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November, 2008

NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, November 28, 2008

Port of Anacortes earns
top Washington port honor

TACOMA — The Port of Anacortes was named the Washington Public Ports Association's Port of the Year for 2008. WPPA President Bill Clark, commissioner for the Port of Pasco, made the announcement during the Association's annual meeting in Tacoma on November 21, 2008. Among the accomplishments which garnered the Port of Anacortes the award, is the port's work with the Washington State Department of Ecology to clean up contamination at port-owned properties. In conjunction with Washington Governor Gregoire's Puget Sound Initiative, the port created a comprehensive framework called Focus Fidalgo to coordinate five different clean-up efforts on port property. The port is pursuing an integrated program to remove toxins from nearshore, upland and marine environments, restore critical aquatic habitat, create new public facilities and shoreline access areas, and generate new family wage jobs.


Port Angeles port board
approves 2009 budget

PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles Port Commission approved the 2009 Budget at its regularly scheduled meeting on November 24, 2008. Highlights include: 1) an estimated operating surplus of $5,450; 2) capital expenditures of $2,275,000; and 3) no increase in property taxes. Paper copies of the budget are available at the Port Administrative Offices building, 338 West 1st Street, Port Angeles, WA.


Port of Olympia looking for
East Bay request for qualifications

OLYMPIA — The Port of Olympia has issued a request for qualifications from development firms and potential end users for mixed-use development of six parcels in the East Bay District, the downtown Olympia waterfront property adjacent to State Avenue. The port has secured agreements with public partners for development of the first three sites. The LOTT Alliance, the Hands On Children’s Museum, and the City of Olympia have joined together to create a center of activity, connecting surrounding communities, the waterfront and Olympia’s downtown. The individual projects – a larger, permanent home for the Hands On Children’s Museum, a new administrative and education center for LOTT and an economic development platform for the port – will energize the redevelopment of the entire area. The heart of the district will feature a public plaza with a water feature, open space and public gathering area. Planning and citizen input for the East Bay project has been under development for more than seven years. The port is awaiting the final short-plat of the district so that parcels can be subdivided and specifically identified for development with streets and utilities. The port is awaiting final short plan approval from the City of Olympia so that the street and utility construction can begin. The request for qualifications was sent on November 24 to local, state and national firms and potential users that have the capability to plan and develop the site. Copies of the Request for Qualifications may be requested from the Port of Olympia at 360-528-8000 or downloaded from the East Bay website: www.eastbayportofolympia.com. The submittals are due December 23, 2008.


New study covers
Port Metro Vancouver

VANCOUVER, BC — Trade through Port Metro Vancouver generates 132,700 total jobs across Canada, according to a new study prepared for the port by InterVISTAS Consulting Inc., a transportation consulting firm. As the first study to assess the economic impact of the amalgamated port, the study also concluded that port-related activities generate $10.5 billion in gross domestic product (GDP), $22 billion in economic output and $6.1 billion in wages. The amalgamated Port Metro Vancouver jurisdiction borders on 16 municipalities and covers 600 km of shoreline extending from Point Roberts at the Canada/U.S. border through Burrard Inlet to Port Moody and Indian Arm, and from the mouth of the Fraser River, eastward to the Fraser Valley, north along the Pitt River to Pitt Lake, and includes the north and middle arms of the Fraser River. The Port hosts the operation of 28 major marine terminals and several domestic intermodal terminals.


US rail freight traffic
sees gains during week

WASHINGTON, DC — Freight volume on U.S. railroads was up during the week ended November 22 in comparison with the corresponding week a year ago, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports. AAR cautioned, however, that comparisons between the two weeks are distorted by the fact that the year ago week included the Thanksgiving holiday. Carload freight for the 47th week of 2009 totaled 309,109 cars, up 6.6 percent from last year, with volume up 10.2 percent in the East and 4.4 percent in the West. Intermodal volume, which is not included in the carload data, totaled 220,314 trailers or containers, up 15.1 percent from last year. Container volume was up 15.4 percent while trailer traffic gained 13.9 percent. Total volume was estimated at 32.9 billion ton-miles, up 7.5 percent from the 47th week last year. Cumulative volume for the first 47 weeks of 2008 totaled 15,249,068 carloads, down 0.8 percent from 2007; 10,596,451 trailers or containers, down 2.9 percent; and total volume of an estimated 1.59 trillion ton-miles, up 0.3 percent from last year.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Everett Port Commission
Oks 2009 operating budget

EVERETT — On Nov. 18, the Port of Everett Commission approved a $29.8 million operating budget and a $24.5 million capital budget for 2009. The adopted budget includes a resolution that will maintain the property tax levied within the Port District. The resolution, which was approved 2 to 1, with Commissioner Phil Bannan opposed, authorizes the Port of Everett to levy nearly 27-cents per assessed $1,000 in home value. This is a slight decrease over last year’s tax levy rate.


Corps to begin repairs
of Coos Bay North Jetty

PORTLAND — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin interim repairs of the Coos Bay North Jetty in mid-December. The contractor, Kerr Contractors, Inc., began staging jetty stone nearly two weeks ago at the Bureau of Land Management parking area on Trans Pacific Parkway, southwest of the BLM boat ramp. They will begin hauling the stone from the staging area to the jetty in mid-December, necessitating the temporary closure of the sand Foredune and South Dike roads on the North Spit. The sand roads will remain closed until the nearly 33,000 tons of stone has been hauled to the jetty. Due to poor visibility on the sand roads, and the size and limited maneuverability of the trucks, it is unsafe to share the roads with the public during this portion of the construction. A notice will be sent out prior to the actual road closures and another prior to reopening the roads.


ATA trucking index
falls again in October

ARLINGTON, VA — The American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index decreased 3.0 percent in October, marking the fourth consecutive month-to-month drop. The index fell 0.8 percent in September and 1.9 percent in August. In October, the seasonally adjusted tonnage index equaled 108.9 (2000 = 100), its lowest level since October 2003. The not seasonally adjusted index increased 3.4 percent to 119.9 in October. The seasonally adjusted index declined 1.8 percent compared with October 2007.


Evergreen Line plans
shipping service changes

TAIPEI — Evergreen Line will restructure its services on the U.S., Asia, Indian Sub continent and Europe routes to stabilize the ship schedules to ensure on-time performance and banker savings to meet the needs of the market and its own operations. The new routing will also extend the U.S. service scope to include Southeast Asia and the ISC. The AUS (Asia-United States) and service of CES (China-Europe Shuttle) will become the new pendulum service UAE (U.S. West Coast - Asia - Europe) and the existing CPS (China - South U.S. West Coast). The UAE service will employ 10 S-series and 3 E-series ships. The new CPS service will utilize two E-series and three UX-series vessels. Rotation will be as follows:
Westbound
Los Angeles - Oakland - Taipei - Kaohsiung - Hong Kong - Yantian - Tanjung Pelepas - Colombo - Suez Canal - Rotterdam - Hamburg - Thamesport - Zeebrugge
Eastbound
Rotterdam - Hamburg - Thamesport -Zeebrugge - Taranto - Port Said - Colombo - Tanjung Pelepas - Yantian - Hong Kong - Kaohsiung - Los Angeles - Oakland


