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January, 2008

NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, January 31, 2008

Audit Response Action Plan
added to Port of Seattle website

SEATTLE — As promised by CEO Tay Yoshitani, the Port of Seattle has posted a detailed Audit Response Action Plan to its website. The plan, posted on the site’s newly developed Accountability section, outlines how the port will respond to each of the 51 recommendations contained in the recent performance audit report. The action plan provides specific information, including:
What the auditor’s report recommended;
Changes the port plans to implement;
Immediate and long-term action steps;
Status of and estimated date of completion for each item;
Staff member or department accountable for its completion.
The plan will be updated regularly to show progress as it is made in each area. Visit http://www.portseattle.org/news/Accountability.shtml for the full action plan and an introductory message from CEO Tay Yoshitani. Copies of the plan will also be available at the port’s Pier 69 and Airport offices and at each commission meeting.


Oregon governor names pair
to transportation commission

SEATTLE — Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has appointed Alan Brown of Newport and David Lohman of Medford to the Oregon Transportation Commission. In addition, the governor announced that he is reappointing Chair Gail Achterman and Commissioner Janice Wilson. The commission provides oversight to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and oversees the implementation of Oregon's transportation policies and investments.


Panamanian ports report
record box moves during 2007

PANAMA CITY — Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) Administrator Fernando Solorzano has announced that containerized cargo moved in Panamanian ports grew by 32.2 percent in 2007 to 4,003,731 teus, compared to 3,027,562 teus in 2006. It was the first time that cargo volume passed the record figure of 4m teus. Colon Container Terminal (CCT) throughput grew by 14.9 percent to 705, 252 teus; Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT) volume decreased by 3.9 percent to 1,279,903 teus; Panama Ports Co Balboa cargo increased by 85.5 percent to 1,833,778; Panama Ports Cristobal throughput increased by 106.2 percent to 166,641 teus.


Boeing begins assembly
of new 777 freighter

SEATTLE — Boeing mechanics have begun major assembly of the new 777 Freighter at the company's Everett, Wash., facility. Workers have taken the first step in major assembly for the new 777 Freighter by loading its 97-foot-long wing spar into a tool that automatically drills, measures and installs more than 5,000 fasteners into the spar. The spar is the internal support structure that runs through the full length of the wings and provides support to the wing. The first 777 Freighter will be delivered to launch customer Air France in the fourth quarter of 2008.


Mystic Seaport student earns
Crowley memorial scholarship

MYSTIC, CT — Mariah Pepper, from Bryn Mawr, Penn., a student in the maritime studies program of Williams College and Mystic Seaport, has been named as
a recipient of a Thomas B. Crowley, Sr. Memorial Scholarship, which is presented annually at the institution by Crowley Maritime Corporation. Ms. Pepper was selected based on academic success, financial need, and her interest in maritime trades and studies. In addition to participating in the Williams-Mystic program, Ms. Pepper is a junior majoring in Anthropology at Bryn Mawr College. Additionally, Ms. Pepper is involved in a pilot social justice program at the college that facilitates guidance for freshmen. She is also a dancer and an a cappella vocalist. She came to the Williams-Mystic program to gain real-world and physical experience by sailing offshore while examining policy issues closely.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Greenbrier buying assets of
American Allied Railway Company

LAKE OSWEGO, OR — The Greenbrier Companies has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the operating assets of American Allied Railway Equipment Company and its subsidiaries (American Allied) for $83 million in cash, plus or minus working capital adjustments. The purchase price will be paid from Greenbrier's existing cash balances and credit facilities. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and approvals and is expected to be immediately accretive to Greenbrier's annual earnings. American Allied Railway Equipment Co., Inc. and its subsidiaries American Allied Freight Car Co., Inc. and American Allied Railway Equipment Co., South L.L.C. have been a supplier to the rail industry for over 40 years. The assets of American Allied's three operating plants located in the midwestern and southeastern U.S. are included in the acquisition. Operating from two strategically located wheel facilities in Washington, Illinois and Macon, Georgia, American Allied supplies new and reconditioned wheelsets to freight car maintenance locations as well as new railcar manufacturing facilities. American Allied also operates a parts reconditioning business in Peoria, Illinois, where it reconditions railcar yokes, couplers, side frames and bolsters.


Foss teaming with Signet
in vessel leasing arrangement

SEATTLE — Seattle-based Foss Maritime Company has announced that it will enter into an alliance with Houston-based Signet Maritime Corporation. As part of this alliance, Foss will add to its fleet of tanker escort and assist vessels by leasing two new advanced Z-drive 30 meter, 80 metric tonne (AZ 30/80) tug boats from Signet. Foss officials said they decided to enter into the agreement with Signet both because of anticipated growth and to respond to the needs of its customer base. The first of the leased vessels will join the Foss fleet in February 2008, and the second in May 2008. As part of Foss’ ongoing fleet development plan, one vessel is slated to be assigned to the North Puget Sound, and the second to one of the other West Coast ports Foss serves. Signet, in return, is leasing two Foss vessels: a conventional twin-screw tugboat for its contract towing work and a newly constructed Dolphin-class Z-drive harbor tug. Foss and Signet may exchange and lease other vessels to each other and engage in other fleet optimization activities in the future.


Bellingham International Airport
becomes 'home' for Allegiant Air

BELLINGHAM — Since inaugurating low-fare air service at Bellingham International Airport in 2004, Allegiant Air, LLC, a subsidiary of Allegiant Travel Company has grown the number of weekly departures from four to 14 and the number of destinations from one to four. In recognition of the growing importance of Bellingham to the Allegiant system, officials have announced that beginning March 1, the low-cost carrier will make Whatcom County an official "home," basing two150-seat MD-80 series jet aircraft at the airport and employing more than 80 team members to handle the operation. Employees include ground handlers, customer service agents, flight attendants, pilots and aircraft technicians. Allegiant Air is seeking customer service agents, ground operation agents and aircraft maintenance personnel to assist in the Bellingham operations. A part-time customer service/ground operations agent recruitment session will be held Saturday, Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. at the Quality Inn Baron Suites located at 100 E. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, Wash. Airframe and powerplant mechanic positions are also available. Visit the "careers" page on the www.allegiantair.com website to find out more information regarding any of the jobs listed.


Coast Guard looking for
towing safety board members

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Coast Guard is soliciting applications for seven positions to the Towing Safety Advisory Committee that need to be received on or before February 15, 2008. The TSAC advises the Secretary of Homeland Security on matters relating to shallow-draft inland and coastal waterway navigation and towing safety. This advice also assists the Coast Guard in formulating the position of the United States in advance of meetings of the International Maritime Organization. The TSAC meets at least once a year at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington or another location selected by the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard is currently considering applications for two positions from the Barge and Towing Industry, one position from Port Districts, Authorities, or Terminal Operators; one position from Maritime Labor; and one position from the General Public. To be eligible, applicants should have particular expertise, knowledge, and experience relative to the position in towing operations, marine transportation, or business operations associated with shallow-draft inland and coastal waterway navigation and towing safety. Application form may be requested by writing to: TSAC Application; Commandant (CG-5221/TSAC)Room 1210; U.S. Coast Guard; 2100 Second Street SW.; Washington, DC 20593-0001; by calling 202-372-1401; or by faxing 202-372-1926. The application form is also available on the internet at http://homeport.uscg.mil/tsac


Rail project construction
closes Vancouver, USA street

VANCOUVER, USA — Sixth Street in downtown Vancouver, USA, between the BNSF Railway underpass and Jefferson, is now temporarily closed for construction related to the Port of Vancouver’s West Vancouver Freight Access rail project. Traffic can continue to reach south downtown blocks east of Jefferson by using Eighth Street. Port contractors will be relocating a sewer line that runs under Sixth Street in preparation for building a new rail line into the port. Construction began this month on Schedule 1A of the project south of the BNSF rail berm and west of I-5. The Sixth Street closure is expected to last about two weeks. The new alignment will improve access for freight trains serving the port while reducing congestion on the national rail network where it runs through Vancouver.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, January 28, 2008

Panama Canal Authority raising
number of fees/charges

PANAMA CITY — Due to rising operating costs brought about by fuel hikes, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced revised fees for tug, locomotive and linehandling services to begin March 1. Rates for tug services will increase eight percent; rates for linehandling services will rise seven percent. Additionally, a $300-per-wire fee will be charged for ancillary locomotive services, up from a $200-per-wire fee (wires are attached to the locomotives to ensure that the vessels stay centered as they transit through the locks). Regarding visibility requirements on container vessels, additional costs are incurred when a vessel notifies the canal less than 48 hours prior to its arrival that it intends to load exceeding canal standards. Vessels that exceed ACP visibility requirements, will now apply a rate of $4,000 when the information is submitted at least 48 hours prior to its arrival and a rate of $8,000 when the information is provided less than 48 hours prior to its arrival. New nominal fees related to other marine services which have not been updated for years, such as admeasurement, transit vessel inspection, safety and security, launches and Automatic Identification System (AIS) rentals, will increase seven percent on average.


Port of Everett in line
for TWIC enrollment

EVERETT — The Port of Everett is among 13 more locations the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced will begin enrollment during the next few weeks in the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program. This program ensures that any individual who has unescorted access to secure areas of port facilities and vessels has received a thorough background check and is not a known security threat. TWIC enrollment began Oct. 16, 2007 at the Port of Wilmington, Del. The addition of these 13 locations will bring the number of fixed enrollment centers open for enrollment to 72. Ultimately, the program will be rolled out to 147 fixed enrollment sites and will vet more than one million workers through 2008.


