers. The fleet enhancement is part of a multi-phase program commenced in 2003 that provides Matson’s auto customers two essential service features: frequency of service and ro-ro capacity. In addition to the modifications to the MOKIHANA, Matson has also invested in an above-deck garage for its S.S. LURLINE, made shoreside facility improvements and developed a new information technology platform for auto shipments.


Virgin America Airline
coming to Sea-Tac Airport

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle has announced that Virgin America will begin serving Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with seven new daily non-stop flights to San Francisco and Los Angeles starting in March of 2008. Virgin America's new routes will begin on March 18, 2008 with three daily non-stop flights between Seattle and San Francisco International Airport. On April 8, 2008, three daily non-stop flights will begin between Seattle and Los Angeles International Airport. A fourth daily flight between Seattle and L.A. is scheduled to begin on May 11, 2008. This is the fourth new airline to announce service to Sea-Tac in 2007.


Port of Vancouver, USA
taps Hurt as contracts manager

VANCOUVER, USA — Dave Hurt has joined the Port of Vancouver’s facilities department as contracts manager. His responsibilities will include writing and reviewing contracts, bids, proposals, and assisting and managing small works and architect and engineer rosters. Mr. Hurt served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a logistics officer from 1989-1993. He worked at Columbia Credit Union as their general services manager where he oversaw inventory, purchasing, contract management and facilities. Most recently he worked for C-Tran where he managed the construction of new facilities and infrastructure.


Boeing donation to aid
Pacific Northwest flood victims

PORTLAND — The Boeing Company has committed $100,000 toward future rebuilding efforts in areas of Washington and Oregon damaged by the recent flooding. In addition, Boeing will match employee donations to the American Red Cross dollar-for dollar (and retiree donations at 50 cents on the dollar) through Dec. 31. Boeing is one of the largest private employers in Washington state and Portland with approximately 75,000 employees across 34 sites. No Boeing sites or facilities have been affected by the flooding. "The recipient(s) for the corporate contribution will be named once we assess what the long-term needs are in the region and which agencies have the best plans to address them," said Rick Stephens, senior vice president, Human Resources and Administration. "In the meantime, our thoughts remain with those affected by the flooding."


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, December 14, 2007

Clatsop County Commissioners
give tentative Ok for LNG terminal

ASTORIA — By a vote of 4-1, the Clatsop County Commission has tentatively approved the consolidated zoning application that will allow the construction of the Bradwood Landing LNG terminal. Parent company NorthernStar Natural Gas has worked with county, state and federal officials for more than two years on the siting of the facility on land that formerly housed a lumber mill, town and deep-water port. Based on the county commission’s vote, NorthernStar Natural Gas will work with the county to prepare findings consistent with the board’s discussion for final approval at a subsequent meeting of the county commission. Public comment on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s draft Environmental Impact Statement for Bradwood Landing is open through Dec. 24. FERC staff will then respond to all of the comments it has received before issuing its final Environmental Impact Statement. Additionally, Bradwood will continue to work with Oregon natural resource agencies for related state permits.


Port of Olympia taking bids
for East Bay demolition work

OLYMPIA— The Port of Olympia is advertising for bids for the demolition of a 140,000-square-foot warehouse, located north of the Olympia Avenue Right of Way and west of Marine Drive in downtown Olympia. Removal of the warehouse is integral to the redevelopment of the port's 14-acre East Bay district in downtown Olympia. The demolition project has been designed to maximize the salvage and reutilization of the timbers in the building. As part of the work, the port will also demolish another building located at the corner of Thurston Avenue and Jefferson Street. The port, the LOTT Alliance, the Hands On Children's Museum, and the City of Olympia have joined together to create a dynamic center of activity, connecting surrounding communities, the waterfront and Olympia's downtown. The individual projects - a larger, permanent home for the Hands On Children's Museum, a new administrative and education center for LOTT and an economic development platform for the port - will energize the redevelopment of the entire area. Tentative plans for the district also include a jointly developed, public plaza. Bids for the warehouse demolition are currently being accepted by the Port of Olympia, at 915 Washington Street N.E., Olympia, Washington, 98501. Sealed bids must be submitted by 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, January 9, 2008.


Port of Vancouver, USA
taps Eder as human resources boss

VANCOUVER, USA — A native of Portland, Jonathan Eder has joined the Port of Vancouver, USA as human resources manager. He will be managing all human resources functions such as, compensation and benefits, family medical leave, recruitment, and employee-labor relations. Mr. Eder has experience in human resources beginning in 1995 at A-dec – a dental equipment company – in Portland. He volunteered for two and a half years in Guatemala with the Peace Corps in 2000, where he worked to help develop small communities including agriculture and business development. After returning from Guatemala in 2003, Mr. Eder went to work at Oregon Child Development Coalition in Wilsonville as their human resources generalist where he handled employee relations, compensation and benefits, recruitment, training and compliance auditing. Two years later he worked at Anesthesiologists Associated in Beaverton doing much of the same type of work before joining the port.


