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June, 2009
NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, June 29, 2009
Steel imports into US
drop 17.1 percent in May
WASHINGTON, DC The International Trade Administration
reports that preliminary data released show that overall steel
imports in May 2009 decreased 17.1 percent from April 2009. This
change in the May total amount of steel imports was due to
decreases in most categories including carbon and alloy blooms,
billets, and slabs -88.7 percent, cold-rolled sheets -48.1
percent and line pipe -24.5 percent. Notable increases included
carbon and alloy oil country goods 24.6 percent and plates in
coil 21.3 percent. May 2009 imports of steel mill products were
down 59.2 percent compared to May 2008.
Truck tonnage index
improves during May
ARLINGTON, VA The American Trucking Associations
(ATA) advance seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage
Index rose for the first time since February 2009, gaining 3.2
percent in May. Mays increase, which raised the SA index to
102.3, wasnt large enough to offset the March through April
cumulative reduction of 6.7 percent. The not seasonally adjusted
(NSA) index, which represents the change in tonnage actually
hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 102
in May, up 0.4 percent from April. Compared with May 2008,
tonnage contracted 11 percent, which was the best year-over-year
result in three months. Despite the improvement from Aprils
13.2 percent plunge, the ATA points out that Mays decrease
is still historically large.
Marcon celebrates mark
of 1,000 vessels sold
COUPEVILLE, WA As of mid-2009, Marcon International, Inc.
of Coupeville, Washington has brokered over 1,000 vessels and
barges worldwide since it's first sale in 1983. Specializing in
the towing, offshore petroleum and marine construction
industries, during the last 28 years Marcon sold or chartered
over 1,034 vessels and barges including 660,000BHP in tugs;
almost 800,000 deadweight ton capacity in deck barges; 187,000+
deadweight tons in hopper barges; 6,000,000+ barrel capacity in
tank barges; 31 pushboats; 79 supply & utility vessels; 72
crew & pilot boats; 51 survey, seismic & support vessels;
65 anchor handling tug supply vessels totaling over 300,000BHP,
plus many other types of vessels and barges. Despite the present
economic situation, Marcon has concluded 16 sales and one charter
to-date in 2009 with several additional transactions scheduled to
close within the next few weeks.
CSX announces plans
to cut CO2 emissions
JACKSONVILLE, FL CSX has announced a plan to reduce the
CO2 emissions associated with its train operations by eight
percent per revenue ton mile by 2011. The company made its
commitment as part of its participation in the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) Climate Leaders Program, a voluntary
program for businesses to inventory and reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. CSX's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
through the Climate Leaders Program is the first ever from a
major U.S. transportation provider. CSX's commitment will reduce
C02 emissions by 2.4 million tons -- the equivalent of taking
441,000 cars off the road each year, or burning 5,598,000 fewer
barrels of oil.
Port of Portland sponsoring
'Kids Port' exhibit at OMSI
PORTLAND The Port of Portland has partnered with the
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) to sponsor
Kids Port, a new interactive exhibit based on the processes
carried out at the Port of Portlands marine terminal when
shipping containers arrive. Kids Port will include a small
model of a crane, several push trucks, blocks representing cargo
containers, a model cargo ship, a colorful printed carpet and a
model warehouse with a scanner. Kids Port is now open in
OMSIs Turbine Hall. In Kids Port young visitors will
move through the process of receiving model cargo containers by
removing them from a model ship with a child-sized crane, loading
them in toy trucks, and taking them to a miniature warehouse to
be scanned. They will receive information regarding the simulated
product in each container by way of a computer screen on the
outside of the warehouse. Through this activity, children will
learn why the Port of Portland is so important in their daily
lives and gain a basic understanding of the processes related to
receiving goods at the port. The Port of Portland sponsorship of
Kids Port represents the continuation of a long term
partnership between OMSI, the Port of Portland, and other
partners to promote science and technology through real life
experiences.
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, June 26, 2009
Coos Bay Port Commission
Oks rail tunnel project motion
COOS BAY The Board of Commissioners of the Oregon
International Port of Coos Bay at their June 22, 2009, meeting
approved a motion for Intent to Award a contract for the Coos Bay
Rail Line 2009 Tunnel Maintenance/Rehabilitation Project and
authorized Port Executive Director Jeffrey Bishop to execute a
contract with the apparent low bidder, pending final project
review by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the
Oregon Department of Transportation Rail Division (ODOT Rail).
Project bid opening was held at 2:05 p.m. June 18, at the Port
office in Coos Bay. LRL Construction Co. of Tillamook is the
apparent low bidder at $1,732,648. Other bids included Drill Tech
Drilling and Shoring Inc., Antioch, CA, $2,054,050; MERCO
Engineering Contractors, Lebanon, NJ, $2,312,150; and Johnson
Western Gunite, San Leandro, CA, $2,346,300. A mandatory pre-bid
conference was held on site May 27, 2009, and five firms
completed the pre-bid qualification process. All bids received
appear complete. The 2009 tunnel rehabilitation project will be
paid for by a $2.5 million grant award authorized by the Oregon
Transportation Commission through funds provided by the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. Approval of
construction documents by FHWA and ODOT Rail is expected near the
end of June, with a project start date in early July.
Construction is expected to take approximately six months.
New National Defense act
includes protection against pirates
WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.),
Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation, has joined his colleagues in a vote of 389-22 to
approve the National Defense Authorization Act, H.R. 2647, which
included a Cummings amendment that would require the Department
of Defense to protect U.S.-flagged ships at risk of being boarded
by pirates. As the number of incidents of piracy in the Horn of
Africa region continues to rise, U.S.-flagged vessels are
increasingly at risk of being hijacked. As of mid-May of this
year, there have been 114 Somali pirate attacks in this area,
resulting in 29 successful hijackings. By comparison, the entire
year of 2008 saw 111 attacks. Additionally, U.S. mariners have
been threatened by pirates seeking to avenge the deaths of their
colleagues during the Navys operation to free Richard
Phillips, the Captain of the Maersk Alabama. According to
estimates by the U.S. Maritime Administration, approximately 54
U.S.-flagged vessels transit the Horn of Africa region during the
course of a year, with only a handful at serious risk of pirate
attacks due to their operating characteristics. The Cummings
amendment would require that the DOD embark military security
personnel on these vessels as they travel through areas with a
known presence of pirates.
Weekly rail traffic numbers
continue on upward swing
WASHINGTON, DC Freight traffic on U.S. railroads during
the week ended June 13 continued to show signs of gradual
improvement, the Association of American Railroads reports. Rail
carloadings and intermodal were up from the previous week with
carloads at their highest level in 10 weeks. While traffic showed
signs of improvement from the previous week, compared year over
year traffic remains down. U.S railroads reported originating
261,956 cars, up 0.6 percent from the previous week this year,
but down 19 percent from the same week in 2008. Regionally,
carloadings were down 14.7 percent in the West and 24.8 percent
in the East. Intermodal volume of 189,508 trailers or containers
was up 0.4 percent from the previous week, but was down 17
percent from the same week last year. Container volume fell 11.5
percent and trailer volume dropped 37.0 percent. Total volume on
U.S. railroads for the week ending June 13 was estimated at 27.7
billion ton-miles, off 17.8 percent from the same week last year.
Eighteen of 19 carload freight commodity groups were down from
last year, with declines ranging from 5.5 percent for coal to
61.4 percent for metals and products. The lone group showing an
increase was farm products other than grain which was up 4.8
percent. For the first 23 weeks of 2009, U.S. railroads reported
cumulative volume of 6,061,643 carloads, down 19.5 percent from
2008; 4,270,377 trailers or containers, down 16.9 percent; and
total volume of an estimated 643.3 billion ton-miles, down 16.9
percent.
MOL nets new order
to transport Nissans in India
TOKYO Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced that
the company has received orders for inland transport and yard
operation of completed cars for export from a new Nissan Motor
Co., Ltd. plant in India. The contract includes transporting the
cars to the export port and yard operations at the port such as
storage and preparation for loading. The company established MOL
Auto Logistics (India) Pvt. Ltd. in November 2008 and began
inland transport of completed cars in April 2009. The new plant
will start manufacturing in early 2010 and will begin exporting
vehicles, mainly to Europe, in late 2010. It will also produce
vehicles for India's domestic market.
Coast Guard submits notice
offering guidance on IMO rules
WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. Coast Guard has announced that it
has submitted a Federal Register notice to the marine community
containing guidance on new International Maritime Organization
measures. These new measures require that all tank ships subject
to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention carrying Annex I cargoes
and all ships using Annex I marine fuels have Material Safety
Data Sheets aboard. This Safety of Life at Sea Convention
requirement will become effective January 1, 2011. It does not
apply to inland barges or any other ship not subject to the
Safety of Life at Sea Convention. After January 1, 2011, nations
party to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention can be expected to
verify that ships subject to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention
have Material Safety Data Sheets as required. After that date,
all U.S. flagged vessels under the Safety of Life at Sea
Convention traveling overseas should expect foreign
administrations to ask for Material Safety Data Sheets for each
Annex I cargo and marine oil fuel on board. Also after that date,
all foreign flagged vessels under the Safety of Life at Sea
Convention in U.S. ports should expect the Coast Guard to ask for
Material Safety Data Sheets in fulfillment of the United States'
duties as a party to the Safety of Life at Sea Convention. The
Coast Guard expects that ship's personnel receive Material Safety
Data Sheets in a working language or languages understood by
them. The Coast Guard expects that occupational exposure limits
referenced in a Material Safety Data Sheet be based on an
internationally-recognized standard.
NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Study finds Port of Everett
driving regional economy
EVERETT The Port of Everett is a strong economic driver in
the region, according to the May 29, 2009 Economic Impact report
by Martin & Associates. This Pennsylvania-based firm focuses
on assessing economic impacts of transportation systems around
the world. The study found that last year alone, the Port of
Everett supported nearly 31,100 jobs and provided approximately
$2.7 billion in total wages, salaries, and local consumption
expenditures to the local and regional economy. In addition, the
port generated roughly $3.6 billion of revenue for local
businesses and $246.8 million in state and local tax revenue. For
a full copy of the report, visit
http://www.portofeverett.com/docs/economic_impact_report_2008.pdf.
Alaska Airlines begins
Bellingham to Las Vegas flights
BELLINGHAM Alaska Airlines today will inaugurate nonstop,
year-round service between Bellingham and Las Vegas. The
thrice-weekly service between the two cities will expand to
include a fourth weekly flight starting Aug. 3. The new two-hour,
30-minute flights will depart Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from
Bellingham International Airport at 5:35 p.m. Pacific time and
arrive at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas at 8:05
p.m. Central time. Return flights will depart Las Vegas at 2 p.m.
Central time, arriving in Bellingham at 4:35 p.m. Pacific time. A
fourth weekly flight will depart Mondays beginning Aug. 3. The
airline will use fuel-efficient Boeing 737-700 aircraft on the
route, seating 12 passengers in first class and 112 in the main
cabin.
Crowley vessels honored for
operating incident free
JACKSONVILLE, FL Three Crowley vessels and their crews
were recently awarded 2008 Jones F. Devlin Awards at the Chamber
of Shipping of America's (CSA) Annual Safety Awards Luncheon for
operating more than two years without a lost time incident. The
Crowley articulated tug barge (ATB) SEA RELIANCE/550-1; ATB SOUND
RELIANCE/550-2; and the tanker BLUE RIDGE were recognized for
their exemplary safety records. More than 160 people representing
over 60 companies attended the annual event held at the Hilton
Houston North Hotel. Crowley's SEA RELIANCE/550-1 has operated
more than three years without an LTI; the SOUND RELIANCE/550-2
has operated more than six years without an LTI; and the tanker
BLUE RIDGEmore than three years without an LTI.
WSF sells Steel Electric ferries
to Eco Planet Recycling
SEATTLE Washington State Department of Transportation
Ferries Division (WSF) has sold four 1927-built Steel Electric
class vessels to Eco Planet Recycling, Inc. of Chula Vista,
Calif. The total combined sale price for all four ferries is
$200,000. The Washington State Department of General
Administration approved the sale on Wednesday, June 17 followed
by completion of the signature process on Thursday, June 18.
Receipt of the payment was confirmed late on Friday, June 19. In
November 2007, Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond ordered
the QUINALT, ILLAHEE, NISQUALLY and KLICKITAT removed from
service due to safety concerns. In 2008, the Washington state
Legislature directed WSDOT to sell the vessels. WSF had been in
discussion with potential buyers up until their sale on Friday to
Eco Planet Recycling, Inc. The ferries are currently tied up in
Bainbridge Island at the ferry terminal and Eagle Harbor
Maintenance Facility. The ferries are scheduled to be towed to
Ensenada, Mexico beginning in mid to late-July pending
weather conditions and completion of towing preparation
where they will be recycled.
NYK earns top rating
for environmental friendliness
TOKYO NYK has received the highest rating on an assessment
of environmental friendliness conducted by the Sumitomo Mitsui
Banking Corporation (SMBC). NYKs high rating is the result
of its environmental management system and environmental
communications, both of which were determined to be at an
extremely high level, in addition to the companys
environment-sensitive corporate management, which was assessed as
being excellent. NYK will continue its efforts to
realize a sustainable society through activities related to
conservation of the global environment and the development of
environmental technologies.
NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Port of Portland breaks ground
on new Rivergate rail project
PORTLAND In the heart of Portland's Rivergate Industrial
District, Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer joined Port of
Portland representatives and rail leaders June 22, for
groundbreaking on a $14 million rail project that will benefit
users of the regional rail system including businesses and future
development in the area. Years in the making, the new Ramsey Rail
Yard will increase freight rail capacity and help to decrease
rail system congestion. Currently, only one track connects north
and south Rivergate, creating a bottleneck for the two Class 1
rail carriers serving Portland. Adding a second main lead and
three storage tracks will allow one track to remain open for rail
travel while adding the capability to store long unit trains.
Scheduled for completion in late summer of 2010, the project is
expected to create and retain over 200 jobsincluding both
construction related and non-construction related positions. It
is one of nearly $500 million in capital projects that the port
is currently engaged with, and one of several major road and rail
improvements the port has announced for Rivergate Industrial
District.
Everett Port Commissioner
announces plans to resign
EVERETT Connie Niva, who was elected to the Everett Port
Commission in 2006, announced her resignation on June 19, 2009.
The resignation came after Commissioner Niva (District 2)
purchased a residence in Mukilteo just outside the Everett Port
Commission boundaries. District 2 encompasses the waterfront area
in south Everett and most of Mukilteo. The district boundaries,
which were established at the ports inception in 1918,
dont include all of the city of Mukilteo. The Port of
Everett Commission has three elected members to the board who are
elected to serve six year terms. With this announcement, the port
will now begin the process of appointing a replacement to fill
Commissioner Nivas seat.
Kurz, Widdows to receive
Admiral of the Ocean Sea awards
NEW YORK The United Seamen's Service (USS) 2009 40th
Annual Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards (AOTOS) will be presented
to Donald Kurz, president and CEO of Keystone Shipping Co.,
headquartered in Philadelphia, and to Ronald Widdows, group
president and CEO of NOL (Neptune Orient Lines) of Singapore,
parent company of American President Lines (APL). A Special AOTOS
Award will also be presented to The United States Coast Guard.
The maritime industry honors will be awarded at a gala industry
dinner and dance to be held at the Sheraton New York Hotel and
Towers, New York City, on November 13, 2009. Richard Hughes,
chairman of the USS AOTOS Committee and president of the
International Longshoremen's Association, AFL-CIO, made the
announcement on the occasion of the USS Annual meeting.
Operation Lifesaver adding
new rail safety campaign
WASHINGTON, DC Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (www.oli.org),
the U.S. Department of Transportation and major railroad
companies have announced the launch of the Common Sense campaign
to reduce the number of pedestrians who are killed and injured
when trespassing around tracks and trains. The campaign is
focused on 18 to 34-year-olds, who make up the largest percentage
of railroad-related pedestrian casualties. The Common Sense
campaign is designed to educate the public about the risks of
trespassing on railroad property. The campaign includes an
interactive Web site, internet ads, videos, and local events. It
will be test-marketed in areas where pedestrian rail trespass
incidents frequently occur, including targeted local markets. The
internet ads, videos, safety tips, and other
information are online at www.CommonSenseUseIt.com.
Navios plans to purchase
four new Capesize ships
PIREAUS, Greece Navios Maritime Holdings Inc., a global,
vertically integrated seaborne shipping and logistics company,
has announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire four
Capesize vessels, three of which are from companies controlled by
Commerzbank A.G. All vessels are currently under construction at
the same South Korean Shipyard. Navios Holdings also announced
that it amended the terms of existing agreements for three new
build Capesize vessels. Navios Holdings will fund a portion of
the purchase price for all seven vessels by issuing $165.22
million in mandatorily convertible preferred stock.
NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, June 22, 2009
Port of Everett marks reopening
of upgraded Southwest Marina slips
EVERETT On June 19, the Port of Everett and community
members celebrated the reopening of the ports newly
redeveloped Southeast Marina slips. The Port of Everett, which
operates the largest public marina on the West Coast, started
this project in September 2008. The marina re-opening marked the
completion of the first stage in the ports multi-phase
recapitalization program. The Port initiated this program to
rebuild many of the floats in both the north and south marinas.
The port invested $5.6 million to upgrade 163 open moorage slips
and install a new Americans Disabilities Act (ADA) gangway in the
Southeast Marina. The port also removed numerous creosote pilings
to restore water quality at the marina, as well as upgraded the
mechanical and electrical utilities at the facility. The project
was designed by Moffatt & Nichol Engineers, and constructed
by American Construction Company. The next phase of marina
recapitalization will be to continue work in the south marina
covered moorage docks with the replacement of the roof systems
and the addition of floatation and electrical upgrades, as
designed by Moffatt & Nichol. This fall, the port will also
be adding supplemental floatation to the docks in the southwest
corner of the marina, starting with A-Dock South.
Port of Tacoma schedules
series of educational workshops
TACOMA The Port of Tacoma will host the first of five
evening workshops June 23 and June 25 designed to educate the
public about the port, its history, operations and future
development plans. These "Port 101" workshops expand
last years launch of the program in an effort to connect
more broadly with citizens throughout the community. The first
two 90-minute workshops will be held in these Pierce County
communities on the following dates and times:
Steilacoom
Tuesday, June 23, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Steilacoom Town Hall
1717 Lafayette St.
Gig Harbor
Thursday, June 25, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Gig Harbor City Hall
3510 Grandview Street
The workshops also will travel to Fife in September and Sumner
and Spanaway in October.
Port association pleased with
transportation act blueprint
ALEXANDRIA, VA The American Association of Port
Authorities (AAPA) has lauded specific language in a 90-page
blueprint released by Rep. James L. Oberstar (D-Minn.), chairman
of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The
Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009 would give
priority status to freight and freight mobility as part of the
federal surface transportation reauthorization legislation that
would replace the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) bill,
which was passed in 2005 and is set to expire at the end of
September. The bill's blueprint contains many elements which tie
in to AAPA's Surface Transportation Authorization policy
position. These include: establishment of an Office of
Intermodalism in the Office of the Secretary of Transportation;
support for Projects of National Significance; and a Freight
Improvement Program, which provides state formula grant funding
specifically targeted to freight and goods movement projects.
AAPA also supports the bill's proposed measures directed at
improving project delivery by eliminating duplication in
documentation in procedures during the environmental review
process and project design and build. The proposed bill provides
$450 billion in funding over six years, including $337.4 billion
for highway construction investment and $25 billion for Projects
of National Significance.