Memorial service
set for Harry Hutchins

SEATTLE — A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life for Harry Hutchins has been scheduled for Wednesday, December 10, 2008, at 12:00 p.m. at The Catholic Seamen’s Club, 2330 1st Ave., Seattle, Washington. Everyone is invited and welcome to celebrate a person who meant so much to so many people in the Coast Guard and the maritime industry. Mr. Hutchins passed away on November 15, after a very serious accident a little more than a week earlier. Mr. Hutchins graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1962. After two sea tours, he became a Coast Guard aviator and served the remainder of his 20 years of service flying rotary and fixed wing aircraft or in staff assignments, finishing his Coast Guard career as chief of the Marine Environmental Protection Branch of Coast Guard District Thirteen (Pacific Northwest). After retirement in 1982, Mr. Hutchins worked as deputy manager of the Clean Sound Oil Spill Response Cooperative. In 1983, he became the executive director of the Marine Exchange of Puget Sound. In 1995, he became the first executive director of the Puget Sound Steamship Operators Association (PSSOA) from which he retired in 2002. Mr. Hutchins was active on many boards and committees and very involved in numerous marine safety and environmental protection initiatives, oftentimes industry led. He was the recipient of “Maritime Man of the Year” awards from both labor and management organizations.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, November 24, 2008

Tidewater christens converted
double-hulled liquid products barge

VANCOUVER, USA — Tidewater has increased its presence as a top Pacific Northwest inland waterway transporter with the christening of a newly converted double-hulled liquid products barge and repowered tug boat on the Columbia River at Vancouver Landing. The NEW FRONTIER was converted from a single-hulled grain barge to a double-hulled liquid products barge; and the REBEL was repowered with new engines that will reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency. The NEW FRONTIER was christened by Tidewater deck mechanic Tim Johnson from Astoria. To recognize the 70,000 man-hours spent over ten months to complete the two projects, Tidewater held a competition to name the barge and the winner had the honor of christening it. The double-hull is a safety feature that adds a second layer of steel between the liquid cargo in the tank and the outside of the barge, which significantly reduces the risk of spills and leaks. In addition to the added protection of the double-hull, this barge is outfitted with vapor recovery equipment, high-level alarms and spill response equipment – standards that Tidewater initiated on its own, well before the EPA’s requirement that all petroleum barges become double-hulled by 2015. The NEW FRONTIER was converted by Sundial Marine, a full service marine construction and repair facility and wholly-owned subsidiary of Tidewater Holdings Inc., located in Troutdale, Ore. Sundial also repowered and renovated the REBEL, the tug that towed the NEW FRONTIER to its christening. The REBEL has been upgraded with new electronically-controlled Caterpillar® diesel engines and gearboxes to burn fuel more efficiently and reduce emissions.


OOCL teams with ZIMC
to build new maritime academy

HONG KONG — OOCL has announced the company has signed a cooperation agreement with Zhejiang International Maritime Professional Technology College (ZIMC) to build an OOCL Maritime Academy. The academy is expected to assist in the professional development and continuing re-education for OOCL seafarers. The cooperation agreement was signed on October 30, 2008 during the ZIMC annual Education Consultative Conference held in Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China. The objectives of the cooperation are to promote the important role of China in the global maritime industry, to promote the role of safety, security and environmental protection in global maritime shipping and to encourage Chinese students to join the maritime industry as a career path. OOCL will provide the Academy with bridge simulators, an engine room simulator and crew seminar rooms; while ZIMC will provide equipment including a tugboat simulator, a dynamic position system, bridge and engine room simulators and computer based training rooms. The target date for the inauguration of the Academy has been scheduled towards the end of 2009.


NOAA decommissions
ALBATROSS IV research vessel

WASHINGTON, DC — The NOAA research ship ALBATROSS IV was decommissioned November 20, ending its 45-year career in service to the nation. The vessel sailed over 655,000 miles on 453 research cruises, primarily fisheries surveys off the northeastern coast of the United States. These surveys created the world’s longest continuous study of fish population data. NOAA’s new fisheries survey vessel, the HENRY B. BIGELOW is replacing the ALBATROSS IV, ensuring the collection of important ecological data goes uninterrupted. The ALBATROSS IV is the last of four vessels sharing the same name sailing from Woods Hole since 1883. The original ALBATROSS was the first to be built exclusively for marine research by any government. Built in 1962, ALBATROSS IV was the first vessel in the modern ship-building era, and continued the long scientific tradition established by the first three ALBATROSS vessels.


Horizon Lines makes further
voluntary debt reduction payment

CHARLOTTE, NC — Horizon Lines, Inc. has announced that it has made another voluntary debt reduction payment of $7.5 million on its revolving credit facility. The payment is the third made by Horizon Lines in its fiscal fourth quarter and brings the total voluntary debt reduction to $17.5 million for the quarter and to $40 million since the second quarter. The principal payment reduces borrowings on its $250 million revolving credit facility to $140.0 million, and total debt outstanding to $590.5 million.


Port association schedules
trade routes workshop for Tampa

ALEXANDRIA, VA — What do the administrator of the Panama Canal Authority, the U.S. Maritime Administrator, the planning and research director for the Suez Canal Authority and at least a half dozen port authority chief executives have in common? They, together with other "C-suite" shipping line, rail, marine terminal operator, financial and property development executives are among the luminaries who will be leading discussions at the American Association of Port Authorities' (AAPA) Shifting International Trade Routes workshop in Tampa, Fla., Jan. 15-16, 2009. Cosponsored by Maritime Administration and hosted by the Tampa Port Authority, this 1½ -day program will examine changing global trade patterns, impacts of improving "all water" shipping routes, anticipated waterside and marine terminal development needs, increased road and rail capacity requirements and infrastructure financing challenges needed in the coming decade, particularly in light of the $5.25 billion expansion of the Panama Canal due for completion in 2014. More information about AAPA's Shifting International Trade Routes workshop is available at www.aapa-ports.org.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, November 21, 2008

Port of Seattle opens
third runway at Sea-Tac

SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines flight 674 was the first commercial operation on Sea-Tac's new third runway. On hand for the celebration were Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters, Acting FAA Administrator Robert Sturgell, Alaska Airline CEO Bill Ayer, and Washington Governor Christine Gregoire. The new runway is designed to help decrease delays during low visibility conditions, which occur approximately 44 percent of the year. The third runway allows two streams of traffic to land in lower visibility conditions. Sea-Tac's other two runways are too close to each other to allow two streams of traffic to arrive in such conditions.
Runway Facts
The runway is:
8,500 feet long
150 feet wide
17 inches thick
Designed to last 40 years
To pave the runway and the eight connecting taxiways, it required:
130,000 cubic yards of concrete
35,000 tons of asphalt (for the runway shoulders)


NOL making changes
in face of container slowdown

SINGAPORE — Neptune Orient Lines Limited (NOL), the parent company of container shipping line APL and of APL Logistics, has announced a package of measures to place the company on a more sustainable footing through an expected severe and prolonged downturn in global container shipping. The actions to be taken will bring the organization into line with the reduced capacity the company will be operating as a result of initiatives announced on October 21, 2008. The capacity reductions will lower the NOL Group’s vessel network costs by about US$200 million in 2009 (This figure includes some fixed vessel and charter hire costs). NOL said it did not see a recovery from the challenging conditions for quite some time and the potential exists for them to persist for the next few years. The company said the market environment has worsened considerably over the past month and that it anticipated further deterioration in trading conditions going forward. It described the outlook for profitability in 2009 as grim.


US rail freight
rolls to slow week

WASHINGTON, DC — Freight volume on U.S. railroads was off during the week ended November 15 in comparison with the same week a year ago, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports. Both weeks included the Veterans Day Holiday. Carload freight for the week totaled 309,099 cars, down 9.1 percent from last year, with volume off 6.5 percent in the West and 12.8 percent in the East. Intermodal volume, which is not included in the carload data, totaled 225,375 trailers or containers, down 7.9 percent from last year. Container volume was off 6.9 percent while trailer traffic fell 11.7 percent. Total volume was estimated at 32.8 billion ton-miles, down 7.9 percent from the comparable week last year. Cumulative volume for the first 46 weeks of 2008 totaled 14,939,959 carloads, down 0.9 percent from 2007; 10,376,137 trailers or containers, down 3.2 percent; and total volume of an estimated 1.56 trillion ton-miles, up 0.2 percent from last year.