Rail freight numbers mixed
during month of November

WASHINGTON, DC — Carload freight was up on U.S. railroads during November, but intermodal volume was off slightly, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports. U.S. railroads originated 1,322,861 carloads of freight during the month, up 37,167 carloads (2.9 percent) from November 2006. Intermodal volume of 924,190 intermodal units was off 8,482 trailers and containers (0.9 percent) from November 2006. Ten of the 19 major commodity categories tracked by the AAR saw U.S. carload increases in November 2007 compared to November 2006. Commodities showing carload gains in November 2007 included coal (up 19,528 carloads, or 3.5 percent, to 577,358 carloads); grain (up 15,317 carloads, or 17.3 percent, to 103,717 carloads); and chemicals (up 8,226 carloads, or 7.3 percent, to 120,470 carloads). Commodities showing carload declines in November 2007 included coke (down 5,146 carloads, or 20.2 percent, to 20,354 carloads); pulp and paper products (down 3,714 carloads, or 11.5 percent, to 28,581 carloads); and metallic ores (down 2,250 carloads, or 7.5 percent, to 27,820 carloads).


ILWU Local 8 members making
holidays bright for Portland families

PORTLAND — International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 8 members, along with ILWU-Local 8 Federal Credit Union and participating ILWU locals have joined with Portland Fire and Rescue, Portland Firefighters Local 43 and Toys N Joy Makers to make the holidays brighter for some deserving families. Today, the groups will deliver a truck full of hundreds of new, unwrapped toys and 100 bicycles to Portland Fire Station #1 for distribution to needy area families this holiday season. All toys have been checked against national recall lists. ILWU members from Portland and surrounding areas have been helping kids enjoy a merry Christmas for 50 years. In 2006, Portland Local 8 and the ILWU-Local 8 Federal Credit Union raised approximately $6,000 for the Caring Community of North Portland (CCNP), an organization which aids some of the area’s neediest residents. Union members also assembled more than 65 bicycles for area children who benefit from CCNP. In 2006, Toys N Joy Makers took 2,389 orders from families for 9,356 children. More than 11,756 children were assisted by Toys N Joy Makers, handing out approximately 43,000 total toys to area families and groups.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, December 13, 2007

Vancouver, USA Port Commission
approves pair of land purchases

VANCOUVER, USA — The Port of Vancouver USA Commission has voted to authorize Executive Director Larry Paulson to sign purchase and sale agreements for the vacant Alcoa Aluminum and Evergreen Aluminum, LLC properties. The land acquisitions, which total $48.25 million, were two of 11 action items considered at the most recent commission meeting.. Commissioners Arch Miller, Brian Wolfe and Nancy Baker voted unanimously to authorize Mr. Paulson to sign a purchase and sale agreement (PSA) with Evergreen Aluminum LLC to purchase its property for an amount not to exceed $24.5 million. The property amounts to 110.87 acres. Commissioners also authorized Mr. Paulson to sign an addendum to the purchase and sale the port had previously signed with Alcoa Aluminum, which would finalize the terms of the agreement. The port commission approved the PSA with Alcoa on June 26, 2007 pursuant to the passage of its proposed Industrial Development District (IDD) levy, which failed in the August primary election. After the levy’s defeat, the port and Alcoa continued negotiating and reached a proposed addendum to the PSA, which is what the Commission considered at their meeting. Purchase price of the 107.3-acre Alcoa property is $23,750,000.


Major paving work completed for
third runway at Sea-Tac Airport

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle reports major paving of the third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is now complete. This includes the main 150-foot wide, 17-inch think runway that stretches 8,500 feet long. Additional hand paving of the aprons and connections to the adjoining taxiways and construction of asphalt shoulders are still to be completed, along with painting, FAA certifications, signage and other preparations. The runway is scheduled to begin operations in November of 2008.


Port of Anacortes receives
positive audit report for 2006

ANACORTES — The Port of Anacortes announced December 7, it received audit results from the Washington State Auditor’s Office for 2006. The State Auditor’s Office conducts a financial and compliance audit of the Port of Anacortes on an annual basis. The State Auditor’s Office, in their financial statements audit reported they “did not identify any deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting that we consider to be material weaknesses. The results of our tests disclosed no instances of noncompliance or other matters that are required to be reported under Government Auditing Standards.” The State Auditor’s Office further reported, “The port complied with state laws and regulations and its own policies and procedures in the areas we examined. Internal controls were adequate to safeguard public assets.” The State Auditor’s Office reported that, “No findings have been issued for the last ten audits. We believe the port’s excellent audit history is a result of management’s continued commitment to strong internal controls and compliance with state laws.”


