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December, 2009

NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, December 31, 2009

Greenbrier works new deal
for General Electric freight cars

LAKE OSWEGO, OR — The Greenbrier Companies has announced an agreement with General Electric Railcar Services Corporation (GER), a subsidiary of GE Capital, GE's financial services business, to modify GER's new railcar manufacturing contract with Greenbrier. Under the terms of the original 2007 contract, the company was to manufacture 11,900 new tank cars and hopper cars for GER over an eight-year period, of which the last 8,500 units would be delivered subject to Greenbrier's fulfillment of certain contractual conditions. As scheduled, deliveries to GER commenced in December 2008 and to date approximately 600 railcars have been delivered and accepted under the original contract. Under the terms of the modified contract, the parties have agreed to reduce the contract quantities to up to 6,000 railcars. Greenbrier will build the first 3,800 tank cars and hopper cars by July 2013. The delivery and purchase price of these units is agreed upon, with the purchase price subject to adjustments for changes in the company's material costs. The blended purchase price on these 3,800 units represents a price increase from the original contract, and delivery of these units has been extended by 27 months from the original contract. The remaining 2,200 tank and hopper cars are subject to fulfillment of certain contractual conditions by both parties in their sole discretion and would occur over the next five-year period. In addition, Greenbrier has retained the right of first refusal, subject to certain qualifications, to manufacture all new railcar builds for GER through December 2018.


Jensen Maritime designs
two new barges for Global

SEATTLE — Jensen Maritime Consultants, Inc., a Crowley company, has designed two new barges for Global Marine Transportation, Inc. Both 10,000-barrel tank barges are scheduled to be constructed and delivered in 2010. Designed for lightering services, the barges are being built by Trinity Marine Products, Inc., and will be chartered to Maxum Petroleum, Inc. The tank barges are designed with corrugated cargo tank bulkheads to ease tank stripping and cleaning. All cargo tanks are completely smooth-sided except for the deck stiffeners above. The structure and deck arrangements were fully modeled to allow visualizations of the structural parts and the working deck before any steel is cut. The first barge, due to be delivered in June 2010, will carry diesel oil and jet fuel in, and around the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif. It has a day room and sleeping quarters in a forward deckhouse, for accommodations during times of remote anchorage. While the pump engines and generator are housed in a pump room aft, there is also a midship control booth for centralized control and observation of bunkering operations. The second barge, to be delivered in July, will be home-ported in Seattle,and will carry diesel and lube oils in segregated tanks.


Thanksgiving holiday hits
weekly rail traffic numbers

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads reports that freight rail traffic was down for the Thanksgiving holiday week ended Nov. 28, 2009. U.S. railroads reported originating 246,133 carloads for the week, down 3.9 percent compared with the same week in 2008 and down 29.3 percent from the same week in 2007. The comparison week from 2008 included the Thanksgiving Holiday, while the 2007 comparison week did not. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR will now be reporting 2009 weekly rail traffic with year over year comparisons for both 2008 and 2007. In the Western U.S., carloads were down 3.8 percent compared with the same week last year, and 23.9 percent compared with 2007. In the East, carloads were down 4.3 percent compared with 2008, and 37.3 percent compared with the same week in 2007. Intermodal traffic totaled 165,856 trailers and containers, down 6.4 percent from a year ago and 32.1 percent from 2007. Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume dropped 0.9 percent and trailer volume dropped 27.2 percent. Compared with the same week in 2007, container volume fell 26.2 percent and trailer volume dropped 51.9 percent.


Port gala partners support
Vancouver, BC charities

VANCOUVER, BC — Port gala partners, alongside members of the Mission Possible community and gala supporters from the last ten years, joined together to celebrate ten years of contributions to the downtown eastside charity. Matt Hoag, general manager, DP World, Eric Waltz, senior vice president, TSI Terminal Systems Inc., Robin Silvester, president & CEO, Port Metro Vancouver and Tim Chapman, president & CEO of Western Stevedoring hosted the breakfast event at Mission Possible. Each year port industry joins together at the Port Fundraising Gala to raise funds for local charities such as Mission Possible that contribute to a higher quality of life in local communities. Mission Possible, is the longest standing Gala beneficiary, with funds raised totaling $383,000. Funds have contributed to a new kitchen and the buyout of a leased vehicle. This year’s funds will contribute to the development of a social hub with housing.


Sea-Tac giving Seahawks fans
a break on last game parking fees

SEATTLE — Seattle-Tacoma International Airport invites fans to score a “TD” with a 50 percent discount on Terminal Direct parking for the Seahawks final home game Jan. 3 versus the Tennessee Titans. Terminal Direct parking at Sea-Tac Airport offers the most convenient access to the airport terminal and quick connection to Link light rail’s new SeaTac/Airport Station. You’ll park on the 4th floor of the airport garage, an easy walk to the pedestrian bridge leading to the Link station. On Jan. 3, customers parking in Terminal Direct will receive a $2 per hour rate if they arrive between the hours of 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. – plenty of time to experience the quick, convenient ride from SeaTac/Airport Station to stations near Qwest Field. Terminal Direct tickets during that time period will automatically be credited with the discount rate when you exit the airport parking garage.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Dredging set to begin
on Snohomish River channel

EVERETT — The Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a contract to General Construction of Seattle, to perform maintenance dredging in the lower settling basin and the downstream reach of the Snohomish River deep-draft, Federal Navigation Channel. Dredging is expected to start on Monday, Jan. 4 and continue through Feb. 14 on a 24/7 basis. Clamshell dredges will be monitoring VHF 66 radio channel for the duration of the project. The dredges will display proper markings; however caution is advised. Up to 340,000 cubic yards of dredge material will be removed and transported by bottom-dump barge to the Port Gardner Bay Open Water Disposal Site. The dredge material has been found suitable for open water disposal. All sediment testing data are available at the Seattle District Corps of Engineers Dredge Material Management Office. General Construction has requested a Coast Guard Notice to Mariners be issued for this job. Dunlap Towing will monitor VHF radio channel 19A.


ATA trucking index
jumps up in November

ARLINGTON, VA — The American Trucking Associations’ advance seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 2.7 percent in November, following a 0.2 percent contraction in October. The latest gain boosted the SA index from 103.6 (2000=100) in October to 106.4, its highest level in a year. The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 100.8 in November, down 8.0 percent from October. Compared with November 2008, SA tonnage fell 3.5 percent, which was the best year-over-year showing in twelve months. In October, the index was down 5.2 percent from a year earlier.


Port of Camas-Washougal
pursuing Riverwalk collections

WASHOUGAL, WA — The Port of Camas-Washougal has announced that it is seeking an "Order for Supplemental Proceedings" against Riverwalk on the Columbia, LLC, the principals of which include Mark Benson and John McKibbin. There will be a hearing on January 8, 2010 before Judge John Nichols in Clark County Superior Court, where the request will be made for the Order for Supplemental Proceedings. If the motion is granted, then Riverwalk, which includes principals Mark Benson and John McKibbin, will be required to designate a person most knowledgeable concerning their assets and bring to a second hearing on February 12, 2010 a number of documents relating to those assets, including bank accounts, deeds, real estate, motor vehicles, income tax filings, stock certificates, notes, annuity contracts, bonds, real or personal property, bills of sale and business operating agreements. "The purpose of the order for supplemental proceedings is to pursue collection efforts," said Executive Director Dave Ripp. "I expect Riverwalk, whose members include Mark Benson and John McKibbin, to fully reimburse the taxpayers for the attorney's fees and costs associated with this lawsuit."


First female CG rescue swimmer
retires following over 25 years of service

SEATTLE — The first female Coast Guard rescue swimmer retired after more than 25 years of distinguished Coast Guard service Monday. Lt. Cmdr. Kelly Larson (formerly Mogk), the 13th District Command Center Chief, joined the Coast Guard in 1984 and became the first female to complete Navy Rescue Swimmer School on May 23, 1986. One of Lt. Cmdr. Larson's most memorable rescues occurred January of 1989 earning her an Air Medal and an in-person congratulations by then President George H.W. Bush. Larson played a key role during the rescue of a downed Air National Guard F-4 pilot who had ejected over the Pacific Ocean. Her actions included exposing herself to the hypothermic elements to free the downed pilot from his parachute and remaining in the water for a back-up rescue helicopter for transport. This allowed the rescue helicopter to immediately transport the pilot for medical care.