APL cargo container
becomes medical facility
SAN SALVADOR Deep in the Salvadoran jungle, rural
residents are receiving free medical treatment in a 40-foot cargo
container. Ocean shipping line APL helped bring the healthcare
innovation to life. APL, the worlds 7th-largest carrier,
supported HOPE CHARITABLE SERVICES of Portsmouth, Va. and its
partners, Lend-A-Hand Mission Teams and the Diocese of Richmond,
Va. this spring as they installed a state of the art and fully
self contained clinic, with generator, air conditioning, bathroom
and fully equipped examination rooms fashioned from an APL
container in a rural village east of San Salvador. Since
late-May medical clinic volunteers have been serving 1,500
residents of El Sitio whove been relocated following
earthquakes and mudslides. An APL vessel shipped the clinic from
the U.S. to Guatemala. Then the company arranged transportation
to El Salvador. The container was trucked into the jungle, placed
on a foundation and connected to power and water sources.
Coast Guard Sector Portland
to celebrate Auxiliary anniversary
PORTLAND At 2 p.m. tomorrow, Coast Guard Sector Portland
will honor the Coast Guard Auxiliary for 70 years of service at
Coast Guard Sector Portland, 6767 N. Basin Ave. The Auxiliary is
a civil organization that Congress authorized to support all
Coast Guard missions except engagement in law enforcement or
military activity. The lineage of the Auxiliary in Coast Guard
history can be traced back several decades with this organization
being vital members of Team Coast Guard since before World War
II. Without doubt, had it not been for the unwavering commitment
of the Auxiliary during the 1940s, 50s, 60s and
70s, the Coast Guard could not have achieved all of its
responsibilities. The Auxiliary continues to be the leading
factor in the success of many Coast Guard led programs such as
Recreational Safe Boating. As of December 2008 there were
approximately 30,000 active Auxiliary members nationwide, with
over 1,000 serving in the Sector Portland area of responsibility
that is bound by southern Washington in the north, the
Oregon/California border in the south, and the Idaho-Utah-Wyoming
junction in the east. As the Coast Guard has continued to evolve
and has taken on additional responsibility following the
terrorist attacks of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, the agency has
asked this critical force multiplier to expand their level of
support and capability. As always, they have met the challenge.
During 2008, the Auxiliary in this region of the Northwest alone
completed 4,372 vessel safety checks, performed over 2,278 hours
of public instruction, and logged more than 118, 574 hours of
operational support and patrol missions; no small task for any
organization and even more outstanding as these are volunteers.
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, June 19, 2009
Port of Vancouver, USA
names property 'Centennial'
VANCOUVER With its 100-year anniversary coming in 2012,
the Port of Vancouver USA is already beginning celebrations of
its first century, with an eye on the second. The port recently
announced that its newest light industrial property
formerly known as Parcel 8 has been officially
named the Centennial Industrial Park. As the first piece of
property that has been prepared for development, the 58-acre
parcel is adjacent to a 50-acre parcel that is also intended for
light industrial development, and a 165-acre parcel that will
soon be a port-owned wetland mitigation bank. Collectively, the
three parcels are the property formerly known as the Rufener
Farm, north of SR-501 (Lower River Road) from the ports
administrative offices. Companies targeted in the marketing of
this available property include manufacturers of renewable energy
components, or manufacturers that support renewable energy
production and other diverse manufacturing and light industrial
uses. Active marketing of the property is already underway, and
there are parties interested in locating on the property.
Coast Guard Petty Officer
receives Silver Lifesaving Medal
SEATTLE Petty Officer Truman N. Skang, an electrician's
mate, at Sector Seattle, received the Silver Lifesaving Medal
from Rear Adm. John P. Currier, Commander, 13th Coast Guard
District, at a ceremony held at Sector Seattle, Wednesday, June
10, 2009. Petty Officer Skang received the medal for his actions
on June 20, 2008 at the Des Moines Marina in Des Moines, Wash.,
when a motorist mistakenly drove his car into Puget Sound. Petty
Officer Skang, off-duty at the time, and several Good Samaritans
immediately entered the water and swam to the car to assist.
After attempting to smash through the front windshield, and as
the vehicle began sinking, Skang successfully opened the driver
side window and worked the driver free. With the vehicle
submerged and continuing to sink Skang braced his feet against
the vehicle and pulled the driver through the window to safety on
the surface. The driver was then brought to the shore and treated
by emergency medical personnel. Tragically, a passenger and her
dog died in the accident. The Silver Lifesaving Medal was created
by Congress in 1874 and is awarded to people who endanger their
own lives while saving or attempting to save another from
drowning, a shipwreck or other perils of the water. The Coast
Guard is the ultimate award authority for the Silver Lifesaving
Medal and can award the decoration to members of all military
branches as well as civilians.
US Rail freight traffic
holds own during week
WASHINGTON, DC Showing slight signs of a slowly improving
economy, rail carloadings on major U.S. railroads last week were
at their highest level in nine weeks, the Association of American
Railroads reports. U.S. railroads originated 260,282 cars during
the week ended June 6, down 19.8 percent from the same week in
2008, with loadings down 16.5 percent in the West and 24.4
percent in the East. Intermodal volume of 188,801 trailers or
containers was off 20.1 percent from the same period last year,
with container volume falling 15.3 percent and trailer volume
dropping 37.7 percent. Eighteen of 19 carload commodity groups
were down from last year, with declines ranging from 6.7 percent
for grain mill products to 68.2 percent for metallic ores. The
lone group showing an increase was the catch-all category labeled
all other carloads which was up 24.4 percent. Total
volume was estimated at 27.7 billion ton-miles, down 18.8 percent
from 2008. For the first 22 weeks of 2009, U.S. railroads
reported cumulative volume of 5,799,687 carloads, down 19.5
percent from the same period in 2008. In addition, 4,080,869
trailers or containers were down 16.9 percent, and total volume
of an estimated 615.6 billion ton-miles, down 18.4 percent.
APL earns top spot
for agricultural exports
WASHINGTON, DC APL, the worlds 7th-largest container
shipping line, is No. 1 in the eyes of U.S. agricultural
exporters. Thats the verdict of shippers surveyed this
spring by the Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC). The
nations leading trade association for agricultural shippers
and forwarders, Washington-based AgTC announced this week that
APL placed first in its annual Ocean Carrier Performance Survey.
It was the second No. 1 ranking for APL in the three-year history
of the survey. APL is a top 5 carrier of U.S. exports. In the
survey of leading agricultural shippers, it placed ahead of 19
other ocean carriers. The lines were rated on bookings, equipment
and space allocation, documentation and customer service
practices. The coalition said the purpose of its annual survey is
to recognize carriers who consistently perform well and to
encourage others to do better.
Right Wright Brothers needed
for Portland Airport campaign
PORTLAND This summer Portland area residents may encounter
a couple of characters from aviation historyOrville and
Wilbur Wrightor at least a couple of local folks portraying
the famous duo. The Port of Portland is launching a campaign to
show its appreciation to all 14 of Portland International
Airports air carriersairlines. The campaign will
include Wright Brothers appearances at air shows, charity events,
airports and more as well as an on-line essay contest. Teams of
individuals interested in auditioning to portray Orville and
Wilbur should go to www.flypdx.com for a complete position
description and on-line applications. Applicants must be 18 years
or older, enjoy interacting with the public and have sound
knowledge and a love of aviation. The deadline for application is
June 26 and selection will be made by July 9. The second phase of
the campaign is an essay contest. Beginning July 6, writers nine
years of age or older will be asked to provide a 250-word essay
about how their lives have been improved by any or all of the 14
PDX carriers. A total of seven prizes will be awarded in three
categories: two for youth ages 9 to 13; two for youth ages 14 to
18 and three for adults over 18. Adult winners will each receive
$1,000 travel vouchers and the youth winners will each receive
$500 travel vouchers.
NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Alaska Airlines adding fourth
Bellingham to Las Vegas flight
BELLINGHAM Alaska Airlines has announced it will add a
fourth weekly flight between Bellingham and Las Vegas, starting
Monday, Aug. 3. Thrice-weekly service between the two cities is
scheduled to begin Thursday, June 25, 2009. The new 2-hour,
30-minute flight will operate between Bellingham International
Airport and McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas on
Mondays. Service between the two cities starting June 25 will
operate on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Alaska Airlines
previously served Bellingham from 1989 to 1992, and since has
been serving the market via sister carrier Horizon Air.
Port of Everett Commissioners
tap Belt Collins for historical project
EVERETT On June 16, the Port of Everett Commission
unanimously approved a $400,000 contract to Seattle-based Belt
Collins for a comprehensive historical interpretive program in
the ports North Marina Redevelopment Area. This
interpretive program will honor the lumber and shingle mills and
commercial fishing and boat building industries. Belt Collins is
best known for their work on the Liberty Island Discovery project
at the Statue of Liberty. The port and the Everett historical
community will work with Belt Collins to develop the program's
content and decide on the various locations throughout the North
Marina Area between 10th and 17th Street and West Marine View
Drive. The first phase of the interpretive program will be
located at the ports new administration building lobby at
Port Gardner Wharf with a Sailing Through Time theme.
Other locations and themes will be developed through the master
planning process, but could include placement along the
waterfront walkways and in the Fishermans Tribute Plaza,
which will be under construction shortly.
Hanjin takes delivery
of new cape size vessel
SEOUL Hanjin Shipping has announced that it has taken
delivery of Hanjin SINES, a new cape size vessel from Hyundai
Heave Industries. Hanjin notes that Hanjin SINES is built with a
double hull fuel tank for safety reasons according to FOTP (Fuel
Oil Tank Protection) regulation. Also, its engine consumes less
fuel than existing models. At the christening ceremony, Young Min
Kim, president& CEO of Hanjin Shipping commented, I
appreciate all the hard work put into constructing this fine
ship. Though we are going through a hard phase in the
worlds economy, Hanjin Shipping will take every opportunity
available in this crisis in order to continue our journey to
becoming the worlds leading total logistics company.