Everett Port Commissioners
Ok Port Gardner Wharf Project plans

EVERETT — On Dec. 11, 2007, the Everett Port Commission unanimously approved the executive director to sign the Amended and Restated Development and Master Option Agreement (DMOA), which will trigger Everett Maritime, LLC, an affiliate of Maritime Trust Company (Maritime), to waive its contingencies with regards to the Port Gardner Wharf project. According to the port, these critical milestones allowed the port commission to amend Hoffman Construction’s management contract to move forward on a portion of Phase 1 infrastructure work in the amount of $6.8 million. This work, which will predominantly be performed by IMCO Construction, will include demolition, pre-loading of the Phase 1 roadway system with fill, combined sewer outfall relocation and the installation of a portion of the site’s drainage and stormwater treatment system. The total cost of the Phase 1 infrastructure work is estimated to be $28.5 million, and will include a substantial portion of public access on the site. The original DMOA, which was adopted in February 2004, set forth how the 65-acre site would be divided, the timelines for full build-out, and the direct investment expected from each party. It also laid out which portion of the site would be sold, and which would be leased to Maritime.


General Dynamics NASSCO
lays keel for new product carrier

SAN DIEGO — General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, has held a keel-laying ceremony for the first ship of its new class of product carriers (PC-1). The ship is being built for U.S. Shipping Partners (USS) and is scheduled to be delivered in early 2009. The PC-1 class ship will be 600 feet long, displace about 49,000 deadweight tons and have a cargo capacity of 331,000 barrels. The ship is based on a design of DSEC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering of Okpo, Korea. Through its April 2006 agreement with DSEC, NASSCO has received detail designs and some components necessary to build the ship. NASSCO began construction of the ship in August. U.S. Shipping Partners previously announced that the ship will be named GOLDEN STATE, the state nickname of California.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, December 12, 2007

John Day lock closing today
for instrumentation installation

PORTLAND — The navigation lock at the John Day Dam facility will close to river traffic today, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. to install instrumentation on the downstream lift gate machinery, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced. The closure will allow the Corps to gather data on the navigation lock's machinery,
which will help the Corps prepare for repairs scheduled in March 2008. The John Day Lock and Dam is located at exit 109 off Interstate 84. At this time no part of the dam is open for public access.


New Seattle to London flight
announced for Sea-Tac Airport

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle and Northwest Airlines have announced the start of new international daily non-stop service between Seattle and London, to begin June 1st. Northwest Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world; together with its partners, the airline provides service to more than 1,000 cities in 160 countries on six continents. This is the fourth new international route announcement for Sea-Tac Airport this year. This brings the total number of non-stop European destinations from Sea-Tac to six: Air France to Paris; British Airways to London; Lufthansa to Frankfurt; Northwest Airlines to Amsterdam and London; and SAS to Copenhagen. Other international service from Sea-Tac includes six airlines with non-stop service to Asia, two to Mexico, and four to Canada.


Lower Duwamish dredging
scheduled to begin this week

SEATTLE — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, has announced that maintenance dredging in the Lower Duwamish Waterway’s turning basin will begin this week. Manson Construction Co. of Seattle will be staging and setting up dredging equipment in the Lower Duwamish to remove approximately 134,000 cubic yards of material from the federal navigation channel. This dredging will enhance safe navigation. Manson will dispose of that material in the Elliott Bay site, previously designated by the Puget Sound Dredge Disposal Analysis program. Consideration is also being given to aquatic disposal alternatives for beneficial use. Maintenance dredging in this area was last performed in 2004, and the material to be dredged has accumulated since then. This is routine maintenance dredging, typically done biennially, in an area where the material to be dredged meets clean sediment standards and is suitable for beneficial use, as determined by the Dredged Material Management Program.


Port of Anacortes signs
two leases with 48° North Aviation

ANACORTES — The Port of Anacortes has announced the signing of two ground leases with current tenant 48° North Aviation, LLC, to construct additional facilities at the Anacortes Airport. The leases encompass approximately 2.8 acres at two separate sites at the airport. In accordance with the new Airport Layout Plan approved April 20, 2007 by the port commission and the FAA, 48° North plans to build hangars to house private aircraft, as well as build a hangar complex to house commercial businesses related to aviation. Provisions of the leases include: Terms of 30 years with 2 additional 10 year option periods; Lease of 86,000 square feet in the newly established private hangar zone; Lease of 36,000 square feet in the newly established commercial zone. Construction on the hangars is anticipated to begin during the first quarter of 2008.