Port of Vancouver USA
slates freight project open house

VANCOUVER, USA — There has been a lot of mention of the Port of Vancouver’s West Vancouver Freight Access Project, and now that dirt is being moved for the project, the port invites the public to attend a Rail Project Open House. The Open House is set for tomorrow, from 4 p.m.-6 p.m., at the West Vancouver Freight Access Project Office, located at 1501 W. 8th Street in Vancouver. During the Open House, visitors will be able to check out the port’s progress on design plans, project and construction updates, schedule timelines, milestones in the 2005-2010 timeline of the project, and who the project partners are. Port staff and commissioners will be available to visit with guests and to answer questions pertaining to project details.


Port of Grays Harbor reports
good year for cargo shipments

GRAYS HARBOR — The Port of Grays Harbor's Around the Dock publication reports the addition of liquid bulk shipments due to Imperium Grays Harbor and a strong second half of the year for dry bulk made 2007 a solid year for cargo shipments at the port. Marine Terminals Manager Seth Taylor reported that 250,600 metric tons of bulk products were shipped through the port’s docks last year. AGP began shipping dried distillers grain (DDGs) this year, the byproduct of ethanol production.


Anacortes port board
elects new officers

ANACORTES — The Anacortes Port Commission elected officers at their regular meeting on Thursday, January 3rd. Serving as officers for 2008 will be: President – Bill Short; Vice President – Keith Rubin; and Secretary – Ray Niver. Commissioners Pat D. Mooney and Steve Hopley congratulated their fellow commissioners on their acceptance of these leadership roles. Port commission meetings are held at 7:00 P.M. on the first and third Thursdays of each month in the Commission Meeting Room of the port’s main warehouse building, 1st & Commercial Avenue, Anacortes.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, January 25, 2008

TSA member carriers
seeing relief from fuel costs

OAKLAND — Container shipping lines operating in the import trade lane from Asia to the U.S. are reporting progress in their customer negotiations to more equitably share rising fuel costs. At the same time, the lines are operating at highly utilized levels, as pre-Lunar New Year shipments increase. Internal TSA reporting for September-December shows vessel utilization among TSA members averaging 94 percent via the West Coast and 91 percent via East Coast all-water service, up from 2006 levels. Lines say they are seeing widespread success in achieving needed fuel surcharge increases, through one-on-one negotiations with customers, imposition of emergency surcharges and other means.


Railroads reach tenatative deal
with United Transportation Union

WASHINGTON, DC — The nation's major freight railroads and the United Transportation Union (UTU) have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract covering wages, benefits and other issues. With the ratification of this agreement by the nation's largest rail union, the industry will have successfully concluded negotiations with unions representing 95 percent of unionized freight rail workers. The agreement, which now goes before UTU members for ratification, includes a 17 percent wage increase retroactive to Jan. 1, 2005 through Dec. 31, 2009. UTU, which represents more than 44,000 members or about a third of the railroads' unionized workforce, began negotiating with the railroads shortly after the current round of bargaining began in November 2004. More than 30 railroads, including BNSF, CSX, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific, participated in the bargaining.


US rail freight traffic
drops during first week of year

WASHINGTON, DC — Freight traffic on U.S. railroads was off during the first week of 2008 in comparison with 2007's initial week, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports. Both weeks included the New Year holiday. Carload freight totaled 277,741 cars, down 3.2 percent from 2007, with loadings up 5.4 percent in the West but down 15.1 percent in the East, where severe winter storms had a noticeable impact on traffic volume. Intermodal volume of 163,801 trailers or containers was off 13.1 percent from last year, with container volume falling 12.6 percent and trailer volume dipping 15.0 percent. Total volume was estimated at 28.5 billion ton-miles, off 2.4 percent from 2007.


Trinity Industries sees gain
in railcar order backlog

DALLAS — Trinity Industries, Inc. has reported that their backlog of firm orders increased during the fourth quarter, to approximately 31,870 railcars on December 31, 2007; this compares to a backlog of approximately 31,300 railcars on September 30, 2007. The December 31, 2007 backlog represents the second highest year-end backlog in Trinity's history. During the fourth quarter, Trinity received firm orders for approximately 7,310 railcars and shipped approximately 6,740 railcars. Orders during the fourth quarter were comprised of a variety of railcar types including tank cars, covered hopper cars, auto racks, box cars, and coal cars.


Last chance to make
Old Salt nominations

PORTLAND — Old Salt nominations are due today! The Portland Shipping Club is calling for nominations for the 2008 “Old Salt” Award. This honor is presented each year to someone who, through longevity and service, has advanced the Columbia River maritime industry. Nominees should be contributors to the maritime industry and have made a significant effort to advance the industry outside of their regular job activities. In order for a nomination to be considered, it must be accompanied by a detailed biography of the individual, which includes the nominee’s industry involvement.
Nominations should be emailed to holm@pdxmex.com or mailed to:
Old Salt Committee Chairperson
c/o Portland Shipping Club
200 SW Market Street, Suite 190
Portland, OR 97201
The winner will be announced on Friday, February 1.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, January 24, 2008

Cargo volumes for 2007
come in flat at Port of Tacoma

TACOMA — After several years of record cargo performance, Port of Tacoma cargo volumes flattened in 2007 due, in part, to a softening U.S. economy, a weakening national housing market and the rising cost of inland transportation. From 2002 through 2006, Tacoma set successive containerized cargo records, with
volumes growing from 1.5 million TEUs (20-foot units) to 2.1 million TEUs. In 2007, the port's container volume totaled 1.9 million TEUs. The Port of Tacoma's non-containerized cargoes remained strong in 2007. Total tonnage was up three percent, grain held steady at six million tons, breakbulk was down four percent, and the port's automobile volume finished the year up five percent.


Crowley orders barges
from Gunderson Marine

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Crowley Maritime Corporation's technical services group has awarded a construction contract to Gunderson Marine of Portland, to build two additional Heavy Lift Series 400-foot by 105-foot-wide deck barges. Once complete, these barges will handle project work for the offshore energy industry in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere and will expand Crowley's fleet of this type barge to five. Gunderson is the same company that built the first three barges in the series - the Marty J, 455-2 and 455-3 - all of which were delivered last year.


Port of Seattle onboard
Northwest clean air strategy

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle Commission has voted to adopt the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, a joint effort to reduce seaport-related air emissions with the Port of Tacoma and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. The strategy, initially released in May of last year, is the culmination of input from the three ports, major stakeholders, environmental groups and local citizens throughout the region. In conjunction with adopting the strategy, the port commission authorized a resolution that aligns the organization’s seaport environmental goals with those of the Port of Tacoma. The overall goal of the strategy is to reduce diesel and greenhouse gas emissions in the region by achieving early reductions in advance of, and complementary to, applicable regulations. It builds on emission reduction strategies already implemented, and establishes short- and long-term performance measures for reducing emissions from cargo-handling equipment, rail, harbor craft, ocean-going vessels, and trucks.


Three crewmen rescued
from sinking tugboat

SEATTLE — Three men were rescued after the 45-foot tugboat JOE FOSS sank near Tillamook, Ore., January 23. Coast Guard Station Tillamook Bay received a call from the crew of the tug at 6:15 a.m. that the vessel was taking on water and sinking eight miles north of Tillamook Bay. At 6:50 a.m., the crew of the JOE FOSS donned survival suits and entered the water as the vessel was going down. They were picked up by the crew of the fishing vessel kilchis and later transferred to a 47-foot motor lifeboat from Station Tilamook River. An HH-60 helicopter crew from Air Station Astoria, Ore., also responded. The men were taken to Garibaldi, Ore. No injuries were reported. This is the second time in three days the Coast Guard has responded to an incident involving the JOE FOSS. Coast Guard Station Quillayute River in La Push, Wash., received a call at approx 8 p.m. Sunday from the crew of the tugboat when their boat began taking on water.


DHL donates popcorn shipments
to support Iraqi Boy Scout program

PLANTATION, FL — DHL has announced it is working with the Pacific Skyline Council, Boy Scouts of America to help raise funds for the youth of Iraq. As part of this effort, DHL will be shipping 2.5 tons of popcorn to Iraq, which will be used to raise funds for the Iraqi Scouting initiative. Iraq’s youth scouting program reemerged in 2004 through the efforts of the Green Zone Council, a volunteer group of U.S. civilian and military personnel in Iraq. Scouting promotes respect for others and the environment, diversity of cultures, goal setting, competence and confidence building and leadership skills. With the support of local scouting organizations and businesses in the U.S., the Iraqi scouting program has grown to 150,000 members, which includes Boy Scouts as well as Girl Guides, the equivalent of Girl Scouts in the U.S. DHL is donating its shipping services to transport 2.5 tons of Trail’s End popcorn to the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. A long-lived fundraising tradition within scouting, the sale of the popcorn will generate as much as $25,000 for the purchase of much needed supplies for youth scouting activities across Iraq.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Port of Seattle forming Committee
to look into fraud vulnerability

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle Commission has passed a motion creating a special committee charged with investigating the port’s vulnerability to fraud as well as the contracting policies and procedures specifically called out in the recent performance audit report. Commissioner Bill Bryant will chair the effort; Commissioner Gael Tarleton will also serve on the committee. The committee, including the citizen representative, will choose an independent fraud investigator. The committee will ask State Auditor Brian Sonntag’s office for recommendations of firms experienced in such investigations. Within 30 days of being selected, the firm must present the full commission with a work plan that outlines the scope of matters to be investigated, a timeline for the work, and an estimated budget. The investigation will focus on the areas of potential fraud highlighted by the performance auditor, and is being conducted in response to his recommendations.


