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September, 2009

NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Peninsula Plywood Group
leases Port Angeles mill site

PORT ANGELES — During their regular commission meeting, Port of Port Angeles Commission President, John Calhoun, announced that the port and Peninsula Plywood Group, LLC successfully signed a lease for the 19 acres of property and mill site formerly leased to K-Ply. Pen Ply now has full access to the property and will begin bringing the mill back to a productive state. The property has sat vacant since K-Ply closed nearly two years ago. Per their lease with the port, Pen Ply is tasked with employing 60 full time employees during their first 90 days. The mill will eventually employ approximately 172 workers. Pen Ply is currently recruiting for supervisory jobs and running employment ads in the local newspaper.


Panama Canal taps contractor
for Atlantic entrance dredge work

PANAMA CITY — The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced that Jan De Nul n.v. has been awarded the contract to dredge the canal’s Atlantic entrance. The dredging project is another integral element of the canal’s Expansion Program. After a thorough review of the lowest priced proposal, the ACP awarded the contract to Jan De Nul n.v for $89,617,317. The tender also included an option to dredge an additional 2.3 million cubic meters. The ACP has 45 days to decide if it exercises the option. Jan De Nul n.v. offered to perform the option for $16,411,600.


New fare scheme coming online
for Washington State Ferries

SEATTLE — The Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries Division (WSF) reminds customers of two fare changes that will go into effect on Sunday, October 11. On that date, the peak season surcharge ends and a systemwide 2.5 percent fare increase goes into effect. Per state tariff law, WSF implements a 25 percent peak season surcharge for full fare vehicle/driver tickets each year from May 1 until the second Sunday in October. On the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route passenger single fares increase 20 percent during the peak season and vehicle/driver fares increase 35 percent. Fares will return to the lower, non-peak season rates on Sunday, October 11. WSF will also implement a 2.5 percent fare increase on all routes on Sunday, October 11. Central Puget Sound passenger fares will rise from $6.70 to $6.90; the car and driver rate will go from $11.55 to $11.85. This fare increase was set by the Washington State Transportation Commission, the statewide authority that sets all highway and bridge tolls and ferry fares. This is the first across-the-board ferry fare increase since May 2007.


Tom Crowley Jr. receives
National Transportation Award

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Tom Crowley, Jr., chairman, president and CEO of Crowley Maritime Corporation, was presented with the National Transportation Award from the National Defense Transportation Association, at the group’s annual logistics forum and exposition in Nashville, Ten. NDTA Chairman Ray Ebeling made the presentation to Mr. Crowley at the Chairman’s Awards Dinner, the highlight of the multi-day event. Richard Haynes, executive director, Military Sealift Command (MSC), was also honored as the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Award recipient, and Col. Joseph (Joe) Torsani, Jr., USA (Ret.), chairman of NDTA’s Council of Regional Presidents, was recognized with the NDTA President’s Award. Mr. Crowley, whose father, Thomas B. Crowley, Sr., was recognized with the same award in 1970, thanked Ebeling, NDTA President Kenneth Wykle, the NDTA Board and distinguished guests for the recognition, and said he was pleased to accept on behalf of the 4,300 Crowley employees around the world who help provide a wide variety of Crowley services to the DOD and government.


Mitsui nets approval for
Vietnam terminal management

TOKYO — Mitsui O.S.K. Line, Ltd. (MOL) has announced that the company has received approval from the government of Vietnam to establish a new joint terminal operation company, Tan Cang Cai Mep International Terminal Company Ltd. (TCIT). The new company will operate the Tan Cang Cai Mep International Terminal slated to open in February, 2011.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, September 28, 2009

Truck tonnage index posts
positive numbers during August

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The American Trucking Associations’ advance seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 2.1 percent in August, matching July’s increase of the same magnitude. The latest gain raised the SA index to 104.1 (2000=100), which was the best reading since February 2009. The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 105.8 in August, down 0.5 percent from July. Compared with August 2008, SA tonnage fell 7.5 percent, which was the best year-over-year showing since November 2008.


Crowley Maritime executive
named salvage union president

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Crowley Maritime Corporation has announced that Todd Busch, the company's senior vice president and general manager of technical services, which includes Crowley subsidiary Titan Salvage, has been elected president of the International Salvage Union (ISU). Mr. Busch was elected during the ISU's 55th general meeting in Boston this week. He succeeds Arnold Witte, who will continue to be a member of the ISU's executive committee. Mr. Busch joined Crowley in 1987 as an ordinary seaman and since that time served aboard company tugs as a chief mate. He came ashore in 1994 as a dispatcher; and has held a variety of other positions with increasing responsibility. He has been responsible for the company's marine services contract business, overseeing pricing and the negotiating of contracts, as well as the commercial activities for Crowley's emergency services, and the U.S. Navy salvage contract. He was named vice president of Titan in Oct. 2005. He also serves as a director, representing Crowley and Titan on the board of the Marine Response Alliance LLC.