Deadline extended for
MIAS scholarships

SEATTLE — The due date has been extended to Monday, December 17th for all applications for Marine Insurance Association of Seattle scholarships. Three eligible applicants will each be awarded $5000.00 scholarships. Any student with an affiliation with the Marine Insurance Association of Seattle accepted into a school of higher education is eligible. Preference will be given to those applicants intending to study marine/insurance related fields. Applicants must have a grade point of 2.5 or better, be a full time student and have a responsible motor vehicle driving record. Requirements include a completed application, two letters of recommendation (one personal and one professional) and a copy of their last grade transcript or G.E.D. certificate.The MIAS Scholarship Application is available on the MIAS website at http://www.miaseattle.org/scholarship.htm.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, December 10, 2007

MOL plans to cut capacity
on US East Coast/Panama Canal run

TOKYO — Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has announced additional winter capacity plans for the trade between Asia and the US East Coast via Panama Canal. Late last month, MOL announced that it would be withdrawing more capacity to the US West Coast and earlier than in previous years in the face of an unprecedented rise in operating costs - particularly for fuel. The latest announcement will see MOL reduces a further 13 percent of capacity to the US East Coast. APL, HMM, MOL and CMA CGM have decided to skip some sailings in their ESX deployment from mid-December to the end of March. MOL reports it remains committed to providing customers with premium global container shipping services. However, it did not rule out future additional network adjustments to minimize the impact of dramatically higher costs on their respective businesses.


Vancouver, USA port board
will discuss 14 action items tomorrow

VANCOUVER, USA — The Vancouver, USA Port Commission will consider a staff recommendation to execute proposed purchase and sale agreements for the Alcoa Aluminum and Evergreen Aluminum LLC properties at its regular meeting tomorrow. The open public meeting, which will also include another 13 action items as the last meeting of the commission in 2007, begins at 9:30 a.m. at the port’s Commission Room (3103 NW Lower River Road, Vancouver), and will be carried live on CVTV Channel 21. The CVTV coverage will also be streamed live online at www.cvtv.org. Among the 14 action items are: the port’s strategic plan; two proposed property acquisitions; five leases with port tenants; rail project actions; grading, construction and contract extensions; and a resolution in honor of outgoing Commissioner Arch Miller.


Inspection of WSF ferries
finds additional pitting

SEATTLE — As inspections on its Steel Electric class ferries have progressed, Washington State Ferries (WSF) reports updated information on the status of the two ferries that are in drydock at Todd Pacific Shipyards in Seattle for inspection and maintenance work. The QUINAULT and ILLAHEE have been in drydock since November 28. Since then, crews and shipyard staff have worked around the clock to prepare and inspect external and internal hull spaces of both vessels to find any steel problems. Ongoing work is revealing more pitting and corrosion. “As work has progressed on the QUINAULT, inspections have revealed additional steel that needs to be replaced and the extent of needed repairs continues to grow,” said Paul Brodeur, WSF director of vessel maintenance and preservation. “These are old vessels and until all the paint is removed on the hull we will not know the full extent of the problem.” At this time, 70 percent of the paint on the hull has been removed and WSF has discovered that at least 45 percent of the QUINAULT’s hull will need to be replaced before the vessel can return to service. This percentage may increase if WSF finds more pitting as it completes inspection of the QUINAULT and ILLAHEE over the next few weeks. In the same dry-dock at Todd Shipyard, workers are hydro blasting the ILLAHEE’s hull to remove the paint and inspect the steel underneath. Early inspections of the outside of the vessel show that there are areas with pitting that require repair, similar to what has been found on the QUINAULT.


Portland Port Commission
holding public PTIP meeting

PORTLAND — Port of Portland Commissioners will review and receive input on the 2008 Port Transportation Improvement Plan (PTIP) at a public hearing at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 12th during the regularly scheduled commission meeting in the Commission Room, Port of Portland Administrative Offices, 121 NW Everett St.. The hearing follows discussion with the Port Commission on a number of transportation funding issues. The PTIP identifies, outlines and prioritizes 5, 10 and 20-year marine, road, rail, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian transportation improvement projects. Forty-four projects were identified for the 2008 PTIP. Key projects outlined in the plan include increased air cargo access, Columbia River Channel Deepening, improvements to the northbound ramps on I-205, an improved interchange at Troutdale on I-84, several improvements at the Port marine terminals, the north runway extension at Portland International Airport and several improvements at the Port’s general aviation airports in Hillsboro and Mulino. After the public hearing, the PTIP will be revised if necessary and submitted for commission approval. Once approved, the PTIP is provided to Metro and the Oregon Department of Transportation for inclusion in the Regional Transportation Plan. Copies of the draft plan can be accessed via the Port website at www.portofportland.com.