Navios takes delivery
of two Capesize vessels

PIRAEUS — Navios Maritime Holdings Inc., a global, vertically integrated seaborne shipping and logistics company, has announced that the Capesize vessels NAVIOS PHOENIX and NAVIOS STELLAR were delivered from a Japanese and a South Korean shipyard respectively to Navios Holdings' owned fleet. The NAVIOS PHOENIXis a Capesize vessel of 180,242 dwt. It was delivered to Navios Holdings' fleet on December 21, 2009. Approximately $52.5 million was used to finance the purchase from the escrow established under the 8 7/8 percent First Priority Ship Mortgage Notes. The NAVIOS STELLAR is a Capesize vessel of 169,001 dwt. It was delivered to Navios Holdings' fleet on December 23, 2009. As of December 23, 2009, Navios Holdings had contracted 99.5 percent, 86.1 percent, 63.4 percent and 56.6 percent of its available days on a charter-out basis for 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Navios Holdings has extended its long-term fleet employment by entering into agreements to charter-out vessels for periods ranging from one to 12 years.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, December 28, 2009

Federal funds earmarked for
Port of Vancouver, USA project

VANCOUVER, USA — U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D, Wash.) has helped secure the largest federal appropriation yet for the Port of Vancouver USA’s West Vancouver Freight Access project. The $2,922,000 appropriation was included in the final version of the FY 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act, and will be used to build rail lines in and around the port facilities, including a loop at the port’s new Terminal 5. It is just one part of the complete $137 million West Vancouver Freight Access project, which is projected to create a total of 1,900 construction-related jobs and will significantly increase the port’s ability to provide expanded rail service to its current maritime customers and industrial tenants, as well as provide for the growth of the port bringing new businesses and new jobs to the region. Upon its completion – expected in 2017 – the West Vancouver Freight Access project will allow for reduced congestion and improved velocity through the convergence of BNSF Railway’s north-south and east-west mainlines which are a major choke point in Vancouver.


Cleanup effort underway
near grounded Crowley tugboat

VALDEZ — Crowley reports the tugboat PATHFINDER grounded Wednesday night on Bligh Reefin Alaska. The vessel was stablized at anchor near Busby Island surrounded by oil spill containment boom. A light sheen of diesel fuel was observed outside the boom containment area and is being recovered with skimmers and absorbents. No impacts to wildlife have been observed or reported. A salvage team from TITAN Salvage arrived at the scene and evaluated the damage to the tug in preparation for lightering the remaining diesel fuel from two ruptured tanks to another vessel. The PATHFINDER was towed to the Port of Valdez on Sunday, after a ten-hour approximately 20-mile transit through Prince William Sound. A joint investigation is underway by the U.S. Coast Guard and Crowley. The tugboat's master and second mate have been relieved of duty pending further investigation. The PATHFINDER, a tug used primarily for ship assist at the Port of Valdez, was monitoring ice conditions in Prince William Sound and was en route back to Valdez when the grounding occurred.


"K" Line board of directors
making management changes

TOKYO — Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. ("K" Line) has announced its board has made changes of Top Management. It has been resolved to assign Hiroyuki Maekawa, the company’s present president and CEO to chairman of the board and Kenichi Kuroya, managing director of “K” Line Pte Ltd to the company president and CEO as of April 1, 2010. Mr. Kuroya will assume Vice President duties as of January 1, 2010 and also become a director as of the end of June, subject to approval at the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. Changes regarding other Directors and Executive Officers will be decided and announced later.


TITAN salvage team rescues
seven horses from grounded ship

POMPANO BEACH, FL — TITAN Salvage has added a new highlight to their resume - horse rescue experts. The team recently extracted seven prized horses, 260 tons of heavy fuel oil, and more from a grounded 4,454-gross ton cargo vessel before refloating it in São Miguel, Azores, off the coast of Portugal. The cargo vessel, which was in transit to Ponta Delgado when it ran aground Nov. 21 on the south coast of São Miguel, was 10 nautical miles from its destination. TITAN was awarded a Lloyds Open Form contract to rescue the ship and its cargo. Within 24 hours, TITAN deployed salvage master Stuart Miller, an international team of 11 salvage specialists and two chartered planes loaded with salvage equipment from TITAN facilities in the United States and the United Kingdom By the next day, TITAN was on scene assessing the situation and the vessel. The team discovered that three tanks and the engine room had been breached, and plans were made to both refloat the vessel and remove its sensitive cargo, including the seven horses.


Diana Shipping buying
Panamax dry bulk vessel

ATHENS — Diana Shipping Inc., a global shipping transportation company specializing in dry bulk cargoes, has announced that it has agreed to purchase from an unaffiliated third party the MV TERESA HEBEI, a 2004 built Panamax dry bulk carrier of 76,436 dwt, for a price of US$35.1 million. The vessel, to be renamed MELITE, is expected to be delivered to the company by the sellers during the end of January 2010.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, December 24, 2009

Port of Seattle completes
Eastside Rail Corridor purchase

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle finalized acquisition of the Eastside Rail Corridor from BNSF Railway Dec. 21, after nearly two years of negotiations. Final cost for the northern section of the 42-mile corridor between Woodinville and Snohomish was approximately $81 million. BNSF donated the southern portion of the corridor between Woodinville and Renton and the Redmond Spur that goes through the City of Redmond. The port will be joined by several local agencies in maximizing the corridor’s benefit for the entire region. King County, Sound Transit, the City of Redmond, Puget Sound Energy, and the Cascade Water Alliance will partner with the port, with each agency acquiring an interest in the rail line corridor. Negotiations determining each partner’s investment in the property will begin in the coming months. Freight service will be maintained between Snohomish and Woodinville through an agreement between the Port of Seattle and a third-party operator. King County and Sound Transit will acquire rights in the southern section between Woodinville and Renton, and in the Redmond Spur. The southern and Redmond Spur portions of the track will be preserved for both transportation and recreation uses under the federal rail banking program. King County intends to develop a regional trail along portions of the corridor. Sound Transit will own a section of track adjacent to downtown Bellevue for use in building the East Link light rail line and will have easements for potential future public transit service on the southern and Redmond Spur sections of the corridor. The City of Redmond will acquire rights in the portion of the Redmond Spur that is located within the City. Regional utilities PSE and CWA will negotiate easements for their facilities and services along the corridor – easements that are crucial for existing and future service and growth.


Port of Tacoma taps Galeno
as chief financial officer

TACOMA — The Port of Tacoma has named Erin Galeno as its new chief financial officer. Before joining the port, Ms. Galeno spent 23 years with Weyerhaeuser Company, most recently in the position of controller for corporate support functions. Prior roles at Weyerhaeuser included internal auditing director, leading the implementation of a common finance system and various financial and accounting roles in the company’s wood products segment. In her new position at the port, Ms. Galeno is responsible for leading the port's financial strategy, performance measures, capital formation, financial analysis and modeling, budgeting, treasury, accounting and reporting.


US rail freight traffic
showing signs of recovery

WASHINGTON, DC — Freight traffic on U.S. railroads reached its highest level so far this year during the week ended November 21, the Association of American Railroads reports. U.S. railroads reported originating 287,087 carloads for the week, down 6.8 percent compared with the same week in 2008 and down .7 percent from the same week in 2007. Volume was up 2.1 percent from the previous week this year. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR will now be reporting 2009 weekly rail traffic with year over comparisons for both 2008 and 2007. Note that the comparison weeks from both 2007 and 2008 included the Thanksgiving Holiday. In the West, carloads were down 8.8 percent compared with the same week last year, and 4.8 percent compared with 2007. In the East, carloads were down 3.8 percent compared with 2008, but up six percent compared with the same week in 2007. Intermodal traffic totaled 213,382 trailers and containers, down 3.1 percent from a year ago but up 11.5 percent from 2007. Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume rose 3.4 and trailer volume dropped 26.8 percent. Compared with the same week in 2007, container volume rose 19.4 percent and trailer volume dropped 16.6 percent. Intermodal traffic was up 2.6 percent from the previous week this year.


Leaky transformer causes sheen
on Columbia near The Dalles Dam

PORTLAND — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Washington Department of Ecology emergency response teams are responding to an oil leak from a transformer at The Dalles Lock and Dam on the Columbia River near The Dalles, Ore. Light mineral-type oil was discovered to have leaked from a spare three-phase transformer staged outside of the powerhouse on the lower deck of the dam at about 11 a.m. Dec. 23. The transformer has a capacity of 6,500 gallons of oil; about half has been recovered. Approximately 3,250 gallons is believed to be in the ground near the transformer. The oil does not contain PCBs. Some of the uncontained oil traveled across the ground and entered the dam’s ice and trash sluiceway through drainage holes. An unknown amount reached the river, creating a sheen near the sluiceway exit. No oil has been detected further downstream. Much of the uncontained oil has leached into the ground. Responders are collaborating with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Washington Department of Ecology and other interested parties to develop a plan to contain and remove the remaining oil. The cause of the spill was due to a valve failure on the spare transformer.


