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January, 2009
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, January 30, 2009
Port of Olympia calling for
East Bay development proposals
OLYMPIA — The Port of Olympia (Port) will invite five
qualified firms to make formal proposals for development of six
waterfront parcels in the Port’s East Bay District in
downtown Olympia. The developers selected are Intracorp, Lorig,
MJR Development, Tarragon and Vine Street. Respondents to the
Port’s Request for Qualifications (RFQ), included developers
or end users whom were able to note their interest in one, some,
or all six parcels which range in size from approximately 21,000
to 116,000 square feet and total 6.83 acres. The Port is
responsible for appropriate environmental cleanup and
construction of infrastructure so the parcels will be “pad
ready” building sites for the developers. The Port is
designing the Request for Proposals (RFP) to attract submissions
that meet the Port’s goals and the community priorities for
the East Bay District. The RFP will be issued to the five firms
on March 2nd. The Port is inviting them to submit development
proposals by April 24th. The Port anticipates presenting the
proposals to the community for review and comment at an open
house this spring.
Port Metro Vancouver
releases totals for 2008
VANCOUVER, BC — Port Metro Vancouver (PMV) has released
end-of-year cargo statistics for 2008. While overall tonnage of
114,559,973 metric tonnes declined 10 percent compared to 2007,
the auto and container sectors were stable, in contrast to other
West Coast ports. Commodities such as coal, potash and petroleum
products experienced moderate increases. Breakbulk, mineral and
forest product volumes were significantly lower.
Big decline seen
in NAFTA partner trade
WASHINGTON, DC — The value of trade using surface
transportation between the United States and its North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 13.8
percent lower in November 2008 than in November 2007, dropping to
$60.7 billion, the biggest year-to-year decline in almost eight
years, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS)
of the U.S. Department of Transportation. BTS reported that the
13.8 percent decline was the second largest from the same month
of the previous year since North American surface freight data
collection began in April 1994. NAFTA was implemented on Jan. 1,
1994. Freight value declined 14.6 percent from December 2000 to
December 2001 in the post-9/11 period. The value of U.S. surface
transportation trade with Canada and Mexico fell 16.5 percent in
November from October. Month-to-month changes can be affected by
seasonal variations and other factors. Surface transportation
consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and
pipeline. About 88 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and
Mexico moves on land.
US rail freight can't shake
string of negative weekly totals
WASHINGTON, DC — Freight traffic on U.S. railroads continued
to trend downward during the third week of 2009, the Association
of American Railroads (AAR) reports. Carload freight totaled
267,634 cars, down 14.6 percent from the comparison week in 2008,
with loadings down 9.2 percent in the West and 22.1 percent in
the East. Intermodal volume of 195,182 trailers or containers was
off 7.1 percent from last year, with container volume falling 2.3
percent and trailer volume dipping 23.9 percent. Total volume was
estimated at 28.4 billion ton-miles, off 13.4 percent from 2008.
Eighteen of nineteen carload commodity groups were off last week
in comparison with last year, with the only increase being
reported in the miscellaneous category of "all other
carloads", which was up 4.1 percent. For the first three
weeks of 2009, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of
806,168 carloads, down 16.8 percent from 2008; 598,402 trailers
or containers, down 11.9 percent; and total volume of an
estimated 85.5 billion ton-miles, down 15.5 percent.
Civil engineers organization
gives US infrastructure low marks
VANCOUVER, USA — The American Society of Civil Engineers
(ASCE) has given America’s infrastructure a D average in
recently released key findings from its 2009 Report Card for
America’s Future. Last released in 2005, ASCE’s Report
Card for America’s Infrastructure is an assessment by
professional engineers of the nation's status in 15 categories of
infrastructure. ASCE gave rail infrastructure a grade of C-
noting that significant increases in demand will add to freight
railroad capacity challenges. The report estimates that an
investment of more than $200 billion in rail infrastructure is
needed through 2035 to accommodate anticipated growth. The report
also highlights that freight trains are three times more fuel
efficient trucks and a freight train can take more than 280
trucks off of our nation’s highways. In comparison, ASCE
gave highway infrastructure a D-. The report states that
Americans spend 4.2 billion hours a year stuck in traffic at a
cost to the economy of $78.2 billion, or $710 per motorist.
NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Port of Seattle bests
grain export record
SEATTLE — Grain exports set a new record at the Port of
Seattle in 2008, with 6.4 million metric tons of corn, soybeans
and sorghum moving through the port’s grain elevator at
Terminal 86. "Last year’s grain exports were 20 percent
higher than 2007," said Port of Seattle Managing Director
Charlie Sheldon. "That figure clearly demonstrates that our
port remains a viable and competitive gateway for the export of
grain grown in the Upper Midwest. It also reflects well on the
competitiveness of Louis Dreyfus Commodities, which leases and
operates the terminal." Virtually all of the grain that
moves through port’s grain terminal is grown in the Upper
Midwest and arrives via rail. Much of it is used for livestock
feed once it reaches its final destination. The record volumes
were due largely to strong demand in China, Japan and other Asian
nations, coupled with an ample supply of product in the U.S.,
said Mike Mandl, regional manager for Louis Dreyfus. "We
value the partnership with the Port of Seattle and look forward
to continuing that partnership well into the future," said
Mr. Mandl. The port’s 40-acre (16 hectare) grain terminal
opened in 1970 and has a capacity of four million bushels.
Teams respond to bomb threat
aboard Washington ferry
SEATTLE — The Coast Guard, Washington State Patrol and
Washington State Ferries (WSF) responded to the report of a bomb
threat against a ferry scheduled to depart Bremerton, yesterday.
The Coast Guard worked closely with WSF and Washington State
Patrol to ensure passenger safety and restore service. The Coast
Guard did not receive any additional reports of threats or
suspicious activity, and there have been no reported injuries.
Washington State Patrol conducted a security sweep of the vessel,
which delayed the ferry's departure. A safety zone was
established around the ferry terminal to ensure boaters remained
at a safe distance until Washington State Patrol and WSF
completed their assessment. All ferry routes were returned to
their normal schedules as a result of a satisfactory sweep of the
vessel and Kitsap Transit operations remained unaffected.
Cargo volumes drop
at Port of Tacoma
TACOMA — Reflecting the global recession and its effects on
U.S. consumer demand and shipping, cargo volumes fell at the Port
of Tacoma in 2008. From 2002 through 2006, Tacoma set successive
container cargo records, with volumes growing from 1.5 million
TEUs (20-foot equivalent container units) to 2.1 million TEUs. In
2007, the Port's container volume fell to 1.92 million TEUs, and
in 2008, the volumes fell 3.3 percent to 1.86 million TEUs.
Despite this drop, the Port of Tacoma fared better than other
U.S. West Coast ports, which saw an average container cargo
decline of 8.78 percen.
Hanjn adds two ships
to container fleet
SEOUL — Hanjin Shipping has announced that it has taken
delivery of two 4,300TEU ships, HANJIN ATLANTA and HANJIN GDYNIA,
the 6th and 7th of a series of eight 4,300TEU vessels ordered
from Samsung Heavy Industries in 2005. These two ships with
fuel-efficient and eco-friendly engines are scheduled to be
deployed in the company’s Asia-U.S. and Far East-Red Sea
services starting from April.
Port of Vancouver schedules
annual state of the port event
VANCOUVER, USA — The Port of Vancouver,USA is Anchoring the
Economy in Clark County, which will be the theme for this
year’s Port Re:Port State of the Port event. The event is
scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m., Thursday, February 5 at the Red
Lion Hotel Vancouver at the Quay (100 Columbia Street,
Vancouver). Speakers will include Port Commission President Nancy
Baker, the port’s Executive Director Larry Paulson, and
brief comments from special guests. A near sell-out crowd is
expected for the port’s annual report to the community,
which will be tape-delayed on CVTV, and will be available online
at www.cvtv.org later in the day. Commissioner Baker will deliver
the commission’s perspective of the port’s growth,
development and outlook as a major force in the economic
viability of Greater Vancouver and Clark County, including the
port’s upcoming development of the new Terminal 5 at the
former Alcoa/Evergreen aluminum property. Mr. Paulson will
deliver an address that focuses on creating jobs and benefiting
the local economy through strategies that align port development
with a diversified cargo base, improved rail access and by
expanding industrial business activity at the port. Paulson will
also review the port’s 2008 performance in terms of cargo
movement and vessel calls. The port will also present its annual
awards to tenants and customers for their outstanding
contributions to the port and the community.
NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
LNG facility developer
lauds land board decision
PORTLAND — NorthernStar Natural Gas has expressed
satisfaction with a ruling by the Oregon Land Use Board of
Appeals (LUBA) which upheld Clatsop County’s decision in 19
of 21 issues contained within the county’s official findings
of approval of the company’s proposed Bradwood Landing
liquefied natural gas import terminal near Astoria. Although
those findings were challenged by project opponents, LUBA upheld
90 percent of the county’s decision to approve
Bradwood’s consolidated land use application. LUBA also
agreed with the county’s analysis in granting a variance to
allow improvements to a county road.
Port of Tacoma CFS
sees customer base growing
TACOMA — Longshore workers have transloaded cargo at the
Port of Tacoma-operated Container Freight Station (CFS) since the
early 1970s. Now, the operation is expanding this service for
more shippers. For a growing number of Port of Tacoma customers,
the CFS is the right answer. Located on the port-operated
Terminal 7 with a 2,700-foot berth, the fully-equipped
100,000-square-foot facility offers dockside rail, 24-hour
security and highlyskilled labor with more than three decades of
CFS experience. The CFS is adjacent to the North Intermodal Yard
that serves "K" Line and Yang Ming Line, and close to
the South Intermodal Yard which serves APM Terminals.
Port association pleased with
seaport funding in stimulus bill
ALEXANDRIA, VA — Seaports are a critical part of America's
infrastructure and AAPA is pleased with the Senate and House
Appropriations Committees' inclusion of funding in the stimulus
bill for ports. Safe and secure seaports are fundamental to
protecting our borders and moving goods. In particular, AAPA is
encouraged that the Senate Appropriations Committee mark up of
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009 waives the
cost-share ports must pay when they receive Port Security Grant
stimulus funding, allowing ports to continue to make progress in
securing our nation's borders during these challenging economic
times. The committee summary lists $398 million in additional
funding to secure ports, rail and transit. The Senate bill also
includes $4.6 billion this year for the Army Corps of Engineers
Civil Works program ($100 million more than the House bill).
Additionally, both bills have port-related provisions and funding
for highways, rail, navigation and environmental improvements
that would create jobs now and pay dividends in the future by
making the movement of goods more efficient with less congestion
and air pollution.
Puget Sound ports net funds
for equipment retro-fit program
SEATTLE — The Ports of Seattle and Tacoma, and the Puget
Sound Clean Air Agency have announced a combined match of
$318,000 in additional funding for
the Clean Air Agency's Puget Sound Ports Cargo-Handling Equipment
Replacement and Retrofit Program. This comes on top of $850,000
from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for this new
initiative that combines environmental stewardship efforts of
several agencies. The funding supports the retrofit or
replacement of 38 off-highway trucks, cranes and forklifts at the
Port of Seattle, which is approximately 10 percent of its fleet.
At the Port of Tacoma, 50 to 60 terminal tractors, cranes,
off-highway trucks and general industrial equipment will be
retrofitted. That's about 14 percent of its fleet. All the
replaced and retrofitted equipment will use ultra-low sulfur
diesel.
Port of Portland schedules
PDX deicing plan open house
PORTLAND — The Port of Portland is presenting an Open House
on an Airport Deicing Draft Environmental Assessment, Thursday,
February 5, 2009 from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. with a brief presentation
at 6 p.m. at Air Cargo Facilities Inc., 7720 NE Air Cargo Rd.,
Portland, located east of Portland International Airport on the
south side of Airport Way, next to the U.S. Post Office. Warm up
with an espresso and learn about changes to the aircraft and
runway deicing system at Portland International Airport. Meet the
team that keeps the airport safe and operational during winter
weather conditions. See equipment used to capture and test
deicing fluids. Share your comments on recommended enhancements
to the deicing system. Written and public comments are
encouraged.
NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, January 26, 2009
New super post-Panamax cranes
scheduled to arrive in Tacoma today
TACOMA — Two of the world’s largest container cranes
are scheduled to arrive at Commencement Bay in Tacoma today.
Measuring 273 feet at the apex, the “super
post-Panamax” cranes can service a vessel 24 containers
wide, making the cranes among the world’s largest. Built by
Shanghai, China-based ZPMC, the cranes will arrive fully
assembled aboard the ZHEN HUA 26, a special crane delivery
vessel. The cranes are bound for Washington United Terminals, the
Tacoma home of Hyundai Merchant Marine and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines,
Ltd. (MOL). The cranes are owned by WUT. The ZHEN HUA 26 will
arrive with four cranes welded to its deck and will remain
anchored in Commencement Bay until Wednesday, Jan. 28. The vessel
will then transit the Blair Waterway for discharge at WUT. WUT
currently has four cranes with 18-container-wide outreach. After
the two new cranes arrive – and a third new crane arrives in
2010 – WUT will have seven cranes. Two smaller cranes aboard
the ZHEN HUA 26 will remain on board the vessel and will be
delivered to Chile after the Tacoma discharge.
Contract talks continue
in British Columbia
VANCOUVER, BC — The British Columbia Maritime Employers
Association and Local 514 of the International Longshore and
Warehouse Union met on Friday, January 23 and continued
discussions with Mediator John Rooney. The BCMEA provided a
comprehensive response to the Union's proposals dated January 15
2009. The mediator will be in contact with both parties to setup
further meeting dates. Further updates will be provided as
significant events occur. Port Metro Vancouver remains open for
business and has not experienced vessel diversions resulting from
the BCMEA-ILWU 514 contract negotiations.
Ray LaHood sworn in
as US Transportation Secretary
WASHINGTON, DC — Ray H. LaHood became the sixteenth U.S.
Secretary of Transportation just before 1:00 p.m. Friday, January
23. Mr. LaHood was joined for an official swearing-in ceremony in
his new office by his wife Kathy, son Sam and fellow Illinoisan
and Assistant Majority Leader, U.S. Senator Richard J. Durbin.
The oath of office was administered by Linda Washington,
assistant secretary for administration, and took place before an
audience of his new staff and members of the Department of
Transportation transition team. The full Senate confirmed Mr.
LaHood by voice vote on January 22, following his being reported
out of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee
just the day before, on January 21. A ceremonial swearing-in will
be scheduled at a later date.
Maritime Administration sending
three more ships to recyclers
WASHINGTON, DC — The U. S. Department of
Transportation’s Maritime Administration has signed
fee-for-service contracts to recycle three more of its obsolete
ships. Two ships, the HATTIESBURG VICTORY and the PIONEER
CONTRACTOR, are from the Beaumont Reserve Fleet in Texas, and
one, the oiler SAVANNAH, is from the James River Reserve Fleet in
Virginia. The Maritime Administration has moved 118 ships out of
its National Defense Reserve Fleet sites since 2001. With these
contracts, there are only 24 ships left in the James River
waiting to be disposed of and without disposal contracts, and 10
such ships in the Beaumont site. The SAVANNAH is 1970-vintage
ex-Navy oil replenishment (AOR4) ship, not to be confused with
the nuclear-powered ship SAVANNAH currently moored in Baltimore.
Coast Guard asking mariners
if Umpqua lighthouse is needed
SEATTLE — The Coast Guard is asking mariners to take part in
a survey to determine if the Umpqua River Light is necessary for
safe navigation. The Umpqua River Light is a lighthouse on the
Oregon Coast located at the mouth of the Umpqua River on
Winchester Bay in Douglas County. The survey can be downloaded at
http://www.uscg.mil/d13/dpw/wams.asp. It can also be accessed by
calling (206) 220-7283 or by e-mailing d13-pf-d13dpw@uscg.mil to
request the survey by mail."
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, January 23, 2009
Port of Tacoma names
new commission officers
TACOMA — The Port of Tacoma Commission has named Clare
Petrich commission president and elected officers for 2009.
Positions among commissioners rotate yearly, based on procedures
approved by the port commission in 1999. Commissioner Petrich
replaces Port Commissioner Dick Marzano as commission president.
Commissioner Marzano will serve as assistant secretary in 2009.
Port of Tacoma Commissioners serve four-year terms. The
five-member Commission is the governing body of the port, setting
policy and authorizing major expenditures. Port commission
meetings and study sessions are open to the public and are held
at The Fabulich Center (formerly Port Business Center), 3600 Port
of Tacoma Road (visit www.portoftacoma.com for meeting schedules
and agendas).