Crowley picking up tab
for worker ID cards

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Crowley Maritime Corporation has announced that it will reimburse permanent/regular employees for the initial cost of acquiring Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) cards, which they will soon need to access secure areas of ports. The decision, which applies to Crowley merchant mariners and shore side personnel, is expected to expedite the TWIC application process by removing the financial burden on individual employees, and will help the company meet federal regulatory requirements before the end of 2008.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, December 7, 2007

Port Tracker report finds
container moves down again

WASHINGTON, DC — Traffic at the nation’s major retail container ports dropped below last year’s levels for the fourth month in a row in November as merchants continued to carefully manage inventories in anticipation of a restrained holiday shopping season, according to the monthly Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Global Insight. Ports surveyed handled 1.46 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEU) of container traffic in October, the most recent month for which actual numbers are available. That’s down 1.3 percent from September’s 1.48 million TEU, and 3.5 percent from the record high 1.51 million TEU set in October 2006. October is traditionally the peak month of the year as retailers stock up for the holiday season, but the figures left September as the peak month for 2007. November was estimated at 1.36 million TEU, down 3.5 percent from a year ago. If the estimate holds true when actual numbers come in, it will mark the fourth month in a row that cargo failed to meet last year’s levels. (August was down 1.4 percent from August 2006 and September was down 1.9 percent from September 2006.) Volume will continue to trend downward through February, traditionally the slowest month of the year, but levels should be above last year in most months. December is forecast at 1.34 million TEU, up 2.6 percent from December 2006, and January 2008 is forecast at 1.31 million TEU, up 1.1 percent from January 2007. February 2008 is forecast at 1.23 million TEU, down 6.1 percent from February 2007. March 2008 is forecast at 1.35 million TEU, up 6 percent from March 2007, and April 2008 is forecast at 1.43 million TEU, up 7.8 percent from April 2007. All U.S. ports covered by Port Tracker – Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Tacoma and Seattle on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Hampton Roads, Charleston and Savannah on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast – are all currently rated "low" for congestion, the same as last month.


Port of Seattle included
in next wave of TWIC locations

WASHINGTON, DC — The Department of Homeland Security(DHS) has announced that enrollment in the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program will begin at 10 more locations in the coming weeks, including the Port of Seattle. This program ensures that any individual who has unescorted access to secure areas of port facilities and vessels has received a thorough background check and is not a known security threat. TWIC enrollment began Oct. 16 at the Port of Wilmington, Del. The addition of these 10 locations will bring the number of fixed enrollment centers open for enrollment to 38. Ultimately, the program will be rolled out to 147 fixed enrollment sites and will vet more than 1 million workers through the rest of 2007 and 2008. The TSA has released specific dates for the following ports:
Tulsa, Okla. — Dec. 12, 2007
Albany, N.Y. — Dec. 13, 2007
Seattle. — Dec. 13, 2007
NY/NJ (Staten Island) — Dec. 20, 2007
NY/NJ (New York) — Dec. 27, 2007 Wilmington, N.C. — Dec. 27, 2007
Duluth/Superior, Minn. — Dec. 28, 2007
Jacksonville, Fla. — Dec. 28, 2007
New Orleans. — Dec. 28, 2007
NY/NJ (South Hackensack) — Jan. 4, 2007
Workers at these ports, as well as another 28 where enrollment has begun, are able to pre-enroll for TWIC on the TSA Web site (www.tsa.gov/twic). Pre-enrollment speeds up the process by allowing workers to provide biographic information and schedule a time to complete the application process in person. This reduces waiting and in-person enrollment times for each individual. More information on the TWIC program is available at www.tsa.gov/twic and additional information on port security is available at the U.S. Coast Guard's Homeport site at http://homeport.uscg.mil by clicking on the Maritime Security link.


Rail freight traffic numbers
rise during holiday week

WASHINGTON, DC — Even though both carload and intermodal volumes were off slightly, total rail freight volume as measured in ton-miles was up from a year ago during the Thanksgiving holiday week ended November 24, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports. Total volume was estimated at 30.7 billion ton-miles, up 1.3 percent from the corresponding week last year, which also included the Thanksgiving holiday. Carload freight totaled 290,424 cars, a decline of 0.1 percent from last year, with loadings up 1.2 percent in the West but down 2.1 percent in the East. A total of 191,459 trailers and containers were loaded during the week, down 2.1 percent from the comparable week last year. Container volume was off 1.4 percent while trailer loadings slipped 4.4 percent from last year. Seven of 19 individual carload commodities were up from last year, with grain up 20.2 percent, petroleum products up 12.0 percent and grain mill products gaining 8.0 percent. On the downside, coke was off 27.4 percent, metallic ores fell 18.4 percent and farm products (excluding grain) declined by 16.3 percent. Cumulative volume for the first 47 weeks of 2007 totaled 15,368,236 carloads, off 2.6 percent from 2006; 10,915,108 trailers or containers, down 2.1 percent; and total volume of an estimated 1.59 trillion ton-miles, a 1.1 percent decline from last year.