US sees increases
in NAFTA partner trade

WASHINGTON, DC — Goods valued at more than $909 billion crossed the U.S. border in trade with Canada and Mexico in 2007, 4.9 percent higher than the previous record set in 2006, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, released the data as part of the third annual update of the North American Transportation Statistics (NATS) online database. Freight weighing nearly 606 million tons was transported through U.S. land borders, airports, and seaports to and from locations in Canada and Mexico in 2007. U.S. merchandise trade with Canada and Mexico rose by more than $305 billion or by 50.6 percent between 2002 and 2007.


Corps of Engineers closing
large Chittenden Locks

SEATTLE — The large chamber of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard will be closed to maritime traffic for its annual maintenance beginning at 6 p.m. today. The Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which operates the locks, says the large chamber will reopen no later than 6 p.m. on the December 5 and expects to have the entire project back in normal operation after completion of the scheduled annual maintenance. The maintenance crews will make maximum efforts to minimized disruptions and the small lock is scheduled to remain fully operational throughout the closure period. The small lock can accommodate vessels up to 25 feet wide and 100 feet long.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, November 20, 2008

MOL training vessel
holds piracy exercise

TOKYO — Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced that MOL, along with the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) and other organizations involved, conducted an anti-piracy/terrorism drill aboard the training ship SPIRIT OF MOL in the South China Sea on November 17. During the drill, the JCG patrol ship SHIKISHIMA hurried to site, and marine safety officers boarded the SPIRIT OF MOL. The drill helped confirm the effectiveness of MOL's crisis management programs as well as its communication systems and methods. It was a lesson for the 170 trainees serving onboard the SPIRIT OF MOL, who learned how to respond to a crisis and the steps to follow in case of an attack by pirates or terrorists. Drill participants included the SPIRIT OF MOL (a MOL-owned seafarer training vessel); the JCG's International Criminal Investigation Division; the JCG patrol ship Shikishima; the Japanese Shipowners' Association; Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure Transport and Tourism Maritime Bureau International Shipping Division; MOL, and M.O. Cable Ship, Ltd.


Seattle Tacoma Airport
earns excellence award

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle has recognized Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as the recipient of the 2008 Airport Facilities Management Excellence Award from the Airport Facilities Council of the International Facility Management Association. Sea-Tac was awarded first place in the size category of thirty million passengers served or greater for the second year in a row. The AFC Award for Airport Facilities Management Excellence is designed to recognize and advance excellence in the field of airport facilities. The Award for Airport Facilities Management Excellence is AFC's highest honor and provides airport maintenance departments the opportunity for national and international recognition for their outstanding achievements in facilities management.


Boeing announces plans
to cut nearly 800 positions

WICHITA, KA — The Boeing Company has announced plans to cut approximately 800 positions at its Integrated Defense Systems facility in Wichita during 2009. Boeing attributes the reductions to the end of some programs and the delay in the U.S. Air Force tanker-replacement program. The layoffs will impact managers and both salaried and hourly workers. Boeing will deliver 60-day layoff notices to approximately 76 employees on Friday, Nov. 21. Their last day of work is scheduled for mid-January. The company will deliver the balance of the layoff notices throughout 2009, with most occurring in the first half of the year.


NCS Pearson agrees to pay
settlement related to TSA contract

WASHINGTON, DC — NCS Pearson Inc. has agreed to pay $5.6 million to resolve allegations that it submitted false claims in connection with a contract to assist the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in deploying federal government security personnel at airports, the Justice Department announced. The Aviation and Transportation Security Act, which was enacted Nov. 19, 2001, created TSA and, among other things, gave the agency one year to identify the personnel it needed to perform airport security screening, and then to hire and train them. TSA contracted with the Bloomington, Minn., firm for help recruiting and selecting federal screeners. The settlement resolves allegations that NCS Pearson overcharged TSA in connection with that contract by billing incorrect rates for subcontractor labor. The settlement resulted from the collective efforts of the Justice Department's Civil Division, the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security, the Defense Contract Audit Agency and TSA.


Dino Caroussis elected
UK P&I Club chairman

HONG KONG — Dino Caroussis was elected chairman and president of the UK P&I Club at the recent board meeting in Hong Kong. He succeeds Tullio Biggi who has retired from the board. Mr. Caroussis, 56, of Chios Navigation, became a director of the UK Club in 1996 and a deputy chairman in 2002. Mr. Biggi, 68, of V Ships, had been the club’s chairman for the past three years, having joined the board in 1998. Patrick Decavèle of Bröstrom Tankers was elected a deputy chairman and vice president, joining E. André of Suisse Atlantique and A K Olivier of Grindrod in those roles. Peter Evensen of Teekay Corporation, Edward Jones of Carnival UK and Masamichi Marooka of NYK Europe were elected to the board.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Terrorist threat slows down
Seattle/Bremerton ferry service

BREMERTON — Ferry service on the Seattle/Bremerton route was shut down at approximately 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday due to a second hand report of a terrorist threat to one of the vessels on the route. Ferry service on the route resumed at approximately 3:45 p.m., when the Hyak was cleared by Washington State Patrol (WSP) and the U.S. Coast Guard to return to service. The Seattle/Bremerton continued to operate approximately 30 minutes behind schedule for the rest of the evening while the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Ferries Division worked to clear out waiting traffic.


Vancouver Port Commission
approves 2009 final budget

VANCOUVER, USA — The Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners approved the 2009 final budget during their most recent regular meeting. Commissioners offered the opportunity for the public to comment on the port’s $59,635,843 budget during a public hearing, but no comment was offered. The final budget was presented at a reduced amount from the preliminary budget approved in October. That reduction came when the port had the opportunity to make the second payment on its purchase of a second mobile harbor crane in November, due to favorable exchange rates. That second payment had been scheduled to be paid in 2009, but when exchange rates allowed the port to save nearly $280,000 by making the payment in 2008, the budget was amended. Commissioners also approved Resolution 11-2008, which authorized an increase in the port’s tax levy in the amount of $94,394 – which is a one percent increase over the 2008 tax levy. The total property tax allotment the port will receive in 2009 is expected to be $9,561.300.


Arrowac Fisheries closes
Bellingham production facility

BELLINGHAM — Last week Arrowac Fisheries Inc. closed its Bellingham operations, laying off about 30 people. This seafood production facility, located in Fairhaven alongside the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, employed 100 people when it was in full production. Arrowac will continue to operate its Seattle facility and will continue to buy and sell seafood from its Seattle corporate offices. Arrowac operated its Bellingham facility since 1982. The main seafood products Arrowac processed in Bellingham included wild salmon, halibut, black cod and dogfish.


International Maritime Organization
eyes increasing shortfall of seafarers

LONDON — A campaign to address the global shortage of seafarers, especially officers, which threatens the future of the international shipping industry, has been launched by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in association with the International Labour Organization, the "Round Table" of shipping organizations - BIMCO, ICS/ISF, INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO - and the International Transport Workers' Federation. The campaign calls on governments, industry and IMO, supported by ILO and other international organizations, to take specific actions, within their areas of influence, to increase the recruitment of seafarers to tackle the problem. A recent report issued by maritime industry analysts Drewry Shipping Consultants assessed the current shortfall of officers in the global shipping fleet to be some 34,000, against a total requirement of 498,000. Based on Drewry's fleet growth projections, and the assumption that officer supply will only increase at the current rate, the report predicts that, by 2012, the officer shortfall will have grown to 83,900.