Zim joins Grand Alliance
in upgrade of ATX service

TOKYO — Grand Alliance members Hapag-Lloyd, Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), and Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) are upgrading a service on the North Europe - North USA Atlantic Trade, in cooperation with ZIM Integrated Shipping services Ltd. The joint service to be upgraded is the "Atlantic Express" or ATX service. Starting from early March 2008, the service will consist of four vessels of 4,000 TEU capacity, one of which will be provided by ZIM and the others from the Grand Alliance pool. The service offers weekly, fixed day sailings between the North European ports of Rotterdam, Hamburg, Le-Havre, and Southampton, and the US East Coast ports of New York, Norfolk and Charleston. The joint service is a continuation of the present ATX service of the Grand Alliance, providing upgraded tonnage and replacing the current NEX service of ZIM.


NASSCO begins work
on second product carrier

SAN DIEGO— General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, has begun construction of the second ship of its new class of product carriers. The shipyard is scheduled to lay the ship’s keel in June and deliver the ship to U.S. Shipping Partners in the second quarter of 2009. In August 2006, NASSCO received a $1 billion contract from U.S. Shipping Partners to build nine ships. The ships will be double-hulled, 183 meters (600.4 feet) in length and displace 49,000 dead weight tons. With a cargo capacity of about 331,000 barrels, the ships are designed to carry petroleum and chemical products in Jones Act trade between U.S. ports.


Crowley Maritime completes
Angola, Africa transport project

HOUSTON — Crowley Maritime Corporation's energy and marine services unit has announced that it has safely completed the tug-and-barge transportation and discharge and delivery of oversized cargo across a remote beach in Cabinda Province Angola, West Africa to the Cabinda Gas Plant. In partnership with Chicago Bridge and Iron (CB&I) and Cabinda Gulf Oil Company (CABGOC), a wholly owned Chevron subsidiary, Crowley was contracted for the loading, marine transportation, discharging and delivery of oversize modules and support accessories to the Cabinda Gas Plant, which is about three miles from the beach landing point. The fleet required for the sealift included (400-foot by 100-foot) barges, ocean going tugs, small lighter tugs to assist in the beaching operation and a myriad of support equipment. The initial tug and barge departed Houston Sept. 14. The second and third tug and barge combinations sailed at staggered intervals thereafter, and the final pair of vessels left Houston Oct. 21. The journey from Houston to Cabinda Province is over 6,600 nautical miles requiring approximately 40 days at sea. The transportation and discharge of all of the cargo from the four tug and barge tandems concluded Dec. 2.


HORIZON FALCON crew
earns seamanship trophy

KINGS POINT, NY — The captain and crew of a U.S.-flag merchant vessel will receive the American Merchant Marine Seamanship Trophy for their skillful action in rescuing two mariners from stormy seas. Capt. Tom McDorr and the crew of HORIZON FALCON, owned by Horizon Lines, Inc., displayed superior seamanship last year when they saved the lives of two Chinese sailors whose vessel sank in the North Pacific. The Seamanship Trophy, which recognizes extraordinary seafaring skills by American mariners, will be presented during a luncheon on January 26 at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, January 21, 2008

Oregon/Washington governors
back plan to replace Interstate bridges

PORTLAND — Governor Ted Kulongoski (OR) and Governor Chris Gregoire (WA) have announced a bi-state commitment to replacing the Interstate bridges that connect Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon. “If I-5 from Seattle to San Diego were an hourglass – everyone here knows the location of the narrow hole through which the sand must pass: The Interstate Bridge that connects Vancouver and Portland,” Governor Kulongoski said. “We only have two choices. Do nothing and watch our economy sink, or invest in a multi-modal solution that strengthens our economy and enhances this region’s quality of life.” “The tragic bridge collapse in Minneapolis was a wake-up call to this nation,” Governor Gregoire noted. “The interstate bridges that connect Vancouver and Portland are heavily used and aging, and it is time to replace them in the name of safety as well as economic vitality.” Since 2005 the Columbia River Crossing Taskforce has been bringing stakeholders together to advise Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Washington Department of Transportation (WDOT) on issues and concerns of the Columbia River crossing project. The 39-member Task Force is composed of leaders from a broad cross section of Washington and Oregon communities, including public agencies, businesses, civic organizations, neighborhoods and freight, commuter and environmental groups. The taskforce is considering five options that would increase safety, reduce congestion on the bridges, and increase freight mobility. An option also includes mass transit, including light rail, and other conservation measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This spring, the state transportation departments will issue the draft environmental impact statement for public comment, with a final record of decision expected early next year.


Port of Longview announces
series of staff appointments

LONGVIEW — Port of Longview Executive Director Ken O’Hollaren has announced three staff appointments at the port. Port Director of Facilities and Engineering, Norm Krehbiel, will now also carry the title of deputy executive director. In this capacity, Mr. Krehbiel will assume new executive responsibilities, while remaining in his position as head of the port’s engineering department. Manager of Business Development, Valerie Harris, will be promoted to the director of
marketing position upon the retirement of current director, Gary Lindstrom, in May of this year. Ms. Harris came to the port in 2004 from Vestas American Wind Technology, Inc., in Portland. The Port of Longvview has also welcomed Ashley Opsahl-Scibelli as the new manager of communications and public affairs. She comes to the Port from PNE Corp. in Longview where she served as marketing director.


Port of Seattle CEO
answering questions about audit

SEATTLE — Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani has sent a letter to the community, reiterating his commitment to use the results of a recent performance audit to improve port operations. "Given recent headlines, I'm sure many are wondering what's going on at the port," he said. "It's a fair question - one I want to address as the chief executive officer. I want to share my plan to 'right the ship' with the citizens of King County." Mr. Yoshitani stressed that the Port of Seattle did not waste $97 million of taxpayer dollars, as alleged in the audit report. His letter provides further explanation of the contracts in question and the business practices used in awarding them. In addition, Mr. Yoshitani discusses: Timelines for implementing changes to the port's procurement system and commission delegation; Independent fraud audit to be conducted at the port, and the recently established "fraud hotline" (The number is now active at 877-571-5237.); and port staff members' cooperation with audit efforts. "The commission has given me clear direction to use the information in the report to improve how we operate," said Mr. Yoshitani. "This is about more than changing port procedures and discipline; it's about changing our culture. We'll get it done and we'll be a better port for it." The full text of Mr. Yoshitani's letter can be seen at http://www.portseattle.org/about/organization/ceomessage.shtml.


New ballast water rules eyed
for Saint Lawrence Seaway

WASHINGTON, DC — Regulations proposed by the U.S. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) would require all ocean-going ships entering the U.S. sector of the St. Lawrence Seaway beginning with the start of the 2008 navigation season to take new measures to prevent the introduction of invasive species. The new proposal would require vessels to flush ballast tanks containing only small amounts of water or sediment with saltwater in an area 200 nautical miles from any North American shore before entering the Seaway. The proposal also would increase the number of ship inspections for ocean-going vessels performed in Montreal by inspectors from the U.S.-Canadian Seaway Corporations, the U.S. Coast Guard and Transport Canada. Additional inspections would be required for these ‘salties’ making secondary transits and the percentage of tanks subject to inspection would increase. And it requires all ships entering the Seaway to measure the salinity levels of their tanks to assure that there is a sufficiently high concentration of salt in the ballast water to kill invasive species. A recently published study led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the University of Michigan documented that flushing saltwater into ballast tanks that contain residual amounts of water or sediment is "highly effective" in eradicating most exotic aquatic species potentially introduced into the Great Lakes via ballast water. Under the proposed rules, ships that fail to saltwater flush may either return to the open ocean to conduct a ballast water exchange or must retain the ballast in their on-board tanks. Non-compliant ships could be fined up to $36,625 per incident by the SLSDC.


Marcon announces first
vessel sale for current year

COUPEVILLE, WA — Marcon International, Inc. of Coupeville, WA has announced their first sale of 2008 with the purchase of the U.S. flag, 2,000BHP MR. NICK by E.J. Ventures, LP of Texas from Moby Marine Corp. of Florida. The twin screw tug was built in 1976 by Slocum Iron Works of Mobile, AL and measures 99.5' x 31' x 17' depth with an ABS Loadline draft of 14.5'. It is powered by a pair EMD8-645 diesels which drive fixed pitch open propellers via Falk reduction gears. The tug's Smatco 55-DAW-170 double drum waterfall winch is powered by a GM6-71 diesel and has a capacity for 3,000' x 1.5" diameter wire on each drum with a line pull of 150,000 lbs. Tankage includes 77,000 gallons fuel, 17,000 gallons water and 1,000 gallons lube oil. In 2007, Marcon sold or chartered a total of 54 vessels and barges, an average of just over one per week.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, January 17, 2008

Repairs forcing Corps to close
navigation lock at John Day Dam

PORTLAND — The navigation lock at the John Day Lock and Dam will close to river traffic Jan. 28 and Jan 29 from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. to repair the downstream lift gate machinery, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced. The lock is reaching the end of its 50-year design life and has faced multiple mechanical and structural problems in recent years. The closure will allow the Corps to place emergency bolted gusset plates on several cracks found in the friction drums, part of the mechanical system that operates the downstream lift gate. The Corps plans a more extensive repair of the friction drums during its annual two-week closure scheduled between Mar. 8 and Mar. 22.The John Day Lock and Dam is located at exit 109 off Interstate 84.