Firm open for recycling
from Port of Vancouver site

VANCOUVER, USA — With the holiday season here, and many new computers, DVD players, cell phones, printers and many other electronic devices expected to be passed out as gifts, there will be one question: “What do I do with my old one?” IMS Electronics Recycling has the answer to that question. “Bring them to us,” said Operations Manager David Palenshus. “We are excited to be here, and to offer this service.” Located at 2401 St. Francis Way at the Port of Vancouver USA, IMS Electronics Recycling is open to the public, accepting electronics for recycling from residential (free) and business customers in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and even Hawaii. Electronics accepted at the facility include:
• Amplifiers, answering machines, battery chargers;
• Calculators, camcorders, cameras (including digital/video);
• Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors and televisions;
• CD and DVD players, cell phones, computer parts and components;
• Copiers, printers, fax machines, hard drives, keyboards, laptops, microphones;
• Modems, PDAs, projectors, radios, satellite dishes, scanners, speakers, stereos; and
• Typewriters, VCRs, video game consoles, video projectors, and wireless phones.
IMS Electronics cannot accept appliances such as microwave ovens, toasters, blenders, hand mixers, refrigerators, tools, and laundry appliances. IMS works with non-profit organizations, municipalities and other businesses to provide solutions for end-of-life electronics providing refurbishing and data shredding services as well as recycling. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, call Palenshus at 360-750-8883, or email info@ims-electronics.com.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, December 23, 2009

WTSA member carriers
plan general rate increase

OAKLAND — Cargo demand continues to rise in the U.S.-Asia freight market heading into 2010, but transpacific freight rates remain severely depressed in both directions and container lines find themselves under mounting pressure to improve revenues in order to meet customers’ service requirements going forward. Effective February 15, member lines in the Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (WTSA) are recommending a new 2010 general rate increase (GRI) for dry cargo rates – including rates for commodities exempt from tariff filing – in the amounts of US$100 per 40-foot container (FEU) and $80 per 20-foot container (TEU) for cargo originating at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on the U.S. West Coast; and by $150 per FEU and $120 per TEU for all other dry cargo, including shipments from other West Coast ports, all-water shipments via the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts, and inland point intermodal moves. WTSA lines indicated that the February adjustments are part of a larger 2010 revenue program which is to include quarterly increases throughout the year as market conditions dictate.


Port Tracker report predicts
container gains in future

WASHINGTON, DC — After more than two and a half years of year-over-year declines, import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to see three straight months of gains in early 2010, according to the monthly Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and IHS Global Insight. U.S. ports surveyed handled 1.18 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units in October, the most recent month for which actual numbers are available. That was up four percent from September as retailers hit their busiest shipping month of the year as the holiday season approached, but nonetheless down 14 percent from October 2008 and marked the 28th month in a row to see a year-over-year decline. November was estimated at 1.09 million TEU, down 12 percent from last year, and December is forecast at 1.05 million TEU, down one percent from last year. January 2010 is forecast at 1.02 million TEU, down four percent from January 2009. One TEU is one 20-foot container or its equivalent. The January figure would mark the 31st month of year-over-year declines, but the trend is forecast to be broken in February 2010, when cargo is expected to total 972,391 TEU. The figure is below the one million mark because February is the slowest month of the year, but would be a 16 percent increase over February 2009. March 2010 is forecast at 1.02 million TEU, a six percent increase over March 2009, and April 2010 is forecast at 1.08 million TEU, a 9 percent increase over April 2010. Port Tracker forecasts only six months in advance, so later numbers aren’t yet known.


Panama Canal nets bids
for dry excavation project

PANAMA CITY— The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has received four bids, moving the ACP one step closer to awarding the fourth dry excavation (PAC-4) contract under the waterway’s Expansion Program. Now, the ACP will thoroughly analyze the technical and financial submissions and award the contract in the coming weeks. Similar to the three prior dry excavation projects, the ACP will award the contract 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 the companies that submitted bids and the corresponding bid prices.
Odebrecht -- $379,803,132.13
Jan de Nul - Chec -- $359,102,231.18
FCC-ICA-Meco -- $267,798,795.99
ISC Panamá -- $294,913,000.00
(All prices in U.S. dollars.)


Congressman congratulates
Coast Guard Commandant nominee

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD-7) has congratulated VADM Robert J. Papp Jr., President Obama’s choice to become the next commandant of the United States Coast Guard. If he is confirmed by the Senate, VADM Papp would replace Admiral Thad Allen as the 24th Commandant of the Coast Guard in May 2010. Congressman Cummings, is chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. VADM Papp will be in charge of roughly 42,000 Coast Guardsmen and women, as well as more than 7,000 civilian employees. He currently serves as Commander of the Coast Guard Atlantic Area (LANTAREA) and Defense Force East. Prior to assuming command of LANTAREA, he served at the Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard in Washington. VADM Papp graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and holds a master’s in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College and a masters in management from Salve Regina College.


Port of Portland earns
minority business support honor

PORTLAND — The National Association of Minority Contractors-Oregon has named the Port of Portland Agency of the Year for its support of minority businesses. The port was recognized along with Legacy Health System, Private Project of the Year; Hamilton Construction, Contractor of the Year; and Pacificmark Construction, Minority Contractor of the Year. The port is currently in the midst of one of the largest capital expenditure programs of its history with more than $500 million in construction projects underway. Projects include an expansion of the north runway, a new baggage screening system an expansion of the airfield de-icing system and a new long term parking garage and headquarters building. A key focus for the port during the construction has been to increase opportunity for small and minority businesses to work on the projects. To date all projects have either met or exceeded their goals. With 98 percent of the work bid to date on the parking garage and headquarters, overall small business utilization has been 23.2 percent with contracts totaling more than $44.3 million let with small businesses. The utilization goal set at the outset of the project was 8.9 percent.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, December 21, 2009

Juan de Fuca vessel pact
celebrates 30th anniversary

SEATTLE — The Co-Chairs of the Joint Coordinating Group of the Cooperative Vessel Traffic Service have announced the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Cooperative Vessel Traffic Services Agreement for the Juan de Fuca region. This agreement between the government of Canada, Canadian Coast Guard and the government of the United States, United States Coast Guard established a coordinated Vessel Traffic Services system in the boundary waters and offshore approaches of the Juan de Fuca Strait and was signed on Dec. 19, 1979 by the U.S. Ambassador to Canada and Canadian Secretary of State for External Affairs. The members of the Joint Coordinating Group meet twice a year, once in Canada and once in the United States to manage this agreement. This agreement has served to protect the common marine environment along the 125-mile long international maritime boundary, and both the United States and Canada benefit from enhanced maritime efficiency, trade and transportation.


Port of Port Angeles seeking
new Harbor-Works Board member

PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Port Angeles Harbor-Works Board. Port Angeles Harbor-Works Development Authority was created to undertake, assist with, and otherwise facilitate the remediation and redevelopment of the former Rayonier Mill property. Board members serve as unpaid volunteers. Experience in relevant fields such as finance, real estate development, law, construction management and Brownfield redevelopment is preferred, but not required. Per the Harbor-Works Charter, board members cannot hold any elected office during his/her term and cannot be an employee of the Port or the City of Port Angeles. To apply, submit a letter of interest, resume and an application. Applications may be obtained from the Port Administration Building (338 West 1st Street Port Angeles, WA 98362) or on the port's website at: www.portofpa.com. Application deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 8, 2010.


CMA CGM reaches deal
for $500 million credit line

MARSEILLES — CMA CGM has announced that an agreement was reached December 17, with its financial partners leading to the allowance of a 500 million dollar credit line, payable to the Group in January 2010. This step will enable the group to pursue the current talks regarding its debt restructuring and a capital increase planned for the 2nd half of 2010 with the arrival of new investors. In addition, the agreement with the financial partners is expected to facilitate ongoing discussions with the Korean shipyards concerning the cancellation or the postponement of ships on order.


Mitsui helps to develop
efficiency-boosting fuel additive

TOKYO — Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced development of a carbon-dioxide-reducing, efficiency-boosting fuel additive for merchant ships, in conjunction with TAIHOKOHZAI Co., Ltd., Japan's largest fuel additive manufacturer. MOL will use the new additive, called TAICRUSH HD, on its operated vessels to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. TAICRUSH HD improves the ignition performance and sludge (carbon and sediment) dispersion in heavy fuel oils. It reduces ignition delay and afterburning time by more than 30 percent. Compared to conventional fuel oil additives for large-scale vessels, TAICRUSH HD promotes improved combustion and reduced fuel consumption. This new product was used on 106 voyages of a large-scale Japanese coastal ferry which has a constant sailing schedule and is rarely affected by disturbance effects such as severe marine weather. MOL and TAIHOKOHZAI collected and analyzed data, conducted engine tests on shore and at sea, and verified fuel efficiency improvements ranging from 1.12 percent to 1.46 percent.


