Home

December, 2008

NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, December 31, 2008

TSA checks backgrounds
of over one million HME drivers

WASHINGTON, DC — The Transportation Security Administration has announced the completion of over one million fingerprint-based background checks on truck drivers required to carry a Hazardous Material Endorsement (HME) on a commercial driver's license. Since starting operations almost four years ago, the HME Threat Assessment Program has completed a review of 1,015,660 applications and approved more than one million. Some examples of shipments classified as hazardous materials include gasoline, explosives, radioactive and infectious substances, propane, chlorine, acids, ammonia and other poisonous gases. Drivers must renew the TSA background assessment at least every five years, although a state may require renewals that are more frequent.


Port of Tacoma taps Simonsen
as accounting operations manager

TACOMA — The Port of Tacoma has named Jorgann Simonsen as manager of Accounting Operations, responsible for accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing and payroll. Before joining the Port, Ms. Simonsen spent nine years with Pierce County (Tacoma), most recently in the position of fiscal services manager in the Transportation Division of the Public Works & Utilities Department. There, she was responsible for managing all fiscal functions of her division, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, accounting, fixed assets, grant management, budget and cash management. Previously, Ms. Simonsen was grant accountant II in Pierce County's Department of Community Services. She has also served as an accountant for Lutheran Community Services of Washington & Idaho (Seattle) and The Boeing Company, Commercial Airplane Division (Renton, Wash.).


Evergreen to consolidate
North America operations

TAIPEI — Evergreen Shipping Agency (America), agents for Evergreen Marine Corporation, has announced that the company will consolidate some North America offices and reduce staff in order to deal with the downturn in ocean shipping business due to the worldwide financial crisis. Evergreen Line had previously announced capacity reductions on several trade lanes. Offices impacted will include Baltimore, Charleston, Chicago, Norfolk and Toronto. The Salt Lake City office will close and the work will be assigned to Dallas. A number of new positions will open and EGA employees may apply for those spots. A severance package including salary and benefits will be given to employees whose positions will be eliminated. The changes will be implemented on or before March 15, 2009.


Maersk Line to leave
Port of Charleston

COPENHAGEN — Maersk Line has informed the South Carolina State’s Ports Authority (SCSPA) that the carrier will leave Charleston and return to its dedicated terminal at the port no later than December 31, 2010 when Maersk's current contract ends. Additionally, Maersk Line informed the State Ports Authority that it would move one service, the South Atlantic Express (SAE), representing roughly 25 percent of Maersk Line’s total number of port calls in Charleston to other nearby ports in early 2009. The remainder of the line's services will be transitioned strategically over the next two years in coordination with customers.


Hamburg Sud vessel
markes first Long Beach call

LONG BEACH, CA — The Hamburg Süd M/V CAP ANDREAS made its first port call at Long Beach December 10, 2008 at the ITS Terminal, and received a commemorative plaque noting the occasion from officials of the Port of Long Beach. The CAP ANDREAS operates on Hamburg Süd’s Pacific Coast/Australia-New Zealand service. The service calls at Oakland, Seattle, Vancouver, Long Beach, Tauranga, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Auckland and Papeete.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, December 29, 2008

Coast Guard port captain
closes Chetco River bar

SEATTLE — Capt. Frederick Myer, the Captain of the Port (COTP) for Coast Guard Sector Portland issued a bar closure for Chetco River, Ore., at 3 p.m., due to hazardous conditions Sunday. Due to high water volumes, debris and limited search and rescue capabilities the Chetco River bar is closed to all vessels. All vessels are advised to divert to Coos Bay, Ore., Crescent City, Ore., or be prepared to remain at sea until conditions improve. Mariners may contact the Coast Guard via Channel 16 for further information or to request crossing. It is expected that the COTP Portland will reopen the Chetco River bar on or before Tuesday.


Trucking association files brief
on LA/Long Beach port concession plans

ARLINGTON, VA — The American Trucking Associations filed its reply brief in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Dec. 19 in its effort to secure an injunction against the enforcement of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach’s Concession Plans. This completes the briefing process and positions the case for oral argument and/or a final decision by the court on the injunction request.


Evergreen Line adding
new Arabian Express Service

TAIPEI — Evergreen Line has announced the launch of its new combined weekly service with Sea Consortium Pte LTd. on the Arabian Express Service (ASX) commenced December 27, 2008. The new joint ASX began with the departure of the 700 TEU vessel, MARTHA RUSS 108N from Colombo port and will operate aweekly service with port rotation as follows: Colombo - Kandla - Mundra - Karachi - Nhava Sheva - Colombo. The joint service will further enhance Evergreen's extensive feeder network in Europe and the Mediterranean as well as expand trade to and from India and Pakistan.


Shipping lines launch
Far East/Red Sea service

TOKYO — Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha ("K" Line) has announced the launching of a new dedicated service between the Far East and Red Sea (RES) as from the end of February 2009 together with China Shipping, Hanjin Shipping and Yang Ming. The new RES service will run with six 4000teu vessels and offer a fixed-day
weekly sailing. "K" Line, China Shipping and Hanjin Shipping will deploy one vessel each with Yang Ming providing three vessels for this new service. The port rotation will be as follows: Shanghai, Ningbo, Shekou, Singapore, Jedda, El Sokhna, Aqaba, Singapore, Shanghai.


Port association schedules
11th annual cruise seminar

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Western Hemisphere cruise market trends, challenges, issues, opportunities and best practices are all on tap Feb. 18-20, 2009, in Mazatlán, México, when the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) hosts its 11th annual Cruise Seminar. Industry executives from cruise lines, associations and ports, together with presenters from the federal government and private industry will help participants gain a better understanding of what is going on throughout the cruise industry, including specific markets like Mexico and Latin America, and what is being done (and still needs to be done) to help the industry grow and thrive, even in tough economic times. Seaport security, destination management, embarkation efficiency, environmental protection and disaster recovery, along with creative uses of facilities between cruise calls are also on the agenda. More information about AAPA's Cruise Seminar is available at http://www.appa-ports.org/ (click on the "Programs & Events" tab) or by calling AAPA's Ed O'Connell at 703- 684-5700.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, December 26, 2008

US Rail freight traffic
heads down during week

WASHINGTON, DC — Freight volume on U.S. railroads was off during the week ended December 20 in comparison with the same week a year ago, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports. Carload freight for the week totaled 272,878 cars, down 16.7 percent from last year, with volume off 16.1 percent in the West and 17.6 percent in the East. Intermodal volume, which is not included in the carload data, totaled 191,814 trailers or containers, down 16.5 percent from last year. Container volume was off 16.9 percent while trailer traffic fell 15.3 percent. Total volume was estimated at 29.1 billion ton-miles, down 15.4 percent from the comparable week last year. Cumulative volume for the first 51 weeks of 2008 totaled 16,372,331 carloads, down 1.9 percent from 2007; 11,393,179 trailers or containers, down 4.0 percent; and total volume of an estimated 1.71 trillion ton-miles, down 0.9 percent from last year.


Preliminary data shows
US steel imports down

WASHINGTON, DC — Preliminary data released show that overall steel imports in November 2008 decreased 28.12 percent from October 2008. This marked change in November’s total amount of steel imports was due to a universal drop in all imports except for one small increase in Oil Country Goods (5.23 percent). The largest decreases were carbon & alloy blooms, billets, and slabs (-72.17 percent), plates in coil (-51.02 percent), hot rolled sheets (-36.05 percent), and stainless cold rolled sheets (-32.16 percent). November 2008 imports of steel mill products were down 3.5 percent compared to November 2007.


Hanjin Shipping changing
US/Med/Middle East/India run

SEOUL — Hanjin Shipping has announced the launch of a new service covering the U.S. East Coast – Mediterranean – Middle East – India starting from January 8, 2009. This new service named IMU (India – Mediterranean – U.S) is a combination of the current MIX (Mediterranean – India Express) and INX (India – North America Express) services. MIX runs between the U.S. East Coast, Mediterranean, Middle East and Indian Sub-continent with 11 of 2,000TEU class vessels of which nine are supplied by UASC and two by Hanjin Shipping. INX operates between the U.S. East Coast, South East Asia and Indian Sub-continent with eight ships; partner carriers including Hanjin Shipping, UASC, K-Line and Yang Ming contributing two each. As INX will be terminating its operation at the end of this month, the new service, IMU will substitute the current MIX and INX services. Also, it will be deploying nine of 4,000TEU class ships of which six will be supplied by UASC and three by Hanjin Shipping.