Rail freight traffic for 2007
reaches second highest total ever

WASHINGTON, DC — Although down from 2006's record-setting levels, freight traffic on U.S. railroads was the second highest on record, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports. Full-year 2007 U.S. carloads totaled 16,952,288, down 2.5 percent (426,598 carloads) from 2006. Full-year 2007 U.S. intermodal loadings were 12,026,660 trailers and containers, down 2.1 percent (255,561 units) from 2006. Total volume for the year was estimated at 1.76 trillion ton-miles, although down 1.0 percent from last year. For just the month of December, U.S. freight railroads originated 1,234,439 carloads of freight, down 2.6 percent (32,325 carloads) from a year ago, and 867,386 intermodal trailers and containers, down 2.5 percent (21,786 units) from December 2006. For the fourth quarter of 2007, U.S. rail carloadings were down 85 carloads (0.0 percent) to 4,244,410 carloads, while intermodal traffic was down 2.5 percent (76,719 units) to 3,002,027 trailers and containers. U.S. railroads originated more carloads of coal in 2007 than any other single commodity: the 7,213,955 coal carloads in 2007 were equal to 43 percent of total carloads and were down 0.9 percent (67,019 carloads) from 2006. Carloads of coal fell 2.9 percent (15,775 carloads) in December 2007 to 536,718 carloads, and were up 0.1 percent (2,543 carloads) in the fourth quarter to 1,825,729 carloads. Carloads of chemicals rose 4.2 percent (4,759 carloads) in December; rose 5.1 percent (18,745 carloads) in the fourth quarter; and rose 3.3 percent (50,510 carloads) for the full year. Ethanol is included in this category. In 2007, total chemical carloads of 1,569,735 accounted for 9 percent of total non-intermodal U.S. rail carloadings, second only to coal. Grain carloads rose 0.1 percent (114 carloads) in December, rose 10.9 percent (32,568 carloads) in the fourth quarter, and were flat for the year (up 110 carloads to 1,178,601 carloads) for all of 2007. Grain accounted for 7 percent of U.S. rail carloads in 2007, ahead of crushed stone, sand, and gravel (1,078,226 carloads) and motor vehicles and equipment (1,033,544 carloads). All told, of the 19 major commodity categories tracked by the AAR, seven saw U.S. carload gains in December, seven saw gains in the fourth quarter, and three saw gains over 2007 for the full year.


OOCL introducing new
Asia India Middle East Service 2

HONG KONG — Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has announced a new service providing direct links to the Straits, Middle East and India. The service, to be launched on February 1, 2008, is named the “Asia India Middle East Service 2” (AIM2). The new service will provide additional frequency to and from China and the Middle East, with a wide range of services available to suit customers’ different requirements. The AIM2 is one of four OOCL services providing links from Asia to the Middle East. The port rotation of AIM2 is: Shanghai - Xingang - Qingdao - Da Chan Bay - Hong Kong - Singapore - Port Kelang - Colombo - Jebel Ali - Bandar Abbas - Mundra - Port Kelang - Singapore - Hong Kong - Shanghai, for a 42-day roundtrip. Six ships with capacity of 2,500 TEU (one of which is operated by OOCL) will be deployed on the service, which is jointly operated with Emirates Shipping Lines and TS Lines.


ARTCO working with SJS
to form new stevedoring company

DECATUR, IL — American River Transportation Company (ARTCO) and St. James Stevedoring Company LLC (SJS) have announced the formation of a stevedoring joint venture. The venture will operate under the name of St. James Stevedoring Partners LLC and will be headquartered in Convent, Louisiana. St. James Stevedoring Partners will provide the midstream transloading of bulk and break bulk cargo between ships and river barges in the lower Mississippi River area. St. James Stevedoring Partners will primarily operate from seven mooring buoy locations spread between Mile 167, Mile 158 and Mile 121 on the lower Mississippi River. Additionally, the company is permitted to operate at most potential stevedoring locations between Baton Rouge and the mouth of the Mississippi River. The company’s operations will use five Gottwald cranes and six friction cranes to accomplish cargo transfers.


NOAA seeking public comment
on dealing with predator sea lions

WASHINGTON, DC — NOAA’s Fisheries Service is asking for public comment as it considers four alternatives to deter California sea lions from eating imperiled salmon and steelhead that congregate below the Bonneville Dam on the lower Columbia River as they head upriver to spawn. The agency’s draft environmental assessment responds to requests in 2006 from Washington, Oregon and Idaho to kill predator sea lions under a provision of the marine mammal law. Of the four alternatives, NOAA is recommending the states use lethal removal only on individual sea lions that continue to eat salmon after deterrence methods are not successful. An estimated 30 nuisance animals would be killed annually. The draft environmental assessment lays out these four alternatives:
Take no action. With this alternative, the states’ request would be denied and no
further aggressive hazing would be undertaken to deter predation at the dam. Only
minimal deterrents, such as existing underwater noisemakers and sea lion barriers at the dam’s fish ladders, would remain. Non-lethal deterrence only. This alternative would also deny the states’ request, but would continue active hazing of animals at the dam, including use of firecrackers, rubber bullets, noisemakers and capture, holding and relocation of animals. Lethal removal of certain California sea lions after non-lethal deterrence. This is the alternative NOAA Fisheries Service proposes, and would allow the states to kill individually identified sea lions, either directly by shooting them, or by euthanizing them once they had been captured, if no permanent holding facility for them could be found. The agency estimates that about 30 animals could be killed per year under this alternative. Lethal removal of all California sea lions within about five miles of the dam, with no requirement for prior deterrence. This alternative is similar to what the states requested and several task force members recommended; it would affect perhaps as many as 150 animals. The agency is asking for public comment on its draft environmental assessment until Feb. 19. It is expected to make a final decision on the issue in late March.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, January 17, 2008

Pioneer reaches settlement
for Tacoma chlorine release

TACOMA — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached a settlement with Pioneer Americas, LLC (Pioneer) for its failure to report the release of nearly 900 lbs of chlorine from their Tacoma facility in a timely manner. EPA announced the settlement includes $15,804 in penalties and $59,144 to provide emergency response equipment for local firefighters. The settlement agreement alleges that on February 12, 2007, the Pioneer facility failed to immediately notify local and state agencies about the chlorine release. According to Tacoma Fire Department and U.S. Coast Guard, a large portion of the Port of Tacoma was closed and a number of people were evacuated. The Tacoma Fire Department reported 26 people, five fire fighters, and seven Korean Crewmembers from a nearby ship had to be transported to area hospitals for evaluation and treatment. Most injuries were minor and there were no fatalities. The chlorine release and the failure to notify appropriate agencies are violations of the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).


American Commercial Lines
nets $100 million barge order

JEFFERSONVILLE, IN — American Commercial Lines Inc. has announced that it has entered into a six year, approximately $100 million, multi-vessel contract with a major customer, to build both liquid and dry cargo barges. Construction will begin in 2008. American Commercial Lines Inc., headquartered in Jeffersonville, Indiana, is an integrated marine transportation and service company operating in the United States Jones Act trades, with approximately $940 million in annual revenues and approximately 2,750 employees as of December 31, 2006.


Corps looking at application
for work at Port of Morrow

PORTLAND — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is reviewing an application for a Department of the Army permit to conduct work in waters of the United States. Public Notice NWP-2007-913 issued during the week of Jan. 6, 2008, describes a project proposed by the Port of Morrow. The proposed project is located at River Mile 270 of the Columbia River near Boardman, Ore. The applicant proposes to widen an existing barge slip and extend, move or replace associated equipment and structures at Terminal 3. The proposal calls for dredging about 9,244 cubic yards of material from a 1.35 acre area within the existing barge slip, and installing about 3,787 cubic yards of clean aggregate or dredged material for an extended barge dock, which would affect an additional 0.13 acre. Comments on this proposal must be received by Feb. 11.


OOCL makes donation
for Long Beach playground

HONG KONG — Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has made a $100,000 donation to Partners of Parks for the development of the first Universally Accessible Playground in the City of Long Beach. The playground, inspired by an organization called Shane’s Inspiration, aims to bring disabled children and their able-bodied peers together in an integrated play environment, with the aim of eliminating bias towards disabled children. The donation was presented at the January 15, 2008, Long Beach City Council meeting by Anthony Otto, vice president of OOCL’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Long Beach Container Terminals Inc (LBCTI). The $100,000 donation was accepted by Chris Kozaites, president of Partners of Parks, a non-profit corporation supporting Long Beach parks, recreation and beaches.


Reservations being accepted
for annual Globe Awards event

TACOMA — The World Trade Center Tacoma has announced the 15th Annual Globe Awards Dinner and Auction is set for Thursday, February 7, 2008 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Tacoma's Hotel Murano. The Annual Globe Awards provides the business community an opportunity to come together to celebrate Washington States significant advances in international trade, and to highlight the individuals and organizations that have made immense strides in global trade. The keynote speaker is Scott Carson, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The cost to attend is $100 for WTC members, $125 for non-WTC members and $950 for a table of ten. Make reservations by January 24, 2008. To RSVP, please call the World Trade Center Tacoma at (253) 396-1022.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Two firms to begin dredging
Snohimis River navigation channel

VANCOUVER, USA — The Corps of Engineers has awarded a contract to Roy D. Garren Inc. of Roseburg, Ore., in conjunction with Nehalem Dredging to perform maintenance dredging in the upper settling basin of the Snohomish River Federal Navigation Channel. Dredging is expected to start on Saturday, Jan. 19 and continue through Feb. 14 on a 24/7 basis. Two hydraulic pipeline dredges NEHALEM and KAREN will be monitoring VHF radio channels 10 and 16 for the duration of the project. The dredges will display proper day shapes during daylight hours and lighting at night; however, boaters are cautioned regarding the dredging activities and the dredge pipeline. Dredge material will be placed on City of Everett’s property, east of Railway Avenue; formerly owned by Kimberly-Clark. This site is downstream from the City’s proposed riverfront redevelopment.