2009 Port of Tacoma Commission
Clare Petrich, president
R. Ted Bottiger, vice president
Don Johnson, secretary
Connie Bacon, assistant secretary
Dick Marzano, assistant secretary
Rail freight numbers
run lower during week
WASHINGTON, DC — The economic slowdown continued to affect
U.S. railroads as freight volume declined during the second week
of 2009 in comparison with same week last year, the Association
of American Railroads (AAR) reports. Carload freight totaled
267,063 cars, down 17.9 percent from 2008, with loadings down
13.2 percent in the West and 24.4 percent in the East. Intermodal
volume of 199,117 trailers or containers was off 13.7 percent
from last year, with container volume falling 10.2 percent and
trailer volume dipping 27.0 percent. Total volume was estimated
at 28.3 billion ton-miles, off 16.8 percent from 2008. All
nineteen carload commodity groups were off last week in
comparison with last year. For the first two weeks of 2009, U.S.
railroads reported cumulative volume of 538,534 carloads, down
17.4 percent from 2008; 403,220 trailers or containers, down 14.0
percent; and total volume of an estimated 57.1 billion ton-miles,
down 16.5 percent.
Horizon Logistics adds
NVOCC operation
DALLAS — Horizon Logistics, LLC, has launched an
international ocean shipping service to offer supply chain
solutions to U.S. importers and exporters. Horizon Logistics has
been licensed by the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to
operate as a non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC). As an
NVOCC, Horizon Logistics is able to issue its own bills of lading
and public tariffs, utilizing the service of vessel operating
partners. The first shipments moving under this new service were
loaded this week.
Evergreen Line to offer
Mediterranean feeder service
TAIPEI — Evergreen Line will launch two new regional feeder
services, linking the Mediterranean hub port of Taranto to
Piraeus and Thessalonica in Greece, beginning next week. The
first Piraeus Shuttle Service (GF1) voyage departs on January 25,
2009 using the 671 -TEU vessel, LANTAU BEACH, with the following
port rotation: Taranto - Piraeus - Taranto
The first Thessalonica Shuttle Service (GF2) will operate using
the 436-TEU vessel, AGILITAS, departing January 25, 2009 on the
following rotation: Taranto - Thessalonica - Taranto
Panama Canal Authority
presents jazz festival
PANAMA CITY — The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) welcomed
thousands of spectators and musicians from around the world for
Panama Jazz Festival 2009. Held in the Ascanio Arosemena Training
Center January 12-17, this year’s festival honored late
Panamanian bassist and composer Clarence Martin Sr. Festival
performers included jazz legends Chucho Valdés, Wayne Shorter,
Danilo Pérez, Marco Pignataro and Edna Golandsky. The program
also featured educational workshops and concerts by students
including Panamanian saxophonist Jahaziel Arrocha of the Berklee
College of Music Quartet (pictured left). Panama Jazz Festival
2009 served as a unique opportunity for the ACP to not only let
the world travel through, but also stand still at the canal to
enjoy the sounds of jazz.
NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Washington DOT sells
pair of passenger-only ferries
SEATTLE — The Washington State Department of Transportation
finalized the sale of the passenger-only fast ferries CHINOOK and
SNOHOMISH to the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation
District of Larkspur, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 16. The total sale
price for the two vessels was $4 million. The Washington State
Legislature voted in 2006 to end state funding for passenger-only
ferries. In 2007, the Legislature directed WSDOT’s Ferries
Division to sell the CHINOOK and SNOHOMISH and deposit the sale
proceeds into a passenger ferry account. The proceeds from the
sale will be used to help fund county-run passenger-only ferry
service. The CHINOOK and SNOHOMISH were built in the late 1990s
and provided passenger-only service between Seattle and Bremerton
from 1998 to 2003. Golden Gate has up to 90 days after close of
escrow to remove the vessels from WSF’s Eagle Harbor
Maintenance Facility.
Astoria-based cutter
nabs drug carrying SPSS
SEATTLE — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter ALERT will
return to their homeport in Astoria, today at 9:30 a.m. While on
a routine patrol in the Eastern Pacific, the crew of the ALERT
successfully interdicted a Self-Propelled semi-submersible vessel
(SPSS) laden with approximately 5,000 kg. of cocaine. An SPSS is
a vessel which operates just below the surface of the water and
is capable of carrying thousands of kilograms of illegal
narcotics to either an offloading vessel or the shores of the
United States.
Wood association revises
production numbers downward
SINGAPORE — With the weakness in the U.S. economy much
deeper than was seen earlier this fall, Western Wood Products
Association has scaled back its earlier forecast for lumber
supply and demand for 2009. The association reports Western mills
are experiencing the largest downturn in lumber demand ever
recorded. The downward trend is forecast to continue through 2009
before beginning recovery in 2010. U.S. lumber demand is expected
to finish 2008 at 40.9 billion board feet, the third consecutive
annual decline in demand and 36 percent below the 2005 peak. For
2009, lumber demand is forecast to fall to 35 billion board feet,
the lowest annual consumption since 1982.
Boeing employees give
during Spirit of the Holidays drive
SEATTLE — The Boeing Company's Washington-based employees
provided holiday gifts for thousands of people in need during the
company's Spirit of the Holidays drive, held in November and
December 2008. During the charitable drive, Boeing works with
community partners who screen and select clients requesting
assistance. Aware of the growing community hardship in Washington
state, Boeing employees bestowed holiday gifts for 736
underprivileged families, 910 seniors and 3,012 foster children.
The Spirit of the Holidays drive also offered employees a new
e-giving option in 2008. The online system was a huge hit with
employees and raised an additional $126,000 to buy gifts for
hundreds of children in foster care with the state's Department
of Social and Health Services (DSHS).
Coast Guard warns boaters
of distress signal frequency change
SEATTLE — The Coast Guard is reminding mariners that
effective Sunday, Feb. 1, distress signals 121.5 and 243 MHz will
no longer be monitored. The decision to terminate those
frequencies came after the International Cospas-Sarsat Program
determined that there were problems in the frequency bands which
delayed search-and-rescue efforts, produced numerous false alerts
and had unreliable accuracy. All mariners, aviators and
individuals using emergency beacons on those frequencies will
need to switch to the newer, more reliable digital 406 MHz
frequency. The Cospas-Sarsat Program made the decision to
terminate 121.5 and 243 MHz satellite alerting services in
response to guidance from the International Maritime Organization
(IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
These two agencies of the United Nations are responsible for
regulating the safety on international transits of ships and
aircraft and handle international standards and plans for
maritime and aviation search and rescue. More than 180 nations
are members of IMO and ICAO.
NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Vessels take quick action
to respond to plane in Hudson
WASHINGTON, DC — The Maritime Administration reports that
minutes after a disabled plane ditched into the Hudson River, New
York Waterway commuter ferryboats moved in close to take
survivors. Soon the waters around the jetliner carried what the
New York Times called "an ad hoc flotilla of boats and
ferries, flying the flags of most every city, state and federal
agency that works the waters around New York City." Rescuers
included the Circle Line, Army Engineers, and a Staten Island
ferry support vessel, as well as the boats from New York
Waterway.
The Pasha Group inks deal
to help market Port of Grays Harbor
ABERDEEN, WA — International logistics company, The Pasha
Group, has committed to help Grays Harbor officials maximize
usage of this shipping infrastructure. The Pasha Group, a
diversified transportation and logistics company, providing
innovative global logistics solutions for a wide range of clients
worldwide, has signed a joint marketing agreement with the Port
of Grays Harbor. The agreement outlines a marketing relationship
where both parties will work to attract a variety of cargoes to
Washington’s only deep-water port located directly on the
Pacific Coast.
APL nets high rating from
Singapore secure trade program
SINGAPORE — APL, the container shipping business of the NOL
Group, has achieved STP-plus status as part of Singapore's Secure
Trade Partnership (STP).
STP-plus is an enhanced tier of the STP program – the
voluntary supply chain security initiative introduced in 2007 by
Singapore Customs. STP-plus is awarded to companies which have in
place robust security measures and best practices that meet the
more stringent standards defined by the STP Criteria. APL is one
of the first organizations to achieve the higher rating from a
total of 27 companies which have been certified under the STP
program.
