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July, 2009
NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Terminal association warns of
rising tariffs at northwest ports
BELLEVUE, WA — The Northwest Marine Terminal Association,
comprised of public port authorities in Oregon and Washington
states, reports that a number of member ports will be adjusting
tariffs on or about July 1, 2009. In many instances, this will
involve labor and or tonnage rate increases stemming from
increases announced by the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA)
June 19, 2009. Tariff rate increases may be instituted with less
than 30 days’ advance notice as a result of member ports
being apprised of PMA changes on short notice. Parties with
specific questions about tariff rates at a particular port are
encouraged to contact that port or visit its website.
Free waterfront harbor cruises
scheduled by Port of Everett
EVERETT — On July 12, the Port of Everett in partnership
with the Everett Parks Department will kick off the first-ever
working waterfront harbor cruise with three additional cruises
offered this summer. During each “free” cruise, Port of
Everett staff will host 75 guests on a ferry ride touring the
Everett Waterfront and exploring the diverse roles the port plays
in the area. Topics of discussion will include international
trade, property development, boating facilities, public
recreation and environmental stewardship. The ferry will board at
9:45 a.m. at the 10th Street Marine Park and Boat Launch and
arrive back at the loading location at approximately 11 a.m.
Locations along the waterfront will include Port of Everett
Marina facilities, Jetty Island, Naval Station Everett, and the
port’s shipping terminals. In addition to the first harbor
cruise on July 12, cruises will be offered July 26, August 2 and
August 16 at the same time and place. Don’t wait to sign up.
Space is limited, and children under 16 must be accompanied by an
adult. To check availability and make seat reservations, call the
Jetty Kiosk at 425.257.8304.
Crowley tugs saving fuel
with new electrical scheme in LA
JACKSONVILLE, FL — Crowley tugboats used for ship assist and
escort operations in the Port of Los Angeles have begun using
newly installed shore-side electrical power when not on the job
to cut fuel consumption and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Previously, the tugs tied up at the dock needed to run their
generators to provide electrical power. Crowley and the Port of
Los Angeles completed this environmentally friendly initiative,
also known as cold ironing, at Berth 86 this month. The port paid
to run electrical power to the dock, and Crowley purchased and
installed the electrical connections to the boats and
transformers to take the voltage from 440 volts to 220 volts.
Overall, Crowley expects to conserve fuel used by the generators
daily in its Los Angeles operations, and consequently reduce
carbon dioxide emissions by more than 486,180 pounds in the first
year. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, each
gallon of diesel fuel produces approximately 22.2 pounds of
carbon dioxide emissions. Crowley already has cold ironing
capabilities in Seattle, Jacksonville, Pennsauken and Puerto
Rico.
Seattle Port Commissioners
Ok Sea-Tac project restart
SEATTLE — Citing recent signs of hope in the global economy,
Port of Seattle Commission have voted to restart construction on
the new rental car facility to serve Seattle-Tacoma International
Airport. The vote follows on the recent sale of revenue bonds to
finance the facility, scheduled to open in 2012. Construction on
the $419 million, 23-acre site will generate up to 1,000 new jobs
in 2009. When the facility opens in 2012, construction activities
will have created over 3,000 local, family-wage jobs and
generated nearly $2 million in tax revenues for the City of
SeaTac. Construction on the project was suspended in December
because of the meltdown in global credit markets. Commissioners
voted to put the project on hold until markets recovered and
bonds could be sold to finance the facility. Last week, the port
announced the successful sale of $317 million in revenue bonds.
Marine products firm executive
pleads guilty in conspiracy case
WASHINGTON, DC — The chief executive officer of a former
Virginia marine products company pleaded guilty and has agreed to
pay a $100,000 criminal fine and serve time in jail for his role
in a conspiracy to rig bids and allocate customers with respect
to marine products purchased by the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast
Guard, and other public and private entities, the Department of
Justice announced. According to a one-count felony charge filed
on May 26, 2009, in the U.S. District Court in Norfolk, Va.,
Frank A. March, chief executive officer of a former marine
products company located in Clearbrook, Va., participated in a
conspiracy between June 2001 and December 2002 to allocate
customers and rig bids for contracts of foam-filled marine
fenders and buoys. During the course of the conspiracy, the
conspirators discussed and agreed to allocate among themselves
contracts from the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of
Homeland Security and others. Under the plea agreement, March has
agreed to cooperate fully in the Department's ongoing antitrust
investigation. The amount of jail time March will serve will be
determined by the court.