APL joins air quality district
in vessel emissions project

OAKLAND — APL and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District have announced an $11 million project to cut vessel emissions and improve the city's air quality starting in 2010. Armed with $4.8 million in air quality grants, the world's fifth-largest container carrier said it will retrofit its terminal and vessels to begin cold-ironing next December at the Port of Oakland. Cold-ironing is industry jargon for turning off a ship's 2,000 horse power diesel generators at berth and connecting instead to electrical sources ashore. This enables vessels to maintain power in port while eliminating exhaust emissions. Cold-ironing will cut more than 50,000 pounds of nitrogen oxide emissions - a leading component of smog -- from ships berthed in Oakland and 1,500 pounds of particulate matter annually. APL will be the first and only carrier or terminal operator at the port to cold- iron vessels.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, December 18, 2009

Pasha Group works deal for
Port of Grays Harbor to move Cryslers

ABERDEEN, WA — The Pasha Group, a diversified global transportation services and logistics company, has successfully closed a new business opportunity at the Port of Grays Harbor in Aberdeen, WA. Chrysler Group LLC will utilize Pasha Automotive’s facilities and services to support their export vehicle requirements from the Pacific Northwest to selected destinations in Asia. Pasha specializes in transporting and processing new cars for manufacturers. The Port of
Grays Harbor is Washington’s only deep-water port located directly on the Pacific Coast and is a central Pacific Northwest location, with strong transportation connections. The Union Pacific Railroad, with key inland auto ramps, will make direct calls to the terminal with Chrysler product. Railcars and accessorial equipment will be available on terminal for inland backhaul.


MOL consolidation unit
wins Belk freight forwarding

HONG KONG — Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced that Belk, Inc., a privately owned mainline department store company in the U.S., has selected Hong Kong-based MOL Consolidation Service Limited (MCS) as its freight forwarder and consolidator throughout China, India, Cambodia, Vietnam and other locations around the world where Belk sources the manufacturing of its private brand merchandise. Charlotte, N.C.-based Belk, Inc. operates more than 300 fashion department stores in 16 contiguous Southern states and reported sales of $3.5 billion in its past fiscal year. Belk said it selected MCS because of its track record in providing international freight forwarding and consolidation services and its global service network and cargo information service.


Port of Port Angeles
calling for proposals

PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles is inviting interested consulting firms, experienced and knowledgeable in airport engineering, environmental, planning, architectural, design and construction management in conformance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) regulations, grant program and project standards, to submit their qualifications for consideration to provide professional engineering/planning and architectural services at CLM, 1402 Fairchild International Airport Road, Port Angeles, Washington 98363. Six copies of your firm's proposal and supportive data shall be submitted by 5:00 PM, January 8, 2010 to the following address:
Port of Port Angeles
ATTN: Doug Sandau, Airport Manager
P.O. Box 1350
Port Angeles, WA 98362
dougs@portofpa.com
360 417-3456


US rail freight traffic
drops during holiday week

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads reports that freight rail traffic was down for the holiday week ended Nov. 14, 2009. U.S. railroads reported originating 281,218 carloads for the week, down 8.9 percent compared with the same week in 2008 and down 17 percent from the same week in 2007. Rail carloads showed slight improvement, up 2.3 percent from the previous week. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR will now be reporting 2009 weekly rail traffic with year over comparisons for both 2008 and 2007. Note that each of the 2007 and 2008 comparison weeks to Nov. 14, 2009 included the Veterans Day Holiday. In the West, carloads were down 8.2 percent compared with the same week last year, and 14.1 percent compared with 2007. In the East, carloads were down 10 percent compared with 2008, and 21 percent compared with the same week in 2007. Intermodal traffic totaled 208,056 trailers and containers, down 7.7 percent from a year ago and 15 percent from 2007. Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume fell 1.5 percent and trailer volume dropped 30.2 percent. Compared with the same week in 2007, container volume fell 8.3 percent and trailer volume dropped 38.3 percent. Intermodal traffic was up .6 percent from the previous week.


Tacoma charter boat captain
to receive Coast Guard honor

TACOMA — A Tacoma, Wash., resident is being presented a Coast Guard Public Service Commendation at Coast Guard Group/Air Station Port Angeles, Wash. Mike Ferguson is being recognized for assisting a distressed vessel near Cape Flattery, Wash., August 29, 2009. Mr. Ferguson was underway on his charter boat, the MARK V when he heard an urgent marine information broadcast over the radio regarding a 28-foot pleasure craft. The pleasure craft had four people on board and was adrift and rapidly heading into hazardous conditions. He quickly identified the vessel in distress, informed the Coast Guard he was assisting. Mr. Ferguson was able to bring his charter boat alongside the distressed vessel and transferred four people, including two children onto his boat. He was also able to pass a towline to the pleasure craft and tow it to safer waters.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, December 17, 2009

Vancouver, USA port board
Oks Freight Access project work

VANCOUVER, USA — More construction jobs will be on the ground at the Port of Vancouver, USA as early as November as the port and Rotschy, Inc. begin building the West Vancouver Freight Access project task 3 – or unit train facility at the port’s new Terminal 5. Port Commissioners Nancy Baker, Jerry Oliver and Brian Wolfe authorized Executive Director Larry Paulson to sign a public works contract with Rotschy, Inc. (Vancouver, Wash.) to build the $14.2 million unit train facility on the site that was formerly home to Alcoa and Evergreen Aluminum’s smelting and extrusion operations. A majority of the project will be funded using federal grants and state appropriations, including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and Washington state Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB) funds that have already been granted to the port. The commission authorized a not-to-exceed amount of $14,219,955 (including Washington State Sales Tax). The project will provide rail service to Terminal 5 to encourage future development of the facility by a suitable marine customer. The rail project will also provide increased efficiency to the overall Port of Vancouver rail system by providing a queuing and storage area for rail cars. The project is expected to be complete by June of 2010.


'Friend Ship Box'
returns to Port of Tacoma

TACOMA — A hand-painted cargo container is back from its voyage to Busan, Korea, and on display in Tacoma. The 40-foot-long “Friend Ship Box” features artwork painted by Korean and Pierce County children. The newest design, painted by 20 Korean kids, incorporates such maritime and cultural symbols as the Museum of Glass, Statue of Liberty and children in traditional Korean dress. It complements the other side painted this summer by about 100 Pierce County kids under the direction of local artist Rachael Dotson. The public is invited to see the colorful container until Dec. 21 at the Port of Tacoma’s Fabulich Center, at 3600 Port of Tacoma Rd. The Friend Ship Box celebrates the 10th anniversary of Washington United Terminals, the Hyundai Merchant Marine-owned terminal at the Port of Tacoma.


CMA CGM to begin
emergency revenue program

MARSEILLES — CMA CGM Group has announced a Transpacific emergency revenue program as from mid January 2010, in anticipation to the General Rate Increase (GRI) scheduled May 1, 2010. Therefore, the group has decided, in the frame of the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA) which gathers the 15 major shipping lines, to restore freight rates in the Asia, US East and West Coast trades to a more sustainable level, effective January 15, up to April 30, 2010, then the already published TSA GRI program will be applied. The increase quantum will be as follows:
USD 320 per 20’ all types
USD 400 per 40’ all types
USD 450 per 40’ HC all types
USD 505 per 45’ HC all types


Horizon Lines to cut
executive officer perquisites

CHARLOTTE, NC — Horizon Lines, Inc. has announced that it is eliminating all perquisites for its four named executive officers, effective at the end of the year. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved the decision after a comprehensive review in conjunction with a company-wide effort to eliminate perquisites at all levels of the organization as part of a broader, ongoing cost-reduction initiative. The eliminated perquisites include, but are not limited to, country club memberships, automobile allowances and tax "gross-up" payments made to reimburse an executive officer for individual income tax incurred with respect to a perquisite. In addition to Mr. Raymond, executive officers for whom perquisites have been eliminated are: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Michael T. Avara; Horizon Lines, LLC President and Chief Operating Officer John V. Keenan; and Horizon Logistics Holdings, LLC President and Chief Operating Officer Brian W. Taylor. The four officers will receive base salary increases, effective January 1, 2010, to partially adjust for the elimination of the perquisites. However, no adjustment will be made for elimination of tax "gross-up" payments. Separately, the company announced that James W. Down has voluntarily resigned from the company's nine-member Board of Directors, effective December 14, 2009.