Two board members leave
Horizon Lines Inc.

CHARLOTTE, NC — Horizon Lines, Inc. has announced the departure of two members of its Board of Directors, a corresponding reduction in the board composition to nine from 11 members, and the appointment of a new Audit Committee Chairman and Audit Committee member. Ernie L. Danner and Francis Jungers are stepping down from the company’s Board of Directors, effective December 31, 2008. Upon their departure, the Board composition will be reduced to nine from 11 members. Mr. Danner, 54, has served as a director since November 2004, and was chairman of the Board’s Audit Committee. He recently was named President and Chief Operating Officer of Exterran Holdings Inc. Board member Thomas P. Storrs, 55, has succeeded Mr. Danner as chairman of the Audit Committee, and Board member James G. Cameron, 62, has rejoined the Audit Committee as its third member. Mr. Storrs has served as a Board member since June 2007, and currently is Senior Executive Officer of Takata Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. Mr. Cameron has served as a Board member since July 2004, and previously served as a director of Statia Terminals N.V. Mr. Jungers, 82, a director since April 2005, is a private investor and consultant and has enjoyed a long career as a corporate executive and a director of several leading corporations.


NYK vessel captain
earns Croatian bravery award

TOKYO — A captain within the NYK fleet has received the Vjesnik Blue Ribbon Award, an honor given to Croatian seafarers who have demonstrated bravery over the previous year. Captain Mate Beretin was honored at the 42nd annual awards ceremony held on December 3 in Opatija, Croatia. The event is sponsored by Vjesnik, a newspaper published in Zagreb, and was attended by about 160 guests that included government officials and the press. In February 2008, while in command of the NYK crude-oil tanker TOWANDA, Captain Beretin led a rescue of 26 Chinese seafarers who were drifting on board a cargo ship after an accident off the Philippines.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Vancouver, USA port board
Oks deal with BNSF Railway

VANCOUVER, USA — On December 23, Port of Vancouver USA commissioners approved agreements between the port and the BNSF Railway Company creating a transaction facilitating the construction of the port’s $137 million West Vancouver Freight Access project (WVFA) at the commission’s regular meeting. The port will purchase nearly 17 acres of railroad right-of-way from BNSF for $3.1 million, and the railroad will donate more than $6 million of accompanying rail infrastructure to the port to allow the construction of the port’s preferred rail alignments. As a part of the deal, the port has agreed to finish construction of the project by December 31, 2017.


Olympia Port Commission
awards dredging contract

OLYMPIA — The Port of Olympia Commission has approved the award of a public works contract for the Interim Action Dredging of berths 2 and 3 at the port. This project, to be completed under an Agreed Order with the Department of Ecology due to dioxin contamination, will remove approximately 9,700 cubic yards of sediment that has reduced the water depth of the port's primary berths. The port received a final agreed order from the Department of Ecology on December 5, 2008 and permits from the US Army Corps of Engineers on December 22, 2008. The work will be accomplished between now and March 14th under supervision by both DOE and the Corps. The contract for $1,739,800 plus sales tax will be awarded to Pacific Pile and Marine, LP of Seattle.


Truck tonnage index rises
for second straight month

ARLINGTON, VA — The American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 1.7 percent in November, marking the first month-to-month improvement since June 2008. The index contracted a total of 6.3 percent from June through October. In November, the seasonally adjusted tonnage index equaled 110.7 (2000 = 100). In October, the index was at the lowest level in five years. Despite the increase in the seasonally adjusted measure, the freight outlook remains bleak. Specifically, the not seasonally adjusted index, which measures the change in actual tonnage volumes reported by the fleets before any seasonal adjustments, fell 15.4 percent to 101.3 in November. The seasonally adjusted index declined 1.8 percent compared with November 2007, which was the second straight year-over-year decrease.


Port of Tacoma taps Jordan
as environmental project manager

TACOMA — Jason Jordan was recently hired as senior environmental project manager by the Port of Tacoma. In this position, Mr. Jordan leads the team responsible for managing all environmental permitting and site cleanup responsibilities associated with port development projects. This includes planning and designing environmental mitigation projects and remediation projects, securing pre-construction project approvals and permits and monitoring construction compliance. Before joining the Port, Mr. Jordan was senior environmental program manager in the Seaport Environmental Services Department for the Port of Seattle.


Coast Guard set to begin
long range vessel tracking system

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Coast Guard has announced that operation of the International Maritime Organization mandated Long Range Identification and Tracking System begins Dec. 31. The Coast Guard also begins operating the U.S. National Data Center on that date. The U.S. National Data Center, in Martinsburg, W.Va., will be responsible for the collection, dissemination and management of all LRIT data submitted by U.S.-flagged vessels subject to LRIT regulations. The U.S. National Data Center also will collect foreign-flagged vessel LRIT information from other data centers. Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, the Coast Guard will examine foreign and U.S. flagged vessels subject to LRIT regulations to determine the status of compliance. The United States has also agreed to operate the International Data Exchange on an interim basis from Dec. 31, 2008, until Dec. 31, 2011. The International Data Exchange will be operated by the U.S. Coast Guard in Martinsburg, W.Va., serving as a global router for the LRIT system and connecting all LRIT data centers.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, December 22, 2008

Weather hits PNW schedules
for Alaska, Horizon airlines

SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air announced they will resume operations in Portland and Seattle Monday with significantly reduced early schedules due to ongoing weather conditions. The snow, freezing rain and high winds that hit the region starting last week have severely impacted the airlines' operations, causing the carriers to suspend flights Sunday afternoon. The resumption of operations in Portland and Seattle is weather-dependent, and further cancellations and delays are likely.


Coast Guard Port Captain
warns of approaching TWIC deadline

PORTLAND — Coast Guard Captain Fred Myer, the captain of the port for Portland, urges all maritime workers who have not yet enrolled for a transportation worker identification credential (TWIC) to apply as soon as possible. Beginning Feb. 28, 2009, maritime workers including terminal employees, longshoremen, truck drivers, agents and other maritime related activities must have a TWIC to gain unescorted access to secure areas of any waterfront terminal regulated by the Coast Guard under the Maritime Transportation Security Act. Documented Merchant Mariners are required to have their TWIC no later than Apr. 15, 2009. It can take four to six weeks from the time of enrollment to the time that an applicant receives a TWIC, so local maritime workers need to enroll no later than Jan. 15, 2009 to ensure that they receive their card before the Feb. 28th enforcement date.


Port of Tacoma taps Stuart
as environmental projects manager

TACOMA — The Port of Tacoma recently selected Ron Stuart as environmental project manager-Air Quality. In this position, Mr. Stuart manages port-related diesel and greenhouse gas emissions reduction programs, including implementation of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy – a partnership with the Port of Seattle and Port Metro Vancouver, British Columbia. He also oversees the preparation of air quality aspects of environmental impact assessments, identifies best management practices and implements initiatives for emission control, energy conservation and alternative clean energy. Before joining the port, Mr. Stuart spent 21 years with Simpson Tacoma Kraft Company (Tacoma), where he served in several positions, including chemist, laboratory supervisor, environmental engineer and environmental compliance auditor.


First Chinese containership
calls at Hanjin terminal in Taiwan

SEOUL — Hanjin Shipping has announced that the first ever Chinese containership has called at Hanjin’s dedicated terminal in Kaohsiung, Taiwan on December 12. COSCO OCEANIA, 10,000TEU class containership owned by COSCO of the CKYH (Cosco, K-Line, Yang Ming and Hanjin Shipping) Alliance, was greeted by some 150 VIP guests attending a ceremony held by the Kaohsiung Port Authority and COSCO. Hanjin Shipping has been running the dedicated terminal in Kaohsiung since 1998. Meanwhile, Hanjin, with 12 domestic and overseas dedicated terminals is about to open a new terminal in Busan New Port in early 2009 where it can accommodate 10,000TEU class ships. Hanjin is also developing other dedicated terminals in logistics hubs around the globe including Tan Cang-Cai Mep, Vietnam, Algeciras, Spain and Jacksonville, U.S.