Panama Canal Authority
awards expansion project contract

PANAMA CITY — The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) marked another milestone November 27, as it officially awarded the second major expansion excavation contract to Consorcio Cilsa Minera María. The process began September 18, when the ACP released its tender (request for proposal) for the second of five dry excavation projects of the new Pacific locks access channel that will connect the new third set of locks on the Pacific end of the Canal with the existing Gaillard Cut (the narrowest stretch in the Panama Canal). This project involves the removal of 7.5 million cubic meters in a stretch of approximately 2.4 kilometers, just north of where the new Pacific locks will be built. On November 14, the ACP received a total of eight bids for the contract. In a public ceremony, the ACP opened each bid submission and recorded the price proposals. After a thorough review of the lowest bidder’s proposal, the ACP determined that Consorcio Cilsa Minera María met the requirements and proceeded to award the contract to the firm.


Coast Guard District 13 members
filling stockings for homeless children

SEATTLE — Coast Guard members from the Thirteenth Coast Guard District, along with family and friends, will sort toys and stuff stockings for homeless children from the Puget Sound area at the Integrated Support Command gym at Pier 36 today and tomorrow. Toys will be sorted from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. today and stockings will be stuffed from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. tomorrow. The stockings will be filled with gifts and essential items for homeless children up to 17-years-old living in and out of shelters in the Puget Sound area. Holiday Stockings for Homeless Children consists mainly of Coast Guard wives and friends. The volunteers have sewn, filled and delivered over 10,000 holiday stockings full of gifts and toys for homeless children during the holidays since 1996.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, December 6, 2007

Longview port board Oks
purchase of new crane

LONGVIEW — The Port of Longview Board of Commissioners has approved the purchase of a new shoreside mobile harbor crane. The model selected is a liebherr LHM500S, with a lifting capacity of 104 metric tons. Purchase price for the crane is $4.3 million. "This acquisition by the port strengthens what is already a proven capacity for handling project cargoes," said Port Executive Director Ken O'Hollaren. "We are committed to supporting our current and future customers shipping heavy lift cargoes, and particularly the wind energy sector." Through December of this year, the port will handle nearly 200 full wind turbine sets plus tower components for wind energy projects. Since 2003, wind energy has grown to comprise 25 percent of the port's marine cargo services. Additionally, the port regularly handles vessels with other heavy lift project cargoes, providing services to and from barge, truck and rail.


Annual AAPA Cruise Seminar
set for February in San Francisco

ALEXANDRIA, VA — To assist cruise ports in preparing for the challenges ahead, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) will hold its 10th annual Cruise Seminar in San Francisco, Feb. 5-7. Highlights of AAPA's 2008 Cruise Seminar include panels of key cruise line and cruise association executives discussing the industry's top challenges; reports on seaport and cruise facility security measures; sessions focusing on expediting the passenger boarding process, alternative cruise terminal financing, itinerary planning, incident planning (including a speaker focusing on pandemic flu) and reducing the environmental impacts of cruise ship operations on the communities they serve. The final session on Feb. 7 will look at alternative uses of cruise terminals for revenue generation. Additionally, during a luncheon program on the first day of the seminar, AAPA will present its 2008 Cruise Award to Ross Gaudreault, president and CEO of the Québec Port Authority. A pioneer in developing the cruise industry in eastern Canada since 1987, Mr. Gaudreault was at the forefront in establishing AAPA's Cruise Committee and has been an active contributor to the association's cruise workshops. He helped form the St. Lawrence Cruise Association and brought the Port of Québec into the International Council of Cruise Lines as its first Canadian port member. More information about AAPA's Cruise Seminar is available at www.aapa-ports.org (click on the "Programs & Events" tab) or by calling AAPA's Ed O'Connell at 703-684-5700.


WSF cuts ELWHA sailing
for maintenance/sea trials

SEATTLE — Washington State Ferries has announced that the International sailing from Anacortes to Sidney (round trip) will be canceled on Tuesday, December 11, to allow the M/V ELWHA to perform maintenance and sea trials. The cancellation of this route will also impact the Friday Harbor bound vehicles on the 7:45 a.m. sailing from Anacortes to Orcas and Friday Harbor and the 1:40 p.m. sailing from Friday Harbor to Anacortes. “We hate to disrupt any of our ferry users and we realize canceling all legs of this International sailing impacts our island customers,” says Steve Rodgers, director of marine operations. “We are doing required maintenance on a rebuilt drive motor and need to do sea trials to ensure all is working appropriately. We apologize for the inconvenience.” The ELWHA will return to service for its 5:05 p.m. sailing from Anacortes on Tuesday, December 11.