Hanjin operates around 100 bulk vessels including 20 cape size
ships.
Coast Guard names new
chief acquisition officer
WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. Coast Guard named its new
Assistant Commandant for Acquisition and its Chief Acquisition
Officer Monday and promoted that flag officer Wednesday to rear
admiral upper half. The Coast Guard's newest two-star admiral is
Rear Adm. Ronald J. Rábago, a 1978 graduate of the Coast Guard
Academy. Adm. Rábago previously served as the Coast Guard
Program executive Officer and director of Acquisition Programs
since the establishment of the Acquisition Directorate July 13,
2007. Adm. Rábago's new duties include direction of all Coast
Guard acquisition programs and related procurement management,
contracting and research and development activities to support
the service's $27 billion acquisition investment portfolio. That
portfolio consists of 22 major acquisition projects which deliver
the systems, products and services necessary for mission
execution. Adm. Rábago also served as the program executive
officer for the Integrated Deepwater System, where he provided
management oversight for all Coast Guard acquisition programs and
projects, including Deepwater, and gained experience in managing
the sustainment, modernization and recapitalization of surface,
air, command and control, and logistics assets for the Coast
Guard's missions.
TITAN removes stern section
from sunken freighter
PORTLAND TITAN Salvage last week successfully cut the
stern section and engine room from the No. 5 cargo hold of the
sunken freighter NEW FLAME, then lifted the 3,000-ton section
from the seabed off Europa Point and transported it to the Port
of Gibraltar, marking a major milestone in what is believed to be
the largest wreck removal operation being undertaken in the
world. The section was transported June 10 by TITAN into the port
of Gibraltar where it is now suspended in the rigging of the
RAMBIZ in calm and sheltered waters. There, the TITAN team is
working to remove pieces of the section to reduce its total
weight so the lift bags and pontoons are no longer needed and it
can be lifted completely out of the water by the RAMBIZ and
placed aboard a barge for transport to an approved scraping
facility. The NEW FLAME sank following a collision while exiting
the port of Gibraltar in August of last year. The remains of the
wreck now lie in the open ocean off Gibraltar's Europa Point. The
ship was loaded with over 42,000 tons of scrap metal, which was
being transported from New York Harbor to Turkey for recycling.
NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Port of Everett to deconstruct
historic North Coast Casket structure
EVERETT On June 16, 2009, the Everett Port Commission
voted to deconstruct the North Coast Casket Company (Collins
Building) located on the Everett waterfront. This decision
came after the port, in partnership with historical agencies,
underwent a four-year effort to try and rehabilitate the historic
structure. Since 1999, the Port of Everett has been working to
find a viable and productive use for the 60,000 square foot
structure. During this time, numerous structural engineering and
economic impact studies were done. All reports indicated that the
Collins Building was in very poor condition, and that
rehabilitating it would be extremely expensive. To ensure the
building lives on in the community, the port has embarked on a
mission to capture its rich heritage. The plan includes creating
a booklet to trace the history of the building, using 3D laser
scanning technology to digitally recreate the building,
developing an interactive multi-media CD, and deconstructing the
building.
Neah Bay tug contract
extended with Crowley Maritime
OLYMPIA The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has
extended its contract agreement with Crowley Maritime Corp. to
station a state-funded emergency response tug at Neah Bay for
another full year of service beginning July 1, 2009, through June
30, 2010. Under the $3.6 million extension agreement, an
emergency response tug will remain at Neah Bay to prevent
disabled ships and barges from drifting onto rocks and causing
oil spills in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Washington's outer
coast. The contract marks the final year the state will pay for
the emergency response tug service. On March 24, 2009, Washington
Gov. Chris Gregoire signed legislation that shifted funding
responsibility for the Neah Bay tug from the state to the
maritime industry beginning July 1, 2010. The new law will ensure
a high-capability ocean-going tug is permanently deployed at Neah
Bay year round.
Freight transportation index
drops during month of April
WASHINGTON, DC The Freight Transportation Services Index
(TSI) fell 1.2 percent in April from its March level, declining
for the second consecutive month to the lowest level in seven
years, the U.S. Department of Transportations Bureau of
Transportation Statistics (BTS) reports. The April decrease was
the seventh decline in the Freight TSI in the last nine months.
The index has declined 10.0 percent in that nine-month period.
The 1.2 percent decline in the first four months of 2009 was the
second largest in the last decade, exceeded only by a 6.7 percent
decline for the first four months of 2000. The April level of the
Freight TSI of 100.2 is at the lowest level since April 2002 when
it was 99.3. The Freight TSI is down 11.4 percent from its
historic peak of 113.1 reached in November 2005. The freight TSI
measures the month-to-month changes in the output of services
provided by the for-hire freight transportation industries.
Coast Guard creates committee
for Merchant Mariner medical matters
WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. Coast Guard has announced the
establishment of the Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee,
which will be involved with matters relating to the medical
evaluation process and evaluation criteria for medical
certification of merchant mariners. The Merchant Mariner Medical
Advisory Committee will be comprised of 10 health care
professionals with certain expertise, knowledge or experience in
occupational medicine or the medical examination of merchant
mariners. Four more committee members will be professional
mariners who possess knowledge and experience in the occupational
requirements for mariners. People interested in serving on the
committee should contact Lt. J. Court Smith at (202) 372-1128
or via e-mail at james.c.smith1@uscg.mil. The Federal Register
notice may be viewed at www.regulations.gov, docket number:
USCG-2009-0446.
Air Canada begins
Portland to Calgary flights
PORTLAND The June 15 departure of Air Canada flight AC
8316 marks the launch of the only daily, non-stop service between
Calgary and Portland. Fares currently start as low as US $127 one
way, before taxes and other fees, and are available for sale at
aircanada.com. Air Canada is pleased to launch our newest
transborder flights linking Calgary and Portland with daily
non-stop service, said Marcel Forget, Vice President,
Network Planning, Air Canada. We expect our new Portland
service to be popular with business travellers as well as both
Canadian and American vacationers looking to enjoy the year-round
outdoor adventures offered in Alberta and in Oregon. In addition,
our Calgary-Portland flights have been timed for convenient
connections to and from other points in our network including
Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Edmonton and Winnipeg.
NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, June 15, 2009
Corps set to begin
Oregon dredging projects
PORTLAND The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has started its
annual maintenance dredging season at 12 Oregon coastal projects
and in the Columbia River. Portland Districts two hopper
dredges and several private industry dredges will divide the work
load. A combination of regular budget allocations and stimulus
funds made this years dredging contracts possible. American
Construction will begin dredging about 30,000 cubic yards of
sediment from Port Orford in mid-June. The Corps will open this
years South Coast contract for bids at the end of June. The
work consists of dredging a total of 135,000 cubic yards of
material from Depot Slough in the Yaquina River near Toledo,
Ore.; the Siuslaw River turning basin near Florence, Ore.; the
Winchester boat basins in the Umpqua River; the Charleston boat
basin adjacent to the Coos River; and the Chetco River entrance
at Brookings, Ore. The Corps recently awarded the North Coast
hopper dredge contract to Great Lakes Dredge and Dock to dredge
4.4 million cubic yards at the mouth and in the lower Columbia
River, and at the Coos Bay entrance. The Corps will award a
maintenance mechanical dredging contract next week to remove
800,000 cubic yards of material from miles 12 to 15 of the Coos
River from July to October. The Corps also will award a small
business pipeline contract next week to dredge 62,000 cubic yards
of material from the Garibaldi and Depoe Bay boat basins from
mid-July to mid-September. The Corps will advertise the North
Coast mechanical bucket dredge contract in July. The work
involves dredging 225,000 cubic yards of material from three
locations on the Columbia River: Chinook and Baker Bay from
September to October, and the Westport Ferry Crossing from
November to February.
Sea-Tac cell phone lot
closed until early July
SEATTLE Drivers waiting to pick up passengers need to be
aware that Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has closed the
Cell Phone Waiting Lot for about a month in order to replace it
with a location nearly double in size. The new location is
expected to open in early July. The new location, just north on
Air Cargo Road, will create nearly 100 spaces for vehicles,
doubling the size of the current lot. The closure will allow the
modification of the new lot with barriers, striping and signage.
The Cell Phone Waiting Lot is a free service from the Port of
Seattle that allows drivers to wait up to 30 minutes in the lot
until arriving passengers have deplaned, collected luggage and
called to be picked up outside of Baggage Claim. Drivers must
stay with their vehicles. Please be aware there is no parking or
waiting allowed on the airport roadway shoulders at any time.
Panama Canal Authority
slams contract seeker's statement
PANAMA CITY The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has refuted
statements made by Impregilo SpA President Massimo Ponzellini,
which indicated that said company obtained the highest rating in
the technical evaluation for the contract to design and build the
Panama Canals new set of locks. The ACP categorically
denies the statements made by Ponzellini, which were subsequently
reported by Reuters, claiming that Impregilo SpA (and its Grupo
Unidos por el Canal consortium partners), obtained the
highest score in the technical evaluation for said
contract. The technical evaluation process is still very much
underway, and the ACP has yet to determine the information. Once
the technical evaluation is completed, all of the proposals will
move to a stage of internal and external audits to validate the
procedures. From there, a date will be set to announce, in a
public ceremony, the results of the technical proposals and to
open the envelopes containing the price of each proposal.
Currently, these envelopes remain sealed in an independent and
secure vault in Panamas National Bank.