Lloyds taps NYK vessel
as 2009 Ship of the Year

TOKYO — Earlier this month, the AURIGA LEADER, an NYK PCTC (pure car truck carrier) was recognized as the ship of the year at the Lloyd’s List Global Awards 2009. Together with customers and colleagues, Svein Steimler, executive vice president of NYK Group Europe Ltd., accepted the award on behalf of NYK. Lloyd’s List gives the Ship of the Year Award to celebrate a vessel delivered in the past year that has set a new benchmark in terms of design, innovation, and efficiency. This year’s winner was described by the panel of judges as a remarkable ship. The solar-power-assisted AURIGA LEADER (60,213 gross tons), which is equipped with 328 solar panels, has been used to experiment with propulsion systems that run in part on solar power. The systems have been jointly developed by NYK and Nippon Oil Corporation. AURIGA LEADER has recently completed its fourth voyage. As initially foreseen, solar power was able to afford 0.05 percent of the ship’s propulsion power and one percent of the electricity used for everyday onboard needs such as cabin lighting and kitchen work. This change will reduce fuel consumption and the consequent CO2 emission.


Diana Shipping inks charter
for Panama bulk carrier, TRITON

ATHENS — Diana Shipping Inc., a global shipping company specializing in the transportation of dry bulk cargoes, has announced that it has entered into a time charter contract with Intermare Transport GmbH, Hamburg, for one of its Panamax dry bulk carriers, the m/v TRITON, at a gross charter rate of US$17,000 per day for a period of minimum 11 to about 13 months. The charter is expected to commence in the middle of October 2009. This employment is anticipated to generate approximately US$5.6 million of gross revenue for the minimum scheduled period of the charter. The TRITON is a 75,336 dwt Panamax dry bulk carrier built in 2001.


Tacoma kids paint cargo box
headed for Busan, Korea

TACOMA — A hand-painted cargo container shipped September 5, from the Port of Tacoma, carrying frozen French fries to Busan, Korea. One side of the 40-foot-long Hyundai Merchant Marine container was hand painted by about 100 Pierce County children, under the direction of local artist Rachael Dotson, during August’s two-day Commencement Bay Maritime Fest. The Friend Ship Box’s colorful design incorporates maritime and cultural symbols, including a Korean turtle ship, a tug boat, a Native American thunderbird design, iconic Tacoma buildings and sea life. The refrigerated container will deliver frozen French fries from Kennewick, Wash.-based Lamb Weston. Kids from Korea will paint the other side of the container when it arrives there next month before sending it back to Tacoma’s Washington United Terminals. The Friend Ship Box celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Hyundai Merchant Marine-owned terminal at the Port of Tacoma. The container’s around-the-world progress may be tracked at www.hmm21.com. The round trip is expected to take 45 to 60 days.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, September 25, 2009

Port of Everett calling for
grant funds for South Terminal

EVERETT — On Sept. 15, the Port of Everett submitted a $43.1 million grant request to the U.S. Department of Transportation to redevelop its South Terminal intermodal shipping facility. The grant is part of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program. The proposed project is consistent with the port’s Marine Terminals Master Plan adopted in 2008, and would significantly improve the port’s ability to efficiently and effectively move goods through its facilities. The project includes strengthening a 700-foot wharf, upgrading the storage yard, investing in rail improvements, and installing high-voltage power systems to allow for “cold ironing” of ships. Cold Ironing enables ships to turn off their diesel engines and generators while docked at the port, therefore reducing air emissions.


Port of Vancouver, USA
calling for train facility bids

VANCOUVER, USA — The process of building a new unit train facility at the Port of Vancouver USA’s new Terminal 5 has officially begun. The port has begun advertising for bids in the appropriate publications, and will accept bids up until 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2009, when the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud in the port’s Commission Room. The two-mile Terminal 5 loop track (unit train facility) is a part of the bigger West Vancouver Freight Access master plan and will include storage tracks, car preparation tracks and a loop lead track. A non-manditory pre-bid meeting will be held at the port’s administration building at 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 1. Questions are due in writing via the eBid System no later than Monday, October 5 at 2 p.m. Plans, specifications, bid documents, addenda and a plan holder list for this project are available on the Port of Vancouver’s website, which can be found at www.portvanusa.com, and click on the “Business Opportunities and eBid Registration” section on the left side of the home page.


ZIM puts hold on
delivery of new vessels

HAIFA — ZIM Integrated Shipping has reached an understanding with shipyards regarding postponing the delivery of four new ships. The understanding in principle involves four 10,000 TEU ships originally due to be delivered next year, which have been postponed until 2014 or 2015. This follows a recent understanding to postpone delivery of nine 12,600 TEU ships until 2014 or 2015. This extension of delivery dates marks a major step in completing ZIM's recovery plan, enhancing the company’s cash flow by deferring investments of up to US $2 billion.