Crowley helps move
incinerator to Tortola
JACKSONVILLE, FL — Crowley's logistics and liner services
groups have completed the transport of an incinerator to Tortola
to replace the island's existing trash disposal unit. The
government purchased the mid-size incinerator from Consutech,
Systems LLC and contracted Crowley to move it from the factory in
Richmond, Va. The 42 individual pieces were handled with
specialized equipment including 10 flatbeds and four open-top
containers. The largest of the pieces was 30 feet long and 13.5
feet high and wide and weighed 80,000 pounds. The total weight of
the incinerator was more than 235 tons. Once installed, the new
unit will burn 100 tons a day of the island residents' trash in
comparison to the 55 tons a day their current aging incinerator
burns. This additional waste disposal capacity will aid the
island during the busy winter tourist season and with year-round
cruise ship calls.
Port of Tacoma places
Pacific Gateway magazine online
TACOMA — The Winter 2008-2009 edition of Pacific Gateway,
the Port of Tacoma's award-winning magazine, is now available
online. Two cover stories offer retrospectives on the port's 90th
anniversary – its history, milestone achievements and
executive leadership over the decades. Present-day trade and
economic issues are addressed in an article titled "What in
the World is Going on with Trade?" This Q&A-format story
presents a series of timely industry questions before a
roundtable of the Port's international and domestic trade
representatives. Other Pacific Gateway feature stories examine a
cargo transloading trend in the Pacific Northwest and the Port's
growing relationship with Yantian International Container
Terminals of Shenzhen, China. Also highlighted is the historic
anniversary of the Puyallup Tribal Settlement, which made
possible much of today's port growth and regional prosperity. Got
to: http://www.portoftacoma.com to read the online version.
NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, January 19, 2009
Ag Processing Inc. uses option
to expand at Port of Grays Harbor
ABERDEEN, WA — Ag Processing Inc (AGP) has optioned 13.5
acres adjacent to their rail unloading station and ship loader
located at the Port of Grays Harbor's Terminal 2. Port
commissioners approved the option at their January 13 Meeting.
AGP, headquartered in Omaha, NE, is a farmer-owned cooperative
engaged in the procurement, processing, marketing and
transportation of grains and grain products. AGP invested in
Grays Harbor five years ago to establish an identity-preserved
material handling facility for high quality agricultural
products. Since then they have shipped more than two million
metric tons of product through Grays Harbor, reaching markets
throughout the Pacific Rim. AGP’s expansion would include
on-site storage silos for whole grains and additional unloading
capacity to service the unit trains delivering product from the
Midwest. Additional development will include warehousing for the
flat storage of soy meal, distillers dried grain and solubles
(DDGS), corn glutton meal, beet pulp pellets, hay cubes, and soil
enhancers.
Port of Tacoma schedules
CSHI public meeting
TACOMA — The Port of Tacoma Commission encourages people to
attend a public hearing at its Jan. 22 meeting to consider
revisions to the port's Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor
Improvements (CSHI). The CSHI, which outlines the boundary for
port capital improvements, is updated and amended periodically to
reflect areas in which the Port might consider investing capital
to support its economic development mission. The port intends to
divest itself of the 745-acre property it owns in Thurston
County. The proposed revisions call for the Maytown property to
be removed from the CSHI upon the successful completion of that
property's divestiture. Commission meetings are held at noon in
Room 104 of The Fabulich Center, 3600 Port of Tacoma Road,
Tacoma. Meetings are streamed live on the web and are archived
for future viewing.
Union, employers association
meet again in Vancouver, BC
VANCOUVER, BC — Port Metro Vancouver reports that the
British Columbia Maritime Employers Association and Local 514 of
the International Longshore Warehouse Union met on January 15,
2009. Since December 30th, 2008 both parties have been in a legal
position to issue a 72 strike / lockout notice. Neither has done
so. This meeting was facilitated by John Rooney - one of the two
Federal Mediators appointed to the discussions. The two parties
exchanged proposals, and have agreed to meet on Friday, January
23rd at 9:30 a.m. Further updates will be provided as significant
events occur.
Report shows steel imports
drop during month of November
WASHINGTON, DC — Preliminary data released show that overall
steel imports in November 2008 decreased 28.12 percent from
October 2008. This marked change in November’s total amount
of steel imports was due to a universal drop in all imports
except for one small increase in Oil Country Goods (5.23
percent). The largest decreases were carbon & alloy blooms,
billets, and slabs (-72.17 percent), plates in coil (-51.02
percent), hot rolled sheets (-36.05 percent), and stainless cold
rolled sheets (-32.16 percent). November 2008 imports of steel
mill products were down 3.5 percent compared to November 2007.
New store opens
at Oregon Market in PDX
PORTLAND — cc McKenzie Shoes & Apparel has opened their
newest store in the Oregon Market at Portland International
Airport. cc McKenzie’s mission is to give women a unique
shopping experience with stores small enough to provide boutique
service, but large enough to offer a wide range of women’s
clothing, shoes and accessories. PDX is cc McKenzie’s sixth
store. cc McKenzie opened its first store in 1998 in Bend, and
has since added stores in Portland, Lake Oswego, Eugene and
Seattle. PDX shops feature quality Pacific Northwest products and
national brands at the same prices as off-airport locations with
no sales tax, and are open 365 days a year.
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, January 16, 2009
FERC sticks with decision
to approve Bradwood LNG project
PORTLAND — At a meeting January 15, in Washington, D.C., the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) upheld its September
18, 2008 approval of the proposed Bradwood Landing liquefied
natural gas terminal near Astoria. As the only FERC-approved U.S.
West Coast LNG terminal, Bradwood Landing could begin
construction in 2009 and be operational by 2012. The commission
denied requests by interveners to rehear the Bradwood project,
stating that its decision “does not impact any substantive
determinations that need to be made by states” under federal
statutes. As FERC stated in a media alert: “Since
construction cannot start until all necessary authorizations are
obtained, there can be no environmental impacts until there is
full compliance with all relevant federal laws.”
Construction on the proposed terminal and pipeline cannot begin
until all project conditions have been satisfied, including state
permits for clean air, clean water and coastal zone management.
In additional, the National Marine Fisheries Service must
complete their consultation process and issue a Biological
Opinion as required under the Endangered Species Act.
Oregon governor calling for
judicial review of FERC decision
SALEM — Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has repeated his
intention to ask a U.S. Court of Appeals to review the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission’s decision to license the
proposed Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas terminal before
environmental mitigation plans were fully evaluated and approved
and the state permitting process was complete. “I have been
clear that FERC should not issue a license until all
environmental issues are appropriately addressed and not before
state permit decisions have been rendered,” Governor
Kulongoski said. “I am deeply disappointed that FERC has
chosen to ignore Oregon’s concerns in this matter and have
asked the Attorney General to seek prompt judicial review.”
Judicial review follows the commission’s decision to deny
the governor’s request for a rehearing on the proposed
terminal. The request for a rehearing was the final
administrative step a state must take before legal action can be
initiated. Oregon now has 60 days to file in a U.S. Court of
Appeals.
Tacoma maritime leader
Reed Jones dies
TACOMA — The Port of Tacoma Commission, staff and the Tacoma
waterfront community are mourning the loss of Reed Jones, a
maritime leader and visionary. Mr. Jones, who passed away on Jan.
7, 2009 at the age of 87, joined the port as sales manager in
1952. At the time, the port had no regular steamship service. Mr.
Jones earned a reputation for attracting enough cargo –
everything from frozen foods to crude rubber – that
steamship lines soon competed to establish regular Tacoma
services. Mr. Jones was promoted to director of Trade and
Industrial Development and terminal manager. In 1976, he was
named the port's deputy executive director, where he played a key
role in attracting Tacoma's first major container carrier –
Sea-Land Service, Inc. After 21 years of service, Mr. Jones
retired from the port in 1983 to spend time with his wife and
enjoy boating in Puget Sound. But retirement was fleeting, as Mr.
Jones joined International Transportation Service, Inc. (ITS),
the parent organization of Husky Terminal and Stevedoring. By
1985, Mr. Jones was named to the ITS Board of Directors, a
position he held until his death. Mr. Jones is survived by his
wife, Helen, four children, nine grandchildren and 10 great
grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at St. Luke's
Memorial Church, 3615 N. Gove Street, Tacoma on Saturday, Jan. 24
at 1 p.m. The family requests no flowers. Memorials are suggested
to be made to St. Luke's Church or to Dogs for the Deaf, 10175
Wheeler Road, Central Point OR 97502.
US rail freight traffic
starts new year with loss
WASHINGTON, DC — Freight traffic on U.S. railroads was off
during the first week of 2009 in comparison with 2008's initial
week, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports.