Union reaches tentative deal
with Canadian Pacific Railway

CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway reports the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC), representing 4,500 locomotive engineers and conductors, and Canadian Pacific have reached a revised tentative five-year contract settlement. The Memorandum of Settlement will now be sent to the union membership for ratification, which is expected to conclude within the next eight weeks. Details of the tentative agreement will be released following ratification of the agreement by union members.


Coast Guard Lifeboat School subject
of Columbia River Propeller Club meet

PORTLAND — Scott Lowry, Executive Petty Officer at the USCG National Motor Lifeboat School, Ilwaco, WA, will be guest speaker at the December 18 luncheon meeting of the Propeller Club, Port of the Columbia River. Petty Officer Lowry will make a combined video/PowerPoint presentation about the school and its training routines. Networking will begin at 11:30, with lunch served at noon at the DoubleTree Lloyd Center, 1000 N.E. Multnomah. Cost for Propeller Club members is $35, non-members $45.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Port of Tacoma testing
new time for meetings

TACOMA — The Port of Tacoma Commission has announced it will begin a three-month trial of holding regular Commission meetings and study sessions at 12:00 noon beginning on Thursday, January 3, 2008. This new meeting time will include all commission meetings and study sessions being held throughout the months of January, February, and March. The first meeting with the new time schedule will be held on Thursday, January 3, 2008. The meeting will start at 12:00 noon. The location for the meeting remains unchanged—Room 104 of the Port Business Center, 3600 Port of Tacoma Road, Tacoma, Washington. For additional information or questions, contact: jdoremus@portoftacoma.com.


Oregon governor taps Achterman
as Transportation Commission chair

SALEM — Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has announced that he has designated Gail Achterman as chair of the Oregon Transportation Commission, effective immediately. A Portland attorney who spent 20 years in private law practice with Stoel, Rives LLP, Ms. Achterman began her first term on the transportation commission on November 17, 2002, and was reappointed effective July 1, 2004. She was the commission lead on writing the 25-year Oregon Transportation Plan last year. Ms. Achterman is stepping in to replace Stuart Foster of Medford, who resigned from the commission last week. Governor Kulongoski also designated Mike Nelson from Baker City as vice-chair of the commission. Mr. Nelson is in his second term on the commission having been re-reappointed on July 1, 2007. Mr. Nelson represented district 59 in the Oregon House of Representatives during the 1999 and 1981 Legislative Assemblies. Two positions remain open on the Oregon Transportation Commission with the resignation of Mr. Foster and Randall Pape, who stepped down from the commission on November 1st.


Corps to begin dredging
Duwamish Waterway turning basin

SEATTLE — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, has announced that maintenance dredging in the Lower Duwamish Waterway’s turning basin could begin as early as mid-December. Manson Construction Co. of Seattle will be removing approximately 134,000 cubic yards of material from the Federal channel to ensure safe navigation and will dispose of that material in the Elliott Bay site, previously designated by the Puget Sound Dredge Disposal Analysis program. Consideration is also being given to other aquatic disposal alternatives for beneficial use purposes. Maintenance dredging in this area was last performed in 2004, and the material to be dredged has accumulated since then. This is routine maintenance dredging, typically done biennially, in an area where the material to be dredged meets clean sediment standards and is suitable for beneficial use, as determined by the Dredged Material Management Program.


New simulator now open
at Coast Guard training center

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Coast Guard, Integrated Coast Guard Systems, and Lockheed Martin have completed the final phase of the $20 million Command, Control, Computers, Communications Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) simulator at Training Center Petaluma in Petaluma, Calif. The completion of this training suite represents a milestone in the Coast Guard's $24 billion, 25-year modernization and recapitalization plan known as Deepwater. As a result of commonality between Coast Guard and Navy C4ISR equipment, the training simulator provides both Coast Guard and Navy crews a safe, high fidelity environment to develop the skills and expertise needed to sail the military's newest, most capable ships into the 21st Century. To date, over 80 Coast Guard and 20 Navy students have attended nine courses at the new facility, and the first-of-its-kind team training will be convened in December for 30 members of the first National Security Cutter, BERTHOLF.