Young freight forwarder award
marking 10 year anniversary

LONDON — Next year sees the 10th Anniversary of the FIATA Young International Freight Forwarder of the Year award, sponsored by TT Club. The award, which is bestowed by the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), has been sponsored by TT Club since its inception in 1999; and last year TT Club announced a further commitment to sponsor the award for another five years. The award is given to the candidate who produces the best dissertation on a subject chosen by the panel of judges. The award is open to any young freight forwarder whose company is a member of their National Forwarding Association. Each National Forwarding Association selects one candidate who will be no more than 30 years old in the year that the dissertation is to be written, and who has completed at least two years of full-time forwarding work. The winner will be drawn from a shortlist of four candidates proposed by national associations, and the prize will be presented at the FIATA World Congress being held in Geneva 21-25 September 2009. The deadline for nomination of candidates is 15th January 2009, and dissertations have to be submitted by 30th April 2009.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, November 17, 2008

Coos Bay Port Commission
Oks purchase of rail branch line

COOS BAY — Oregon International Port of Coos Bay Executive Director, Jeffrey Bishop, was authorized by unanimous vote of the port’s Board of Commissioners during the Wednesday, November 5, special port commission meeting to agree to purchase the Coos Bay Branch Line of the Central Oregon & Pacific (CORP) railroad. The purchase is dependent on the final net liquidated value (NLV) as determined by the Surface Transportation Board (STB). Port Commissioners David Kronsteiner, president, Catherine “Caddy” McKeown, vice president, Brady Scott, treasurer and Jerry Hampel, commissioner, attended the special meeting in person. Dan Smith, secretary, participated by telephone. The STB rendered their initial decision on the port’s feeder line application granting the port the right to acquire the rail line on October 31, 2008, but required additional information filings from both the port and RailAmerica, Inc., the holding corporation of CORP. The information in those filings is expected to assist STB Commissioners in determining the NLV for the CORP/RailAmerica-owned portion of the rail line. The port filed its feeder line application on July 11, 2008, and CORP/RailAmerica filed for abandonment authority on July 14, 2008. Under the standard STB process, the port will have 10 days following the final decision by the STB to accept or reject the NLV, and 90 days to complete the purchase.


Port of Bellingham holding
Fairhaven public hearing today

BELLINGHAM — Community members are welcome to take part in a public hearing today, on the Port of Bellingham's update of its long-range plan for its Fairhaven properties. This plan update, the Fairhaven Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements has been underway for nearly two years and has included neighborhood and community meetings. The port uses this long-range planning document to make decisions about land use, new developments and capital expenditures on port property in Fairhaven. This updated plan, attempts to forecast potential development projects and other capital expenditures, as well as, potential land use changes for Port property in Fairhaven in the next 5 to 10 years. The port has scheduled a public hearing for 3 p.m., today at the Harbor Center Building, located at 1801 Roeder Avenue, Bellingham, Washington to solicit public comment on the draft Fairhaven Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements. The draft Fairhaven Comprehensive Scheme of Harbor Improvements may be viewed or downloaded on-line. A limited number of hard copies will be available at the hearing.


Alaska Airlines adding flights
from Portland, Anchorage

PORTLAND — Alaska Airlines has announced new twice-daily nonstop service between Portland and Long Beach, Calif., starting Feb. 8, 2009. The airline also announced it would add a second nonstop flight between Anchorage and Chicago, operating June 7 through Aug. 22, 2009. From Portland, flights will depart at 7:05 a.m. and 2 p.m. and arrive in Long Beach at 9:25 a.m. and 4:20 p.m., respectively. Flights from Long Beach will depart at 10:05 a.m. and 5:05 p.m. and arrive in Portland at 12:35 p.m. and 7:35 p.m., respectively. From Anchorage, the new flight will depart at 11:15 p.m. and arrive in Chicago at 8:13 a.m. the following day. The flight from Chicago will depart at 9:30 a.m. and arrive in Anchorage at 1:06 p.m. Alaska Airlines will operate the new routes with Boeing 737 aircraft, providing first class and main-cabin seating. Alaska Airlines and sister carrier Horizon Air together serve more than 90 cities through a network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico.


WSDOT Ferries Division
set to remove Unocal Pier

EDMONDS, WA — The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Ferries Division is removing the former fueling pier known as the Unocal Pier located off the shore of Marina Beach Park in Edmonds. The removal is scheduled to begin on Monday, Nov. 24, continuing through March 2009. During the removal, park users can expect restricted public access to some park areas on or near the work site, increased noise, activity and heavy equipment from the construction site, and increased truck traffic on the park access road along the park’s eastern edge. The Unocal pier, owned by the City of Edmonds since 2001, is a creosote-treated timber pier that has stood abandoned since 1991 and is currently in disrepair. Creosote treated timber can leach contaminants. The project will remove approximately 530 creosote-treated lumber piles and 31,000 square feet of creosote-treated timber decking to return the offshore area to its natural state.


Seattle marine insurance group
calling for scholarship applications

SEATTLE — The Marine Insurance Association of Seattle will award $5000.00 scholarships to each of two eligible applicants. Any student with an affiliation with the Marine Insurance Association of Seattle accepted into a school of higher education is eligible. Preference will be given to those applicants intending to study marine/insurance related fields.
1. Applicant must have a grade point of 2.5 or better
2. Applicant must be a full time student
3. Applicant must have a responsible motor vehicle driving record
Requirements:
1. Completed application
2. Two letters of recommendation (one personal and one professional)
3. Copy of last grade transcript or G.E.D. certificate
The deadline for receiving the applications is December 12, 2008. Go to the Community Services dropdown menu at: http://www.miaseattle.org to download an application form.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, November 14, 2008

One bid submitted
for new Washington ferries

SEATTLE — WSDOT Ferries Division has taken the next step in the process to build new ferries for the Port Townsend/Keystone route. WSDOT opened bids Nov. 13, on a contract to construct up to two new 64-car vessels based on the Island Home design. The formal bid opening was held at 11:00 a.m at Ferries Division headquarters in Seattle. WSDOT received one bid from Todd Pacific Shipyards. Bids were solicited for construction and delivery of one or two 64-auto ferries. Todd’s proposed bid price is $124,450,559.00 for two vessels and $65,487,328.00 for one vessel. The WSDOT engineer’s estimate is $95,943,865.00 for two vessels and $49,452,894.00 for one vessel. “While I appreciate Todd Shipyards’ responsiveness, I am disappointed that there is only one bid,” said David Moseley, assistant secretary, WSDOT Ferries Division. “We will identify all viable options before making a decision.” WSDOT will evaluate the bid over the next few days to ensure it meets contract requirements before making an award recommendation.


Port of Portland seeks comment
on Portland Airport runway work

PORTLAND — Public Comment Invited on PDX Runway Extension and Rehabilitation Program Port of Portland invites public comment on plans to lengthen the north runway at Portland International Airport so that it is long enough to serve large passenger and cargo aircraft when the south runway closes in 2011 for up to six months of rehabilitation. The public review and comment period on the administrative draft Environmental Assessment document for PDX’s Runway and Rehabilitation Program runs Nov. 17-Dec. 16. The draft EA document is available for review at www.pdx.com, at some public libraries, or on a CD, by request. send comments to ContactUs@portofportland.com.