Matson Navigation executive
makes top IT leaders list

OAKLAND — Matson Navigation Company's Vice President and Chief Information Officer Peter Weis has been recognized by Computerworld magazine as one of the Premier 100 IT Leaders for 2009. The publication's top 100 honorees were selected by a panel of Computerworld editors and outside judges from over 1,000 nominees, and were evaluated using Computerworld's IT Leader Index, which is a measurement of how closely an individual matches the publication's definition of an IT leader. Characteristics of Computerworld's IT leaders include identifying IT strategic opportunities, promoting an IT vision that supports the company's strategy, comparing best practices with those of peer companies, leveraging technology vendors as partners and developing leadership skills inside the IT organization.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, December 19, 2008

Port of Vancouver, USA
works tentative deal with BNSF

VANCOUVER, USA — While final agreements and Port Commission approval are pending, the Port of Vancouver USA and BNSF Railway Company have reached preliminary agreement for a historic transaction facilitating the construction of the port’s $137 million West Vancouver Freight Access project (WVFA). BNSF has tentatively agreed to sell nearly 17 acres of railroad right-of-way and donate approximately $6 million of accompanying rail infrastructure to the port to allow the construction of the port’s preferred rail alignments. As a part of the deal, the port will finish construction of the project by the end of 2017. Port customers now use more than 57,000 rail cars annually. Recent studies forecast that rail use at the port could grow to as much as 160,000 rail cars per year when the project is complete and operating. The WVFA expands the dedicated port rail facilities from 18 miles of track to more than 43 miles, providing significant unit train improvements and marked capacity improvements to the Pacific Northwest railroad system that will benefit the region for years to come.


Mitsubishi using Port of Tacoma
to export Eclipse automobiles

TACOMA — A major auto manufacturer that has been importing vehicles through the Port of Tacoma since 1982 has recently changed directions – and started exporting vehicles to Asia. Although initial volumes are small, Mitsubishi Motors is exporting Eclipse sports cars through the Port to China and South Korea. The vehicles are built at Mitsubishi's manufacturing plant in Normal, Ill., transported by rail to the Port of Tacoma's Marshall Avenue Auto Facility and then loaded to Wallenius Wilhelmsen Line auto ships. Those numbers compare to about 170,000 vehicles a year handled through the Port of Tacoma. Mitsubishi – like the port's other auto manufacturer customers – uses Auto Warehousing Co. in Tacoma for auto processing.


Panama Canal Authority
awards dry excavation contract

PANAMA CITY — The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) awarded Constructora MECO, S.A. the third of four dry excavation contracts to help create an access channel linking the new Pacific locks with the canal’s existing Gaillard Cut (the narrowest stretch of the Panama Canal). The contracting process began September 30, 2008 when the ACP released its request for proposals (RFP) for the excavation project. On December 4, 2008, the ACP received a total of six bids for the contract. Following a thorough review, the ACP determined that the lowest bidder, Costa Rican firm Constructora MECO, S.A., established in Panama in 1995, met all the requirements in the RFP and awarded it the contract.


US rail freight traffic
falls during week

WASHINGTON, DC — Freight volume on U.S. railroads was off during the week ended December 13 in comparison with the same week a year ago, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports. Carload freight for the week totaled 292,434 cars, down 9.3 percent from last year, with volume off 3.6 percent in the West and 16.9 percent in the East. Intermodal volume, which is not included in the carload data, totaled 211,354 trailers or containers, down 11.6 percent from last year. Container volume was off 10.8 percent while trailer traffic fell 14.2 percent. Total volume was estimated at 31.2 billion ton-miles, down 7.7 percent from the comparable week last year. Cumulative volume for the first 50 weeks of 2008 totaled 16,099,453 carloads, down 1.7 percent from 2007; 11,201,365 trailers or containers, down 3.8 percent; and total volume of an estimated 1.68 trillion ton-miles, down 0.6 percent from last year.


Port of Seattle ecopartnering
with Port of Dalian, China

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle and the Port of Dalian, China have agreed to work with other public and private sector partners on an EcoPartnership to advance environmental and economic sustainability. Other participants in the EcoPartnership include: The City of Tacoma, Tacoma Public Utilities, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the Puyallup Indian Tribe and SSA Marine. The EcoPartnership grew out of the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialog (SED), which was established in 2006. Federal agencies involved in the SED and the EcoPartnership include the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Treasury Department. The EcoPartnership will last a minimum of three years and will include examinations of marine terminal planning, construction management, liner development, railway transportation, oil spill response technologies and more. It also calls for a possible pilot project in China and the U.S. that includes other EcoPartnership members.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, December 18, 2008

Port, City of Bellingham
reach 'standstill' deal over lawsuit

BELLINGHAM — The Port of Bellingham and the City of Bellingham have reached an agreement to suspend a lawsuit regarding water service and annexation in and around the port's airport properties. The agreement was signed by both parties Dec. 17. This "standstill agreement" was authorized by the Bellingham Port Commission and the City Council at their meetings this week. It keeps the lawsuit in place, but the parties agree to not move the lawsuit forward while working jointly on details of an annexation agreement. The standstill agreement notes that the city would not pursue annexation of the airport and airport-related properties, but would instead focus its annexation on the adjacent airport industrial park area.


TSA not pleased with
short term rate increases

OAKLAND — Shipping lines in the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA), meeting in Hong Kong this week, voiced concern over recent rate instability and competitive actions that have taken some Asia-U.S. freight rates to non-remunerative levels. TSA acknowledged that member carriers as well as non-TSA lines have participated in the rate actions in selected commodity and customer segments during the past month. “The rate actions seen in recent weeks are shortsighted and regrettable,” said TSA executive administrator Brian M. Conrad. “They haven’t produced new business, they haven’t increased anyone’s market share and they do not adequately reflect operating costs.” He added that TSA lines have strongly indicated that they do not intend to leave those rates in place beyond January 31, 2009. “No one should expect to see freight rates extended at current levels in upcoming 2009-10 contracts,” Mr. Conrad added. “To maintain current rates over an 18-month time frame would threaten the financial viability of any major carrier in the market today. It’s TSA’s hope that the trade as a whole will take a step back and reconsider the financial impacts of recent actions, in the face of widely reported carrier losses and service consolidations.” TSA is a research and discussion forum of major container shipping lines serving the trade from Asia to ports and inland points in the U.S.


Port Metro Vancouver
moving to cruise ship shore power

METRO VANCOUVER, BC — Port Metro Vancouver will be the first port in Canada to implement shore power for cruise ships, beginning with the 2009 cruise season at Canada Place. According to the port, shore power is a highly effective way to reduce marine diesel air emissions by enabling ships to shut down their engines and connect to BC Hydro’s electrical grid in order to provide necessary power while docked. The shore power installation at the homeport of the Vancouver-Alaska cruise represents a $9 million cooperative initiative among Transport Canada, Western Economic Diversification Canada, the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Port Metro Vancouver, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises.


FMCSA sets new rules
for startup trucking companies

WASHINGTON, DC — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced a new rule to place stricter safety requirements on all newly registered trucking and bus companies. This final rule raises the compliance standards for passing new entrant safety audits, while ensuring that safety deficiencies are corrected before a new motor carrier is granted permanent registration with the agency. The final rule issued by the FMCSA establishes that a newly registered trucking or bus company will automatically fail its safety audit if it violates any one of 16 essential federal regulations during the 18-month safety monitoring period. These essential regulations cover controlled substances and alcohol testing, hours-of-service, driver qualifications, vehicle condition, and carrier financial responsibility.