Boeing research predicts growth
in commercial airplane market
LONDON Boeing forecasts a $3.2 trillion market for new
commercial airplanes over the next 20 years and takes into
account the industry's near-term realities, including a global
economic recession, declining passenger and cargo traffic, and
unpredictable fuel prices. The Boeing 2009 Current Market Outlook
(CMO), which was released in London today, foresees a market for
29,000 new commercial passenger and freighter airplanes by 2028.
The report, now in its 45th year of public release and widely
regarded as the most comprehensive and respected analysis of the
commercial aviation market, reflects the extremely dynamic
situation the industry is facing today. Boeing analysis shows
that over time, the commercial airplanes market will stabilize
and economic growth will return. Boeing expects passenger traffic
to grow at an average rate of 4.9 percent each year for the next
20 years. The Boeing Current Market Outlook includes updated
freighter forecast numbers, accompanying the highly detailed
World Air Cargo Forecast, which is published in even-numbered
years. Boeing projects long-term global air cargo traffic to grow
at an average annual rate of 5.4 percent over the next 20 years.
In line with anticipated long-term trade growth, this will lead
to overall cargo traffic nearly tripling over the period. A shift
toward larger freighters and new, more efficient airplanes will
help keep air cargo transport affordable.
Crowley awards pair
with memorial scholarships
JACKSONVILLE, FL Crowley's commitment to help exemplary
students with college expenses continued even across geographical
borders, as the company awarded Thomas B. Crowley Memorial
scholarships to students at Texas A&M University and the
Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala. The recent scholarships were
awarded to Cadet Donovan Peterson, a student at the Texas A&M
University's Texas Maritime Academy and Josseline Vanessa Leiva
Flores, a business administration major at Universidad de San
Carlos de Guatemala in Puerto Barrios, Izabal. Mr. Peterson, a
marine transportation major from Jacksonville, has sailed with
Crowley part-time and during some summers for the last six years
and his goal is to make a career at the company following his
graduation from Texas A&M University in May of 2011. Ms.
Flores, 18, is a native of Livingston, Izabal. Her goal is to
become a manager for a company in the Puerto Barrios or Santo
Tomas de Castilla, Izabal region. The college freshman is the
fourth recipient of Crowley's Scholarship in Guatemala.
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, June 12, 2009
New groundwater cleanup system
brought online by Port of Vancouver
VANCOUVER, USA Port of Vancouver USA officials have
flipped the switch on a new Groundwater Cleanup
Facility that will help speed the completion of the cleanup of
TCE contamination in groundwater under the Fruit Valley
neighborhood in West Vancouver. Trichloroethylene (TCE) and other
chlorinated solvents were found in late 1998 in the groundwater
during construction of the Mill Plain Extension. That property,
formerly the site of Swan Manufacturing, was one source of the
contamination. The other site, where Cadet Manufacturing is
located on Lower River Road, was purchased in 2006 by the port as
part of a settlement agreement and to help Cadet avoid bankruptcy
and to keep cleanup efforts underway. The new facility
owned by the Port of Vancouver USA and built by Rotschy, Inc., of
Yacolt, Wash. was tested in May, and is currently pumping
contaminated water from an aquifer under Fruit Valley. It is the
facility the port and the Washington State Department of Ecology
jointly announced in July of 2007, and broke ground on in October
of 2008.
Horizon Lines reaches settlement
in Puerto Rico class action case
CHARLOTTE, NC Horizon Lines, Inc. has reported that it has
entered into a settlement agreement with the plaintiffs in the
Puerto Rico class action antitrust litigation. As previously
reported, several purported class action lawsuits were filed
against Horizon Lines and other domestic shipping carriers on
behalf of a class of individuals and entities who purchased
domestic ocean shipping services from various domestic ocean
carriers in the Puerto Rico tradelane between 2002 and 2008.
Those lawsuits were consolidated into a single multidistrict
litigation proceeding in the United States District Court for the
District of Puerto Rico. The complaints allege price-fixing in
violation of the Sherman Act and Puerto Rican antitrust laws and
seek treble monetary damages, costs, attorneys' fees, and an
injunction against the allegedly unlawful conduct. On June 11,
2009, Horizon Lines entered into a settlement agreement with the
plaintiffs in the Puerto Rico class action antitrust litigation.
Under the settlement agreement, which is subject to court
approval, Horizon has agreed to pay $20 million and to certain
base-rate freezes, to resolve claims for alleged antitrust
violations in the Puerto Rico tradelane.
Lifeboat manufacturer
opens Anacortes service center
ANACORTES Lifeboat and davit manufacturer Schat-Harding
has opened a fully staffed service center on the west coast of
the United States as part of the global Schat-Harding network.
The new facility, based near Seattle, becomes the sixth dedicated
Schat-Harding location in the Americas. Graeme Wilson, former
president of Seattle-based independent lifeboat service company
Cap Sante International, has been appointed sales and contracts
director for the new company. Former Cap Sante International
operations manager David Jones has also been recruited as part of
the new team, which will be further strengthened by the imminent
arrival of a number of experienced service engineers. Mr. Wilson
says, Schat-Harding believes in being close to its
customers, providing them with a responsive service when they
need it, where they need it. The new facility will meet demand
from a number of leading shipping companies for a reliable and
responsive original equipment parts and service resource close to
all major US west coast locations. It will also assist the
Schat-Harding service center in Vancouver, Canada.
Rail freight numbers fall
during month of May
WASHINGTON, DC Freight railroad traffic was down sharply
in May in comparison with the same month last year, the
Association of American Railroads reports. U.S. rail carload
traffic in May 2009 fell 24.7 percent (325,267 carloads) compared
to May 2008 to 989,306 carloads. U.S. rail intermodal traffic
(which is not included in carloads) fell 19.7 percent (177,482
trailers and containers) to 723,898 units in May 2009. Canadian
rail carload traffic (which includes both the Canadian and U.S.
operations of CN and Canadian Pacific, the two largest Canadian
railroads) fell 32.8 percent (104,003 carloads) in May 2009 to
213,517 carloads, while Canadian intermodal traffic fell 34,844
units (18.1 percent) to 157,446 trailers and containers. U.S.U.S.
rail carloadings fell in May 2009 in all 19 major commodity
groups tracked by the AAR, including coal (down 89,134 carloads,
or 15.8 percent); motor vehicles and equipment (down 35,674
carloads, or 52.3 percent); and metals and metal products (down
33,987 carloads, or 62.7 percent). Carloads of chemicals were
down 23,147 carloads (18.3 percent) and carloads of grain were
down 21,910 carloads (24.5 percent). Canadian carload declines in
May 2009 were led by metallic ores (down 79.8 percent, or 45,392
carloads); chemicals (down 13,487 carloads, or 23.6 percent); and
grain (down 7,222 carloads, or 17.1 percent).
Greenbrier names McManus
to company's Board of Directors
SEATTLE The Greenbrier Companies has announced the
election of Victoria McManus to the company's Board of Directors.
The election of Ms. McManus increases Greenbrier's Board of
Directors to nine members, six of which are independent. Ms.
McManus' credentials include over twenty years experience in the
finance industry, with emphasis on the rail equipment sector. Ms.
McManus, a long time resident of New York City, was head of
Babcock & Brown's North American Rail Group, from its
founding in 1999 until mid-2008. During this tenure, the Rail
Group raised significant capital from the European and Asian
markets for investment in rail assets placed under operating
leases, and became a major participant in the rail equipment
marketplace. Before joining Babcock & Brown, Ms. McManus was
an executive with The CIT Group for ten years. Her last position
at CIT was president of the Rail Division, where she changed the
strategic direction of the business to a full service platform to
provide both financial and equipment leasing services to the rail
freight industry.
NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Port of Seattle sees first call
of new CMA CGM, Maersk service
SEATTLE A new joint service of CMA CGM and Maersk Line
made its first call at the Port of Seattle on Sunday, June 7,
when the SeaLand New York arrived at Terminal 18. Seattle is the
first inbound port-of-call on the Asia-West Coast leg of the
service. The port rotation is Tanjung Pelepas, Hong Kong,
Yantian, Shanghai, Busan, Seattle, Vancouver, Tanjung Pelepas.
The two carriers will have 14 ships on the pendulum service,
which calls the U.S. East Coast from Asia via the Suez canal.
Each ship has a capacity of 6,500 TEUs.
Pair of new food servers
headed to Portland Airport
PORTLAND Two popular local eating establishments are
bringing their concepts to Portland International Airport,
following Port of Portland Commission approval. Beaches
Restaurant & Bar, a well-known favorite from Vancouver,
Wash., will open in the airports Oregon Market next spring.
Beaches will provide table service breakfast, lunch and dinner,
and will offer sushi and a full bar experience. Besides a varied
menu of seafood, chicken, steak, soups, salads, sandwiches and
pizza, the restaurant, known for its support of local
childrens causes, will also feature activities for kids and
power outlets for their parents laptops. Elephants
Delicatessen, a favorite among Portlanders since 1979,
specializes in artisan foods and premier catering. With four
Portland-area delis already in place, the company will open its
new location toward the end of the year in the airports
food court. Elephants takes pride in the fact that its chefs
prepare local foods from scratch every day, including deli and
hot foods, hearth breads and desserts. Commissioners also
approved the renewal of several concessions leases:
Sandovals Mexican Restaurants, a locally owned and operated
business with two airport locations one in the food court
and one on Concourse C; retailers Made in Oregon, Powells
Books, and The Real Mother Goose; and a continuation of Panda
Express, located in the Oregon Market food court. The port also
entered into a new lease with Naito Corp., for a new Made in
Oregon location on Concourse D.
Turner Engineering moving to
Port of Vancouver, USA facility
VANCOUVER, USA Turner Engineering Company also
known as TECO has signed a lease with the Port of
Vancouver USA to move its operations into a portion of the former
Panasonic complex at the port. Turner Engineering is moving from
Columbia Business Center into a space that initially stands at
59,400 square feet. The company has the right of first refusal to
expand into the remaining 83,400 square feet in the 142,800
square foot 2001 Building. The premises will be used for office,
manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, and assembly of steel
conveyor systems and related projects. The term of the lease is
six years and five days, effective May 26, 2009 and expiring on
May 31, 2015. There are two five-year options to extend. Income
to the port during the initial lease term will be $1,515,452 plus
leasehold excise tax, insurance, common area maintenance fees and
rail wheelage fees.