DHS sets new rules
for US rail systems

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced regulations aimed at strengthening the security of the nation’s freight and passenger rail systems and reducing the risk associated with the transportation of security-sensitive materials. The Rail Security final rule will require freight and passenger rail carriers to designate rail security coordinators and report significant security concerns to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The rule also will codify TSA’s broad inspection authority. For freight rail, the rule will ensure the positive handoff of security-sensitive materials as well as establish security
protocols for custody transfers of security-sensitive material rail cars between receivers of these materials that are located in high threat urban areas, shippers of these materials, and rail carriers. The freight rail provisions of the rule will address the transport of security-sensitive materials by rail, from start to finish, including shipment handoffs, secure areas for transfers, and reporting of shipment locations to TSA.


US rail freight traffic
off during month of October

WASHINGTON, DC — Rail freight traffic on U.S. railroads was down during October in comparison with the same month last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports. U.S. railroads originated 1,639,542 carloads of freight in the month, down 47,279 carloads (2.8 percent) from October 2007. Railroads also originated 1,175,499 intermodal units in October 2008, a decrease of 34,628 trailers and containers (2.9 percent) from October 2007. Four of the 19 major commodity categories tracked by the AAR saw U.S. carload increases in October 2008 compared to October 2007. Commodities showing substantial carload gains in October 2008 were coal (up 43,738 carloads, or 6.1 percent), metallic ores (up 2,289 carloads, or 6.1 percent), and the catch-all “all other carloads” (up 5,780 carloads, or 23.5 percent). Commodities showing the biggest carload decreases in October 2008 were motor vehicles and equipment (down 23,239 carloads, or 22.7 percent), grain (down 18,394 carloads, or 13.4 percent), and metals and metal products (down 10,004 carloads, or 16.0 percent). Carloads of chemicals were down 5.1 percent, or 7,644 carloads.


International Maritime Prize
presented to Jorgen Rasmussen

LONDON — The International Maritime Prize for 2007 has been presented to Jørgen Rasmussen, who has had a prominent role in developing key instruments of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), including the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), the International Safety Management (ISM) Code and the Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme. Mr. Rasmussen, former chief ship surveyor and chief advisor to the Director-General in the Danish Maritime Authority, former member of the Danish delegation to IMO meetings and former head of the Navigation Section in the Maritime Safety Division of the IMO Secretariat, has enjoyed a long and distinguished career spanning many different areas in the maritime field. The International Maritime Prize is awarded annually by IMO to the individual or organization judged to have made the most significant contribution to the work and objectives of the Organization. The 100th session of the IMO Council in June 2008 took the decision to award the prize to Mr. Rasmussen in recognition of his contribution to maritime safety and security and prevention of marine pollution from ships.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, November 13, 2008

Oregon governor presents
transport plan to House/Senate

SALEM — Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has presented his transportation plan called “The Jobs and Transportation Act of 2009” to the Oregon House and Senate Transportation Committees. The governor points out his comprehensive transportation plan will create thousands of jobs, establish sustainable long-term funding for Oregon’s statewide transportation system and address greenhouse gas emissions in transportation construction and planning. The governor’s Jobs and Transportation Act of 2009 invests $1 billion every biennium into the state transportation system, creating 2100 jobs annually over the first five years. The plan includes policies to reduce vehicle-miles-traveled in urban areas, a dedicated fund for non-highway transportation investments, a new transportation utility commission, and dollars for rural counties hit hardest by the scheduled sunset of the federal forest payments. The cct also recommends a series of funding options, including bonding, a new vehicle title fee, and a path to transition away from the gas tax as the central funding source for transportation.


Ports of Seattle aids veterans
with new employment program

SEATTLE — At a moving and sometimes somber breakfast Tuesday, Commissioners and staff honored the many veterans working at or retired from the Port of Seattle. Retirees, staff members, family members and friends gathered to celebrate the service of these veterans to our country. The port also announced the second class of participants in the Veterans Fellowship program, a newly-formed program that hires veterans leaving active duty and transitioning to jobs in the civilian workforce. Up to three fellows are hired for each class, and are given 6-month paid positions within the port tailored to their skills and expertise. Participants must have served at least three years of active or mobilized reserve duty and be within 120 days of discharge to be eligible for a fellowship. The first class of three fellows completed their program in late October.


Everett fifth graders
to learn about Jetty Island

EVERETT — Partnering with City of Everett, Port of Everett, People for Puget Sound and Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI), the Stilly-Snohomish Task Force will be offering a day-long environmental and service-learning opportunity Friday, November 21, for Everett youth. From 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., approximately 80 fifth grade students attending Hawthorne Elementary School will visit Jetty Island to participate in environmental education and perform a service-learning project by planting native trees to enhance fish and wildlife habitat. This project is funded by REI and the Port of Everett. The Port of Everett owns and maintains Jetty Island, a two-mile long, man-made island located near the mouth of the Snohomish River. To increase youth’s awareness of “leave no trace” principals, REI will present its PEAK (Promoting Environmental Awareness in Kids) program to students. Students will also participate in a nature tour of the island led by park rangers from the City of Everett. Finally, the Stilly-Snohomish Task Force will coordinate the students’ efforts to plant over 200 native trees and shrubs to enhance the island’s habitat.


Corps sending teams
to deal with Washington flooding

SEATTLE — The Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, activated its reservoir control center Nov. 11 for 24-hour operation and has flood fight teams out in seven western Washington river basins. Flood teams have deployed to the Snohomish, Nooksack, Puyallup and Skagit river basins and the Olympic Peninsula and are prepared to assist counties as requested in flood fighting operations. Teams are also on alert for the Chehalis. Additionally, there are teams monitoring the Green River levees. The reservoir control center is managing flood control operations for dams on the White, Green, Skagit and Wynoochee rivers. Currently high inflows with regulated outflows are occurring each of the dams where the Seattle District is operating. Inflow at Mud Mountain Dam is 19,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) with regulated outflows at 4,000 cfs. Howard Hanson Dam has inflows of 14,000 cfs with outflow at 4,800 cfs. The Upper Baker and Ross dams in the Upper Skagit have inflows respectively at 14,000 cfs and 12,000 cfs with outflows at 5,200 and 500 cfs. The Corps is also providing flood control operations at the Wynoochee Dam; inflows are 3,700 cfs with outflows at 200 cfs. For more information on the Corps, and up-to-date river forecasts, go to www.nws.usace. army.mil and click on Rivers and Reservoirs. Lake and river information is available at: http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/nws/hh/basins/ Private citizens seeking sandbags should contact their local government offices.


Mitsui earns award
from investor relations group

TOKYO — Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced the company has received the 2008 IR Prime Business Award from the Japan Investor Relations Association (JIRA). The IR Corporate Excellence Award started in 1996 and is presented to companies that make outstanding efforts on IR. This year, MOL was one of six companies selected for the award from 332 entries. This is the fourth time MOL has been honored, following 2001, 2004, and 2005.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Horizon Lines plans cuts
to non-union work force

CHARLOTTE, NC — Horizon Lines, Inc. has announced a non-union workforce restructuring initiative targeted at reducing annualized labor-related costs by an estimated $7 million to $10 million. The company intends to reduce its workforce by at least 10 percent, or approximately 70 of its 700-plus non-union employees. Initially, the company will offer a voluntary severance program to certain eligible non-union employees. If the company is unable to achieve anticipated reductions from the voluntary program, it intends to implement an involuntary severance program for non-union employees. The company expects to complete the workforce reduction initiative by January 31, 2009, and it is expected to result in a fourth-quarter 2008 charge of approximately $3.5 million to $5 million pretax, or $0.11 to $0.16 per fully diluted share. The final annualized savings and associated costs of the initiative will depend on the actual mix of associates who are ultimately included in either the voluntary or involuntary program.