Port of Portland adding
online flight tracking system

PORTLAND — Portland International Airport neighbors with questions or concerns about a noisy flight, now have a new resource at their fingertips. The Port of Portland has launched WebTrak, an online flight tracking system covering the greater Portland/Vancouver area. WebTrak offers a wealth of information about each flight, ranging from altitude and direction to aircraft type and airline to flight or tail number. For security purposes, the system is delayed 90 minutes and does not show government, military or law enforcement flights. Area residents with high speed internet connections can access WebTrak via the “noise management” tab at www.pdx.com. A tutorial is available in the “help” menu. Email and telephone contact information is available for the Port noise management department for assistance, additional information, or to report a concern.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Seattle Port Commission
suspends construction project

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle Commission has voted to temporarily suspend construction on the $400 million consolidated rental car facility. The ongoing downturn in the credit market means the agency cannot sell the taxable, long-term bonds needed to finance the project. The project would have created up to 3,000 jobs during construction. In October, the Seattle Port Commission voted to use $20 million in general airport funds to keep the project on schedule for a few more months, with the hope that economic conditions would improve. This vote suspends the project for up to one year until long-term financing can be found. Turner Construction, the prime contractor for the project, will complete stormwater and temporary erosion and sediment control measures and will maintain the stormwater quality treatment facility during the suspension.


Widdows to continue
as chairman of TSA

OAKLAND — The Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA), a research and discussion forum of 14 major container lines operating in the Asia-U.S. freight market, has asked NOL Group president and chief executive officer Ronald D. Widdows to continue as chairman of the group. Mr. Widdows has already served two 12-month terms as TSA chairman, following a January 2007 restructuring designed to involve member line senior managements more directly in the agreement’s day-to-day operations. He is also chairman of the World Shipping Council a Washington, D.C.-based shipping industry trade organization.


ATA releases 2008-09
trucking trends publication

ARLINGTON, VA — The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has announced the release of American Trucking Trends 2008-2009, an annual state of the industry report. This trucking industry almanac provides essential industry data that motor carriers need to make sound business decisions, especially in tough economic times. According to American Trucking Trends 2008-2009 the industry continues to be a major employer in the United States. In 2007, there were 8.9 million people employed in trucking-related jobs; nearly 3.5 million were truck drivers. Additional highlights from the report include statistics that indicate the trucking industry’s important role in domestic and international commerce. The report can be purchased at ATABusinessSolutions.com or by calling 1-866-821-3468 (toll free).


Crowley going with larger ship
in Florida/Bahamas service

JACKSONVILLE, FL — To better serve customers shipping between Florida and Nassau, Bahamas, Crowley has announced that beginning Dec. 23 it will deploy in the trade a faster container ship capable of accommodating a select number of larger containers. The STADT HANNOVER, which has a capacity of 373 TEUs, including stowage for 33, 45-foot (102-inch-wide) containers, will replace the WESERTOR. The STADT HANNOVER is about a half knot faster, which should facilitate better schedule integrity. The ship also has 40 reefer plugs for the benefit of Crowley's perishables shippers.


World Trade Club
calls for award nominations

TACOMA — Every year the World Trade Club presents two awards: the Governor's Trader of the Year Award and the Governor's Emerging Trader of the Year Award. Each award recognizes a Washington-based company that has significantly contributed to the expansion of Washington State's international trade. This year, the World Trade Club has announced that the awards will be presented by Governor Gregoire at a Trader of the Year Awards Reception in Tacoma, in
coordination with the Washington State Department of Community, Trade & Economic Development's (CTED) Trade Week on Thursday, March 19. Applications are due on January 30, 2009. For more information, visit the club's website: www.worldtradeclub.net. The World Trade Club encourages all eligible companies to apply. It also encourages the nomination of successful trading companies to the application process.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, December 15, 2008

NMTA member ports
plan rate increases

BELLEVUE — The Northwest Marine Terminal Association (a voluntary association of 14 deepwater ports in Oregon and Washington) has announced general rate increases up to regional CPI will be assessed to most member port tariffs effective January 1, 2009. The NWMTA also announced that increases will be applied to security fees to recover costs incurred under anticipated federal security regulations. The Northwest Marine Terminal Association has operated continuously since 1939, under an Agreement approved by the Federal Maritime Commission subject to provisions of Section 15 of the Shipping Act of 1916, the Shipping Act of 1984 and more recently the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998. Northwest Marine Terminal Association members include the ports of Anacortes, Astoria, Bellingham, Coos Bay, Everett, Grays Harbor, Kalama, Longview, Olympia, Port Angeles, Portland, Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver, USA.


Team from Port of Newport
attends NOAA pre-bid conference

NEWPORT— In an ongoing effort to make Newport the new homeport for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 's (NOAA) Marine Operations Center -- Pacific (MOC-P), port staff and two port commissioners traveled to Seattle's Sandy Point on December 5 to attend the pre-bid conference designed to inform applicants on the fine points of submitting bids. The three-hour conference was formatted to introduce applicant teams to highlights of the complex bid process and to take questions from bidders. Accompanying General Manager Don Mann, Port Commissioners Rob Halverson and JoAnn Barton, were Mike Schmid of KPFF Engineers, Chris Swanson of Natt McDougall Company, Bill Vermie and Bill Cederwall of PNWC Consultants, David Ulbricht of Wedbush Morgan Securities and Pete Dale, Port Construction Project manager. If Newport is chosen, the Port of Newport would become the landlord and NOAA its tenant.


Freight transport index
rises during month of October

WASHINGTON, DC — The Freight (TSI) rose 1.0 percent in October from its September level, rising after two consecutive monthly declines, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reports. The October increased followed a two-month decline of 4.3 percent in August and September that was the freight index’s largest two month drop in more than eight years. The index declined 5.9 percent in March and April 2000. The September decline of 2.5 percent was the fifth largest monthly decline in the last 10 years and the August decline of 1.9 percent ranked as the eighth largest. They were both exceeded by the March decline of 2.9 percent, the second largest in 10 years and the largest since a 4.1 percent decline in March 2000. At 109.1 in October, the freight TSI is up 1.1 percent from its recent low of 108.0 in September 2007 and down 3.5 percent from its historic peak of 113.1 reached in November 2005. For the first 10 months of 2008, the index rose 0.7 percent. The index rose 0.9 percent in the first 10 months of 2007 before dropping in the last two months to finish the year down 0.5 percent.


Ship management firm angry
over treatment of held officers

LONDON — InterManager, the international ship management firm, says it plans to complain to the Human Rights Commission over allegations that two jailed officers from the HEIBEI SPIRIT are being badly treated in their Korean jail. Reports emanating from Korea have indicated that the two HEIBEI SPIRIT officers, Indian nationals Capt. Jasprit Chawla and First Officer Syam Chetan are being confined in a filthy cell with nothing but a small opening in the floor to serve as a toilet. Their cells lack the basic amenities such as soap or cream and the two officers are prevented from using a telephone. Capt. Chawla and First Officer Chetan are being held in isolation in separate cells with very little heating and with sub-zero temperatures outside.


Coast Guard Cutter
returns to Port Angeles

SEATTLE — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter ACTIVE returned to their homeport in Port Angeles, Wash., last Thursday. The ACTIVE spent eight months in dry dock at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore to conduct maintenance on the cutter. The return transit from Baltimore to Port Angeles was primarily spent training a crew of 79 people, and improving the cutter's readiness condition. "By conducting numerous drills, we were able to become a cohesive team ready for emergencies that, fortunately, we did not experience," said Lt.j.g. Katie Sullivan, the support services officer on board the ACTIVE. The cutter traveled 6,700 miles from Coast Guard Yard to Port Angeles in 60 days. Members were able to participate in a community relations project by painting a school in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. "We are ecstatic to be home," said Lt. Sullivan.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, December 12, 2008

Port of Vancouver, USA
issues bonds for Terminal 5 buy

VANCOUVER, USA — The Port of Vancouver has successfully issued $32,550,000 in General Obligation Bonds [Alternative Minimum Tax] for the purchase of its new Terminal 5 facility, Executive Director Larry Paulson announced. Bonds were issued on Tuesday, December 9 in Portland. Underwriters on the bonds are Seattle Northwest Securities and Edward Jones Company. The bonds were issued to institutional and retail markets. Terminal 5 is the property that formerly held the Alcoa and Evergreen Aluminum operations. Evergreen Aluminum recently completed its demolition and cleanup of the property, and has received acceptance of its cleanup from the Department of Ecology. Alcoa’s demolition, and environmental remediation, is also nearly complete. Projections tell port staff that when Terminal 5 is complete, as many as 1,000 jobs could be created on the site, depending on the use and customer. Port industrial tenants pay leasehold excise taxes, which nearly equal property tax, in turn providing revenue for state and local services. The port expects to close the purchase of the Evergreen property by the end of January 2009. Alcoa’s closing appears to be set for the end of March 2009. Funds from the bond could also be used for construction of rail facilities for the port’s West Vancouver Freight Access project, if needed.