Greenbrier reaches investment deal
with WL Ross & Company
LAKE OSWEGO The Greenbrier Companies has announced it has
received a strategic investment from WL Ross & Co. LLC (WL
Ross). As part of this investment, WL Ross has funded a flexible
three-year term loan for $75 million. The loan proceeds will be
used to pay down debt and serve as a platform for future growth,
including the pursuit of select growth opportunities in
conjunction with WL Ross in all areas of Greenbrier's present
business. In addition, the company's existing North American
revolving credit facility led by Bank of America has been
amended. Specifically, the size of the facility has been reduced
to $100 million from $290 million. The terms of certain financial
covenants have also been made significantly more accommodative to
Greenbrier. The maturity date of the revolver remains at November
2011. Following the closing, Greenbrier currently has nothing
drawn on the revolving facility, and cash balances of
approximately $30 million. The company does not expect to draw on
the revolving facility for its operating needs until there is an
upturn in the economy and market demand or an expansion
opportunity presents itself. The combination of the two
facilities provides the company ample liquidity, while also
diminishing the risk of potential financial covenant issues and
related risk of cross-defaults under the company's various debt
obligations. The WL Ross loan, which contains no financial
covenants, will mature in June 2012. The next potential earliest
maturity of any significant debt is May 2013.
Regus opens business center
at Seattle-Tacoma Airport
SEATTLE Regus, a global flexible workplace solutions firm,
has announced that it has opened a new Regus Business Center
Express in the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac). The
new center, which is located on Concourse C, offers business
travelers a comfortable, professional working environment that
includes an open-style business bar complete with flat-panel
computer terminals and wireless Internet access. In addition to
its contemporary work environment the center includes parcel
shipping services, and business-grade copiers, printers and
faxes. The center, which also features an extensive retail
section with the latest laptop, PDA and mobile phone accessories,
is staffed with a highly-trained on-site team to provide
technical and product knowledge support. The new center is open
to the public and workstations are available for use in as little
as fifteen minute increments. Regus Businessworld clients receive
discounts on workstation usage and accessories. Regus has another
LapTop Lane location at SeaTac in the North Satellite Concourse.
The company currently has five Regus Business Center
Express/LapTop Lane locations across the United States, including
Salt Lake City, Cincinnati, Atlanta and Seattle.
NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Harley Marine Services
orders vessel from U.S. Barge
PORTLAND U.S. Barge has capped off another successful year
by signing a contract with Harley Marine Services to build an
83,000 barrel double hull barge. This contract supports Harley
Marine Servicess goal of accelerated compliance with OPA 90
requirements for double hulled barges. The double hull barge will
have 83,000 barrel capacity, and will measure 422 long by
76 wide. It will be OPA 90 compliant as well as ABS Classed
Maltese A-1 and Loadline Un-Manned Ocean Services. Upon delivery
in spring 2010, it will be placed in service to support Harley
Marine Servicess West Coast-wide operations. All outfitting
will be performed inhouse by U.S. Barge. The barge will be
equipped with the latest technology, including a full vapor
processing unit and an electronic cargo tank monitoring system.
All 12 cargo tanks will be coiled with a heating unit
specifically calibrated to keep the product within a narrow
temperature range for optimal use.
Port Tracker report finds
container volumes drop again
WASHINGTON, DC Import cargo volume at the nations
major retail container ports remained below the one million mark
in April and was the third-slowest month in the past five years
despite a slight improvement over March, according to the monthly
Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation
and IHS Global Insight. U.S. ports surveyed handled 990,632
Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units in April, the most recent month for
which actual numbers are available. That was up two percent from
March but down 22 percent from April 2008. After February (839,
492 TEU) and March (970,949 TEU), the figure was the third-lowest
since the 901,497 seen in February 2004, and marks the 22nd month
in a row to see a year-over-year decline
Port of Everett marinas
net 'Clean' re-certification
EVERETT On June 1, the Port of Everett successfully
completed the Clean Marina re-certification for its 2,300 slip
marina facilities, the largest public marina on the West Coast.
The port was first certified by Clean Marina Washington in
February 2007, and became eligible for re-certification this
year. Clean Marina Washington renewed this certification as a
result of the ports continued effort to seek out
opportunities toward becoming a better environmental steward in
the region. After becoming Clean Marina certified, the port
expanded its hazardous waste disposal for its customers and
implemented the sale and usage of less hazardous products. The
port opened one of the areas first marina hazardous waste
disposal facilities in the early 1990s.
Panama Canal Authority
honored for expansion plans
PANAMA CITY The Panama Canal Expansion Program received
its 11th international award to date at the 2009 International
Logistics and Material Handling Exhibition (SIL 2009) in
Barcelona, Spain June 4. Judges unanimously bestowed the
Best International Project award to the Panama Canal
Authority (ACP) for its management of the canals expansion,
the largest infrastructure initiative in Latin
America. Expansion will build a new lane of traffic along
the Panama Canal through the construction of a new set of locks,
which will double capacity and allow more traffic and longer,
wider ships.
"K" Line opens
own agency in Brazil
TOKYO Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, LTD. (K LINE) has
announced it has established its own shipping agency,
K Line RORO & Bulk Agencia Maritima LTDA., in
Brazil for Car Carrier and Bulk shipping business (both dry and
liquid, including energy transportation) with business operations
having officially commenced on May 18, 2009. The new company was
established as a joint venture between K Line Brasil
LTDA., K Lines 100 percent-owned general agent,
and the owners of the former agent (Capricorn Afretamentos LTDA.)
for K LINE Car Carrier business in Brazil.
K Line RORO & Agencia Maritima LTDA has
undertaken all agency work for K Line Car Carrier
business as well as being positioned for future strategic
functions as K Line furthers its business expansion
in Brazil in view of potential growth in both the Bulk and Energy
transportation sectors.
NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, June 8, 2009
Port of Seattle welcomes
largest container vessels
SEATTLE The two largest container ships to ever call the
Port of Seattle the METTE MAERSK and MARIT MAERSK
visited the last week of May and the first week of June. Both
vessels have a capacity of 9,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent
units). The ships were repositioning containers in advance of the
June 7 start of a new joint service by Maersk and CMA CGM. The
new joint Maersk/CMA CGM service that began on June 7 will have
14 vessels with a capacity of 6,500 TEUs each. The service will
connect the Port of Seattle to Tanjung Pelepas, Hong Kong,
Yantian, Shanghai and Busan. Seattle will be the first inbound
port-of-call.
Historic PT boat
saved from sinking
PORTLAND The restored Navy motor torpedo boat PT-658 was
saved from sinking after a multi-agency effort Sunday at the 2009
Portland Rose Festival in Portland. The crew of PT-658 had just
returned to the dock after taking visitors on a short cruise when
flooding was discovered aboard the vessel. All of the visitors
were safely evacuated to shore while Cmdr. Russ Proctor, Coast
Guard Sector Portland Deputy Commander, who happened to be aboard
the vessel for the cruise, coordinated damage control efforts.
The crews of Coast Guard vessels attending the festival were able
to get damage control equipment to the PT 658 while a damage
control team from the Navy Destroyer Shoup arrived to assist with
stopping the flooding. The Coast Guard Auxiliary, Portland Fire
Department and the crew of the sternwheeler Portland aided the
vessel as well. Coast Guard Sector Portland sent marine
inspectors to determine the extent of damage to the vessel. The
PT 658 is owned by Dick Lowe, a Portland resident, and normally
moors at the Swan Island Navy Reserve dock in Portland. It was
built in 1944 and has been featured at the Portland Rose Festival
for five years. Motor torpedo boats like the PT-658 were used to
fire torpedoes at larger ships during World War II earning their
crews the nickname "The Mosquito Fleet."
APL adds new service
connecting US, Vietnam
HO CHI MINH CITY APL reports it has launched the first
weekly direct container shipping service between Vietnam and the
United States, which is Vietnam's leading export partner, with
about 20 percent of all outgoing freight heading across the
Transpacific. A gala event at the brand new Saigon Port-PSA
(SP-PSA) deepwater container terminal located on the Cai Mep
River in Ba Ria Vung Tau Province in southern Vietnam was
attended by leading manufacturers, government officials and other
senior industry figures. The new service will offer the
industrys fastest transit time from Vietnam to the US West
Coast - taking just 15 days to reach Seattle, and 16 days to Los
Angeles. In another first for Vietnam, APL loaded 53-foot
containers on to the APL Denver including product shipped by
global sportswear giant Nike, Inc. The 53-footers have 60 percent
more capacity than standard 40-foot containers. This extra space
enables importers and exporters to consolidate more cargo into
fewer containers.
NYK car carrier
recues four aboard yacht
TOKYO On May 2, JINSEI MARU, an NYK car carrier, rescued
four people on a troubled yacht. The NYK vessel sailing from
Mumbai, India, to Tianjin, China reached the yacht roughly two
hours after picking up a distress call at about 6:15 a.m. 120
miles from the western coast of Luzon Island in the northern
Philippines. The yacht encountered trouble during its return to
Hong Kong after participating in a race between Hong Kong and the
Philippines. The rescued sailors disembarked from Jinsei Maru at
Tianjin on May 8.