Carload freight totaled 271,471 cars, down 17.7 percent from
2008, with loadings down 13.4 percent in the West and 23.7
percent in the East. Intermodal volume of 204,103 trailers or
containers was off 14.3 percent from last year, with container
volume falling 9.8 percent and trailer volume dipping 31.4
percent. Total volume was estimated at 28.8 billion ton-miles,
off 16.3 percent from 2008.
Repair work set to begin
at Coos Bay North Jetty
PORTLAND — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin
interim repairs of the Coos Bay North Jetty Friday, Jan. 23. The
contractor, Kerr Contractors, Inc., will begin hauling jetty
stone from the Bureau of Land Management parking area on Trans
Pacific Parkway, southwest of the BLM boat ramp to the north
jetty. This will necessitate the temporary closure of the sand
Foredune and South Dike roads on the North Spit. The sand roads
will remain closed until the nearly 33,000 tons of stone has been
hauled to the jetty. Due to poor visibility on the sand roads,
and the size and limited maneuverability of the trucks, it is
unsafe to share the roads with the public during this portion of
the construction. Three damaged areas on the north jetty are in
need of repairs to strengthen the jetty structure and extend its
functional life. The proposed action will prevent jetty failure,
which, if it occurred, would have a substantial impact on
maritime use of the area. The major impacts of a jetty failure
would be as a result of sediment moving into the navigation
channel and blocking commercial navigation travel as well as
recreational use of the channel.
NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Port of Grays Harbor welcomes
vessel carrying Kia automobiles
ABERDEEN, WA — The Port of Grays Harbor recently welcomed
the M/V MORNING MENAD, a ro/ro vessel carrying more than 3100
autos. The vessel, operated by Eukor Car Carriers, will discharge
the new Kia automobiles beginning today, employing hundreds of
longshore workers over the full offloading. Grays Harbor has been
positioning itself as a potential auto port for the last few
years. The port’s Marine Terminal 4 boasts two deep-water
berths with paved uplands, warehousing and dockside rail access.
The Port of Grays Harbor, Washington State’s only deepwater
port on the Pacific Coast, operates four marine terminals and
over 400 acres of industrial property. Only one vessel hour from
open sea, Grays Harbor offers rail and highway access to markets
throughout North America.
Port of Seattle plans
clean air project for Sea-Tac
SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle Commission continues to go
‘green' by approving funds to design a pre-conditioned air
project for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport which will
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save millions of dollars for
airlines. Eighty percent of the funding is anticipated to come
from Federal Aviation Administration grants. Once installed, the
project is expected to reduce emissions by more than 69,000
metric tons per year and save airlines nearly $400,000 in the
first year. The CO2 savings are equal to two percent of the
yearly emissions from aircraft at Sea-Tac or the equivalent of
taking 13,000 cars off the road. The project will allow aircraft
to hookup to pre-conditioned air provided by the airport at each
gate. This allows planes to shutdown their auxiliary power units
which spew CO2 gases and cost the airlines fuel to run. The
cooled or heated air would be piped into the aircraft from a
central utility plant at the airport.
Port of Vancouver, USA
taps Shumacher as AA
VANCOUVER, USA — Dawn Schumacher has joined the Port of
Vancouver, USA’s facilities team as an administrative
assistant, supporting the property, maintenance and project
management groups. Among Ms. Schumacher’s duties will be to
develop and maintain databases, contact lists for tracking
tenants and port programs and provide back up support for the
port’s administrative services department when needed. Ms.
Schumacher has been working at the port for the past several
months as a temporary employee through Kelly Services. Prior to
joining the port, she managed the events department for a
corporate credit union planning about 50 meetings a year. She
also has experience working as an administrative assistant and an
ESL teacher.
Crowley boosts funding
for scholarship program
JACKSONVILLE, FL — Crowley Maritime Corporation will enhance
its scholarship grants with the Maritime Studies Program of
Williams College and Mystic Seaport beginning in the fall. The
company has pledged to increase its donation from $10,000 to
$20,000 a year for deserving and need-based students in the
program. The increase in funding will allow more students - two
students each semester, or four students each year - to benefit
from the Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarship Program, and
further illustrates Crowley's commitment to the education of
those interested in maritime pursuits and to the educational
programs offered at Williams-Mystic.
Port of Portland schedules
PDX futures group meeting
PORTLAND — The eleventh meeting of the Portland
International Airport Futures Planning Advisory Group is Tuesday,
Jan. 20, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Port of Portland
Commission Room, 121 NW Everett St. in Portland. The public is
encouraged to attend the meeting; public comment is welcome. The
meeting includes a review of work-to-date and a look at the
planning process for the Master Plan and the Land Use Plan as
they move forward. In addition, the PAG will review and consider
action on the sustainability policy statement and hear
subcommittee reports. Airport Futures is a collaborative effort
between the Port, City of Portland, and the Portland-Vancouver
communities to create an integrated long-range development plan
for PDX.
NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Bored tunnel to replace
Alaskan Way Viaduct in Seattle
SEATTLE — Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire, King County
Executive Ron Sims, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, and Port of
Seattle Chief Executive Officer Tay Yoshitani have announced
their agreement to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a deep
bored tunnel under downtown Seattle. The plan also includes
investment in improved bus service, east-west city streets, a new
seawall, relocated utilities, and an upgraded waterfront. The
agreement is the result of a year-long study of solutions for
replacing the central section of the Alaskan Way Viaduct.
Thousands of hours of technical analysis, public meetings, and
letters and emails from the public, interest groups, and local
jurisdictions were considered. The bored tunnel will be
approximately two miles long and carry four lanes of traffic.
Drivers will bypass downtown by entering the tunnel near the
sports stadiums in the south and connect to SR 99 north of the
existing Battery Street Tunnel. The total cost of the investments
is $4.24 billion. Construction of a bored tunnel will begin in
2011 and be open to drivers in 2015.
PIERS data predicts
slowing of US exports
NEWARK, NJ — PIERS Global Intelligence Solutions(R), a
division of UBM Global Trade, has released import-export trade
statistics that capture the recession's initial impact on
international commerce: While the world's leading importer -- the
U.S. -- started to trim incoming volumes in 2007, the loss
(compared with the preceding year) was 0.6 percent compared with
a drop of 7.8 percent in 2008. U.S. exports continued to gain,
but the rate of growth has slowed to 9.7 percent for 2008
compared with 17.5 percent for 2007. The U.S. may be buying less
from overseas -- but PIERS predicts that more of what it does buy
will be coming from across the Pacific (from 75.8 percent in 2008
to 78.1 percent of total imports in 2010); and China's already
substantial share of U.S.-TransPacific imports will grow from
64.4 percent in 2008 to 68.6 percent in 2010. Similarly, more of
U.S. exports will be shipped across the Pacific (from 57.1
percent in 2008 to 59.4 percent in 2010). While China's share of
U.S.-TransPacific exports fell in 2007, it began growing again in
2008 (34.1 percent) and is projected to reach 38.7 percent by
2010. These projections are based on PIERS trade data through
third-quarter 2008, which are summarized in the latest PIERS
Sector SnapShot, a periodic overview of containerized
import-export trade in key sectors of the global market. The
PIERS SnapShot on TransPacific Trade can be downloaded for free
from the PIERS website at
http://www.piers.com/transpacificsnapshot/.
Transport Secretary announces
new rules for hazmat rail cars
WASHINGTON, DC — In a move to enhance safety on the
nation’s railroads, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E.
Peters has announced a final rule to improve the crashworthiness
of railroad tank cars used to transport some of the most
dangerous hazardous materials. The final rule requires PIH tank
cars to have better puncture resistance from a side impact with a
combination of thicker inner shells where the hazmat is held
and/or thicker outer jackets depending on the specific hazmat
being transported. In addition, each end of the tank car is to be
protected with a full head shield where not already mandated by
existing regulations and strengthened valves, top fittings and
nozzles used to load and unload the tank car are required to
prevent a release in a rollover accident. The new rule also
imposes a 50 mph maximum speed restriction on all loaded PIH tank
cars and allows for an increase in the gross weight of the tank
car to accommodate the enhanced safety measures. Also, it
requires tank car owners to prioritize the retirement or
replacement of older tank cars used in PIH service which were
built prior to 1989 with non-normalized steel that may not
adequately resist the development of fractures.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
opens terminal in Jacksonville
TOKYO — Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has opened its own
terminal in the U.S. port of Jacksonville, Florida. The first
ship (serving the ESX-China/North
America East Coast route) berthed January 12. MOL's wholly owned
subsidiary TraPac, Inc., operates the terminal. According to MOL,
the Port of Jacksonville has an ideal location for container
transport with fully developed railway and road networks. Many
major logistics and warehouse facilities are located in the
surrounding area, and the port can expect further growth as a
logistics center for the U.S. East Coast.