Ports America taps Khan
as chief development officer

ISELIN, NJ — Ports America has appointed Nasir Khan as its new chief development officer who will be responsible for leading the company’s future investments and expansion in marine terminals. Prior to joining Ports America, Mr. Khan served as director of infrastructure and energy finance (IEF) at Citigroup, New York, where he led that company’s financing of transportation sector projects in the Americas. During his time with Citigroup, he also served as the director and regional head of IEF in its Sydney, Australia, office. Mr. Khan, who is a graduate of Yale University with his MBA from Columbia University, will be based in Iselin, N.J., and report to President and CEO Stephen Edwards.


"K" Line vessel first ship
to 'plug in' at Port of Long Beach

TOKYO — Launching a new, “green” era in shipping at the Port of Long Beach, the “K” Line container vessel LONG BEACH BRIDGE on Tuesday, November 11, 2008, became the port’s first ship to “plug in” to clean electrical power and shut down its diesel engines at berth for major air quality improvements. A dockside commissioning ceremony at the International Transportation Service, Inc. (ITS) terminal marked the completion of an $8 million project that installed electrical power outlets for ships docking at Pier G. Plug-in shoreside power, also known as “cold-ironing,” allows ships to shut down their auxiliary engines while the ship is docked, for a 100 percent reduction of air pollution at berth. Without shoreside electricity, vessels would use their own diesel-powered auxiliary engines to power refrigerated containers, pumps, lighting, air conditioning and computers while at dock.


Shipper pleads guilty
to keeping false oil records

WASHINGTON, DC — Hiong Guan Navegacion Japan Co. Ltd., operator of the commercial cargo ship BALSA 62, has agreed to plead guilty in U.S. District Court in Tampa, Fla., to conspiracy and to falsifying and failing to properly maintain records meant to ensure environmental compliance, the Justice Department announced. Specifically, Hiong Guan agreed to plead guilty for falsifying the oil record book kept on board the BALSA 62. Federal and international law requires that all ships comply with pollution regulations that include the proper disposal of oily water and sludge by passing the oily water through an oily-water separator aboard the vessel or burning the sludge in the ship's incinerator. Federal law also requires ships to accurately record each disposal of oily water or sludge in an oil record book, and to have the oil record book available for the U.S. Coast Guard when the vessel is within the waters of the United States. According to the plea agreement, from June 2007 through February 2008, Francisco Bagatela, the chief engineer of the BALSA 62, directed other crew members and personally participated in the operation of a bypass pipe, also referred to as a "magic pipe," which was used to circumvent the pollution prevention equipment on board the ship, thereby transferring oily water and sludge directly overboard and into the ocean approximately twice a month. On Feb. 25, 2008, Robert Racho replaced Mr. Bagatela as chief engineer and continued the use of the magic pipe. Both Mr. Bagatela and Mr. Racho deliberately concealed these illegal discharges from the
U.S. Coast Guard by not recording them in the ship's oil record book.


Columbia Sportswear opening
new store at Portland Airport

PORTLAND — Columbia Sportswear Company, a global active outdoor apparel and footwear industries firm, has announced the opening of a new Columbia-branded retail store at Portland International Airport on Friday, Nov. 14, 2008. Now, the estimated 14.6 million travelers who visit the airport each year have the opportunity to purchase and experience the Columbia Sportswear and Sorel footwear brands on their way to Oregon’s outdoor attractions and activities. The company currently operates one Columbia flagship store and an adjacent Mountain Hardwear store in Portland, and plans to open additional branded stores in Minneapolis and Seattle later this month and next year in Chicago. Columbia Sportswear’s airport store will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, November 10, 2008

Bellingham Port Commission
backs job creation projects

BELLINGHAM — As part of its focus on economic development and job creation, the Port of Bellingham's Board of Commissioners has approved a project that will help link technology businesses with the emerging research and expertise in Whatcom County's higher education institutions. The commission authorized spending $25,000 to hire the Bellingham/Whatcom Technology Alliance Group (TAG) to complete two projects aimed at boosting employment, growth and success of the local technology industry sector. This sector is one of four economic areas that the port plans to target resources toward in 2008 and 2009 to help improve the local economy.


Port Tracker report predicts
further slowdown at box ports

WASHINGTON, DC — Cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports fell again in October, and 2008 is now expected to be the slowest year since 2004 as the downturn in the nation’s economy continues, according to the monthly Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and IHS Global Insight. Volume is projected to total 15.3 million Twenty-Foot-Equivalent Units for the year, compared with 16.5 million TEU in 2007. That would be a decline of 7.1 percent and the lowest total since 2004, when 14 million TEU moved through the ports. The estimate is down from the 15.43 million projected a month ago, which would have been a 6.5 percent decline from 2007 and the lowest number since 2005’s 15.4 million TEU. One TEU is one 20-foot container or its equivalent.


Coast Guard Cutter ALERT
receives pair of awards

SEATTLE — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter ALERT, based in Astoria, received two awards for dedication to the local community Oct. 28. Representing the crew of the ALERT, Cmdr. Matthew Creelman was presented with the Spirit of Hope Award during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The Spirit of Hope Award is presented to men and women of the armed forces whose patriotism and service reflect that of Bob Hope and who have contributed outstanding service to the United States of America. The ALERT was chosen as the Coast Guard award recipient because of the crew's spirit of service and compassion for the local community of Clatsop County. Specifically, the crew was recognized for running an annual haunted ship event to collect canned goods for the food bank and for volunteering thousands of man hours in response to the 2007 December storm. The crew's efforts in the community were recognized again Nov. 3 when Rear Adm. John Currier, Commander of the Thirteenth Coast Guard District, presented the crew with the Coast Guard Unit Commendation. The Coast Guard Unit Commendation is the highest peacetime award bestowed upon Coast Guard commands. The unit must support Coast Guard operations and be involved in extremely meritorious service not involving combat. The crew received the award for the unit's response to and recovery from the devastation caused by the storm of 2007 in Clatsop County.


Horizon Lines voluntarily
paying down debt amount

CHARLOTTE, NC — Horizon Lines, Inc. has announced that it has further reduced debt by making an additional payment of $5 million on its revolving credit facility, bringing the total debt reduction during the company's fiscal fourth quarter to $10 million. These payments of $10 million in the fourth quarter are in addition to $22.5 million of voluntary payments made in the second and third quarters. The principal payments reduce borrowings on Horizon Lines' $250 million revolving credit facility to $147.5 million and total debt outstanding to $598 million.


Boeing Company/employees
donate to Puget Sound charities

SEATTLE — Three area food distributors recently accepted donations of nearly $400,000 from The Boeing Company, Boeing employees and the Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound. The three distributors accepted the contributions during the annual Boeing employees' Food & Essentials drive. The donations will generate nearly two million meals for the region or enough to feed about 5,600 families of four for a month. Boeing representatives announced the results Oct. 30 during a celebration event at Northwest Harvest's warehouse in Kent, Wash. Food Lifeline, Northwest Harvest and the Emergency Food Network, all of which distribute resources to Puget Sound food banks, accepted the checks. Employees gave more than $190,000 in monetary donations. In addition, The Boeing Company and the Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound each contributed $100,000, matching employee contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000. Employees also donated 36,240 pounds of food and essential items.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, November 7, 2008

Port of Tacoma honors Carlile
for clean air achievements

TACOMA — At their Nov. 6 meeting, Port of Tacoma Commissioners recognized the significant clean air achievements of Carlile Transportation Systems, an Alaska-based trucking company that also serves the Port. The Port of Tacoma, with the Port of Seattle and Port Metro Vancouver in Canada, last year developed the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy to set short- and long-term targets for reducing diesel emissions from port-related activities, including shipping, rail, trucking, cargo handling and harborcraft. Port of Tacoma Commissioners recognized Carlile for achieving the truck performance standards outlined in the strategy ahead of the 2010 target. Carlile's environmental initiatives include: SmartWay certification; Newer engines; Alternative power units (APUs); and Hybrid trucks.