FreeSeas announces charters
for three Handysize vessels
PIRAEUS, Greece FreeSeas Inc., a transporter of dry-bulk
cargoes through the ownership and operation of a fleet of seven
Handysize vessels and two Handymax vessels, has announced that it
has successfully obtained charter hire for three of its vessels,
the FREE HERO, the FREE DESTINY, and the FREE KNIGHT. The M/V
FREE HERO, a 1995-built, 24,318 dwt Handysize vessel, has been
fixed for a time charter trip of approximately 35 days at $12,400
per day. The M/V FREE DESTINY, a 1982-built, 25,240 dwt Handysize
vessel, has been fixed for a time charter trip of approximately
30 days at $13,400 per day. The M/V FREE KNIGHT, a 1998-built,
24,111 dwt Handysize vessel, has been delivered to her charterers
for a spot time charter trip of between 45-65 days at $9,000 per
day.
NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, June 5, 2009
Larger Grand Alliance ships
making Port of Seattle calls
SEATTLE Two 8,000-TEU ships and three 7,500-TEU ships have
replaced smaller vessels on the joint NWX service calling the
Port of Seattle operated by Grand Alliance members OOCL and Hapag
Lloyd in cooperation with ZIM. The new ships are currently the
largest vessels to call the port on a regular basis. The
8,000-TEU OOCL Ningbo was the first of the new ships to call at
the Port of Seattle. The port rotation of the NWX service is
Ningbo, Shanghai, Qingdao, Busan, Seattle, Vancouver, Tokyo,
Nagoya, Kobe, Ningbo.
Port of Astoria looking for
applications for commissioner
ASTORIA Interested applicants are being sought by the Port
of Astoria Commission for appointment to fill the position of
Commissioner Kathy Sanders who resigned May 28, 2009. As required
by state law, the newly appointed commissioner will serve until
June 30, 2011. The next port district election will be in May
2011. The Port of Astoria is a key constituent in the economic
development of Clatsop County and faces many sensitive issues in
the months and years ahead. Community-minded individuals with an
interest in port activities willing to participate in creating a
positive team environment and who can bring an entrepreneurial
and creative perspective to the commission are encouraged to
apply. This is a volunteer appointment and will require a
significant investment of time and energy. Applicants for the
position must reside in Clatsop County, Oregon and are requested
to submit a resume and cover letter with completed supplemental
questionnaire that will be available online at
www.portofastoria.com or at port offices. Responses are due to
the port administrative offices at 422 Gateway Avenue, Suite 100,
Astoria, Oregon by June 8, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. Commissioners will
review the applications and select candidates to be interviewed.
Interviews will be conducted in public session at the ports
special meeting on June 10, 2009 beginning at 3:00 p.m. If an
acceptable candidate is found the commissioners intend to appoint
the new commissioner at the regular board meeting on Tuesday,
June 16, 2009. The commission reserves the right to modify the
proposed schedule at any time as necessary to assure a fair and
impartial process resulting in the best possible selection.
Public meeting will discuss
Port of Portland budget
PORTLAND The Tax Supervising and Conversation Commission
will hold a public hearing next Wednesday, June 10 at 10:30 a.m.
on the Port of Portlands Fiscal Year (FY) 2009-10 Budget.
The ports fiscal year runs July 1 through June 30. The
slightly leaner budget reflects recent cost cutting measures and
declines in the ports business lines as well as the
continuation of a large, strategic capital investment program
that will position the port well as the economy begins to
recover. Total port operating revenues and operating expenditures
are budgeted at $239.7 million and $173.8 million respectively
for FY 2009-10, compared to the Adopted FY 2008-09 Budget of
$263.4 million and $188.7 million. The port commission will
consider final adoption of the budget at a special meeting to be
held at 8:30 a.m. on June 24. Both meetings will be held at the
Port of Portland headquarters, Commission Conference Room, 121 NW
Everett Street, Portland. Full copies of the Port of Portland FY
2009-10 Budget are available at
http://www.portofportland.com/PDFPOP/StrategicPlanBudget_09-10_Approved.pdf
Or by contacting Abby Mullins at 503-944-7051.
US rail freight traffic count
shows signs of improvement
WASHINGTON, DC Freight traffic on U.S. railroads during
the week ended May 23 remained down in comparison with last year,
although it did show an increase from the previous week this
year, the Association of American Railroads reports. U.S.
railroads originated 259,265 cars during the week, down 21.5
percent from the comparison week in 2008, but up 4.9 percent from
the previous week this year. In comparison with last year,
loadings were down 16.4 percent in the West and 28.0 percent in
the East. All 19 carload commodity groups were down from last
year, with declines ranging from 4.8 percent for farm products
other than grain to 59.7 percent for metallic ores. Intermodal
volume of 188,885 trailers or containers was off 19.1 percent
from last year, with container volume down 14.2 percent and
trailer traffic off 37.2 percent. Intermodal volume was up 0.2
percent from the previous week this year. Total volume was
estimated at 27.4 billion ton-miles, off 20.3 percent from 2008,
but up 4.6 percent from the previous week this year. For the
first 20 weeks of 2009, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume
of 5,295,843 carloads, down 19.3 percent from 2008; 3,720,454
trailers or containers, down 16.8 percent; and total volume of an
estimated 562.0 billion ton-miles, down 18.2 percent.
Coast Guard presents award
for Puget Sound bunkering project
SEATTLE Coast Guard Captain Suzanne Englebert, Captain of
the Port, Puget Sound presented the United States Coast Guard
Meritorious Public Service Award to Keith Barnes of Harley Marine
Services on June 3. Mr. Barnes was presented the award for his
work to further the safety and protect the environment of the
entire Puget Sound from February 2008 to January 2009. He is
credited with spearheading a major revision to the Puget Sound
Bunkering and Lightering Standards of Care, a document which
outlines safety procedures and requirements for shipping lines
and bunker delivery companies involved in the transfer of fuel
between vessels at sea. Mr. Barnes brought together experts in
local, state and federal government as well as members of the
maritime industry to jointly analyze risk factors involved in the
complex process of bunkering and lightering. Mr. Barnes and his
team then devised protocols and procedures to mitigate those
risks, and thus ensured the protection of the Puget Sounds
pristine environment.
NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Bellingham Port Commissioners
tap Seeger as interim director
BELLINGHAM The Port of Bellingham's Board of Commissioners
has voted unanimously to appoint Fred Seeger to serve as interim
executive director. Mr. Seeger will assume the interim position
immediately while the commissioners undertake a nationwide search
for a permanent executive director. He replaces Jim Darling, who
served as executive director for 15 years. Late last month, Mr.
Darling announced his resignation to work as a vice president and
principal for a Northwest consulting firm. During his final week
at the port, Mr. Darling will assist Seeger with the transition.
Mr. Seeger has worked as the port's facilities director since he
joined the port in 1994. Prior to that, he was manager of the
Commercial Division of Christenson Engineering, now CH2M Hill.
Port of Tacoma honored
for 2009 budget document
TACOMA The Government Finance Officers Association has
awarded the Port of Tacoma its Distinguished Budget Presentation
Award for the port's 2009 budget document. To qualify for the
award, the port "had to satisfy nationally recognized
guidelines for effective budget presentation," according to
the GFOA's announcement of the award. "It reflects the
commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest
principles of governmental budgeting." The budget document
provides an overview of the port's business, including strategic
priorities, operating budget, capital investment program and
financial measures. The Chicago-based GFOA is a nonprofit
professional association serving more than 17,600 government
finance professionals throughout North America.
New Port of Portland website
covers industrial development
PORTLAND When most people think of the Port of Portland
they think of ships and planes, but a new web site devoted to the
ports industrial development efforts helps explain the
important ties between sea, air and land. The new resource was
added to raise awareness about the ports development
projects, properties portfolio, and related strategies to help
drive future volumes of cargo in the region. The new site is now
up and running at www.portofportland.com/Prop_Home.aspx, and is
also accessible from a new tab at the top of the Ports home
page. Features include interactive maps of port properties and a
link to a statewide database of available properties. The Port of
Portland is one of the largest landowners in the Portland
metropolitan area. It owns and manages more than 9,700 acres of
land and nearly 12 million square feet of building space. The
Port also owns four commercial and industrial parks, which are
home to transportation, distribution and trade-related activities
critical to businesses throughout the region. As stewards of the
environment and business alike, the port also manages 720 acres
of environmental mitigation sites. New development like that at
the Troutdale Reynolds Industrial Park, for example, includes
open spaces and efforts to protect wildlife and natural
resources.
Area schoolchildren help name
Port of Vancouver, USA cranes
VANCOUVER, USA The Port of Vancouver USA recently
purchased its second mobile harbor crane, and now that both
cranes are operational and busy lifting wind energy projects and
special oversized cargo, port staff recognized an opportunity to
name both the new arrival and the existing crane. With the help
of 31 different fifth grade classes from across the Vancouver and
Evergreen school districts which submitted a variety of
thoughtful, funny and inventive submissions, the cranes have new
identities, and the children who named them earned a field trip
to the port to visit their cranes. The ports first crane,
purchased in 2006, earned the name Ursa Major
which also is known as the Big Dipper. The name was
submitted by Meredith Gannons fifth graders at Sacajawea
Elementary School in the Vancouver Public Schools. The
ports new crane, which went into service in April 2009, has
been dubbed Bigfoot. This name was submitted by Toni
Johnsons Endeavour Elementary (Evergreen School District)
fifth graders. Finally, a third name was selected to represent
the ports crane duo. The two cranes will collectively be
known as the Blues Brothers, submitted by fifth
graders in Audrey Christinas Crestline Elementary fifth
graders in the Evergreen School District.
Sale of Olympia streetsweeper
to benefit breast cancer fundraiser
OLYMPIA A participant in the upcoming Breast Cancer 3-Day
walk in Seattle, has come up with a novel way to raise funds: she
will sell a pink street sweeper at an unreserved auction in
Olympia and put half the proceeds towards her team's fundraising
efforts. Tina McDonough, the owner of One.7, Inc., the largest
used sweeper dealer in the U.S., will sell the pink 2001
Elgin/Freightliner FL70 S/A street sweeper at an unreserved
public auction being conducted by Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers
(www.rbauction.com) in Olympia on June 17 & 18, 2009. Ritchie
Bros. will also donate its commission and any additional fees
from the street sweeper's sale to the breast cancer fundraiser.
NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Longview Port Commission
Oks new grain terminal lease
LONGVIEW At a special meeting this week, the Port of
Longview Board of Commissioners entered into a land lease
agreement that will bring to the port the first export grain
terminal built in the U.S. in over two decades. The project is
owned by joint venture EGT Development, LLC, a partnership
between Bunge North America, Inc., ITOCHU and STX Pan Ocean.
Estimated capital investment in the facility by EGT is in excess
of $200 million, with the port constructing the ship dock at a
cost of approximately $6 million. The grain facility at the port
will provide significant local and regional economic benefits,
employment, revenue to the port and contribution to the local tax
base. Construction is expected to begin this summer.
New shipbuilding report
inked by Lloyds Register - Fairplay
REDHILL, England Despite the current overcapacity of
tonnage and disastrous shipping rates, the world containership
fleet is expected to continue its rapid growth curve, albeit at a
slightly reduced rate, as deliveries are taken from shipyards and
new shipbuilding orders start to pick up later this year. That is
the conclusion of the Shipbuilding Market Forecast for Container
and Roll-On Roll-Off (Ro-Ro) Ships released this month by
Lloyds Register - Fairplay (LRF) Research. In addition to
containerships, the report provides analysis of the shipbuilding
prospects for Ro-Ro ships and vehicle carriers.
Evergreen joins CSCL
in service cooperation
TAIPEI Evergreen Line and China Shipping Container Lines
have agreed to cooperate on Asia-US West Coast, Asia-Europe and
Asia-Mexico-US East Coast containership services commencing this
month. The two lines will share slots on the Asia /US Pacific
South West Coast route:
Evergreen upgrades its Hong Kong, Taiwan-US West Coast service
(service code: HTW for Evergreen and AAS for CSCL) of five 8,000
TEU vessels. The first vessel will be EVER CHAMPION 0571-027E
from Kaohsiung on June 16, with the port rotation: Kaohsiung -
Xiamen - Hong Kong - Yantian -Los Angeles -Oakland - Kaohsiung.
China Shipping upgrades its North/Central China to US West Coast
service (service code: CPS for Evergreen and AAC for CSCL) of
five 8,000 TEU vessels. The first vessel will be Xin Ou Zhou
0020E from Qingdao on June 16, with a port rotation: Qingdao -
Lian Yun Gang - Shanghai - Ningbo - Pusan - Los Angeles -Oakland
- Qingdao.
The Asia-Mexico-US East Coast route will be : Asia Mexico US East
Coast service (service code:AUE2 for Evergreen and AAE1 for CSCL)
with a total of eight 4,000 TEU vessels. The first vessel will be
ITAL LAGUNA 0001-019E from Shanghai on June 15, with a port
rotation: Shanghai - Hong Kong - Yantian - Lazaro Cardenas - New
York - Norfolk - Savannah - Miami - Lazaro Cardenas - Shanghai.
All appropriate filings for US trades have been made with the U.
S. Federal Maritime Commission.
In the Asia/ European trade:
China North Europe service (service code: CEM for Evergreen and
AEX1 for CSCL) with a total of eight 8,000 TEU vessels. The first
vessel will be Xin Hong Kong 0029W from Qingdao on June 17, with
a port rotation: Qingdao - Shanghai - Ningbo - Felixstowe -
Hamburg - Rotterdam - Zeebrugge - Hong Kong - Qingdao.
Trucking association calls for
safety award nominations
ARLINGTON, VA The American Trucking Associations' (ATA)
Safety Management Council recently announced the 2009 ATA award
deadlines for a number of its top safety awards. Entries for the
ATA National Driver of the Year, National Safety Director Award,
State Trucking Association Recognition Program awards, Excellence
in Safety Award, and ATA Presidents Trophy are due July 1.
Entries for the 2009 Excellence in Human Resource Management
Award are due June 26. The deadline has been extended to the auto
transporter division of the ATA National Truck & Industrial
Safety Contests until June 10. These contests are the only two
national safety programs that recognize the safety
accomplishments of motor carriers across the United States by
operation type and size. These awards will be presented to the
recipients at ATA Safety Management Councils Safety &
Human Resources National Conference & Exhibition, Sept.
16-18, 2009, at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center, Baltimore,
Maryland. Recipients are again honored at the ATA Management
Conference & Exhibition, Oct. 4-7, at the Mandalay Bay Resort
& Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. Applications and
rules related to entry can be found at http://smc.truckline.com.
Panama Canal Authority
teaming with Maryland Port group
PANAMA CITY the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and the
Maryland Port Administration (MPA) have announced a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) agreement to increase economic growth and
commercial activity between the two entities. Signed by ACP
Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta and MPA Executive
Director James J. White, the MOU will help spur trade, facilitate
information sharing and promote the use of the All-Water
Route, a shipping route to Asia from the U.S. East Coast
via the Canal. The MPA oversees the six public marine terminals
of the Port of Baltimore. As part of the MOU, the ACP and MPA
will conduct joint activities and share best practices. Specific
areas of focus will include marketing, research and data
interchange, technical advancements and personnel training
programs.
NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, June 1, 2009
Homeland Security Department
releases grant application guidance
WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) has released application guidance for more than $500
million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
preparedness grants for fire station construction, port and
transit securityfunded by the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The guidance includes $150 million for
the Port Security Grant Program, $150 million for the Transit
Security Grant Program and $210 million for the Fire Station
Construction Grant Program. Signed into law by the President on
Feb. 17, ARRA committed more than $3 billion to DHS and GSA in
support of homeland security programs across the country.
Applications for the Port Security Grant Program and Transit
Security Grant Program will be submitted electronically to
DHS-FEMA through www.grants.gov. Applications for the Fire
Station Construction Grant Program will be submitted
electronically at https://portal.fema.gov. Full guidance and more
information on preparedness grant programs can be found at
www.dhs.gov.
Arbitrator sides with port
in Camas-Washougal liability case
WASHOUGAL, WA The Port of Camas-Washougal has announced
the conclusion of the liability phase of the arbitration process
between the port and RiverWalk on the Columbia, LLC. The
arbitration panel has notified both parties of a decision that
finds on behalf of the Port of Camas-Washougal. The Port of
Camas-Washougal entered into a public/private partnership with
RiverWalk on the Columbia, LLC, in November, 2005. The 2005
option agreement allowed for site assessments and feasibility
studies to master plan the proposed project. It called for a
joint investment of two years and a total of $400,000 to explore
the feasibility of a 65-acre waterfront development that extends
from Parkersville historic site, upriver to the ports
property at 6th Street. While RiverWalk purported to exercise its
option to enter into a long-term ground lease with the port, the
2005 option agreement expired in November 2007, with several
unfulfilled contingencies. Formed in 1935 by a vote of the local
community, the Port of Camas-Washougal features a 400-acre
industrial park, a 79-hangar general aviation airport, and a
350-slip pleasure marina.
Latin American Ports Congress
scheduled by port association
ALEXANDRIA, VA The global economic downturn has challenged
seaports throughout the Western Hemisphere to reduce expenses,
seek synergistic partnerships and compete for new business
opportunities. To address both the hardships and opportunities
facing Latin American seaports, the American Association of Port
Authorities (AAPA) is bringing its XVIII Latin American Congress
of Ports to Miami, July 8-10. The Latin American Congress of
Ports is being hosted by the Port of Miami, and program
supporters include Jay Malina International Trade Consortium of
Miami-Dade County, the Port Authority of Manta (Ecuador) and
Klein Systems Group Ltd. This conference is a required course for
those seeking their Latin American Professional Port Manager®
(PPM®) certification. More information about AAPA's XVIII Latin
American Congress of Ports is available at
http://www.aapa-ports.org/Programs/seminarschedule.cfm?itemnumber=16878
or by calling AAPA's Alicia Fuentes at 703-706-4708.
Hamburg Sud helps deliver
helicopters for fire season
MORRISTOWN, NJ With threats of another dry summer on the
West Coast of North America, Hamburg Süd has been helping
reposition a fleet of Bell B212 helicopters from service below
the equator to the Canadian West. Seven of the choppers have been
delivered so far from Australia where they were used for forest
and wildland fire suppression during their summer months season
of November to late March. Now the craft are being brought to
Western Canada via Hamburg Süds Australia/New Zealand
West Coast service calls at Vancouver. Each of the
choppers was disassembled for transport with the body and tail
sections carefully lashed on flat racks and shrink wrapped to
protect them from the elements during ocean transport. Upon
delivery at Fraser Surrey Docks in Vancouver, the aircraft were
carefully offloaded onto the pier and then reassembled and flown
to strategic locations in western Canada, ready to respond to
fire outbreaks this summer.
Insurance club publishes
new conventions handbook
LONDON Greater clarity will be brought to the complex
world of international carriage conventions with the publication
of the TT Clubs new Handbook on the Conventions for the
International Carriage of Goods at the start of this month. The
new Handbook, which replaces an earlier version, has been
thoroughly researched by experts in carriage convention law. It
offers a user-friendly guide to what conventions are in use in
which countries, and describes the main provisions of each
convention. The Handbook is designed specifically for transport
managers who do not have a legal background, but who have to deal
with claims and insurance for their companies. The Handbook
summarises all the conventions currently in use throughout the
world for the carriage of goods by sea, inland waterway, air,
road and rail. It features a quick cross-reference guide showing
which conventions apply in which countries, and uses a standard
question and answer format to analyse the provisions and
requirements of each convention. The Handbook comes both in
printed form, and in a web-based version, the latter providing
links to more detailed information and the actual text of most of
the conventions. It will distributed free to Members of the TT
Club, and can be purchased by non-members at Ł36 through the TT
Club website www.ttclub.com.