Public comment period extended
for Bellingham waterfront project

BELLINGHAM — The Port of Bellingham has announced that the public comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for The Waterfront District project will be extended to March 10, 2008. This allows for a 60-day comment period on the draft study, rather than the required 30-day period. Both the port and the City of Bellingham, as well as some members of the public, had requested that the port's designated State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Official Andrew Maron extend the comment period because of the length and complexity of the document. Because of the extended comment time, the port also rescheduled the public hearings on the DEIS. The hearings now will be on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008, from 1-4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to closing at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, 355 Harris Avenue. This environmental analysis will be used by the port and city in the coming months as they develop a master plan and development agreement that will guide long-term redevelopment of the project site. Based upon preliminary DEIS findings -- particularly those regarding traffic impacts -- the port and city will recommend modifications to the Draft Framework Plan, which was adopted by the Bellingham Port Commission and Bellingham City Council in 2006 as the basis for preliminary site planning.


Tacoma, Olympia port boards
schedule joint study session

TACOMA — The Port of Tacoma and Port of Olympia have scheduled a Joint Commission Study Session to hear preliminary research findings related to a prospective South Sound Logistics Center (SSLC). The session will be held Thursday, January 31, 2008 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at St. Martin’s University, Worthington Center (5300 Pacific Ave. SW, Lacey). The Port of Olympia and the Port of Tacoma initiated this research effort as part of an Interlocal Agreement. In brief, the agreement provides a vehicle for the two ports to work collaboratively during the exploratory stage of the project. The agreement is valid through June 2008. Following a project overview from port staff, findings from several key early studies will be presented at this joint public session, including:
Preliminary Market Assessment
Logistics Center Comparative Analysis
Alternative Sites Analysis
No decisions will be made at this meeting. A subsequent session will be scheduled 3-4 weeks following the January 31 presentation to invite public comment and discuss potential next steps. The date for this follow-up meeting will be announced when scheduled.


MOL vessel call marks start
of service to Port of Tacoma

TACOMA — On January 11, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) made the first scheduled call of its Pacific South Express Service (PSX) at the Port of Tacoma, when the MOL PROFICIENCY arrived at the port’s Washington United Terminals. In a letter to customers, MOL officials stated the move to Tacoma is a part of the line’s ongoing commitment to improve customer service and reliability.


NYK Logistics buys
Bruni International

TOKYO — NYK Logistics (Americas), Inc. (NLA) has announced its acquisition of Bruni International, the Laredo, TX customs brokerage, freight forwarding, warehouse and distribution services company. The purchase comprises all Bruni assets including the offices and warehouse facilities located in the Killam Industrial Park. The US Customs bonded facility is both ISO 9002 and C-TPAT certified. Bruni International was founded as a sole proprietorship in 1982 by E M. (Rocky) Bruni and recently celebrated its 25th anniversary in May 2007. Mr. Bruni has joined NYK Logistics as a senior vice president in the International Services group and will also manage the integration of the two companies.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, January 14, 2008

Jerry Oliver begins term
on Vancouver, USA port board

VANCOUVER, USA — Jerry Oliver has officially taken office, and served his first meeting as a Vancouver, USA Port Commissioner. Commissioner Oliver was sworn in on January 2 at the Clark County Public Service Center, with others elected in the November 2007 general election. He represents district three, which consists mainly of the central and east neighborhoods of Greater Vancouver. He attended his first meeting as a commissioner was January 8. Commissioner Oliver, 67, was born and raised in Flint, Mich., and has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Michigan (1961). His career includes 20 years selling medical products, and a seven year stint in the financial brokerage business. Commissioner Oliver also was self-employed for eight years, when he worked in mid-market mergers and acquisitions. He is currently employed by Tyler Technologies (Plano, Texas) as a national account manager selling software to county governments. Commissioner Oliver is replacing Arch Miller, who served 18 years on the port commission, and whom Commissioner Oliver defeated in the 2007 election. The Vancouver Port Commission normally meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, with open public sessions beginning at 9:30 a.m.


Firms agree to pay $35,000
in oil record book settlement

SEATTLE — Under an agreement reached with the United States Coast Guard, Strength Shipping Corp. and Dorian (Hellas) S.A. will pay $35,000 to settle allegations that the motor vessel OINOUSSIAN STRENGTH failed to correctly maintain its oil record book and that entries therein were false. Strength Shipping Corp. and Dorian (Hellas) S.A. have not admitted liability, and their payment is made in settlement of disputed claims. Engine room operations on board large oceangoing vessels such as the OINOUSSIAN STRENGTH generate large amounts of waste oil. International and U.S. law require that certain oil transfers and discharges be recorded in an oil record book, a required log which is regularly inspected by the Coast Guard. Failure to maintain the record book and for making false entries are punishable under the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, 33 U.S.C. 1901, et. seq.


OOCL moving to
cleaner trucks in Long Beach

HONG KONG — Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd (OOCL) has voluntarily stopped the use of cargo trucks built before 1990 to comply early with the upcoming ban on older diesel trucks at the Port of Long Beach. OOCL, which regularly uses Long Beach Container Terminal facilities and other Port of Long Beach shipping terminals, stopped using the pre-1990 trucks for all port moves between Southern California terminals and off-dock rail ramps effective January 1, 2008. In November, the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles each approved a Clean Trucks Program to replace or retrofit nearly 17,000 trucks that serve the two ports. As of October 1, 2008, trucks built in 1989 or earlier will not be allowed to enter shipping terminals at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. By Jan. 1, 2012, all drayage trucks serving the ports must meet the stringent 2007 federal emissions limits.


NYK, Hyundai teaming up
for new Asia/SAfrica/SAmerica run

TOKYO — NYK and Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) have announced an agreement to operate jointly in the container trade between Asia, South Africa, and the east cost of South America. The new service will be named the "New Horizon Express" (NHX) and will commence operations from the second half of April. It will replace NYK’s current New Good Hope Express Service (NGX), which NYK has operated together with Maersk Line and Hamburg Süd. The New Horizon Express will be a weekly fixed-day service operating a total of 10 vessels, eight from NYK and two from HMM, with a weekly capacity of about 2,500 TEUs. The port rotation will begin at Shanghai and continue as follows: Shanghai - Ningbo - Hong Kong - Singapore - Durban - Santos - Buenos Aires - Itajai - Paranagua - Santos - Itaguai (Sepetiba) - Singapore - Hong Kong - Shanghai


Portland Shipping Club
calling for Old Salt nominations

PORTLAND — The Portland Shipping Club is calling for nominations for the 2008 "Old Salt" Award. This honor is presented each year to someone who, through longevity and service, has advanced the Columbia River maritime industry. Nominees should be contributors to the maritime industry and have made a significant effort to advance the industry outside of their regular job activities. In order for a nomination to be considered, it must be accompanied by a detailed biography of the individual, which includes the nominee’s industry involvement. Nominations must be received by Friday, January 25, 2008 and should be emailed to holm@pdxmex.com or mailed to: Old Salt Committee Chairperson
c/o Portland Shipping Club
200 SW Market Street, Suite 190
Portland, OR 97201


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, January 11, 2008

Port of Tacoma issues bonds
to pay for infrastructure projects

TACOMA — To help fund infrastructure projects related to the redevelopment of the Blair-Hylebos Peninsula, the Port of Tacoma has issued $131.3 million in General Obligation (G.O.) bonds. The bond issue includes a $109.5 million non-AMT (alternative minimum tax) series at 4.498 percent and a $21.8 AMT series at 4.875 percent. Both series were issued at a premium, providing the port with bond proceeds of $139.1 million, which will be used through 2008 to help fund environmental programs, waterway improvements, information technology infrastructure, road and rail development and land purchases. These developments are a part of the port's five-year, $953.6 million Capital Improvement Program, which includes the redevelopment of the Totem Ocean Trailer Express (TOTE) terminal and development of a 168-acre (68-hectare) container terminal for Yusen Terminal Tacoma Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of NYK Line. Funded through Merrill Lynch and Citigroup, the bond issue was approved by the Port of Tacoma Commission on Dec. 20, 2007 and executed on Jan. 8, 2008.


New deal paves way for
US cadets to train on APL ships

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced an agreement that will allow U.S. maritime cadets to serve on international container vessels. The training and experience they receive will give them more employment opportunities worldwide after graduation. There is currently a worldwide shortage of licensed mariners. U.S. federal and state maritime academies have geared up to train more students, but students need sailing time on working vessels to obtain the necessary licenses, and there are not enough opportunities currently available on U.S. ships. The agreement, signed by Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton and Ronald D. Widdows, chief executive officer of APL Liner Ltd., allows sea tours for maritime academy cadets on board vessels trading internationally. Under the terms of the agreement, cadets from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and all six state maritime academies will be able to sail on board vessels operated by APL. This is the third such public-private agreement to be signed in the past six months, and more agreements are being negotiated. The previous two agreements were signed with Overseas Shipholding Group and SeaRiver, which operate tanker fleets.