Works of regional sculptors
headed to Portland Airport
PORTLAND — Pacific Northwest Sculptors (PNWS) will be
exhibiting a diverse collection of work for ticketed Portland
International Airport (PDX) passengers January 12th through
mid-June. Multimedia works by 13 regional sculptors will be
highlighted in this unique exhibit juried by representatives of
the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC). The exhibit will
occupy the artOBJECTS showcase in Concourse E, beyond security.
The artOBJECTS showcase is an exhibition space that mirrors the
narrow nature of the concourse itself, and is fronted by a
40-foot-long, floor-to-ceiling wall of glass. Established in
2001, the artOBJECTS program serves as a showcase for the
region’s visual arts and is managed by the Regional Arts
& Culture Council. The program’s intent is to present
comprehensive and diverse exhibitions every six months that pique
the curiosity of visitors and residents, and promote further
exploration of Oregon’s dynamic and evolving creative scenes
and spaces. Pacific Northwest Sculptors hosts educational
programs and sculpture exhibitions to foster the talent of
regional artists and share their creative works with the
community. Numbering over 150 members, the group includes both
internationally known and emerging sculptors working in a variety
of media. Additional information on PNWS and many of its member
artists can be found at www.PNWSculptors.org.
NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, January 12, 2009
Boeing plans 4,500 job cuts
in Commercial Airplanes unit
SEATTLE — Boeing has said that employment at its Commercial
Airplanes business unit is expected to decline by approximately
4,500 positions in 2009 as part of an effort to ensure
competitiveness and control costs in the face of a weakening
global economy. The reduction will bring Commercial Airplanes'
employment to approximately 63,500, similar to the level it was
at the start of 2008. Many of the job reductions will be in
overhead functions and other areas not directly associated with
airplane production. Most of the reductions are expected to occur
in Washington state in the second quarter of the year. Affected
employees will receive 60-day notices beginning in late February.
Boeing will support laid-off employees with layoff benefits and
career-transition services.
The Greenbrier Companies
releases first quarter numbers
LAKE OSWEGO, OR — The Greenbrier Companies has reported
results for its fiscal first quarter ended November 30, 2008.
Total revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 were $256.1
million, down from $286.4 million in the prior year's first
quarter. Margin for the quarter was 7.0 percent of revenues
compared to 12.5 percent of revenues in the prior comparable
period. EBITDA was $12.5 million or 4.9 percent of revenues for
the quarter, compared to $24.5 million or 8.6 percent of revenues
in the prior year's first quarter. Net loss for the first quarter
of fiscal 2009 was $3.3 million, or $.20 per diluted share,
compared to net earnings of $2.6 million, or $.16 per diluted
share, in the prior year's first quarter.
Port of Quincy asks for
Economic Stimulus Funding
QUINCY, WA — The Port of Quincy recently sent a letter to
state and federal officials asking that critical local
infrastructure projects be considered for Economic Stimulus
Funding. Two projects in particular are on the port's wish list
-- funding for the City of Quincy to construct the second phase
of the recycling system to reuse water used to cool Quincy area
high-tech data centers. The other project is to have the
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) widen
Highway 281 to four lanes between Quincy and Interstate 90. In
the letter signed by the three port commissioners, the Port of
Quincy asks state and federal officials to include the two key
projects in the proposed economic stimulus package. As a result
of unprecedented economic growth in Quincy, stimulus funding is
needed for the projects, the letter states.
US rail freight traffic
down during 2008
WASHINGTON, DC — In 2008, U.S. freight railroads originated
16,572,709 carloads (down 380,885 carloads, or 2.2 percent),
while intermodal originations were 11,517,240 trailers and
containers (down 509,391 units, or 4.2 percent), the Association
of American Railroads (AAR) reports. Combined U.S. carloads and
intermodal units in 2008 were 28.09 million, the fourth-highest
such total in history (behind 2005, 2006, and 2007). In the
fourth quarter of 2008, U.S. carloads totaled 3,895,821, down 8.2
percent (349,006 carloads) from 2007, while intermodal loadings
(which are not included in carload figures) totaled 2,770,609
trailers and containers, down 231,389 units (7.7 percent). In
December 2008, U.S. rail carloads were down 14.2 percent (214,680
carloads) from 2007 to 1,298,233, while intermodal originations
totaled 890,133, down 13.7 percent (141,045 units) from the same
period a year ago.
NYK Logistics taps Chiarello
as president/chief operating officer
TOKYO — Tetsuichi "Tony" Nozaki, president and CEO
of NYK Group (Americas) Inc. has announced the appointment of
Anthony Chiarello as executive vice president/chief operating
officer of NYK Logistics (Americas), Inc. Mr. Chiarello will also
be appointed to the Boards of NYK Logistics (Americas) Inc. and
its parent Company, NYK Group (Americas) Inc. Mr. Chiarello will
report directly to Kazuo Ishizuka, president and CEO of NYK
Logistics (Americas) Inc. NYK Logistics (Americas) Inc. is
comprised of a Transportation Division which provides rail and
truck intermodal services, the Warehouse Division with facilities
throughout the U.S. providing transload and conventional
warehousing services, and an NVOCC and Customs House Brokerage
Division. NYK Logistics (Americas) also offers both Domestic and
International Supply Chain Solutions through its other operating
Companies. NYK Logistics (Americas) Inc. operates 55 offices and
employs more than 1,400 persons nationwide. NLA serves customers
by designing, building, and operating supply chain solutions that
measurably improve quality, cost, and customer service through
the integration of knowledge, network, and information
capabilities.
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, January 9, 2009
Port of Tacoma operating
despite flood conditions
TACOMA — The Port of Tacoma reports that over the past two
days, heavy rains and melting mountain snow resulted in localized
flooding along the Puyallup River. Fortunately, the river crested
below flood stage at 4 a.m. Jan. 8, and operations at the port
remain open. No terminals shut down during the event. Outside the
port area, there remain some road closures and interruptions to
mainline rail service. In addition, bridges near the port may be
periodically closed for inspection and debris removal. In the
days ahead, the port will focus on debris removal from waterways,
infrastructure inspection and coordination with local/state
agencies and rail partners as the region returns to regular
business.
Port Tracker port reveals
container moves fall again
WASHINGTON, DC — Year-over-year cargo volume at the
nation’s major retail container ports fell for the 17th
straight month in December, completing the slowest year since
2004 as the U.S. economic downturn continued, according to the
monthly Port Tracker report released by the National Retail
Federation and IHS Global Insight. Volume for the year was
estimated at 15.3 million Twenty-Foot-Equivalent Units, compared
with 16.5 million TEU in 2007. That would be a decline of 7.1
percent and the lowest total since 2004, when 14 million TEU
moved through the ports.
Trade between NAFTA partners
down during month of October
WASHINGTON, DC — Trade using surface transportation between
the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico was 2.1 percent lower in
October 2008 than in October 2007, reaching $72.7 billion,
according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the
U.S. Department of Transportation. The value of U.S. surface
transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 1.2 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 88 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and
Mexico moves on land. The value of U.S. surface transportation
trade with Canada and Mexico in October was up 38.8 percent
compared to October 2003, and up 74.9 percent compared to October
1998, a period of 10 years. Imports in October were up 75 percent
compared to October 1998, while exports were up 74.8 percent.
Mitsui plans to make changes
to Asia-Mexico/West Coast SAm run
TOKYO — Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd (MOL) has announced revised
coverage on its Asia-Mexico/West Coast South America network,
which is operated jointly with Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line).
The revised coverage will integrate the current two service
loops, the WL1 and WL2, into a single service, the new WL1. In
order to ensure continued coverage of those ports previously
served by the WL2, the new WL1 service will add a call at Callao,
Peru. Cargoes import/export Buenaventura, Colombia and Guayaquil,
Ecuador will be served via Panama, using MOLfs existing
Ecuador Express (ECX) service. The revised port rotation in WL1
is Keelung, Hong Kong, Chiwan, Xiamen, Shanghai, Pusan,
Manzanillo (Mexico), Callao, Iquique, Valparaiso, Lirquen,
Yokohama, Keelung. The new WL1 service rotation will go into
effect with the HELENE S Voy. 4905 (ETD Keelung February 5,
2009). The last sailing of the WL2 service will be the OCEAN
PROSPER Voy. 4305 (ETD Xiamen February 2, 2009).