Rail freight traffic sees hope
in numbers for month of August

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports that while U.S. freight rail carloads declined in August, down 16.4 percent (at 1,116,182 carloads) compared with the same month last year, the percentage decline for the month was the lowest since February. In the Rail Time Indicators Report, AAR released monthly traffic data framed with other key economic indicators to show how freight rail ties into the broader the U.S. economy. Carload data for certain commodity groups had notable traffic changes in August. Carloads of chemicals – which are used as a raw material in virtually all types of manufacturing – were up 14 percent (at 134,601 carloads) from its lowest point this year in March. This increase in carloads of chemicals is in line with the August Purchasing Managers Index, up 4 percent from the month before. The autos and auto parts commodity group saw a significant monthly boost – likely the result of the federal “Cash for Clunkers” program – up 40 percent (at 44,272 carloads) in August from the month before. The more consumer-driven intermodal traffic was down 16.7 percent compared with August 2008. However, the average weekly intermodal count was 196,066 trailers – the highest since January 2009.


ACP taps Willis Limited
as new insurance broker

PANAMA CITY — The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced that it has awarded a contract for insurance brokerage services to Willis Limited. Beginning October 2009, the firm will provide strategic counsel, as the ACP chooses the best policies to cover property, floating equipment, loss of income and maritime contingencies, among others. The contract will be for one year with an option to renew for three additional years. Willis Limited is also the ACP’s broker for its Owner Controlled Insurance Program that includes the Third Party Liability and Construction All Risk coverage for the design and construction of the new set of locks and the fourth dry excavation projects under the Panama Canal Expansion Program.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, September 24, 2009

Port of Vancouver, USA
nets $480,735 in grant funds

VANCOUVER, USA — The Port of Vancouver USA has learned it has received $480,735 in an American Recovery & Reinvestment Act Port Security Grant. The money will be used to implement a second phase of the port’s maritime domain awareness program. This second phase will provide for additional cameras and monitoring of those cameras across the terminal. A secure wireless network will also be created so that port security officers will have the ability to monitor cameras from security vehicles while on mobile patrol.


Port of Bremerton issues
Limited Tax General Obligation bonds

BREMERTON — The Port of Bremerton Board of Commissioners acted on the issuance of Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds at their regular business meeting on September 22. The bonds will be issued for the purpose of providing funds for the purchase of the Washington Avenue property adjacent to the Bremerton Marina from the Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority. The remainder of the funds will be used for the construction of an arterial road in the industrial/business park that requires port funds to complete the project or an alternate project(s) which may be designated by the commission.


Port Metro Vancouver projects
receive Stimulus Fund dollars

VANCOUVER, BC — Funding of nearly $42 million for 14 Port Metro Vancouver infrastructure projects, under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund was announced at a news conference in Vancouver Sept. 23. The projects are diverse, ranging from the installation of waterlines to service the Richmond Logistics Hub, to upgrading seismic capacity of three buildings at the Lynnterm Terminal, to upgrading water and storm sewers systems on the south shore to enhance emergency preparedness for south shore terminals in the event of a fire, spill or similar event, to the creation of a Fusion center to manage the port’s operations and manage communications to ensure safe, secure and sustainable operations.


Navios Maritime Holdings
buys new Handmax vessel

PIRAEUS, Greece — Navios Maritime Holdings Inc., a global, vertically integrated seaborne shipping and logistics company, has announced that it has purchased the NAVIOS CELESTIAL, a 2009 built Ultra Handymax vessel, of 58,084 dwt, from a Japanese Shipyard. The vessel's nominal purchase price of $36.2 million was funded with $31.2 million of cash, and $5.0 million in mandatorily convertible preferred stock. As a result, the vessel's effective purchase price was $33.5 million, using the $10.00 mandatory conversion price of the preferred stock.


Vigor Marine wins contract
to repair NOAA survey vessel

WASHINGTON, DC — NOAA has awarded a $13.1 million contract to Vigor Marine, LLC, in Portland, to perform major repairs and upgrades to the NOAA hydrographic survey vessel RAINIER. The year-long project, which received $7.1 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will start this fall and includes structural repairs to the ship; installation of updated hydrographic survey systems; replacement of davits and other deck machinery; refitting of living and berthing spaces; upgrades to machinery control systems, power generation machinery and the ship’s steering system; and general maintenance and preservation work. The project is part of NOAA’s effort to modernize the agency’s fleet.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, September 23, 2009

New round of DHS grants
to fund transportation projects

WASHINGTON, DC — Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano has announced more than $380 million in grants—funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)—to pay for fire station construction and port and transit security initiatives nationwide while creating jobs and stimulating local economies. The ARRA grants will protect critical infrastructure facilities and transit systems and strengthen community response efforts by supporting new fire station construction and upgrades. The Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) is awarding $150 million in ARRA funding to protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism; enhance maritime domain awareness and risk management capabilities; and support the implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)—a tamper-resistant biometric credential issued to workers who require unescorted access to secure areas of ports and vessels.