Portland included in next round
of worker ID enrollment sites

WASHINGTON, DC — The Department of Homeland Security(DHS) has announced that enrollment in the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program will begin at 10 more locations, including Portland, in the coming weeks. This program ensures that any individual who has unescorted access to secure areas of port facilities and vessels has received a thorough background check and is not a known security threat. TWIC enrollment began Oct. 16, 2007 at the Port of Wilmington, Del. The addition of these 10 locations will bring the number of fixed enrollment centers open for enrollment to 59. Ultimately, the program will be rolled out to 147 fixed enrollment sites and will vet more than 1 million workers through 2008. TSA has released specific dates for the following ports:
Victoria, Texas -- Jan. 16, 2008
Kahului, Hawaii -- Jan. 17, 2008
Portland, Ore. -- Jan. 17, 2008
Bourne, Mass. -- Jan. 23, 2008
Green Bay, Wis. -- Jan. 23, 2008
Pittsburgh, Pa. -- Jan. 24, 2008
Texas City, Texas -- Jan. 24, 2008
Kauai, Hawaii -- Jan. 25, 2008
Salisbury, Md. -- Jan. 30, 2008
Toledo, Ohio -- Jan. 30, 2008
Workers at these ports, as well as another 49 where enrollment has begun, are able to pre-enroll for TWIC on the TSA Web site (www.tsa.gov/twic). Pre-enrollment speeds up the process by allowing workers to provide biographic information and schedule a time to complete the application process in person. This reduces waiting and in-person enrollment times for each individual. More information on the TWIC program is available at www.tsa.gov/twic and additional information on port security is available at the U.S. Coast Guard's Homeport site at http://homeport.uscg.mil by clicking on the Maritime Security link.


US rail freight traffic count
heads down during week

WASHINGTON, DC — Freight traffic on U.S. railroads fell during the third week of December compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports. Carload freight totaled 327,876 cars during the week ended December 22, down 3.2 percent from last year. Volume was off 2.3 percent in the West and 4.5 percent in the East. Intermodal volume, which is not included in the carload data, totaled 229,695, off 1.8 percent from a year ago. Trailer volume slipped 0.2 percent while container volume fell by 2.3 percent. Total volume was estimated at 34.5 billion ton-miles, off 2.5 percent from the corresponding week last year. Eight of 19 individual carload commodities were up from last year, led by a 9.6 percent gain in metals. Also up were grain, 7.8 percent, and metallic ores, 6.8 percent. On the downside, coal was off 7.0 percent while lumber and wood products fell 15.2 percent and coke declined by 11.9 percent. Cumulative volume for the first 51 weeks of 2007 totaled 16,696,728 carloads, off 2.4 percent from 2006; 11,867934 trailers or containers, down 2.0 percent; and total volume of an estimated 1.73 trillion ton-miles, a 1.0 percent decline from last year.


AAR releases latest
Ten-Year Trends publication

WASHINGTON, DC — Did you know that freight railroad employment in the U.S. reached its highest level since 2000 during 2006? Or that Class I railroads paid almost $7 billion in taxes? Or that they invested a record $8.4 billion in capital improvements during the year? All of this information and more is included in the 24th annual edition of Railroad Ten-Year Trends, which is now available from the Association of American Railroads. This new edition presents data for the years 1997 through 2006. Railroad Ten-Year Trends provides tables and graphs which present an economic overview of the U.S. freight railroad industry, including Class I industry performance, traffic, financial statistics, employment, plant and equipment, and operations. In addition, the publication includes selected information on regional and local railroads as well as the web sites of more than 250 Canadian, Mexican and U.S. railroads. It also lists all U.S. freight railroads and offers profiles of rail-related organizations. Copies of Railroad Ten-Year Trends are available for $100 for non-members and $50 for AAR members. Domestic shipping and handling fees are $6.00 per order. To order copies of the book, visit the AAR web site at www.aar.org.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, January 10, 2008

FedEx in line to become first buyer
of Port of Portland industrial park land

PORTLAND — With approval of a property sale by Port of Portland Commissioners January 9, FedEx Ground Package Systems, Inc. is one step closer to becoming the first company to secure a site in the new Troutdale Reynolds Industrial Park. The company has expressed interest in nearly 78-acres in the first phase of development of the former aluminum plant site. The port and FedEx Ground will continue to work on final details and hope to soon have a definitive purchase and sale agreement. FedEx Ground has indicated interest in constructing and operating a new regional freight distribution hub in the northwest. The sale is still contingent upon approval of the new industrial subdivision by the City of Troutdale, and Phase 1 development of the industrial park is necessary to allow construction and operation of any new facilities.


Trade between NAFTA partners
sets new high mark during October

WASHINGTON, DC — Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 11.1 percent higher in October 2007 than in October 2006, reaching $74.2 billion, the highest monthly level ever recorded, 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 (RITA), reported that the value of North American surface trade in October topped the previous monthly high of $69.8 billion in March 2007 by 6.4 percent. The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 11.2 percent in October from September. 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 90 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 October was up 49.6 percent compared to October 2002, and up 87.1 percent compared to October 1997, a period of 10 years. Imports in October were up 100.7 percent compared to October 1997, while exports were up 72.0 percent.


Port of Bellingham inks
draft environmental study

BELLINGHAM — The Port of Bellingham has released a draft environmental study of the possible impacts of the 220-acre waterfront redevelopment that will span at least 20 years. This study is an essential step as the port and City of Bellingham consider rezoning and redeveloping the property. This environmental analysis will be used by the port and City of Bellingham in the coming months as they develop a master plan and development agreement that will guide long-term redevelopment of the project site. Based upon preliminary DEIS findings -- particularly those regarding traffic impacts -- the port and city will recommend modifications to the Draft Framework Plan, which was adopted by the Port Commission and City Council in 2006 as the basis for preliminary site planning. Formal public hearings on the Draft Environmental Impact Study (DEIS) will be from 1-4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. until closing on Thursday, Jan. 31, in the Whatcom County Council Chambers, 311 Grand Ave. In addition to the public hearings, people can submit written comments by Feb. 8, to the port's designated State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) official Andrew Maron via email at sepaoffical@portofbellingham.com or by regular mail to:
Andrew Maron
SEPA Responsible Official
Port of Bellingham
PO Box 1677
1801 Roeder Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98227-1677
This approximately 1,300-page Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) measures potential environmental impacts for development in The Waterfront District at a range of densities over a 20-year period. The draft environmental analysis can be reviewed and downloaded at the port's web site under Latest News at: www.portofbellingham.com.


Descartes buys assets
of Pacific Coast Tariff Bureau

WATERLOO, Ontario — Descartes Systems Group, a global on-demand software-as-a-service (SaaS) logistics solutions provider, has acquired the assets of privately-held San Francisco, California-based Pacific Coast Tariff Bureau, Inc. (PCTB) in an all cash transaction. For over 60 years, PCTB has provided tariff and contract publishing services to leading ocean carriers, non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) and shippers to help them comply with U.S. regulations for domestic and foreign shipping trades. PCTB also provides technology solutions to its customers to help them manage ocean contracts and apply the correct freight rates to bills of lading for ocean shipments. The purchase price for this acquisition was USD 2.1 million in cash and will include direct transaction costs incurred in connection with the acquisition. In addition, Descartes will incur transition costs over the next year as it undertakes integration activities.


Port of Anacortes names
Employee of the Year for '07

ANACORTES — The Port of Anacortes announced at its December 13, 2007, staff holiday party the 2007 Employee of the Year, Sarah Valoven. The commission presented Ms. Valoven with a plaque at their January 3, 2008, meeting. Ms. Valoven, who has worked at the port since 2006, will have her photograph hung in the port’s Main Office lobby and her name added to the permanent plaque on display at the port’s Main Office. Ms. Valoven came to work for the port in July 2006 as a part-time receptionist and in September 2006 began filling in as Accounts Payable/Payroll Bookkeeper while another staff member was on extended leave. Ms. Valoven became the full-time Accounts Payable/Payroll Bookkeeper in December 2006. Ms. Valoven is a native of Ohio and came to the Northwest with her husband who is stationed at NAS Whidbey. Ms. Valoven is known as a quick learner and jumped feet first into the Accounts Payable/Payroll Bookkeeper position, a job she’d not held before. Ms. Valoven quickly acquired the skills of someone in the position for a much longer period of time. Ms. Valoven’s co-workers find her refreshing and delightful to deal with. Her skills and hard work ethic, quick wit and easy going personality, have earned her the title of Employee of the Year.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Justice Department looking at
Port of Seattle audit results

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle has learned through news reports that the US Justice Department intends to investigate results from a recent performance audit of the port. Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani reiterated his previous statements that if any evidence of fraud is found at the port, it will be dealt with immediately. “I have zero tolerance for fraud. If any investigation – internal or external - uncovers evidence of fraud, we will deal with it swiftly and appropriately, notifying law enforcement whenever necessary,” he said. “I welcome any investigation into the Port’s business practices, and we will cooperate fully. The Commission and I are committed to running a transparent, efficient organization and we will work tirelessly to ensure that any wrongdoing is exposed and dealt with.” In a previous statement to the community, Ms. Yoshitani noted that at his direction, an external firm will be hired shortly to investigate areas of concern highlighted in the performance audit.