California Maritime Academy
places 2009 programs on-line
VALLEJO, CA — The California Maritime Academy’s
Extended Learning Department has posted its catalog of continuing
education programs for 2009 on-line at
www.maritime-education.com/courses.html Visitors to the site can
download the full catalog and/or click on individual course
offerings for details on course content, costs, and locations and
times of delivery. Many of the courses are offered on the
school’s Vallejo campus. Others may be provided off-site or
via the Internet, enabling participants to take part at times and
locations convenient to their own schedules.
NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Empty barge runs aground
in Columbia River near Bonneville
SEATTLE — One of three barges being transported by a tugboat
through the Columbia River ran aground near the Bonneville Lock
and Dam approximately 40 miles east of Portland, Ore., at 1:45
a.m. Tuesday. Coast Guard Sector Portland received a report of
the grounding at 2:10 a.m. The crew of the Tidewater tug
HURRICANE was transporting three unladen barges through the river
when the first of the barges made brief contact with the bottom
of the river. Coast Guard investigators believe wind was factor.
Wind speed was 25 knots with gusts from 45-50 knots. No pollution
has been reported as a result of the grounding. The crew of the
HURRICANE got the tug and tow underway enroute Vancouver, Wash.,
where the barge will be certified gas-free for closer internal
examination. Sector Portland dispatched an incident management
team and an investigative and inspection team to check for
possible pollution and to determine the cause of the grounding.
Tidewater Barge Lines sent a dive team and spill response trailer
to the scene. An unrecoverable sheen was detected, but it was
determined to be from another source.
NOL taps Phoenix, Arizona
as new Americas headquarters
OAKLAND — The greater Phoenix, Arizona area has been
selected as the new location for NOL's Americas regional
headquarters. The move from the current headquarters in Oakland,
California, to Arizona should be completed during the third
quarter of the year. The headquarters shift is part of NOL's
global strategy to place its cost structure on a more sustainable
footing in the face of the current economic downturn, while
continuing to provide the highest standards of service to its
customers. The Americas regional headquarters coordinates
NOL’s shipping, terminals and logistics activities across
North, Central and South America. It manages everything from
marine operations to intermodal transport of containers by rail
and truck. While the regional headquarters office is moving, the
company stressed that its shipping line – APL – will
continue to call regularly at its West Coast marine terminals in
Oakland, Seattle and Los Angeles. APL’s global services also
include vessel calls at ports up and down the US East Coast as
well as in Central and South America.
Bellingham Port Commission
selects new slate of officers
BELLINGHAM — The Port of Bellingham's Board of Commissioners
elected its officers for 2009 at its first meeting of the year on
Tuesday, Jan. 6. The commissioners elected Scott Walker for
commission president, Jim Jorgensen for vice president and Doug
Smith for secretary. The commissioners also chose Commissioner
Scott Walker to continue serving on the Whatcom Council of
Governments and Commissioner Doug Smith to continue serving on
the Bellingham Whatcom Economic Development Council. Commissioner
Jim Jorgensen was chosen to continue serving on the Whatcom
County Economic Development Investment Program Committee. During
2009, the Bellintgham Port Commission will continue to have its
business meetings at 3 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at
3 p.m. and its work-study sessions at 3 p.m. on the third Tuesday
of each month. The commission meets in the Harbor Center
Conference Room, 1801 Roeder Avenue, and the public is encouraged
to attend.
Aegean Marine Petroleum
takes delivery of new tanker
PIRAEUS, GREECE — Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. has
announced that it has taken delivery of the NAXOS, a 4,600 dwt
double-hull bunkering tanker newbuild from Fujian Southeast
Shipyard in China. The vessel is expected to be deployed to the
company's Singapore market.
Coast Guard teams responding
to Pacific Northwest flooding
ASTORIA — The United States Coast Guard in conjunction with
other federal, state and local agencies is continuing its
response to the Pacific Northwest flooding. Yesterday, Coast
Guard Air Station Astoria performed it's first rescue of the
flood response when an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter rescue crew
hoisted two stranded people in Morton, Wash. The rescue crew
worked in conjunction with the Lewis County Sheriff's Department
to locate the stranded citizens. Coast Guard pilot Lt. Brooks
Crawford described the rescue scene as a potentially dangerous
one. "We located the two Morton citizens in a boat in a
covered horse stable. The flood waters were rising rapidly and
there was a lot of debris in the water," said Crawford. The
Coast Guard has helicopter rescue crews and flood response boats
pre-staged around the Pacific Northwest for the flood response.
The Coast Guard also has helicopter rescue crews form Air Station
San Diego en route to assist in the response. Over 25 Emergency
Operations Centers throughout the state of Wash. are currently
open; responding to and monitoring flooding, road conditions, and
other storm-related events.
NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Seattle Port Commission
elects officers for 2009
SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle Commission elected the 2009
slate of officers during the public meeting held on Tuesday,
January 6, 2009. Commissioner Bill Bryant will serve as
commission president for 2009, with Commissioner Gael Tarleton
serving as vice president. Commissioner Lloyd Hara was elected to
the post of commission secretary. Outgoing Commission President
John Creighton noted the accomplishments and challenges faced
during his two-year tenure as chair, particularly the port’s
ongoing environmental initiatives. “I am very proud of the
progress we’ve made as environmental stewards,”
Commissioner Creighton said. “During my time as president,
the port has made significant strides in accountability – to
our environment, to our customers, and to our taxpayers.”
The Seattle Port Commission elects officers at the first meeting
of each year.
Port of Tacoma places
2009 budget document online
TACOMA — The Port of Tacoma's 2009 Budget Document is now
available online. The 95-page document describes all aspects of
the Port'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 2009 Budget Document online, visit the
"Publications" section of the port's website (or direct
link: http://www.portoftacoma.com/Page.aspx?cid=439). Printed
versions will be available Jan. 15 at the Port Administration
Building (One Sitcum Plaza, Tacoma WA 98421). To receive a copy
by mail, email acleaves@portoftacoma.com with full mailing
information.
Yang Ming launches
two new container vessels
KAOHSIUNG — Yang Ming recently held a launch christening for
both the new 4,250-TEU full container vessel the YM EFFICIENCY
and 8,200-TEU full container vessel YM UTILITY on January 6,
2009. The YM EFFICIENCY, a 4,250-TEU full-container vessel built
for Yang Ming by CSBC Corporation, Taiwan, was christened and
delivered into the YM fleet at a ceremony held at the Kaohsiung
Shipyard of CSBC on Jan. 6, 2009. Meantime, another 8,200-TEU
full-container vessel was christened as the YM UTILITY. The newly
christened YM EFFICIENCY will begin fleet services in the PN3
Service Loop (Asia U.S. West Coast). The rotation of the PN3
Service is: Shanghai, Ningbo, Pusan, Tacoma and Vancouver.
TSA works with St. Lucia
in aviation security program
ST. LUCIA — The U.S Department of Homeland Security’s
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the St. Lucian
Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation have announced a plan to
enhance aviation security on the Caribbean island nation. The two
entities signed a Joint Statement of Intent for the development
and enhancement of aviation security initiatives, including plans
to conduct assessments, develop aviation security programs and
share best practices. To support this partnership, TSA has
deployed an Aviation Security Sustainable International Standards
Teams (ASSIST), a group of veteran security experts, to
collaborate with local security officials.
Portland Shipping Club
calls for 'Old Salt' nominations
PORTLAND — The Portland Shipping Club is calling for
nominations for the 2009 “Old Salt” Award. This honor
is presented each year to someone who, through their 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. For a nomination to be considered,
it must be accompanied by a detailed biography of the individual,
which includes the nominee’s industry involvement.
Submissions must be received by Friday, January 23, 2009. Mail
your nomination to:
Old Salt Committee Chairperson
c/o Portland Shipping Club
200 SW Market Street, Suite 190
Portland, OR 97201
Mark the envelope “Confidential”. The winner will be
announced at the Propeller Club/Portland Shipping Club Mystery
Dinner Theatre on February 12, 2009 at Wild Bills, 2318 NW Vaughn
in Portland.
NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, January 5, 2009
Horizon Lines hit with suit
by company stockholders
CHARLOTTE, NC — Horizon Lines, Inc. has announced that it
has been named as a defendant in a securities class action
lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of
Delaware purportedly on behalf of purchasers of the company's
common stock during the period from March 2, 2007 through April
25, 2008. The Chief Executive Officer of the company, as well as
several former employees of the company, were also named as
defendants. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the
company made material misstatements and omissions in connection
with alleged price-fixing in the company's shipping business in
Puerto Rico in violation of antitrust laws. The company is unable
to predict the outcome of the lawsuit; however, Horizon Lines
believes that it has appropriate disclosure practices and intends
to vigorously defend against the lawsuit.