Air China Cargo orders
Boeing converted freighters

SEATTLE — Boeing and Air China Cargo have announced that the carrier will add three 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF) to its cargo fleet. The modification work on the three Combi airplanes will take place at Taikoo Aircraft Engineering (TAECO) in Xiamen, China. They previously were operated by Air China. Air China Cargo currently operates eight freighters, including three 747-400 Freighters delivered new in 2005, 2006 and 2008, as well as two other 747-400 Freighters on lease and three 747-200 Freighters. Modifications include a side cargo door addition, a strengthened main-deck floor, full main-deck lining installation, provisions for a new cargo handling system and complete revisions to the airplane systems. The 747-400BCF has positions for 30 pallets on the main deck - volume which is comparable to the 747-400 production freighter.


US rail freight totals
drop during week

WASHINGTON, DC — Freight volume on U.S. railroads trailed year ago totals during the week ended October 25, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports. Carload freight for the week totaled 325,315 cars, down 4.7 percent from last year, with volume off 4.8 percent in the West and 4.5 percent in the East. Intermodal volume, which is not included in the carload data, totaled 230,774 trailers or containers, down 4.1 percent from last year. Container volume was off 2.4 percent while trailer traffic fell 10.0 percent. Total volume was estimated at 34.5 billion ton-miles, down 3.9 percent from the comparable week last year. Sixteen of 19 carload commodity groups were down from a year ago, with automotive traffic off 28.1 percent, waste and scrap down 22.7 percent and metals dropping 22.3 percent. Coal volume registered a 6.5 percent gain from the comparable week last year. Cumulative volume for the first 43 weeks of 2008 totaled 13,996,433 carloads, down 0.4 percent from 2007; 9,692,715 trailers or containers, down 3.0 percent; and total volume of an estimated 1.46 trillion ton-miles, up 0.7 percent from last year.


Crystal Cruises takes home
Best Large-Ship Cruise Line award

TOKYO — Crystal Cruises Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of NYK Line, has been recognized as the Best Large-Ship Cruise Line by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler. This is the 15th year for Crystal Cruises to receive this honor. This year, more than 32,000 subscribers participated in the selection process, and voters evaluated cruise lines on calling ports, facilities, cabins, design and layout, food/dining, and crew/services. Crystal Cruises, which operates Crystal Symphony (940 guests, 50,000 tons) and Crystal Serenity (1,080 guests, 68,000 ton), received 93.1 out of 100 points. Crystal Cruises has also received the following recognitions: Cruise Line of the Year in September 2008 by Travel Trade Gazette. World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line (for the 13th consecutive year) in July 2008 by Travel + Leisure.


Port Angeles Coast Guard station
hosting Veterans Day celebration

SEATTLE — Coast Guard Group Port Angeles, Wash., will host the Clallam County Veterans Association Annual Veterans Day Ceremony Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The event is open to the public. The front gate at the end of Ediz Hook will open to the public at 9:30 a.m. Parking is limited and ride sharing is strongly recommended. The event will be held in the Coast Guard Group/Air Station hangar. The ceremony will feature a special tribute to Korean War veterans. Performances will include the Port Angeles High School Band, The Olympic Peninsula Men's Chorus, Grand Olympics Chorus of Sweet Adeline's International and Don Alward on bagpipes. Ceremony participants also include the Coast Guard Group Port Angeles Color Guard and the Marine Corps League Honor Guard rendering a 21 Gun Salute. The High School Band will perform pre-ceremony music from 10-10:30 a.m. At the conclusion of the ceremony the Ladies of VFW Post 1024 Auxiliary will host a barbecue at the Veteran's Building on 3rd and Francis St. This is the thirteenth year that Coast Guard Group Port Angeles has been designated by the Department of Veterans Affairs as a Regional Veterans Day Observance Site.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, November 6, 2008

Port of Port Angeles schedules
public hearing on budget/tax levy

PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles will conduct a public hearing on the 2009 Preliminary Budget and Tax Levy at 10:00 AM on Monday, November 10, 2008 at the Port Administrative Offices Building, 338 W. 1st St., Port Angeles, WA during the scheduled, regular Commission meeting. Any person may present comments pertaining to the preliminary budget or tax levy. Following the public hearings, the Commission will consider adoption of the final tax levy for 2009. Adoption of the final budget for 2009 will be considered on November 24, 2008.


Homeland Security Department
opens new round of port grants

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Officials of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) have lauded the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for announcing that it is opening the application process for the next round of port security grants. The Port Security Grant program, run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will distribute $388.6 million in grant funding in fiscal 2009 to eligible maritime entities to pay for facility expenses ranging from security cameras, lighting and other protective equipment and infrastructure, to interoperable communications devices, interagency coordination and implementation expenses associated with the new Transportation Worker Identification Credential. As in the past, port areas classified as Group I and Group II have been designated a specific funding amount based upon a DHS risk analysis. Group III recipients and what FEMA classifies as "All Other Port Areas," together with ferry systems, will compete for the funding identified in their corresponding group.


Schnitzer Steel taps Lundgren
as new president and CEO

PORTLAND — Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. has announced that Tamara L. Lundgren, previously executive vice president and chief operating officer of the company, was elected president and chief executive officer and a director by the company's board of directors at its meeting on October 29, 2008. Both positions will be effective December 1, 2008. John D. Carter, current president and chief executive officer, was elected chairman of the board, also effective December 1, 2008.


Greenbrier Companies releases
numbers for fourth fiscal quarter

LAKE OSWEGO, OR — The Greenbrier Companies has reported results for its fiscal fourth quarter and fiscal year ended August 31, 2008. Revenues for the quarter were $362 million, up $11 million vs. the prior year's fourth quarter. Net earnings for the quarter were $7.4 million, or $.45 per diluted share vs. $13.2 million, or $.82 per share, in the prior year's fourth quarter. The 2007 fourth quarter results include a special charge of $2.3 million, or $.14 per diluted share, with no related tax benefit, associated with closure costs of the company's Canadian railcar manufacturing facility. There were no special charges in the 2008 fourth quarter. EBITDA for the quarter was $33.7 million, or 9.3 percent of revenues, compared to $43.0 million, or 12.2 percent of revenues in the fourth quarter of 2007.


Evergreen to pull plug
on TANGO service participation

TAIPEI — Based on the worldwide economic downturn and the need to focus resources in other trades, Evergreen Line has announced its withdrawal from the TANGO service linking ports on the East Coasts of North and South America. Evergreen Line is suspending service by terminating its space charter agreement and in compliance with its 90-day pre-notice. The final sailings for Evergreen Line customers will be: M/V CAP SAN NICOLAS 064S ETD New York Jan. 25 2009 and M/V CAP SAN AUGUSTIN 064N ETD Buenos Aires Jan. 26, 2009 Evergreen will continue service to Venezuela via the Colon Container Terminal in Panama and to South America's West Coast trade.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Port of Seattle posts
best ever cruise season

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle has announced that the 2008 cruise season was the busiest ever. For the first time, Seattle surpassed Vancouver B.C. in passenger numbers. Seattle welcomed 210 cruise ships and 886,039 passengers while Vancouver reported 854,453 passengers. The cruise business in Seattle generates $274 million in annual business revenue, $8 million in annual state and local taxes, and 2,380 jobs. The 2009 season will see the opening of a new facility on Pier 91, near the Magnolia Bridge. Current projections for 2009 estimate 211 cruise ship visits and 801,080 passengers, in which the Port will serve 11 homeport vessels including the Pacific Princess, a new homeport ship for our harbor.