Crowley taps Bob Cox
for petroleum sales, marketing

ANCHORAGE — Crowley has announced that Bob Cox has assumed sales and marketing responsibility for the company's petroleum distribution group in Alaska. This is in addition to his role as general manager of the company's supply and distribution functions. Cox will remain domiciled in the company's Anchorage office and will continue reporting to Craig Tornga, vice president of petroleum distribution. Mr. Cox is responsible for the sales and marketing function of Crowley's petroleum terminals, which have a combined fuel capacity of 39 million gallons. A veteran of the Alaska petroleum sales and distribution market, Mr. Cox also brings transportation experience to his position. Prior to joining Crowley in 2007, he was vice president at both Petro Marine Services and Alaska Railroad. He also held various positions of increasing responsibility with Southern Pacific Railroad including engineering, operations and marketing before relocating to Alaska in 1991.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Norstar Boats plans move
to Bellingham industrial park

BELLINGHAM — Gary Nordtvedt, owner of Norstar Boats, plans to move his growing custom yacht manufacturing business to the Port of Bellingham's' Fairhaven Marine Industrial Park. On December 15, the port's Board of Commissioners approved a lease with Norstar to move and expand its operations in 12,000 square feet at Building 3 in the marine industrial area. After over 20 years in the boating industry as a designer, engineer, and owner/captain of a commercial fishing vessel, Mr. Nordtvedt founded Norstar Boats, Inc. in 1995. A second-generation yacht designer and builder (his father, Art Nordtvedt, designed and built Uniflite boats in the 1960s) Mr. Nordtvedt's goal in founding his own company was to work together with Norstar's crew and owners to build the highest quality boats possible. The business currently employs six people and anticipates expanding to 25 employees over the next several years.


TSA member carriers eye
Emergency Revenue Charge

OAKLAND — Transpacific shipping lines have announced an emergency revenue program for the first half of 2010, in an effort to obtain needed revenue prior to the usual service contracting season that begins for most carriers and their customers in May 2010. With every major transpacific carrier suffering massive losses reaching into the hundreds of millions individually, and estimated at $20 billion collectively for 2009, lines say they cannot afford to carry current rates forward another six months until the new round of 2010-11 contracts is signed. Member lines in the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA) have adopted a voluntary guideline Emergency Revenue Charge (ERC) of US$320 per 20-foot container (TEU); $400 per standard 40-foot container (FEU); $450 per high-cube FEU; and $505 per 45-foot container, effective January 15, 2010. TSA emphasized that the ERC is an interim charge that is distinct from a previously announced general rate increase (GRI) of $800 per FEU for West Coast port-to-port and local cargo, and $1,000 per FEU for all other all-water and intermodal shipments. The ERC is intended to expire upon execution of new contracts in 2010.


Giant Crowley ATB
working in Alaska waters

ANCHORAGE — Crowley's petroleum transportation group recently made history, as its 155,000-barrel ATB, SEA RELIANCE/550-1, became the largest of its kind to have ever transited Alaskan waters. Under the watchful command of Capt. Scott Murdock, SEA RELIANCE/550-1 completed a voyage from Martinez, Calif., to Anchorage, Alaska carrying a full load of jet fuel. The journey, which occurred without incident, was met with several weather concerns because of an early start to the winter storm season. Although other small cargo ATBs have traveled in Alaska, nothing has rivaled the size of the SEA RELIANCE/550-1, which measures over 600 feet in length. The ATB can make 12 knots and the sophisticated connection between the tug and barge enables it to move fluidly as one unit in the most adverse seas, thereby providing increased service reliability, not achievable with a conventional tug and barge. The SEA RELIANCE was manned by two captains with 50 years of combined sailing experience. Capt. Scott Murdock served as the primary captain, while Capt. Bill Bart served as the company pilot. In order to avoid the most extreme seas, the vessel transited through the "inside passage" from the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Cook Inlet and on to Anchorage for final discharge.


PMSA nets environmental honor
for Clean Trucks Program efforts

SAN FRANCISCO — The Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA) was among a number of parties to receive the Environmental Justice Achievement Award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, as a partner in the Clean Trucks Program at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. The Clean Trucks Program has significantly reduced diesel truck emissions, resulting in improved air quality. The Clean Trucks Program works towards using trucks that meet EPA 2007 emissions standards and phasing out trucks built before 1989, and aims to reduce port big-rig pollution by 80 percent by 2012. PMSA is an independent trade association representing more than 60 operators of marine cargo terminals and owners/operators of U.S. and foreign-flagged cargo and passenger vessels. Its members are primarily engaged in trade between U.S. West Coast ports and ports in Alaska, Asia, Europe, Hawaii, and South America. The association has offices in Long Beach, San Francisco and Seattle.


Oregon Lottery games
available at Portland Airport

SALEM — Travelers flying in and out of Portland International Airport (PDX) now have an opportunity to buy and play Oregon Lottery® games. In opening the new store location, the Oregon Lottery joins a host of other state lotteries across the country in selling their games at the state’s major airports. The new Lottery store, located next to Gate C4, offers Lottery games including Powerball®, MegabucksSM, Win for LifeSM, Keno, and Scratch-itSM games. Video LotterySM games will not be available at the store. Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned over $6.5 billion for economic development, public education, state parks and watershed enhancements.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, December 14, 2009

Port of Camas Washougal
nets judge's favorable ruling

WASHOUGAL — The Port of Camas-Washougal has announced that a hearing Dec. 10, before Judge John Nichols in Clark County Superior Court, confirmed the arbitration ruling that Riverwalk on the Columbia, LLC should pay the port $607,852 as attorney fees and costs. On July 31, 2009, the port prevailed in the arbitration action with Riverwalk and the arbitration panel issued an award indicating that Riverwalk should pay the port attorney fees and costs. The port was authorized under state law to have the award confirmed as a judgment in the Clark County Superior Court. The port filed a motion to have the award confirmed on August 6, 2009 and the judge confirmed this arbitration ruling. Riverwalk requested in their initial claim against the port in 2008 for recovery of their own attorney fees and costs if the panel ruled in their favor. Riverwalk then claimed that the port should not receive any attorney fees and costs as the prevailing party. After the port prevailed by Interim Award on May 27, 2009, the arbitration panel heard and entirely rejected the very same legal argument made by Riverwalk. The port requested the Superior Court also reject this legal argument and enter judgment against Riverwalk consistent with the ruling of the panel. The initial hearing was on November 20 and Judge Nichols continued the matter to December 10.


EPA boss announces plan
to fund Seattle pollution test

SEATTLE — During a recent visit to Seattle, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s highest official announced an investment in marine technology that promises to lower air pollutants’ harmful risks even as it preserves local jobs. Lisa Jackson, EPA administrator, will award a $739,500 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant to Foss Maritime Company, ESW Canada and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA), which are partnering to test a pollution-reducing device on two Foss tugs, the GARTH FOSS and the LINDSEY FOSS. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency will manage the project on behalf of EPA. ESW Canada invented the unique pollution-reducing device, the XtrmCat (TM) Diesel Oxidation Catalyst. It is on EPA’s emerging technologies list and is projected to reduce particulate matter (PM) by 25 percent, hydrocarbons (HC) by 25 percent and carbon monoxide by 70 percent. The four 4,000-horsepower marine engines on the GARTH FOSS and the LINDSEY FOSS will be retrofitted with the innovative catalysts in combination with a closed crankcase ventilation (CCV) system. ESW Canada is currently seeking verification of its catalyst/crankcase ventilation system for high horsepower marine and locomotive uses. The six-year partnership with Foss and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency will allow ESW Canada to determine if the system is durable enough for extended maritime use.


Crowley adding third sailing
to Florida/Central America run

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Crowley is enhancing its Speed to Market services by offering customers a third, fixed-day sailing from Port Everglades, Fla. to Santo Tomas, Guatemala and Puerto Cortez, Honduras. The M/V DELPHINUS will sail every Saturday from Port Everglades and provide service to the counties of Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala via the above-mentioned ports. This new sailing is just the latest service enhancement for Crowley's Central American customers. In late November, as produce farmers across the Americas geared up for the peak winter produce season, Crowley added 400 new refrigerated containers to its fleet to accommodate their needs, bringing the company's total reefer fleet to 3,000 containers.


Panama Canal teaming up
with Port of Palm Beach

PANAMA CITY — The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and the Port of Palm Beach have embarked on their first-ever strategic alliance. In an official ceremony held in the ACP’s Administration Building in Panama City, Panama, ACP Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta and Port of Palm Beach Executives, Chairman Edward R. Oppel and Director Manuel Almira, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to implement joint marketing initiatives, encourage the exchange of information and insight and spur business development. Under the agreement, the ACP and the Port of Palm Beach may undertake a variety of activities to promote both the port and canal including joint advertising, competitive market analyses and data interchange. The agreement demonstrates each organization’s commitment to encouraging increased trade and meeting the needs of today’s maritime and shipping industries.