Boeing plans changes
to management scheme

SEATTLE — The Boeing Company has announced a series of executive leadership changes and a restructuring within Boeing Commercial Airplanes to better align resources across its development and production programs and strengthen oversight of its global supply chain. Effective immediately, Commercial Airplanes Supplier Management, Fabrication, Propulsion Systems and the Manufacturing and Quality functional organization are part of a new organization, called Supply Chain Management and Operations, led by Ray Conner. Mr. Conner, 53, has experience in program leadership and manufacturing and supply chain management. He most recently was vice president of Sales for Commercial Airplanes. All current production and development programs, including the 787 Dreamliner and 747-8, are being brought together in a new Airplane Programs organization reporting to Pat Shanahan, formerly vice president and general manager of the 787 program. Mr. Shanahan, 46, continues to have direct oversight and accountability for the 787 program, with Scott Fancher becoming that program's vice president and general manager. Mr. Fancher, 50, who has extensive program management, systems engineering and advanced design experience, previously led the company's missile defense business. Carolyn Corvi, who led the previous Airplane Programs organization, has announced she will retire at year's end after a 34-year career at Boeing. Ms. Corvi, 57, has been a driving force behind the company's successful implementation of lean production techniques. Marlin Dailey succeeds Mr. Conner as vice president of Sales. Mr. Dailey, 52, is a 28-year Boeing veteran who most recently led Commercial Airplanes sales efforts in Europe, Russia and Central Asia.


US rail freight traffic
dips during week

WASHINGTON, DC — Freight traffic on U.S. railroads was down during the week ended December 6 in comparison with the corresponding week last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports. Total volume was estimated at 32 billion ton-miles, down 7.2 percent from the same week last year. Intermodal volume totaled 216,364 trailers or containers, down 9.8 percent from last year, with container volume down 7.6 percent and trailer volume down 16.5
percent. Carload freight, which doesn't include the intermodal data, totaled 301,120 cars for the week, down 8.5 percent from last year. Loadings were down 13.6 percent in the East and 4.8 percent in the West. Only two of 19 carload commodity groups were up compared with last year. Coal was up 5.3 percent while the commodity group termed All Other Carloads rose 8.3 percent. Among commodities reporting declines were metallic ores, down 28.6 percent; nonmetallic minerals, down 33.5 percent; lumber and wood products, down 27.2 percent; metals and products, down 43.8 percent, and waste and scrap materials, down 29.5 percent. Cumulative volume for the first 49 weeks of 2008 totaled 15,807,019 carloads, down 1.5 percent from 2007; 10,990,011 trailers or containers, off 3.6 percent; and total volume of an estimated 1.65 trillion ton-miles, down 0.4 percent from last year.


Crowley vessels honored
for no environmental incidents

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Crowley Maritime Corporation was recently honored at a Chamber Shipping of America awards ceremony with Environmental Achievement Awards for 2008. The awards recognized the environmental excellence of 57 Crowley owned or managed vessels based on having operated at least two years without any environmental incidents. The vessels operated a combined total of 382 years of service without incident. Three vessels - tugboats POINT BARROW and POINT THOMPSON, along with the tanker BLUE RIDGE- have each operated 11 years without an incident. Crowley is among the 51 companies, operating a total of 868 vessels that were recognized for their environmental excellence. All the vessels combined have operated a total of 5,951 years without incident.


Mitsui plans to open
auto logistics arm in India

TOKYO — Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced the formation of MOL Auto Logistics (India) Pvt. Ltd. to transport completed cars. The move is a response to rising production capacity of completed cars for India's domestic market and export trades. Since export volume of completed cars from India is expected to increase, MOL established this company in Chennai to provide inland transport and export-related port services.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, December 11, 2008

Expansion work brings shutdown
of Airport Way traffic signals

PORTLAND — The Port of Portland reports that expansion of the I-205 southbound off-ramp onto Northeast Airport Way near Portland International Airport will shut down adjacent traffic signals on Airport Way from approximately 7 p.m. today, through 3 a.m. Friday. Both the off-ramp and Airport Way will remain open during the work. Motorists are encouraged to drive slower and following the direction of flaggers. The change will allow workers to upgrade the traffic signals to serve a new lane under construction on the off-ramp. When completed early next year, the off-ramp will offer a second right-hand turn lane onto Airport Way, helping reduce congestion at the busy intersection.


Survey finds US industry
shipped $12 trillion in goods in '07

WASHINGTON, DC — American industry shipped 13 billion tons of goods valued at almost $12 trillion in 2007, according to preliminary numbers from the 2007 Commodity Flow Survey (CFS) released by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Census Bureau. The preliminary numbers from the CFS, produced in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau, show that trucks moved manufactured goods and raw materials in 2007 amounting to about nine billion tons in shipments valued at $8.4 trillion. These totals represent more than two-thirds of the value and weight of freight shipped in the United States. Based on ton-miles, a measure derived by multiplying the weight by distance shipped, rail and trucking accounted for 37 and 40 percent, respectively, of freight being transported in 2007.


Financial deal inked
for Panama Canal expansion

PANAMA CITY — Amid a strained and uncertain global economy, one historic construction project continues to reinforce Panama’s economic growth and political stability: the expansion of the Panama Canal. On the heels of Panamanian President Martín Torrijos’ recent expansion financing structure announcement, senior leaders of five multilateral and development agencies convened at Panama’s Ascanio Arosemena Theater with canal officials to sign an agreement on the financing for the waterway’s expansion. Representing Asia, Latin America, Europe and the United States, the agency leaders joined President Torrijos, ACP Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta and the ACP Board of Directors for the special expansion financing event, culminating months of extensive negotiations. The $2.3 billion financing package will cover a portion of the $5.25 billion total cost of the project.


MarAd program funding cleanup
of National Defense Reserve Fleet ships

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton has announced a contract with Certified Coatings Company of Concord, Calif., to remove and contain exfoliating paint from ships in the National Defense Reserve Fleet at Suisun Bay, Calif. The contract is potentially worth $3.5 million over five years. Similar contracts are being prepared for the two fleet sites in Beaumont, Texas, and Fort Eustis, Va., overseen by the Maritime Administration. The contract is part of the Maritime Administration’s Environmental Excellence Initiative which focuses on strengthening environmental protections and implementing green procedures. The National Defense Reserve Fleet holds militarily-useful ships in reserve for use by the U.S. Armed Forces or in a national emergency. When the ships become obsolete, the Maritime Administration arranges for their responsible disposal.


US furniture retailer
taps MOL as Asia consolidator

TOKYO — Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced that W.S. Badcock Corporation, one of the largest home furniture retailers in the U.S., has selected Hong Kong-based MOL Consolidation Service Limited (MCS) as its buyer's consolidator in Asia, including China, Vietnam, and Malaysia. MCS started the service in December 2008. W.S. Badcock, headquartered in Mulberry, Fla., has more than 300 stores, mainly in the Southeast, under the brand name Badcock Home Furniture & More. It selected MCS because of a service network that covers all of Asia, the company's track record in this field, and the comprehensive STARLINK* cargo information service.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Port of Seattle CEO
responds to investigation

SEATTLE — Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani has unveiled his response to a special investigation conducted by former US Attorney Michael McKay. Mr. McKay's report, requested by the Seattle Port Commission, was released last week and listed ten incidences of civil fraud in the Port's contracting procedures. McKay also provided a set of eight recommendations, which Yoshitani directed staff to begin implementing immediately. The response plan details how the report recommendations – many of which build on reform efforts already underway – will be implemented. Mr. Yoshitani took several disciplinary measures against staff members involved directly or indirectly in the situations identified by Mr. McKay. Before making his decisions, he weighed the severity of the finding as well as the degree to which a staff person was involved. The CEO immediately reviewed the associated material and initiated action against two employees. When confronted, John Rothnie, project manager for the Third Runway project and Larry McFadden, general manager of Port Construction Services, chose to resign. Different levels of discipline have been given to those associated with the commission memo outlining the contract for TTI. Ray Rawe, chief engineer, will receive a three week suspension without pay because he had knowledge of the memo and was in a position to identify the misrepresentation but did not do so. Three senior managers have received one week’s suspension without pay for their failure to mention the contingent nature of the contract adjustment: David Soike, deputy managing director, Aviation; Paul Powell, manager, Contract Services; and Robert Riley, director, Aviation Capital Improvement Program. Finally, the CEO will place letters of reprimand in the personnel files of Linda Strout, deputy CEO; Mark Reis, managing director, Aviation; and Craig Watson, general counsel. Given their positions of authority and the importance of the issue, the CEO believes that they should have been engaged in reviewing the commission memo and ensuring it was accurate.