PDX noise committee
sets WebTrak meeting
PORTLAND — Portland International Airport Citizen Noise
Advisory Committee will discuss WebTrak, a new community online
flight tracking system and noise management tool, Thursday, Jan.
8. The committee will also discuss new initiatives for expanding
community outreach, and the PDX Fly Quiet program. The public is
invited to attend the meeting from 6-8 p.m. in the airport’s
St. Helens Conference Room B. CNAC is the Port of Portland’s
official forum for working with the public on issues related to
airport noise. CNAC’s 15 representatives come from across
northwest Oregon and southwest Washington. Eleven of CNAC’s
members are appointed by various city and county jurisdictions;
four representatives are appointed by the port to help maintain
geographic diversity on the committee. Technical assistance is
provided by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Oregon
Air National Guard. All CNAC meetings include time for public
comment. People with special needs attending the meeting are
asked to contact the Port for accommodations at 503-460-4543. PDX
is wheelchair accessible and located on the TriMet MAX light rail
Red Line. Validated parking is also available.
Marcon ends year
with record sales total
COUPEVILLE, WA — Shipbrokers Marcon International, Inc. of
Coupeville, Washington ended up ringing the bell three separate
times on the last day of 2008, in celebration of both a record
year and an excellent last day. The first two rings celebrated
the sales of a 2,400HP twin screw tug and a 150' x 50' ocean deck
barge which closed on New Years Eve day, wrapping up a record
2008. As they were not in the office on New Year's Day, Marcon
rang the bell a third time for the New Year starting out
"right" on January 1, 2009 with delivery of the
11,500stdw, U.S. flagged, ocean barge "BB-110" (ex-ATC-
781) to Dixie Anne Barge, Inc. of Palatka, Florida on a
lease-purchase. During 2008, Marcon International Inc. sold or
chartered 69 vessels and barges, an average of just under one and
a third vessels or barge per week. Sales of several additional
vessels and barges are expected to be concluded within the next
two weeks.
Gulf Navigation takes delivery
of new chemical tanker
DUBAI, UAE — Gulf Navigation Holding PJSC has announced that
it has taken delivery of the GULF DEFFI a newly built tanker
constructed at the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Ulsan, South Korea,
this delivery is the first of three tankers expected this year.
Contracted at a cost of USD 55 million the vessel is the third in
a series of four chemical carriers ordered by Gulf Navigation
holding PJSC. The vessel after delivery will be handed over to
International Shipping Company, a subsidiary of The Saudi Basic
Industries Corporation (SABIC) on a 15 year time charter. This is
the third delivered tanker of four vessels that will be chartered
to SABIC for 15 years.
Cargill makes donations
to combat hunger
MINNEAPOLIS, , MN — Cargill has announced it is making a $5
million donation to organizations dedicated to fighting hunger in
communities where the company does business. Minnesota-based
charities will receive more than $1 million of that contribution.
In 2008, Cargill supported efforts in more than 50 countries with
a record $44 million in contributions and $19 million in future
commitments. Those efforts include partnerships with
organizations such as CARE and the World Food Programme that
focus on long-term solutions to health and nutrition, education
and environmental issues.
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, January 2, 2009
Manitowoc completes sale
of marine segment to Fincantieri
MANITOWOC, WI — The Manitowoc Company, Inc. has announced
the completion, effective as of the end of the day on December
31, 2008, of the previously announced sale of its Marine segment
to Fincantieri Marine Group Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of
Fincantieri - Cantieri Navali Italiani SpA (Fincantieri). The net
purchase price in the all-cash deal was approximately $120
million. Manitowoc intends to use the after-tax proceeds for debt
reduction and other corporate purposes. In 2007, the Marine
segment had sales of $321 million and operating earnings of $26
million. The transaction is expected to generate a 2008
per-share, after-tax gain of approximately $0.60.
ITC looking into
'first sale rule' for imports
WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. International Trade Commission
(ITC) will conduct a review of the use of the "first sale
rule" for U.S. imports for the 12-month period from
September 2008 through August 2009. The "first sale
rule" is a method of determining the transaction value of
imported goods. An item that is imported into the United States
may have been subject to several transactions, with each interim
buyer adding to the ultimate price paid by the U.S. importer.
Current law allows U.S. importers, under certain conditions, to
base the valuation of a product entering the United States on the
first or earlier of the series of transactions, rather than the
last one. For example, an item may be produced in China, sold to
a distributor in Hong Kong, and in turn sold to a buyer in Los
Angeles; the "first sale rule" would allow the U.S.
importer to declare the product's value, for import duty
purposes, as the price of the original China-Hong Kong
transaction. Application of the so-called "first sale
rule" may result in the transaction value being determined
on the basis of the price paid by a foreign buyer to a foreign
seller. The ITC welcomes written submissions for the record.
Written submissions (original and 14 copies) should be addressed
to the Secretary to the Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington,
DC 20436, and should be submitted at the earliest practical date
but no later than 5:15 p.m. on April 30, 2009. All written
submissions, except for confidential business information, will
be made available for public inspection.
US rail freight totals
down during holiday week
WASHINGTON, DC — Freight traffic on U.S. railroads was down
during the holiday week ended December 27 in comparison with the
corresponding holiday week last year the Association of American
Railroads (AAR) reports. Total volume was estimated at 21.4
billion ton-miles, down 20.1 percent from the same week last
year. Intermodal volume totaled 124,061 trailers or containers,
down 21.8 percent from last year, with container volume down 21.5
percent and trailer volume down 23.2 percent. Carload freight,
which doesn't include the intermodal data, totaled 200,365 cars
for the week, down 21.7 percent from last year. Loadings were
down 26.5 percent in the East and 18.9 percent in the West. Only
one of 19 carload commodity groups were up compared with last
year. The commodity group termed All Other Carloads rose 15.6
percent. Those commodities reporting the most significant
declines were metallic ores, down 55.8 percent; crushed stone,
sand and gravel, down 50.3 percent; nonmetallic minerals, down
33.4 percent; lumber and wood products, down 49.9 percent; and
metals and products, down 52.8 percent. Cumulative volume for the
first 52 weeks of 2008 totaled 16,572,673 carloads, down 2.2
percent from 2007; 11,517,240 trailers or containers, off 4.2
percent; and total volume of an estimated 1.73 trillion
ton-miles, down 1.2 percent from last year.
Genco take delivery
of Capesize newbuilding
NEW YORK— Genco Shipping & Trading Limited has announced
that it has taken delivery of the GENCO HADRIAN, a 170,500 dwt
Capesize newbuilding. The GENCO HADRIAN is the sixth vessel to be
delivered to the company under Genco's previously announced
agreement on July 18, 2007 to acquire nine Capesize vessels from
companies within the Metrostar Management Corporation group. The
company has commenced a time charter upon delivery of the GENCO
HADRIAN with Cargill International S.A., for 46 to 62 months at a
gross rate of $65,000 per day, less a five percent third party
brokerage commission. The charter, which is due to expire between
October 2012 and February 2014, also includes a 50 percent
index-based profit sharing component. Genco has drawn upon its
10-year, $1.4 billion revolving credit facility to finance the
remaining balance for the GENCO HADRIAN of $96.8 million. The
company expects the delivery of three additional newbuilding
vessels by the end of 2009 and intends to utilize the undrawn
portion of its $1.4 billion revolving credit facility as well as
cash flow from operations to fund these acquisitions.
Trucking group releases
snow and ice information
ARLINGTON, VA — At the request of American Trucking
Associations (ATA) President and CEO Bill Graves, the American
Transportation Research Institute
(ATRI) has completed a comprehensive study of the effects of snow
and ice accumulation on vehicles. In regions with significant
snowfall, snow and ice can accumulate atop vehicles and can
become dislodged. Snow and ice falling from motor vehicles create
a variety of safety issues that can result in property damage or
injury to other motorists. Based on their findings, ATRI
determined that challenges for the trucking industry include the
hazards that workers face when manually clearing snow and ice
from the tops of trailers, the limited availability and
effectiveness of snow removal devices and the lack of available
vehicle-based solutions. For additional information about
ATRI’s findings, visit
www.atri-online.org/research/results/SNICEsummary.pdf