Trucking group taps Quinn
as treasurer for organization

ARLINGTON, VA — The American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) Board of Directors has named Patrick E. Quinn, co-chairman and president of U.S. Xpress Enterprises, as treasurer, effective immediately. Mr. Quinn previously served as ATA chairman from 2005 to 2007 and is also a past chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association. An initial member of the ATA’s Image & Communications Committee, Mr. Quinn has been a frequent public speaker and advocate for the trucking industry.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, December 11, 2009

Port of Port Angeles
calling for proposals

PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles is inviting interested consulting firms, experienced and knowledgeable in airport engineering, environmental, planning, architectural, design and construction management in conformance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) regulations, grant program and project standards, to submit their qualifications for consideration to provide professional engineering/planning and architectural services at CLM, 1402 Fairchild International Airport Road, Port Angeles, Washington 98363. Six copies of your firm's proposal and supportive data shall be submitted by 5:00 PM, January 8, 2010 to the following address:
Port of Port Angeles
ATTN: Doug Sandau, Airport Manager
P.O. Box 1350
Port Angeles, WA 98362


Yaquina Bay Coast Guard crew
takes home Sumner I. Kimball honor

PORTLAND — Crewmembers at Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay, Ore., will be honored with the Sumner I. Kimball Readiness Award today. The award will be presented by Capt. Scott Kitchen, Group North Bend, Ore., commander, at Station Yaquina Bay. Station Yaquina Bay undergoes intense evaluation periods once every two years to measure the unit’s ability to carry out its multiple missions. Units that not only meet, but far exceed all requirements for readiness, receive the Kimball Award. The Sumner I. Kimball Award recognizes the achievement of high readiness of shore unit boats and personnel through an inspection of vessel conditions and survival systems, performance of underway drills and examination of unit training programs. While the Coast Guard maintains a high readiness posture, only 10 percent of shore-based boat force units earn the Kimball Award each year. The 55 crewmembers of station Yaquina Bay have an area of responsibility extending from Cape Perpetua, Ore., to Spencer Creek, Ore., totaling 27 miles of coast. With the primary mission of search and rescue, the station responds to as many as 590 cases per year. In addition to search and rescue, another primary mission at Yaquina Bay is law enforcement, of which the station conducts about 200 cases every year. Their supporting vessels include one of the Coast Guard’s four virtually unsinkable 52-foot vessels which can tow vessels as large as 750 gross tons, take 30-foot seas, travel 150 nautical miles off shore and right itself after a rollover. The station also assists the local and state police departments, local fire departments, county search and rescue, and county marine patrol with emergency flood response.


Port of Bellingham festival
rewards gingerbread creativity

BELLINGHAM — The Port of Bellingham's Holiday Port Festival's Gingerbread House Contest received 80 entries this year that demonstrated the creativity and imagination of local Bellingham and Whatcom County residents. The recent fire at Whatcom Middle School has been on the minds of many, and four Whatcom Middle Schools were created in gingerbread this year. One of those entries, "Too Hot to Handle" by the Behees, won first place in the family category. Other entries in the 14th annual contest included a yellow submarine, a pirate ship, two tug boats and the Whatcom Museum. Gingerbread House Contest entries were judged based on creativity, edibleness of materials used, originality and detail and design. The "People's Choice Award" this year went to Stephanie Campbell for "Up and Away," an edible creation based on the movie "Up." This award is chosen by event visitors who voted for their favorite gingerbread creation during the festival. The People's Choice winner received a trip for two donated by Victoria San Juan Cruises. First place in each category also received a prize. This year's prizes were donated by: Brenthaven, ASP POP Music, Sorellas on the Bay, Mallards Ice Cream, the Bagelry, Victoria San Juan Cruises and Glassworks Northwest. Most of the gingerbread entries were donated to a silent auction which raised more than $1,400 for the Mount Baker Chapter of the American Red Cross. In addition, Red Cross volunteers received almost $800 in direct donations at the refreshment table they staffed during the three-day festival. Event patrons also donated more than 200 lbs of food for the Bellingham Food Bank as part of the festival's second annual food drive.


Weekly rail freight traffic
remains on negative side

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads reports that freight rail traffic remained down for the week ended Nov. 7, 2009. U.S. railroads reported originating 274,846 carloads for the week, down 12.2 percent compared with the same week in 2008 and down 19.6 percent from the same week in 2007. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR will now be reporting 2009 weekly rail traffic with year over comparisons for both 2008 and 2007. In the West, carloads were down 12.5 percent compared with the same week last year, and 19.6 percent compared with 2007. In the East, carloads were down 11.9 percent compared with 2008, and 19.6 percent compared with the same week in 2007. Intermodal traffic showed incremental improvement from Week 43, totaling 206,890 trailers and containers, down 9.5 percent from a year ago and 15.2 percent from 2007. Compared with the same week in 2008, container volume fell 3.4 percent and trailer volume dropped 32.3 percent. Compared with the same week in 2007, container volume fell 8.1 percent and trailer volume dropped 39.8 percent.


Crowley earns awards
for environmental efforts

JACKSONVILLE, FL — During the recent Workboat Show, Crowley was recognized by WorkBoat magazine for its environmental initiatives, receiving second place for the Environmental Management Plan Award. The company was also awarded a Significant Boat of 2009 Award for the Nachik/Sesok. The environmental award was developed to recognize businesses and government agencies operating in the U.S. maritime industry that have successfully incorporated environmentally sustainable practices into their operations. The awards committee was comprised of industry, environmental, regulatory and media representatives. Crowley's environmental stewardship is exemplified by the industry certifications and numerous accolades it has received. Recent examples are Crowley's certification to the international standard ISO 14001 Environmental Management System; certification to the Articulated Tug barge (ATB) 650-3 by Lloyd's Register Group under its Green Passport program; and special recognition by several prestigious government organizations of Crowley's environmental stewardship - including the Chamber of Shipping of America, the U.S. Coast Guard's William Benkert award for environmental excellence, Washington Department of Ecology Exceptional Compliance Program and the Pacific States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Fore Legacy Award.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, December 10, 2009

Tacoma shipping executive
Robert Patrick Magee, Jr. dies

FEDERAL WAY — Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Inc. reports that Robert Patrick Magee, Jr. (Bob) died November 30. Mr. Magee started working for Totem Ocean Trailer Express in May, 1986 as vice president of Marine Operations. He later became president and CEO of the company and chairman of Sea Star Line LLC. Mr. Magee was chairman and COO of American Shipping Group at the time of his death. He was born January 20, 1948 in Philadelphia, PA. He met his wife Marie in Ocean City, NJ and married her on July 14, 1972. He and Marie raised two daughters, Kathleen and Alicia. Mr. Magee was a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy -- class of 1969. He subsequently received his MBA from Widener University in Chester, PA. He held jobs in Philadelphia, Puerto Rico, and Seattle with other ports of call in-between. As Chairman and CEO of American Shipping Group, Mr. Magee received numerous maritime awards. He sat on the advisory boards for USMMA Kings Point, United Way of Pierce County, and being involved in many other clubs and associations. He is survived by his parents Robert and Kathleen, brother Kevin, sisters Kathleen and Diane, his wife Marie, and daughters Kathleen and Alicia. The family asks that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, 825 Eastlake Avenue E., Seattle, WA 98109.


Freight transport index
drops 1.2 percent in October

WASHINGTON, DC — The Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) fell 1.2 percent in October from its September level, declining for the second consecutive month, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reports. BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the Freight TSI declined in 11 of the past 15 months and in six of 10 months in 2009 despite the three consecutive monthly increases that began in June. It had increased 2.8 percent between May and August. The Freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in freight shipments in ton-miles, which are then combined into one index. The index measures the output of the for-hire freight transportation industry and consists of data from for-hire trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight.


Port Metro Vancouver moving
New Westminster workers

VANCOUVER, BC — Port Metro Vancouver will relocate its seven New Westminster employees to its downtown Vancouver office on December 15, 2009. The move will enable Port Metro Vancouver to realize business efficiencies, enable employees to work together more effectively by reducing the need for travel between sites, and better facilitate the sub-lease of its Agnes Street office, much of which has remained vacant following the amalgamation of the three Lower Mainland Port Authorities in 2008. The port authority has already identified a potential occupant for the space and is now working to finalize occupancy details. After conducting a review of service delivery to tenants utilizing the New Westminster office, it was determined that Port Metro Vancouver can provide the same or better customer service to its Fraser River customers from the Vancouver office. Core customer drop-in visits averaged one customer every six to eight weeks, and customers surveyed felt meetings could be accomplished in the Vancouver office or by telephone or email.


Crowley taps Tessier
as V.P. of sales/chartering

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Crowley Maritime Corporation has announced that Dorine Tessier has been named vice president of sales and chartering for its petroleum transportation group. In her new role, she will report to John Douglass, senior vice president and general manager of Crowley's Gulf/Atlantic region. She will relocate from Anchorage to Jacksonville. As vice president of sales and chartering, Ms. Tessier is responsible for the planning and direction of the group's sales and chartering initiatives, overseeing development of policies and procedures; coordinating and negotiating customer contracts and developing business relations, specifically in the company's articulated tug barge (ATB) program. Ms. Tessier joined Crowley in 2003 when the company acquired Yukon Fuel Company and has served the company in various roles.