Port of Bremerton CEO
announces plans to retire

PORT ORCHARD — Having completed over 25 years of work at the Port of Bremerton and a total of 38 years of public service at the local and federal levels Port CEO Ken Attebery has announced to the port commission that he will be retiring from the port at the end of the year. During Mr. Attebery’s time at the port he has served in roles ranging from port planner and industrial development director to deputy executive director and finally CEO. Prior to joining the port Mr. Attebery served as planning director for the City of Bremerton in the 1970’s and early 1980’s. One of the many highlights of Mr. Attebery’s career was the designation of the Port of Bremerton as the state’s Port of the Year for its long term work to undertake the first significant steps in the 1990’s and continuing today to make improvements along the Bremerton waterfront.


Tilden, Bloom receive
2008 Connie Awards

NEWARK, NJ — The 2008 Connie Awards were presented by the Containerization & Intermodal Institute (CII) to Douglas A. Tilden, chairman of Ports America Group, and Ken Bloom, executive chief officer of INTTRA, at an industry award luncheon at The Newark Club. Some 300 industry representatives attended the annual luncheon event. Each recipient received a plaque and traditional Waterford crystal decanter. The Connie has been awarded since 1972 to honor those who have significantly contributed to world trade and transportation.


Merchant Marine Academy students
take home Crowley scholarships

JACKSONVILLE, FL — In an effort to ensure the next generation of career mariners is the best in their fields, Crowley presented four United States Merchant Marine Academy students with Thomas B. Crowley, Sr., scholarships at the Containerization & Intermodal Institute’s (CII) annual Connie Awards luncheon in Newark, N.J. The event, attended by approximately 300 guests, provided the backdrop for the scholarship presentations to Midshipmen Patrick Showell, Donald (“Buddy”) Finnie, Joseph Gaudiano and Bradford Lawhon. Laura Ladd was also recognized during the event as the recipient of the Richard A. Simpson scholarship – formerly named the Containerization and Intermodal Institute (CII) scholarship. The grants further highlight Crowley’s commitment to education, particularly for those studying in maritime related fields and business disciplines such as accounting, finance, and human resources. Over the years, Crowley has provided more than half a million dollars in scholarships to students in the United States, Central America and the Caribbean. Crowley Chairman, President and CEO, Tom Crowley Jr., continued and renamed the scholarship program in 1994 for his father, Thomas B. Crowley Sr., who guided the company to extraordinary heights before passing away.


Trucking association introduces
new training safety program

ATRLINGTON, VA — The American Trucking Associations (ATA) and Codega, LLC have introduced the ProTraining Safety Series 1 program to educate truck drivers, particularly new and younger professionals, about basic truck safety concepts, rules, and practices. The series of four animated training videos and associated learning materials are designed to keep viewers engaged and thinking while reinforcing critical safety and compliance practices. The information is thorough, easy to digest and immediately applicable to drivers' day-to-day activities. The videos use the latest in educational animation technology, along with accompanying comprehensive workbooks and quizzes to measure comprehension and progress.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, December 8, 2008

Seattle Port Commission
inks new deal with Carnival

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle Commission has voted in favor of a 10-year agreement with Carnival Corporation (CCCL), the parent company of Princess Cruises and Holland America Lines. According to the port, the agreement formalizes what many cruise passengers have known for years, that Seattle is a great place to begin a voyage, and that partnerships such as these will insure that this remains a growing market for years to come. The agreement calls on CCCL to bring a minimum of 420,000 revenue passengers a year to Seattle's new two-berth cruise facility at Terminal 91 scheduled to open in April, 2009. Holland America Line and Princess Cruises currently serve the Alaska market with five homeported ships in Seattle, and will add the PACIFIC PRINCESS with 14-day itineraries for the upcoming season.


Port Tracker report predicts
continued slowdown at box ports

WASHINGTON, DC — Year-over-year cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports fell for the 16th straight month in November, leaving 2008 on track to be the slowest year since 2004 as the U.S. economic downturn continues, according to the monthly Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and IHS Global Insight. Volume is projected to total 15.3 million Twenty-Foot-Equivalent Units for the year, compared with 16.5 million TEU in 2007. That would be a decline of 7.1 percent and the lowest total since 2004, when 14 million TEU moved through the ports. The projection for the year is the same as last month after growing from a six percent drop forecast in September and 6.5 percent drop forecast in October.


Coast Guard covers miles
in Alaska medical evacuation

SEATTLE — Coast Guard rescue crews flew 4,300 miles to conduct a medical evacuation of a 58-year-old Filipino crewman aboard a bulk carrier 50 miles east of Attu Island, Alaska, last week, and returned the crewmember safely to Kodiak, Alaska. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and HC-130 Hercules airplane flew from Kodiak to Adak Island, Alaska but could not medevac the injured crewmember until the next day, due to winds in excess of 50 mph and 25-foot seas. The survivor was safely hoisted into the helicopter in 40 mph winds and nine-foot seas and flown to Shemya Island, Alaska reportedly in stable condition. The injured crewmember was temporarily treated at a medical facility on Shemya Island overnight. A Coast Guard C-130 safely transferred the injured crewmember to awaiting emergency medical services at Air Station Kodiak. The Coast Guard initially received a high frequency radio call from the captain of the LAVIEEN ROSE requesting a medevac for the injured crewmember. The LAVIEEN ROSE crew was able to treat the injured Filipino crewmember aboard the vessel after he was injured in heavy sea conditions. The Panamanian-flagged vessel was en route from Tacoma to Hiro, Japan. The vessel has resumed its previous course. The captain of the LAVIEEN ROSE reported the crewmember sustained a broken right arm and possible spinal injuries.


US rail traffic declines
during month of November

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. railroads originated 1,189,472 carloads of freight in November 2008, down 133,504 carloads (10.1 percent) from November 2007. U.S. railroads also originated 851,517 intermodal units in November 2008, a decrease of 72,978 trailers and containers (7.9 percent) from November 2007, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports. Two of the 19 major commodity categories tracked by the AAR saw U.S. carload increases in November 2008 compared to November 2007: coal carloads were up 12,271 carloads (2.1 percent), while the catch-all "all other carloads" category was up 3,949 carloads (23.1 percent). Commodities showing the largest carload declines in November 2008 were motor vehicles and equipment (down 25,984 carloads, or 32.7 percent); chemicals (down 19,621 carloads, or 16.3 percent); metals and metal products (down 19,181 carloads, or 39.6 percent); and grain (down 17,134 carloads, or 16.6 percent). For the first 11 months of 2008, total U.S. rail carloads were down 212,665 carloads (1.4 percent) to 15,505,899 carloads, as year-over-year increases in coal (up 241,009 carloads, or 3.6 percent) and grain (up 54,371 carloads, or 5.0 percent) were not enough to offset declines in most other commodity categories, including motor vehicles and equipment (down 192,182 carloads, or 20.0 percent); coke (down 85,264 carloads, or 32.1 percent); and crushed stone, sand, and gravel (down 78,185 carloads, or 7.8 percent).