Foss reimbursing employees
for initial TWIC card

SEATTLE — Under a new federal mandate, by September 25, 2008, all merchant mariners and shore side personnel who need unescorted access to secure areas of ports, facilities or vessels regulated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) must have a government issued Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). These new regulations are part of the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to enhance port security by controlling access to secure areas. In order to ease the financial burden to Foss employees required to carry the card, Foss Maritime has decided to reimburse employees for the initial card. “Strengthening the security of our national ports is an important priority for our entire country. We want to make it as easy and painless as possible for our employees to quickly comply with these new regulations to keep U.S. citizens safe,” said Gary C. Faber, COO and President of Foss Maritime.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, December 3, 2007

Matson Navigation announces
jump in Hawaii service rates

OAKLAND — Matson Navigation Company has announced that it will raise its rates for the company’s Hawaii service by $75 per westbound container and $40 per eastbound container, effective January 6, 2008. Matson estimates that this increase will raise rates by an average of 2.5 percent. The increase will be filed with the Surface Transportation Board. In addition, Matson will raise its terminal handling charge by $125 per westbound container and $60 per eastbound container, also effective January 6, 2008. Matson’s terminal handling charge was first implemented in 2003 and is designed to recover a portion of the extraordinary costs associated with the movement of cargo through terminals. This charge is standard in the industry and appears as a separate line item at the bottom of the company’s freight bills.


Washington State Ferries
stepping up vessel inspections

SEATTLE — In light of recent issues regarding the 80 year-old Steel Electric ferries, Washington State Ferries (WSF) reports it is stepping up steel inspections and scrutiny on all the vessels in the fleet. WSF announced that the HYAK, a 40-year-old 144-car Super Class ferry, will remain at Dakota Creek Shipyard in Anacortes three weeks longer than its originally scheduled maintenance period for additional steel replacement on the vessel’s hull. The HYAK is in the shipyard for its planned maintenance period. Most WSF vessels run seven days a week for as long as 20 hours a day. Each year the ferries require annual maintenance periods for everything from a new paint job, engine overhauls, and replacement of pitted steel in the hulls and auto decks. Each vessel in the fleet is removed from service up to four weeks each year to meet U.S. Coast Guard annual in-water inspection requirements and to complete other necessary maintenance. Additionally, each year, about one third of WSF’s vessels are pulled out of the water for a complete internal and external hull inspection that the U.S. Coast Guard requires twice in a five year period. In addition to the ongoing work on the HYAK, other vessels that will go in for their scheduled annual inspection in the next month include the 90-car SEALTH, 188-car SPOKANE and 124-car KITSAP.


MTC Holdings closes deal
for Mexican multi-modal facility

SAN FRANCISCO — MTC Holdings, a terminal operating company headquartered in San Francisco, has announced that it has completed the acquisition of an inland, multi-modal terminal facility and services company branded as Puerta México. Puerta México intermodal terminal is located in the State of México in the industrial zone of Toluca, approximately 40 miles west of México City and offers multi-modal terminal services and on-site customs and bonded warehousing facilities to ocean carriers, railroads, intermodal and other logistics service providers. Situated at KM 15.5 of the Toluca–Atlacomulco highway the facility has direct access to rail line “N” of Kansas City Southern de México (KCSM) and offers service to and from the central valley, the ports of Lázaro Cárdenas and Manzanillo, and Laredo at the U.S. border. With an estimated capacity exceeding 150,000 containers per year on more than 130 developed acres, Puerta México essentially doubles the intermodal capacity available to the greater Mexican central valley region and alleviates a major bottleneck in the central valley supply chain.


Helen Devery elected to
CREDC Board of Directors

VANCOUVER, USA — Helen Devery has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC). Founded in 1982, CREDC is Southwest Washington’s lead economic development organization and promotes job creation and investment while maintaining the area’s environment and quality of life. Ms. Devery, who manages the Planning Team at JD White, a division of BERGER/ABAM Engineers Inc., says she is honored by her election and looks forward to working with CREDC to plan and encourage opportunities for healthy growth and sustainable development. BERGER/ABAM offers consulting services in land use planning, natural resources, civil and structural engineering, public involvement, construction management and support, and dive services. The firm has offices in Federal Way, Seattle, and Vancouver and in Portland, Las Vegas, and Houston.


CBP taps Tideworks
as AMS Service Center

SEATTLE — Tideworks Technology®, Inc. has announced it has been certified as an authorized Sea Automated Manifest System (AMS) Service Center by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (U.S. CBP). The successful completion of the U.S. CBP Automated Commercial System (ACS) testing phase qualifies Tideworks to begin offering its data processing services – known as ediPremier – to interface with the trade community. Trading partners that utilize Tideworks’ ediPremier product and data services will be able to take advantage of Tideworks’ direct communication link connecting the customer’s data and the U.S. CBP’s AMS system, thereby allowing them to automate manifests and amendments, in-bond notifications, conveyance updates, permit to transfer requests, transmission acceptance and/or rejection messages and bill of landing status notifications.