Coast Guard buoy tender
to sail in Christmas Ship Parade

PORTLAND — The Coast Guard Cutter BLUEBELL, homeported in Portland, is scheduled to participate in Portland’s 55th annual Christmas Ship Parade on the Willamette River today. The families of BLUEBELL crewmembers have been invited to participate as well as Blue Star Moms from the Portland area. This is the first year BLUEBELL will participate in the Ships' parade. Blue Star Moms is an organization that brings together mothers of U.S. Armed Forces service members currently serving and veterans. BLUEBELL is one of only two 100-foot inland buoy tenders currently in service in the Coast Guard and services aids to navigation in an area of responsibility covering 500 miles.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Vancouver, BC-bound streetcars
delivered to the Port of Tacoma

TACOMA — Two modern BOMBARDIER FLEXITY streetcars, shipped from Germany, arrived at the Port of Tacoma last week. They are being transported on special-purpose road trailers to Vancouver, B.C. The streetcars arrived in Tacoma onboard the TOMAR, a Wallenius Wilhelmsen vessel on December 2, after a 10,460-mile journey from Germany (Bremerhaven-Zeebrugge-Southampton-Panama Canal-Port Hueneme-Tacoma). The streetcars were manufactured by Bombardier Transportation, the world’s leading supplier of rail equipment, transportation systems and services. Each of the two cars is about 105 feet long, and is comprised of five articulated modules. Transporting the cars from Tacoma to Vancouver, B.C. was handled by 21st Century Transport, Inc, with assistance from Chapman Hauling. Bombardier Transportation, in partnership with the City of Vancouver, will provide free streetcar service for Vancouver residents and visitors on the Olympic Line from mid-January to mid-March 2010. They are expected to carry about 500,000 passengers during that time.


Sunken Corps work boats
cause spill on Columbia River

PORTLAND — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Washington Department of Ecology emergency spill response teams have contained and cleaned up diesel fuel and motor oil near John Day Lock and Dam following the sinking of two Corps work boats on Dec. 6. The boats sank just upriver of the navigation lock on the Washington shore of the Columbia River. Barge traffic through the navigation lock has not been impacted by the incident or subsequent cleanup and recovery efforts, but the Railroad Island fishing area just east of the navigation lock has been closed until further notice. The exact cause of the incident is under investigation. At this time, Corps officials believe extremely high winds and heavy waves late on the afternoon of Dec. 6 broke apart the dock to which the two work boats were moored, damaging and ultimately sinking them later that evening.


Butcher, Kuo receive
2009 Connie Awards

NEWARK, NJ — The Containerization & Intermodal Institute (CII) presented the 2009 Connie Awards to James E. Butcher, chairman of Höegh Autoliners Inc., and to Evergreen's Vice Group Chairman, Captain S.Y. Kuo. Each recipient is being honored for his significant influence in containerization in worldwide trade and transportation, according to Allen Clifford, CII President. A record 350 people attended the luncheon honoring the recipients held at The Newark Club, which offered a panoramic view of the region, including the nearby Port Newark/ Elizabeth complex where containerization in shipping began.


Crowley vessels honored
for environmental excellence

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Crowley Maritime Corporation was recently honored at a Chamber Shipping of America awards ceremony with Environmental Achievement Awards for 2009. The awards recognized the environmental excellence of 83 Crowley owned or managed vessels for operating at least two years without any environmental incidents. The Crowley vessels recognized have provided a combined total of 675 years of service without incident. Fifteen of the vessels have each operated 10 years or more without an incident. Of special note are Crowley's tug PATHFINDER, which has operated for 32 years without incident; tug SEA VOYAGER, 18 years and tug STALWART 27 years. Crowley is among the 64 companies, operating a total of 945 vessels that were recognized for their environmental excellence. All the vessels combined have operated a total of 6,909 years without incident.


Boeing tests engines
for 747-8 freighter planes

EVERETT — Boeing reports it has successfully completed the first engine runs for the 747-8 Freighter. The milestone marks another step in the 747 program's steady progress in preparing for flight test. Engine runs began slightly before 10 a.m. (PST) Tuesday. During initial engine runs, the engines are started and operated at various power settings to ensure all systems perform as expected. The engine run test began with the auxiliary power system providing power to start the first of four General Electric GEnx-2B engines. The remaining three engines were started using the cross-bleed function. Basic systems checks continued throughout the test. The engines were powered down and inspected and will be restarted following a technical review. The team completed a vibration check and monitored the shutdown logic to ensure it functioned as expected.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, December 7, 2009

Portland Port Commissioners
eye 2010 transport improvement plan

PORTLAND — Port of Portland Commissioners will review and receive input on the 2010 Port Transportation Improvement Plan (PTIP) at a public hearing at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 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 five, 10 and 20-year marine, road, rail, air, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian transportation improvement projects. One hundred twenty-four projects were identified for the 2010 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. 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 website at www.portofportland.com


Tentative deal reached
in BC rail labor dispute

VANCOUVER, BC — Port Metro Vancouver reports that CN and its locomotive engineers, represented by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, have reached a tentative agreement to end strike action. Port Metro Vancouver says it looks forward to working with all service partners to initiate normal operations and return performance reliability to the Gateway. Port Metro Vancouver handles $110 million in cargo value per day and port activities contribute $10 million in wages daily across Canada.


Crowley takes delivery
of double-hull oil tanker

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Crowley has taken delivery of SUNSHINE STATE, a 331,000-barrel, double-hull oil and chemical tanker, from General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, Calif., for American Petroleum Tankers LLC. The SUNSHINE STATE is the first vessel Crowley has taken delivery of since the company was contracted by APT to handle the shipyard construction management and the overall vessel management, crewing and operation of the company's growing fleet. The SUNSHINE STATE measures 600 feet by 106 feet by 39 feet and has the capacity to carry 331,000 barrels of product. It has a single screw, slow speed diesel plant propulsion system with speeds of 15 knots. APT's fleet includes the GOLDEN STATE, which was delivered in January 2009 and is on long-term charter to BP, and the PELICAN STATE, which was delivered in June and is on long-term charter to Marathon. The SUNSHINE STATE is going to be chartered to Chevron U.S.A. Inc. The vessel will be delivered to Chevron U.S.A. Inc. in Pascagoula, Miss.


Customs agencies seize
$260.7 million in bogus goods

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have announced that in fiscal year 2009 they made 14,841 seizures of counterfeit and pirated goods with a total domestic value of $260.7 million. In FY 2009, more than 62 percent of the value of seizures of goods infringing Intellectual Property Rights that also posed potential safety or security risks came from China. India was the second highest source country with nine percent. The total domestic value of counterfeit products seized presenting potential safety or security risks seized was $32 million. Pharmaceuticals were the top product in this category. China continues to be the number one source country for counterfeit and pirated goods seized, accounting for 79 percent or $204.7 million of the total seizure value.


DHL delivering holiday cheer
to US troops in Middle East

PLANTATION, FL — For the sixth straight year, DHL Express, the global express delivery and logistics company, has teamed up with the New York community to donate and deliver hundreds of holiday trees, decorations and messages of support to U.S. troops in the Middle East through DHL’s annual “Trees for Troops” charitable program. The special holiday shipment will receive a send-off celebration today, at DHL’s international gateway facility at JFK Airport. DHL is donating all transportation and logistical services of the trees and holiday items, which have been supplied through donations from New York businesses and community organizations, including Dee’s Nursery, Adelis International Security, Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon, Proctor-Hopson Post 1896 Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and other members of the New York metro community. Five-hundred real trees with lights and tinsel, menorahs, holiday decorations and “Santa Sacks” filled with thousands of holiday cards written by local school children will be transported to U.S. troops overseas.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, December 4, 2009

Foss vessels honored
for environmental safety record

WASHINGTON, DC — For 17 years, the ARTHUR FOSS, a tugboat operated by the Foss Maritime Company, has been free of environmental mishap. So have the DREW FOSS and a dozen other Foss vessels. In fact, 62 vessels owned by Foss and three subsidiaries are being recognized by a major maritime organization for their standout environmental safety records. The Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) is honoring the Foss vessels along with vessels from three Foss subsidiaries - Gulf Caribe Maritime, America Cargo Transport, and Constellation Maritime. Altogether, the Foss vessels feted by CSA have gone a combined 685 years without an environmental incident. Foss was honored at a dinner ceremony in Washington, D.C., with the awards presented by U.S. Coast Guard commandant, Adm. Thad Allen and CSA Chairman Michael Bohlman of Horizon Lines. Capt. Jim Halloran accepted awards on behalf of Foss, and Susan Hayman, vice president, Environmental and Corporate Development, accepted awards on behalf of Foss’ subsidiaries.