The Greenbrier Companies reports
fiscal first quarter numbers

LAKE OSWEGO, OR — The Greenbrier Companies, a supplier of transportation equipment and services to the railroad industry, has reported financial results for its fiscal first quarter ended November 30, 2007. During the quarter Greenbrier entered the tank car market in North America through a multi-year order from GE Equipment Services for 11,900 covered hopper and tank cars. The railcars will be delivered over an eight-year period commencing in the third calendar quarter of 2008. Revenues increased 16 percent to $286 million, due principally to acquisition-related growth in the company's refurbishment & parts segment. Net earnings for the quarter, were $2.6 million, or $.16 per diluted share, compared to $1.9 million, or $.12 per diluted share, for the same period in 2007. Results for the quarter were negatively impacted by $.16 per diluted share for: 1) special charges and other costs related to the company's Canadian facility, which is shut down and in the process of being liquidated ($.11); and 2) foreign exchange losses ($.05). In addition, the tax rate for the quarter was 57.5 percent, which compares to an anticipated rate for the remainder of the year of around 46 percent. EBITDA before special charges for the quarter was $24.5 million, or 8.6 percent of revenues. New railcar manufacturing backlog grew to 22,200 units, valued at $1.73 billion as of November 30, 2007, compared to 12,100 units valued at $830 million as of August 31, 2007. New marine barge backlog was $102 million at November 30, 2007, compared to $110 million at August 31, 2007.


Latest Port Tracker report
sees traffic gains during December

WASHINGTON, DC — Traffic at the nation’s major retail container ports ended a four-month slump in December, rising above the previous year’s level for the first time since mid-summer, according to the monthly Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Global Insight. Ports surveyed handled 1.38 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEU) of container traffic in November, the most recent month for which actual numbers are available. The number was down 4.4 percent from October’s 1.44 million TEU, and 2.2 percent from November 2006. That made November the fourth month in a row to show a decline from the same month a year earlier as retailers reduced imports in anticipation of a slower holiday season. (August was down 1.4 percent, September 1.9 percent and October 3.5 percent). December, however, was estimated at 1.35 million TEU, up 3.3 percent from December 2006. While the number was down from November’s total, it marked the first time since July that the monthly figure was an increase from the same month in 2006. January 2008 is forecast at 1.31 million TEU, up 1.8 percent from January 2007. February – traditionally the slowest month of the year – is expected to be down 5.5 percent from February 2007 at 1.24 million TEU. But year-over-year increases should resume in March, which is expected to be up 6.3 percent over March 2007 at 1.35 million TEU. April is forecast at 1.43 million TEU, up 8.1 percent, and May is forecast at 1.44 million TEU, up 4.4 percent. One TEU is one 20-foot cargo container or its equivalent. All U.S. ports covered by Port Tracker – Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Tacoma and Seattle on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Hampton Roads, Charleston and Savannah on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast – are all currently rated “low” for congestion, the same as last month.


Coast Guard offering
oil spill understanding course

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard will conduct a one-day course that will be held on January 31, 2008 at the City of Port Angeles City Council Chambers in Port Angeles, Wash. The course is designed as part of an outreach effort to provide key leaders, to include journalists, with an advanced understanding of oil spill response. Class will commence 8 a.m. A course attendance certificate will be awarded at the completion of the course. The Northwest Oil Spill Awareness Course is a condensed version of the five-day oil spill response training class, which has been offered for many years to Coast Guard responders. The one-day course will include information presented by marine oil spill response personnel including perspectives from both the public and private sectors of the response community. People and media interested in attending can RSVP via phone or e-mail directly to Scott Knutson, no later than January 21, 2008, in order to confirm attendance. Mr. Knutson can be reached at (206) 220-7219 or at: Scott.R.Knutson@uscg.mil.


Wi-Fi service now available
on Seattle/Bremerton ferry run

PASADENA, CA — Parsons, in conjunction with Washington State Ferries, has announced that Wi-Fi service commenced on the Seattle/Bremerton route on December 24, 2007. The service spans the entire ferry route through Rich Passage and across Puget Sound. Parsons is offering one week of free Wi-Fi service to commuters who sign up to take a short survey on Wi-Fi use and preferences. Interested ferry riders can sign up at http://www.wsf-wifi.com/. Washington State Ferries' Wi-Fi has become the largest commercial, over-the-water Wi-Fi system in the world. Routes include Edmonds/Kingston, Mukilteo/Clinton, the newly improved Seattle/Bainbridge route, plus the new Seattle/Bremerton route. Parsons plans to add the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth run before the end of January with signal feeds from the route's three terminals plus five shoreline feed points.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, January 7, 2008

Maruba Lines begins
new Pacar service

MIAMI — Maruba Lines has announced the commencement of its new Pacar service today, which offers a weekly service from Manzanillo (Mexico) to Puerto Quetzal, Caldera, Cartagena, Rio Haina, Puerto Cabello and La Guaira. The string then returns from La Guaira to Cartagena, Caldera, Puerto Quetzal and Manzanillo. This new service opens up connections to the Caribbean discharge ports via Manzanillo from Asia (ACSA) and West Coast of Canada & USA (NACSA). The PACAR service is now the third route that Maruba has opened to the Caribbean basin in the last two years. This includes the MAYA from South Florida to the northern zone of Central America and the BRASEX which serves the east coast of South America to the North Coast of South America and Kingston.


New commissioner coming onboard
at Port of Vancouver, USA

VANCOUVER, USA — A new face will be behind the dais Tuesday, Jan. 8, as Jerry Oliver takes his seat as a member of the Vancouver, USA Port Commission. Commissioner Oliver will join incumbents Brian Wolfe and Nancy Baker in the year’s first regular meeting of the commission. Action items for Tuesday’s meeting include the election of Board Officers for 2008; Appointment of Staff; and Organization Assignments. The public session of the commission meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m., in the Commission Room at port headquarters on Lower River Road in Vancouver. The meeting will be televised live on CVTV, and will be streamed live on www.cvtv.org.


Corps looking for comment
for new Customs station

SEATTLE — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, in support of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Border Protection, has announced preparation of a draft Environmental Assessment (EA), under the National Environmental Policy Act, for land purchase and eventual construction of a new Customs and Border Protection station at Colville. The EA also incorporates a Biological Evaluation of effects of the proposed action on species in the project area that are listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. The Corps is soliciting comments on the draft EA. It is posted on the Internet at: http://ecso.swf.usace.army.mil/Pages/Publicreview.cfm. The comment period runs from Jan. 4 through Feb. 4. Comments should be received or
postmarked no later than Feb 4, 2008, to ensure consideration in the final EA. Questions or comments, or requests for the document in printed or compact disc format, may be sent to the following: Jeff Laufle, U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, Planning Branch, PO Box 3755, Seattle, WA 98124-3755. Fax 206-764-4470. email: jeffrey.c.laufle@usace.army.mil.


Schnitzer Steel sees gains
in first quarter net income

PORTLAND — Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. has reported net income of $25 million, or $0.85 per diluted share, for the fiscal 2008 first quarter ended November 30, 2007. The company reported net income of $21 million for the first quarter of 2007. For the first quarter of 2008, revenues were $604 million, an increase of 18 percent over the first quarter of 2007. Earnings per share increased 23 percent over the first quarter of fiscal 2007.


PDX noise committee meeting
will eye reverse thrust impact

PORTLAND — Results from a study to determine the impact to airport neighbors of aircraft use of reverse thrust are planned at the Jan. 10 Portland International Airport Citizen Noise Advisory Committee meeting. The 15-member committee and its technical advisory members will meet from 6-8 p.m. at the airport, 7000 NE Airport Way, St. Helens conference room. Committee meetings are open to the public, and include time for public comment. Noise analysts will report on the results of a recent study designed to determine the impact of reverse thrust use, and learn how aircraft operators at PDX use reverse thrust during landings. Study findings include suggestions for use in a future Fly Quiet program. The committee is the port’s official forum for working with the public on issues related to aircraft noise. Representatives come from across northwest Oregon and southwest Washington. Eleven members are appointed by various city and county jurisdictions, and four representatives are appointed by the Port of Portland to help maintain geographic diversity on the committee. Technical assistance is provided by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Oregon Air National Guard. People with special needs attending the meeting are asked to contact the port for accommodations at 503-460-4073. PDX is wheelchair accessible and located just off the TriMet MAX light rail Red Line. Validated parking is also available.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, January 4, 2008

Port of Portland taps Leavitt
as corporate real estate manager

PORTLAND — The Port of Portland has announced the appointment of Keith Leavitt as the new corporate real estate manager for the Marine and Industrial Development division. Mr. Leavitt fills the position left vacant by the retirement of Bill Bach, who ended his tenure last week after 30 years with the port. The appointment is effective immediately. Mr. Leavitt will be responsible for the oversight of property sales and marketing as well as contract and lease management functions under the Marine and Industrial Development division. Prior to the appointment, he was manager of special projects for the port’s Land Use Policy and Planning team, and the project manager for an initiative aimed at exploring the potential of a long-term lease initiative for Terminal 6. He will continue to manage that project in his new role. An employee of the Port since 1999, Mr. Leavitt’s previous positions include state government affairs manager in the Policy and Planning Department and development project manager with the Business Development Department on the Properties and Development team. Prior to working for the port, Mr. Leavitt served as the Oregon Economic Development Department representative for the Governor’s Community Development Office, Ports Division manager for the Oregon Economic Development Department and the executive director of the Oregon Public Ports Association.


Navios Maritime Holdings
expands in South America

PIREAUS, Greece — Navios Maritime Holdings Inc., a global, vertically integrated seaborne shipping company, has announced that it has formed a South American logistics business through the combination of its existing port operations with the barge and upriver port businesses operated by the Horamar Group. The transaction included a payment of $112.2 million in cash consideration. As a result of the transaction, Navios owns 63.8 percent of the combined entity, named Navios South American Logistics Inc., and the former Horamar Group stockholders own the remaining 36.2 percent.