Port of Tacoma schedules
series of public meetings

TACOMA — Port of Tacoma commissioners have scheduled three public meetings to consider the port's 2009 budget, cargo forecast, finance plan and tax levy. The first budget meeting at noon on Nov. 6 will include an update on the third quarter of the 2008 budget and a preliminary look at the 2009 capital plans, revenue projections, tax levy and finance plans. This general business presentation will not call for public comment, but community members are encouraged to attend to hear how the port's budget is formed. Presentation materials are available on the port's website at www.portoftacoma.com/budget. The Nov. 13 meeting at noon will include a more in-depth look at cargo forecasts, capital building plans, tax levy and the 2009 budget. Commissioners will invite public comment at this meeting. The final meeting at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 21 is a special public hearing to formally adopt the 2009 statutory budget, tax levy and authorization to bank excess tax levy capacity. All three meetings will be held in The Fabulich Center, Room 104, at 3600 Port of Tacoma Rd. in Tacoma. The public is encouraged to attend. Meetings also are streamed live from the port's website at www.portoftacoma.com and are later broadcast on Click! and Comcast throughout Pierce County.


Douglas Tilden named to
Ports America Group board

ISELIN, NJ — Douglas Tilden has been named to the advisory board of Ports America Group (PAG), according to Stephen Edwards, PAG president and CEO. Mr. Tilden most recently served as chairman of Ports America Group, the largest stevedoring and terminal operating company in the Americas providing services at 97 terminals in 50 U.S. ports. PAG is an affiliated group of terminal operating companies owned by Highstar Capital, an infrastructure fund. Mr. Tilden's career in the shipping industry began in 1969 with United States Lines. His most recent position as chairman of Ports America Group led to his appointment as senior strategic analyst to the advisory board, which oversees PAG operations. Mr. Tilden, past president of MTC Holdings, Inc., is actively involved in the maritime industry and public affairs and serves on the boards of several associations, including the Pacific Maritime Association.


Genco Shipping & Trading
backs away from ship deals

NEW YORK — Genco Shipping & Trading Limited has announced that it has agreed to cancel the previously announced acquisition of six drybulk newbuildings from Lambert Navigation Ltd., Northville Navigation Ltd., Providence Navigation Ltd., and Prime Bulk Navigation Ltd., with an aggregate purchase price of $530 million. As part of the agreement, the selling group will retain the deposits totaling $53 million for the six vessels, comprised of three Capesize and three Handysize vessels. Genco has four remaining Capesize newbuildings scheduled to be delivered in 2009. The company intends to utilize the undrawn portion of its credit facilities as well as cash flow from operations to fund these acquisitions.


Boeing air cargo forecast
predicts global growth

KUALA LUMPUR — Boeing has said that world air cargo growth will expand at a 5.8 percent annual rate over the next two decades, with worldwide air freight traffic tripling through 2027, according to the company's World Air Cargo Forecast 2008/2009. Air cargo traffic will grow over the long term despite current near-term market weakness and worldwide economic uncertainty. The industry has shown strong recoveries from previous economic downturns such as the Asian economic crisis, the 9/11 attacks and the SARS outbreak. Boeing released the biennial forecast, which is widely cited by airlines and industry groups, at the International Air Cargo Forum and Exhibition 2008 in Kuala Lumpur.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, November 3, 2008

Port of Tacoma calling for
public comment on Tideflats project

TACOMA— The Port of Tacoma seeks public comment on the potential environmental impacts of planned Tacoma Tideflats terminal, road, rail and utility infrastructure developments. The draft Environmental Impact Statement is part of the environmental review process conducted under the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). Elements of the redevelopment plans for the Blair-Hylebos Peninsula include:
*Relocating Totem Ocean Trailer Express to a newly developed terminal
*Building a new container terminal for NYK Line
*Widening a section of the Blair Waterway
*Lengthening a wharf at Washington United Terminal
*Improving road, rail and utility infrastructure
*Habitat improvements
The draft Environmental Impact Statement is available for review on the port's website: www.portoftacoma.com. Comments on the document must be received by 4 p.m. Dec. 1 to be considered for the final Environmental Impact Statement, to be released in February 2009. Comments may be sent by mail to: ATTN: Matoya Scott, Port of Tacoma, PO Box 1837, Tacoma, WA 98401-1837. Comments also may be submitted at a public hearing scheduled for 5 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 17 in Room 104 of The Fabulich Center, 3600 Port of Tacoma Road in Tacoma. Staff from the port's Sustainable Development department will be available in an open house format for the first half hour to discuss various aspects of the project. Project managers are scheduled to deliver a short presentation at 5:30 p.m. and take public comment immediately afterward.


Schnitzer nets Nasdaq warning
for director requirement shortfall

PORTLAND — Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. has announced that the company received a Nasdaq Staff Deficiency Letter on October 30, 2008 indicating that the company was not in compliance with the independent director requirement for continued listing set forth in Marketplace Rule 4350(c)(1), which requires that a majority of the board of directors of a listed company be comprised of independent directors. The non-compliance with Nasdaq's rule resulted from the previously announced resignation of Mark Palmquist, an independent director of the company. Consistent with Marketplace Rule 4350(c)(1), Nasdaq is providing the company with a cure period until April 20, 2009 to regain compliance (assuming the company's annual meeting of shareholders is held on January 28, 2009, as scheduled). At the date of Mr. Palmquist's resignation, the board of directors had already engaged a professional recruiting firm to assist it in a search for an additional independent director. The recruiting firm has identified a number of candidates whose names have been submitted to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the board of directors.


Trade between NAFTA partners
rises during month of August

WASHINGTON, DC — Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners, Canada and Mexico , was 4.5 percent higher in August 2008 than in August 2007, reaching $72.3 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 0.9 percent in August from July. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations and other factors. Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline. About 88 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moves on land. The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in August was up 60.5 percent compared to August 2003, and up 101.9 percent compared to August 1998, a period of 10 years. Imports in August were up 107.5 percent compared to August 1998, while exports were up 95.2 percent.


Union members approve
new contract with Boeing

SEATTLE — Striking Boeing machinists in Washington, Oregon and Kansas voted to ratify a new four-year contract that includes what the company calls "excellent wages" and an industry-leading pension. About 27,000 employees represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) returned to work with the third shift Nov. 2, ending a 58-day walkout. "We're looking forward to having our team back together to resume the work of building airplanes for our customers," said Scott Carson, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO. "This new contract addresses the union's job security issues while enabling Boeing to retain the flexibility needed to run the business. It rewards employees for their contribution to our success with industry-leading pay and benefits and allows us to remain competitive." The contract calls for general wage increases of 15 percent over four years, an immediate 16 percent pension increase and lump-sum payments of at least $8,000 over the life of the agreement. The new contract is for four years, longer than Boeing has typically negotiated with the IAM, which adds to long-term stability for Boeing, its employees, customers, suppliers and communities.


Musicians set to perform
at Sea-Tac Airport

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle is launching the Sea-Tac Airport Music program, which will provide selected local musicians the opportunity to come to the airport and perform for travelers. Performances are non-paid by the airport, and performers must have a commercially-produced CD which can be made available for sale to travelers. Tips may be accepted. Locations and other provisions are subject to Airport approval, in consideration of the operation of the airport. The airport music program will kick off on December 16 with live piano performances in the Central Terminal beginning at 5 a.m. There is a line-up of other performers throughout the holiday season. Performers interested in joining the program should e-mail Airport Concessions at: concessions-business-development@portseattle.org.