NAFTA partner trade
drops during September

WASHINGTON, DC — Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 20.2 percent lower in September 2009 than in September 2008, dropping to $57.3 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 5.6 percent in August 2009 from September 2009. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors. Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. About 88 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land. The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in September was up 4.3 percent compared to September 2004, and up 32.1 percent compared to September 1999, a period of 10 years. Imports in September were up 27.2 percent compared to September 1999, while exports were up 38.4 percent.


Rail freight carloadings
drop during October

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports that freight rail carloadings were down 15.3 percent in October 2009 (at 1,100,714 carloads) compared with the same month last year, marking the twelfth straight month of double-digit declines. A decrease in coal carloads (down 92,764 carloads) factored into October’s drop in carloadings, which likely was the result of a cooler-than-normal summer that has led to larger-than-normal utility coal stockpiles. However, grain saw a significant boost in October, up 15 percent compared with September. This may be attributable to the start of corn and soybean harvests plus a weaker U.S. dollar lifting grain exports. According to the USDA, grain deliveries by rail to ports surged in October. While U.S. rail intermodal traffic remained down 11.2 percent (104,330 units) in October compared with the same month last year, there continue to be incremental month-to-month gains – up four percent from September 2009.


Third State-class vessel
delivered by General Dynamics

SAN DIEGO — General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, has delivered the third ship of its State-class of product carriers to American Petroleum Tankers, LLC, a joint venture of the Blackstone Group. The ship is named Sunshine State, the state nickname of Florida. NASSCO began constructing the Sunshine State in August 2007. At a length of 600.4 feet (183 meters), the double-hulled ship has a cargo capacity of approximately 331,000 barrels and will be used to carry petroleum and chemical products in Jones Act service between U.S. ports.


Crowley makes delivery
of entire amusement park

JACKSONVILLE, FL — The holidays will be a little brighter in the Dominican Republic this year thanks to Crowley as the city of Santo Domingo lights up with millions of neon lights and thousands of families gather to enjoy Iguana Park carnival festivities. Crowley delivered an entire amusement park to Rio Haina, Dominican Republic for Amusements of America, the world's largest traveling amusement company. All 56 pieces of amusement park rides and equipment were loaded onboard the Crowley Americas for the upcoming Iguana Park amusement park in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Iguana Park, which boasts 40 different rides and attractions, is the largest amusement park in the Caribbean. It opened Dec. 3.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, December 3, 2009

GAO sides with Port of Bellingham
in NOAA research facility protest

BELLINGHAM — The federal Government Accountability Office (GAO) has ruled in favor of the Port of Bellingham's protest of the site selection process for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Pacific Research Fleet facility. In making its ruling, the GAO instructed NOAA to pay the Port of Bellingham the full costs of preparing the protest, including all legal costs. It also directed NOAA to follow the long standing federal rule requiring a determination that there is no practical alternative to building a federal facility in a flood plain as was planned for the Newport, Oregon facility. Those legal costs are expected to total about $200,000, according to Fred Seeger, interim executive director for the port. About 90 percent of those costs are fees from the Washington D.C. office of Seattle based Perkins Coie. The Washington D.C. office has particular expertise in federal contracting laws. It is not yet known whether the GAO decision will require NOAA to launch a new selection process, whether the Newport site will no longer be an option or whether NOAA can remedy the selection errors in some other manner, according to Lee Curtis, the attorney representing the port in its protest.


James C. Carter begins term
as Port of Portland commissioner

PORTLAND — James C. Carter has officially begun his term as a Port of Portland Commissioner. Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski announced the appointment and Senate confirmation of Mr. Carter, general counsel at NIKE, Inc., in September. Prior to joining Nike in 1998 Mr. Carter was a managing shareholder at the law firm of Schulte, Anderson. He currently serves on the University of Oregon School of Law Dean’s Advisory Board and on the board of the Confucius Institute at Portland State University. Past volunteer and board memberships include: chair of the Oregon Indoor Track Meet; vice-chair, Board of Bar Examiners; member, Portland Parks Foundation board and former chair of the Classroom Law Project. Mr. Carter, a native of Pendleton, Oregon, received a J.D. from the University of Oregon Law School and a B.A. in Economics from Stanford University. He replaces former Commissioner William D. Thorndike, president, Medford Fabrication, whose term expired last month.


United States joins India
in investment promotion MOI

WASHINGTON, DC — The United States and India have signed a memorandum of intent to collaborate on the promotion of investment in both countries. The MOI, signed by Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Michelle O’Neill and Indian Secretary of Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion Ajay Shankar, commits the U.S. and Indian governments to undertake relevant activities through their respective Invest in America and Invest India programs that are designed to strengthen bilateral investment ties, expand business cooperation between U.S. and Indian enterprises, and enhance economic growth opportunities


Navios takes delivery
of new Capesize vessel

PIRAEUS, Greece — Navios Maritime Holdings Inc., a global, vertically integrated seaborne shipping and logistics company, has announced that a South Korean shipyard delivered to Navios Holdings the newly built NAVIOS AURORA II, a Capesize vessel of 169,031 dwt. As previously announced the vessel is chartered-out for ten years at a net charter-out rate of $41,325 per day. As of November 30, 2009, Navios Holdings had contracted 99.5 percent, 86.1 percent, 63.4 percent and 56.6 percent of its available days on a charter-out basis for 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Navios Holdings has extended its long-term fleet employment by entering into agreements to charter-out vessels for periods ranging from one to 12 years.


Cutter POLAR SEA
returning to Seattle today

SEATTLE — The crew aboard Coast Guard Cutter POLAR SEA is scheduled to return to their Seattle homeport today, after a three-month Arctic deployment. During the deployment, the crew traveled over 11,500 miles and spent 60 days north of the Arctic Circle in support of scientific operations. POLAR SEA departed Seattle on August 24 to conduct their first deployment solely dedicated to science in over ten years. During the deployment the crew conducted two science phases, including the first at-sea polar bear study. Both science phases were designed to examine impacts of climate change on the environment.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Port of Everett swears in
new Port Commissioner

EVERETT — On Nov. 25, Everett resident Mark Wolken, 52, took the oath of office for the District 2 Everett Port Commission seat. Mr. Wolken, who was elected by the vote of the people in early November, has a background in public service. Most notably, he served on the port’s Property Advisory Committee, the Everett Planning Commission and County Executive Aaron Reardon’s Citizen’s Cabinet for Economic Development. Mr. Wolken also co-chaired the County Green Ribbon Committee that set environmental goals for Snohomish County. Mr. Wolken will serve the remaining two years of former Commissioner Connie Niva’s six-year term. The vacancy became available after Commissioner Niva moved out of the Port District boundaries.


Port Angeles port board
Oks 2010 final budget

PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Port Commission approved the 2010 Final Budget at its meeting on November 23, 2009. The 2010 budget estimates gross revenues of $6,063,900, expenses of $6,364,350 and capital expenditures of $1,590,000. The port commission directed that no change in the regular property tax levy be authorized for the levy to be collected in the 2010 tax year (note: this is exclusive of additional revenue resulting from new construction). The port will collect approximately $1,317,097 in property taxes in 2010 which will be used to pay for debt service on prior years' capital construction uses and capital construction. The levy will not be used for operations.


Crowley making investment
in new refrigerated containers

JACKSONVILLE, FL — As produce farmers across the Americas gear up for the peak winter produce season, Crowley has added 400 new refrigerated containers to its fleet to accommodate their needs. The 40-foot containers were delivered last week at Puerto Limon in Costa Rica and will be distributed throughout the Central American countries Crowley serves within the next couple of weeks. The state-of-the-art units were purchased to accommodate future growth and to replace older units. Since 2003, Crowley has invested almost a quarter of a billion dollars in cargo equipment for its liner services fleet.


Matson boosting rates
for Guam, Micronesia services

OAKLAND — Matson Navigation Company has announced that it will raise its rates for the company’s Guam and Micronesia services by $120 for both westbound and eastbound containers, effective January 31, 2010. The increase will be filed with the Surface Transportation Board and the Federal Maritime Commission. The rate increase also applies to the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. In addition, Matson will raise its West Coast terminal handling charge by $125 for both westbound and eastbound containers, also effective January 31, 2010.


Port of Seattle adding
Workplace Responsibility program

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle is establishing a new Workplace Responsibility program that strengthens existing policies while integrating more accountability standards, and dedicates a new position to implement the program. Among the new policy changes is greater clarity and accessibility for employees to seek information, raise issues, or report violations. The new program includes a Code of Conduct based on the port’s Statement of Values, and comprises all workplace responsibility policies, which were drawn from best practices in the private and public sector. The Port of Seattle is establishing this comprehensive ethics program in direct response to one of the eight recommendations contained in the “Special Investigative Committee Report” prepared by former U.S. Attorney Mike McKay and others, last December. However, this ethics program goes further to consolidate multiple existing policies, creating a comprehensive system with increased employee involvement and engagement.