Port of Everett helps ring in
holiday waterfront event

EVERETT — Join in the holiday fun along the Everett waterfront Saturday Dec. 13 with a holiday boat parade and tree lighting. The events are presented by the Everett Yacht Club, the Port of Everett and the City of Everett. Prime viewing of the tree lighting will be at Port Gardner Landing near the location of the summertime farmers’ market or from Grand Avenue Park. The tree lighting location is 15th Street and West Marine View Drive.
The celebration will feature:
5:30 p.m. - Everett Chorale will fill the evening with holiday songs.
5:45 p.m. - Santa will arrive
6 p.m. – Holiday tree lighting.
6:30 p.m. – Viewing of the decorated boats.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, December 5, 2008

Portland Port Commission
eyes transport plan changes

PORTLAND — Port of Portland Commissioners will review and receive input on the 2009 Port Transportation Improvement Plan (PTIP) at a public hearing at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 during the regularly scheduled commission meeting. The hearing follows discussion with the port commission on transportation needs and a funding strategy to address business and passenger market access and freight mobility in the Portland region. The PTIP identifies, outlines and prioritizes 5, 10 and 20-year marine, road, rail, air, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian transportation improvement projects. Ninety-nine projects were identified for the 2009 PTIP. Projects are identified through transportation studies from master plans, property development and region-wide mobility needs studies conducted by the port and other local, regional, and state agencies. Updated annually and requiring approval by the Port of Portland Commission, the PTIP provides a long-range vision of transportation improvements that support the port's mission of providing cost competitive cargo and passenger access to regional, national and international markets. 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. Projects will then be considered for outside funding through the Federal, State and Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Plan processes. Copies of the draft plan can be accessed via the Port of Portland Web site.


Maersk plans to lay up
eight container vessels

COPENHAGEN — Maersk Line has announced the lay up of eight 6,500 TEU (twenty- foot equivalent unit) vessels. The line's decision follows the recently announced changes in its Asia – Europe, Asia – Central America, and Transpacific service networks. This resulted in surplus vessel tonnage, which Maersk will not redeploy in its service network. Maersk Line will continue to adjust capacity in light of market developments by optimising its schedules, consolidating services, vessel sharing agreements (VSA), enhancing port productivity, economical sailing (reducing speed), and – unless current market conditions improve – additional laying up of vessels. The eight vessels that Maersk Line will lay up are of the CV 65 class. the carrier will lay them up from December 2008 to May/June 2009, predominantly in Asia.


Port of Vancouver, USA
taps two new employees

VANCOUVER, USA — The Port of Vancouver has named Pete Boch its new accounting manager and Chrissy Whitters has joined the port as administrative assistant. A long-time resident of Southern California, Mr. Boch will be supervising the accounting staff and is responsible for preparing financial reports. Before coming to the port, he worked for a decade as a controller and finance manager and was most recently with Longview Fibre as assistant director of corporate accounting. Ms. Whitters, who comes to the port from Vancouver’s HDJ Design Group where she was an administrative assistant supporting the accounting department, will play a key role in the port’s re-development of its administrative services department, and will provide support to all departments on various projects. She comes to Vancouver from Alaska, where she attended the University of Alaska and worked as an office manager and project coordinator for an excavation company.


Expansion project bids received
by Panama Canal Authority

PANAMA CITY — Moving forward with the selection process for the third of four dry excavation contracts under its Canal Expansion Program, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) officially received a total of six bids. Now, submissions will be thoroughly reviewed and a winner will be determined later this month for this next phase of the project. The scope of work included in the contract encompasses the excavation, removal and disposal of eight million cubic meters of material, which will further reduce Paraíso (Paradise) Hill from 46 meters to 27.5 meters above sea level. It also calls for the construction of approximately 2.5 kilometers of access and the clearing of 190 hectares of land bearing munitions and explosives of consideration (MEC), remnants from former U.S. military training in Panama. This contract will be awarded to the firm with the lowest-priced bid that meets all of the requirements stated in the request for proposals. Over the next few days the ACP will review the documents submitted by the lowest bidder to verify the company’s experience, technical capacity, financial strength and bonding before awarding the contract. Below are companies that submitted bids and the corresponding bid prices.
COMPANY BID PRICE
1. Conalvias-Retraneq $61,323,876.97
2. Constructora Santa Fe, Ltd. $46,049,339.26
3. Corporación M&S Int. $45,218,642.00
4. Constructora Urbana, S.A. $38,200,000.00
5. Constructora Meco, S.A. $36,659,852.28
6. Cilsa Minera María $74,654,321.90


Heroic acts earn seafarer
IMO Bravery as Sea honor

LONDON — The 2008 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea has been presented to a Brazilian seafarer for his heroic actions in saving fellow crew members from an explosive fire on a ship. Rodolpho Fonseca da Silva Rigueira, of the drill ship Noble Roger Eason, was nominated by the government of Brazil for his decisive, selfless action in rescuing six fellow crew members from a catastrophic fire which burst out on the vessel. The fire originated from an explosion, causing imminent risk to the lives of crew members in its vicinity; yet, instead of evacuating the area, Mr. Rigueira repeatedly faced the fire and very high temperatures to save his colleagues, at severe risk to his own life. The award, a silver medal depicting, on one side, a search and rescue operation with a sinking ship in the background and a helicopter rescuing survivors from the sea in the foreground, and with the IMO logo on the reverse side, was presented to Mr. Rigueira by IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, during a special ceremony held at the IMO Headquarters on December 1, 2008, during the 85th session of the Organization's Maritime Safety Committee.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, December 4, 2008

Washington DOT taps Todd
to construct new auto ferry

SEATTLE — Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Ferries Division has announced that it is awarding a contract to Todd Pacific Shipyards to build one 64-auto ferry. Todd Shipyards submitted a $65.5 million bid last month to build one 64-auto ferry. With the contract award, the new ferry is on an 18-month construction timeline. The ferry will serve the Port Townsend to Keystone route that has been without a state-owned auto ferry since the Steel Electric Class ferries were taken out of service in November 2007. Since then, various temporary solutions have been in place, including a leased auto ferry, the STEILACOOM II, from Pierce County.


FESCO board selects
Generalov as new chairman

MOSCOW — On November 24, 2008 the Board of Directors of Far-Eastern Shipping Plc passed the resolution to elect Sergey Generalov as FESCO chairman of the board, replacing Siman Povarenkin. The election of the new chairman follows Mr. Povarenkin's decision to concentrate on a number of other business projects, unrelated to FESCO. The FESCO Board of Directors was elected at the AGM on May 22, 2008 and comprises nine members, including three Independent non-executive directors: William Owens, former governor of Colorado, Jacob Grappengiesser, fund manager for East Capital, and Boris Lapidus, senior vice president, Russian Railways.


Port of Seattle releases
contracting policies report

SEATTLE — Port of Seattle Commissioners Bill Bryant and Gael Tarleton, who comprise the Special Investigatory Committee, have released the results of a ten-month investigation into the port’s contracting policies and practices. Former US Attorney Michael McKay led the investigation and authored the report, which lists ten incidences of fraud in port contracting practices. Mr. McKay and his team reviewed over 250,000 documents, hundreds of thousands of e-mails and conducted over 70 interviews. The report contains several recommendations, many of which build upon reforms implemented in response to a 2007 performance audit. Mr. McKay will present the report to the full Commission on Tuesday, December 9, at 1:30 p.m. at the port’s administrative offices at 2711 Alaskan Way. At that time, Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani will also present his plan for responding to the findings. For a copy of the complete report, as well as a statement from Mr. Yoshitani, visit http://www.portseattle.org/news/Accountability.shtml.


Trade between NAFTA partners
up during month of September

WASHINGTON, DC — Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 7.5 percent higher in September 2008 than in September 2007, reaching $71.8 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico fell 0.6 percent in September from August. 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 September was up 46.9 percent compared to September 2003, and up 82.8 percent compared to September 1998, a period of 10 years. Imports in September were up 87.6 percent compared to September 1998, while exports were up 76.9 percent.