US rail freight traffic count
sees declines during week

WASHINGTON, DC — Freight traffic on U.S. railroads was off during the week ended December 15 in comparison with the corresponding week last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports. Carload freight totaled 322,571 cars, down 4.0 percent from last year. Volume was off 0.8 percent in the West and 4.5 percent in the East. Intermodal volume, which is not included in the carload data, totaled 239,223, off 0.6 percent from a year ago. Container volume edged down by 0.4 percent while trailer volume fell by 1.4 percent. Total volume was estimated at 34.0 billion ton-miles, a decline of 2.6 percent from the corresponding week last year. Among individual carload commodities, petroleum products gained 3.3 percent while chemicals and grain mill products both rose 2.8 percent from last year. On the downside, coke was off 15.7 percent and primary forest products and farm products other than grain both fell 15.0 percent. Cumulative volume for the first 50 weeks of 2007 totaled 16,368,852 carloads, off 2.4 percent from 2006; 11,638,239 trailers or containers, down 2.0 percent; and total volume of an estimated 1.69 trillion ton-miles, a 0.9 percent decline from last year.


Boeing breaking records with
2007 net commercial plane orders

SEATTLE — The Boeing Company recorded 1,413 net commercial airplane orders during 2007, reaching more than 1,000 orders for a third consecutive year, and setting a Boeing record for total orders in a single year. Boeing also set new order records for the 787 Dreamliner, the 737, and for Boeing freighters. The 2007 total surpasses the previous Boeing records of 1,044 net orders in 2006 and the 1,002 orders set in 2005. Gross orders in 2007, which exclude cancellations and conversions, totaled 1,423. Boeing recorded 1,050 gross orders in 2006 and 1,029 gross orders in 2005. Unfilled orders for Boeing Commercial Airplanes is now over 3,400 airplanes.


Genco takes delivery
of Handysize vessel

NEW YORK — Genco Shipping & Trading Limited has announced that it has taken delivery of the GENCO CHAMPION, a 2006-built Handysize vessel, on January 2, 2008. The GENCO CHAMPION is the final vessel to be delivered to the company under Genco's previously announced agreements on August 14, 2007 to acquire six drybulk vessels from affiliates of Evalend Shipping Co. S.A. The GENCO CHAMPION is expected to be delivered to its charterer, Pacific Basin Chartering Ltd., by January 4, 2008 to commence a time charter for 35 to 37.5 months at a rate of $24,000 per day, less a five percent third party brokerage commission. The charter is due to expire between December 2010 and March 2011. Genco's current fleet is comprised of 28 drybulk vessels with a total carrying capacity of approximately 1,908,000 dwt. Genco plans to take delivery of the five remaining Capesize newbuildings from companies within the Metrostar Management Corporation group from the second quarter of 2008 through the third quarter of 2009.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, January 3, 2008

CBP eyes new rules
for maritime cargo

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) requiring importers and carriers to electronically submit additional information on cargo before it is brought into the United States by vessel. The Security Filing, also known as “10+2,” is another step in the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) strategy to better assess and identify high-risk shipments to prevent terrorist weapons and materials from entering the United States. The proposed regulation will require carriers to submit “10+2” additional pieces of information in order to enhance the security of the maritime environment. The additional information includes: (1) a vessel stow plan used to transmit information about the physical location of cargo loaded aboard a vessel bound for the U.S; and (2) container status messages, which report container movements and changes in status (e.g., empty or full).


Parsons Brinkerhoff nets contract
to oversee Australia port construction

NEW YORK — PB (Parsons Brinkerhoff) has been retained by the Sydney Ports Corporation to serve as an independent auditor overseeing design and construction on a $1 billion expansion of Port Botany. Located in Botany Bay, adjacent to Sydney's international airport and approximately 12 kilometers south of Sydney's central business district, Port Botany is Australia's permier container port. With six container terminal berths, the port handled approximately $40 billion in trade in 2006, a figure that is expected to double over the next 20 years. The expansion project involves adding a new container terminal on 63 hectares of land along with 1,850 meters of new wharf suitable for five new shipping berths. Dredging will be done to create channels and berth boxes and provide 7.5 million cubic meters of fill material. Tug and support vessel berth facilities will also be created, along with dedicate road and rail access to the terminal. The project further includes installation of new public facilities, including a boat ramp, enhanced beaches and recreational area along the foreshore as well as ecological habitat enhancement of an adjancent estuary. Under its contract, PB will act as project verifier for the infrastructure project, ensuring the construction contractor complies with design and construction requirements, including quality and durability standards. Construction on the expansion is scheduled to be completed in 2011.


Alaska land border ports added
to Customs e-manifests system

WASHINGTON, DC — Truck carriers will be required to electronically submit manifests detailing cargo and carrier information to U.S. Customs and Border Protection prior to arrival at Alaska land border ports beginning Feb. 11, marking nationwide implementation of mandatory e-manifest filing. The submission of e-manifests is already required in 15 states. After the new requirement for Alaska goes into effect, e-manifests will be required at all 99 U.S. land border ports. During the initial enforcement phase in Alaska, CBP intends to exercise discretion by issuing “informed compliance” notices to carriers that arrive without submitting or attempting to submit an e-manifest. These notices will alert truck carriers to a violation of the Trade Act of 2002, which requires submission of advance electronic cargo information. On April 11, CBP will begin full enforcement of the e-manifest policy.


JD White taps Carrico
for senior planner post

VANCOUVER, USA — Brian Carrico has joined JD White, the Vancouver division of BERGER/ABAM Engineers Inc., as a senior planner. Mr. Carrico works on long-range and current planning projects, as well as environmental reports and studies. He has experience in public sector planning and private sector project design and management, as well as a background evaluating land use criteria and interpreting zoning codes and ordinances. He most recently served as the Community Development director for the City of Battle Ground, Washington where he managed all aspects of development services, including the building and long-range planning programs. Before his service in Battle Ground, Mr. Carrico was a planning consultant in Cle Elum and worked as a planner for that city as well as for Yakima County and Clark County. BERGER/ABAM is a consulting firm that offers services in the areas of program management, civil and structural engineering, land use planning, natural resources, public involvement, construction management and support, and underwater inspection.


Airport Issues meeting
set for Hillsboro Airport

PORTLAND — The Land Use Subcommittee of the Hillsboro Airport Issues Roundtable meets Tuesday, Jan. 8 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the conference room of the Hillsboro Airport’s Port of Portland Maintenance Building at 1040 NE 25th Ave. in Hillsboro. The public is welcome to attend the meeting. The purpose of the subcommittee meetings is to discuss the land use recommendations in the airport’s compatibility study update. The goal is to offer policymakers specific language which can be used to implement these recommendations. At this meeting, the committee will continue discussing the draft airport safety and compatibility overlay zone language.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Sauvie Island Bridge center span
departs from Port of Portland Terminal

PORTLAND — A project worthy of the television show “Mega Movers” is happened in Portland last week, as the center span of the new Sauvie Island Bridge set sail from the Port of Portland’s Terminal 2. The bridge to Sauvie Island currently in use was built in 1950. The span has since deteriorated and weight limitations have restricted access. To minimize impacts on the island and accelerate project completion, officials with the Oregon Department of Transportation and Multnomah County Bridge Section looked to the Port of Portland’s Terminal 2. Even at almost seven miles from the original bridge, the terminal was identified as an ideal off-site location to construct the span. Fought Steel in Tigard, Oregon, first fabricated the new center-span and then disassembled it into truck-size pieces in order to deliver it to Terminal 2. There, Max Kuney Construction reassembled the bridge bolt by bolt—more than 80,000 in all. The project was compatible with ongoing terminal activity, allowing unimpeded shipments of break bulk cargo like steel rail and other bulk commodities. With the last bolts in place, the 365-foot, 1,600 ton center span was loaded onto a barge on the Willamette River and secured for the journey. Once in place, the installation work began. County officials don’t expect the bridge will be open to traffic until next fall. When complete, the new Sauvie Island Bridge will have a cost of approximately $38 million.


New SOLAS ID requirement
has now entered into force

LONDON — A new SOLAS regulation on long-range identification and tracking of ships entered into force on January 1, 2008, giving SOLAS contracting governments a year to set up and test the LRIT system and ship operators a year to start fitting the necessary equipment or upgrading so that their ships can transmit LRIT information. This is among a series of amendments to International Maritime Organization (IMO) instruments entering into force, covering training requirements for ship security officers, launching/recovery of fast rescue boats and including an amendment to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.


George Barner joining
Olympia Port Commission

OLYMPIA — The Port of Olympia's "The Navigator" publication reports George Barner will join the port's board of commissioners this month. During his four-year term, Mr. Barner says he wants to bring more openness and public participation to the commission's decision-making process. Among ideas he would like considered are revising the commission ethics policy, promoting low-impact recreation in development of the port peninsula, looking at options for the redevelopment of the East Bay district and exploring alternative locations for a regional rail cargo logistics center. An Olympia native, Mr. Barner, 66, served as a Thurston County commissioner from 1977 to 1993. He has worked in a variety of jobs including longshoreman, contruction worker and delivery truck driver.


K Line adds new vessel
to liquefied natural gas fleet

TOKYO — Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) has announced the successful delivery of its new 145,000m 3 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Carrier CELESTINE RIVER, constructed at Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation's Sakaide Shipyard in Kagawa , Japan . “K” Line LNG Shipping (UK) Limited (KLNG), headquartered in London, is the sole owner of the vessel, and will also be responsible for the ship management of CELESTINE RIVER followed by two vessels for the Sn ø hvit project and one vessel for the Qatar Gas project. “K” Line Group will, consequently, bring its LNG Carrier fleet to 32 vessels in total, including eight vessels managed by “K” Line Group.


Port of Tacoma's 2008 budget
available for viewing online

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