Panama Ship Register
posts gains in global market

PANAMA — The Panama Ship Register continues to hold leadership of the world’s merchant fleet. During the first ten months of 2008, the Panama Ship Register increased by 7.28 percent with a total fleet of 8,159 vessels for October of this year, hiked from 7,605 vessels for December 2007 and growing by 7.25 percent to 180.18M gt. This marks a milestone for the register, which rose from 168M gt at December 2007, according to figures released by Lloyds Register. Newbuilds held 50 percent of the increase recorded during the first half of 2008, whereas Panama Ship Registry tonnage bears 21.8 in world wide terms.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Pacific Terminals moving
Russian Division to Everett

EVERETT — Seattle-based Pacific Terminals company has announced its plans to relocate its Russian Division to Everett to be closer to the port’s shipping terminals. Pacific Terminals is a bonded Customs Freight Service that assists customers with moving their cargo through the supply chain. The company operates a warehouse facility on West Marginal Way in Seattle, and has secured space in Everett to support its Russian shipping division. Pacific Terminals Russian Division ships a large portion of its goods through the Port of Everett on FESCO Shipping Line. These exported goods are used to support the mining, oil and construction industry in the Far East of Russia. The new location will open for business in December.


Vancouver, BC shipper moving cargo
through Columbia/Snake system

VANCOUVER, WA — In July of 2008, Dargas Shipping Ltd. of Vancouver, B.C. shipped the first cargo consisting of a large pressure vessel from Vancouver, B.C. to Fort McMurray, in the Alberta oil sands, via the Columbia and Snake Rivers. The Columbia/Snake River provides the best all-year route for cargoes that cannot be transported through the mountains in British Columbia, Washington and Oregon. As a result of this first successful cargo, the oil sand industry is now looking at the Columbia/Snake and the Port of Wilma for over dimensional cargoes and overweight cargoes destined for the oil sands. The Port of Wilma is owned by the Port of Whitman County. TGM, the main terminal operator in the Port of Wilma, has recently concluded a contract through Dargas for the export of the world’s third largest dragline, from the oil sands to Australia. The cargo is received from truck and rail in Wilma, processed and prepared for further shipment and barged to the Port of Vancouver, WA, where it will be loaded directly from barge to an ocean-going heavy lift vessel. The heaviest piece will be 132 MT. Cargo originating from the Far East is discharged to barge in Vancouver, WA and barged 360 miles inland to the Port of Wilma, where at the TGM terminal the cargo will be loaded to truck or to railcar. Dargas provides turnkey cargo handling from the ship’s hook in Vancouver, WA, or from the initial loading port in the Far East, to loading onto truck/railcar in the Port of Wilma, as well as delivery to the project site in Alberta.


Crowley making changes
to management scheme

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Crowley has announced changes in leadership and company organization involving its logistics, technical services and marine salvage business lines. Rinus Schepen, Crowley's senior vice president and general manager of logistics, has announced his retirement effective in June 2009. Mr. Schepen, a 20-year Crowley veteran, has been a significant contributor to the company's success and will continue to work for Crowley on special assignments in retirement. Steve Collar will become senior vice president and general manager for the group effective Jan. 1, 2009. Mr. Collar is currently serving as senior vice president and general manager of technical services. He will work closely with Mr. Schepen during the first half of the year to ensure a smooth transition of business activities and customer relationships. Todd Busch, vice president of Titan Salvage, will be promoted to senior vice president and general manager of technical services effective Jan. 1. In his new role he will retain management responsibility for Titan and assume additional responsibility for government services, ship management, new vessel construction and naval architecture. Mr. Collar and Mr. Busch will both be domiciled in Jacksonville and report to Tom Crowley, chairman, president and CEO.


Port of Tacoma testing
GPS container tracking system

TACOMA — To enhance inland rail supply chain visibility, the Port of Tacoma is testing a GPS tracking system that tracks intermodal containers from the time they leave waterfront terminals until they reach their destinations in the Midwest and Eastern United States. Believed to be the first developed for tracking containers inland on rail from a U.S. port, the system allows Port of Tacoma intermodal planners to better understand inland rail issues and ultimately, work with railroads and shippers to improve the speed and reliability of freight. Joining the port in the test project are BNSF Railway, ocean carrier Yang Ming Line and Edmonton, Alberta-based Safefreight Technology, the developer of the technology.


DHL delivering grants
to aid children in India

BONN — DHL has given UNICEF a $ 650,000 grant to fund a three-year pilot project to empower communities to improve child survival rates in 1,000 villages in the Nandurbar district of Maharashtra, India. DHL extends its partnership with UNICEF to include India, along with Kenya and Peru. Working together with the government of India, the government of Maharashtra, NGOs and other partners, UNICEF will use the funds to strengthen the health system. This will include educating villagers in the prevention and treatment of common communicable diseases as well as providing immunizations and micronutrients to infants and young children. The grant from DHL will be used to develop and implement village health and nutrition plans, to set up village information posts and train midwives and other workers.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, December 1, 2008

Carriers eye Mundra Port
for new dedicated auto terminal

TOKYO — Mundra Port and Special Economic Zone (MPSEZ), Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) of Norway, and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) of Japan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for setting up a world-class dedicated automobile terminal. Located on the West Coast of India, Mundra Port is the country's largest private port and special economic zone. Mundra port is set to become a hub for the handling of automobiles because of its proximity to major auto manufacturers in the north and west of India. In January 2009, auto manufacturers will start to export finished cars to Europe through Mundra port. These manufacturers will be using port facilities that will be able to handle 200,000 cars per year before the new dedicated auto terminal facilities are completed.


Homeland Security Department
wants more information from shippers

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced new information requirements on maritime cargo destined for the United States. The Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements interim final rule will require maritime cargo carriers and importers to submit additional data to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before vessels are permitted entry into the country. The rule requires carriers to submit a vessel stow plan and container status messages under certain scenarios where cargo containers are destined for the United States. The rule also requires importers or their agents to submit an Importer Security Filing (ISF) with eight data elements, no later than 24 hours before the cargo is laden aboard a vessel destined for the United States. For additional information, visit www.cbp.gov.


Matson Navigation plans
series of rate increases

OAKLAND — Matson Navigation Company has announced it will raise its rates for the company's Hawaii service by $120 per westbound container and $60 per eastbound container, effective January 4, 2009 and that it will raise its rates for the its Guam/CNMI service by $120 per westbound and eastbound container, effective February 1, 2009. Matson estimates that the Hawaii service increase will raise rates by an average of 3.9 percent. Matson will also raise its Hawaii service terminal handling charge by $175 per westbound container and $90 per eastbound container.


Steel imports into US
up during month of October

WASHINGTON, DC — Preliminary data show that overall steel imports in October 2008 increased 0.52 percent from September 2008. The nearly level change in October’s total amount of steel imports was due to a notable increase in imports for stainless blooms, billets, and slabs (71.22 percent) and carbon & alloy blooms, billets, and slabs (24.86 percent), offset by declines in several carbon & alloy products. The most significant decreases were in carbon & alloy reinforcing bars (-35.14 percent), hot rolled sheets (-30.45 percent), and plates in coils (-16.79 percent). October 2008 imports of steel mill products were up 6.85 percent compared to October 2007.


New York/New Jersey forwarders
name Keller top person for 2009

NEW YORK — Peter I. Keller, president of NYK Line (North America) Inc., has been selected the 2009 Person of the Year by the New York/New Jersey Foreign Freight Forwarders and Brokers Association, Inc. The award will be presented during the 92nd annual dinner at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York on January 28, 2009. This event is one of the largest international transportation functions in the United States, drawing nearly 900 guests. Mr. Keller was elected to the Governing Board of NYK in Tokyo in April of 2007. He is only the second non-Japanese nominated to the Governing Board in the 120-year history of NYK and the first to be named president of NYK Line (North America). Prior to NYK, Mr. Keller spent 14 years with Sea-Land Service. Prior to Sea-Land, he served as president of CAST North America in Montreal, Canada where he later became CEO of The CAST Group. Mr. Keller is a member of the Board of Directors of the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), the Pacific Maritime Shipping Association, the United States Maritime Exchange (USMX), and the Intermodal Transportation Institute of the University of Denver. He is also the current chairman of Ocean Carriers Equipment and Maintenance Association (OCEMA).