Designator marking painting project
marks near completion of Sea-Tac runway

SEATTLE — Painters have completed one of the most visible elements of the runway reconstruction project at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as the sixty-foot designator marking "34R" was painted on the south end of the runway. The painting is part of the finishing touches on the project which is scheduled to reopen by the end of the month. The north end's "16L" designator marking will be completed Sept. 22. In all, over 3,000 gallons of paint are being used for all of the striping on the 11,900 foot runway. The new runway is scheduled to open 12:01 a.m. Sunday, September 27 for day-time, good weather use. The FAA will conduct flight checks beginning Sunday and is expected to open the runway in full use by the end of the week. Located at each end of the runway for identification by approaching aircraft, runway markings will read 16L on the north end and 34R on the south end. Numbers are determined by the compass location of the runways and their alignment with the two other runways (right, center, and left). The original runway was built in 1944 and extended several times to reach the current size of 11,900 feet. The reconstruction project completes a comprehensive rebuilding of the entire runway - from runway lights to the concrete pavement itself. The new 20-inch thick runway, and adjoining taxiways, required 120,000 cubic yards of concrete. In comparison, 65,000 cubic yards of concrete was used for the Third Runway [only 8,500 feet long and 17-inches thick].


Alaska begins new service
between Sea-Tac and Houston

SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines has begun daily nonstop service between Houston and Seattle. Alaska is offering introductory one-way fares of $99 between the two cities for tickets purchased by Sept. 30, 2009. Houston is the third destination added to the Seattle-based carrier's route system this year. Alaska began service to Austin, Texas, on Aug. 3, and Bellingham, Wash. on June 25, and will add daily service between Seattle and Atlanta on Oct. 23, 2009. Alaska will operate the flights with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, accommodating 16 passengers in first class and 141 passengers in the main cabin.


General Dynamics NASSCO
building 12th T-AKE vessel

SAN DIEGO — General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, has begun construction of the future USNS WILLIAM MCLEAN, the twelfth ship of the U.S. Navy's T-AKE program. The WILLIAM MCLEAN is named in honor of the Navy physicist who conceived and developed the heat-seeking Sidewinder missile. The ship is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in the third quarter of 2011. The T-AKE ship incorporates international marine technologies and commercial ship-design features, including an integrated electric-drive propulsion system to minimize operating costs over its projected 40-year service life. The primary mission of T-AKE ships is to deliver as much as 10,000 tons of food, ammunition, fuel and other provisions to combat ships at sea. NASSCO has delivered the first eight T-AKEs, which are also known as Lewis and Clark-class ships. The shipyard also has construction contracts for four additional T-AKEs and long-lead material contracts for two more ships for a total class of 14 ships.


New 'Nonstop' campaign created
to support Portland Airport flights

PORTLAND — Portland International Airport’s International Air Service Committee has launched a strategy called the “I Fly Nonstop” campaign. Created to generate support for the nonstops to Tokyo and Amsterdam, both operated by Delta Air Lines, as well as connections to most of the major business centers and tourism destinations throughout Asia and Europe, the campaign features two popular social media tools; a Facebook fan page and a blog at iflynonstop.com. On the blog and Facebook page, international business and civic leaders, elected officials and celebrities from throughout the region will share their thoughts and travel recommendations for Amsterdam and Tokyo. There will be helpful tips on what to do, where to eat, and ways to make overseas travel easier, smarter and stress-free.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, September 21, 2009

Senator Patty Murray participates
in Port of Tacoma road-raising event

TACOMA — Sen. Patty Murray joined Port of Tacoma commissioners and other state and local dignitaries Friday to “lift” Lincoln Avenue. The “road-raising” celebration kicked off construction of the final phase of the Lincoln Avenue Grade Separation overpass. The 2,200-foot overpass will add three lanes of roadway over four sets of railroad tracks serving the Port of Tacoma’s two main intermodal yards. “Raising Lincoln Avenue over the tracks will help the Port of Tacoma run smoother, faster, and more efficiently,” Senator Murray said. “That is why I worked to secure federal funding for this project that will create jobs and boost the local economy, and I will continue fighting to ensure that the region gets the resources it needs to continue investing in critical infrastructure.” The port has completed three surface streets and relocated utilities to support the overall project. The final piece, the overpass itself, remained unfunded until the port received $15.4 million in March from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.


Millions in NOAA salmon funds
headed to Pacific Northwest projects

WASHINGTON, DC — The Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded $39.7 million in grants to Washington and Oregon for state-sponsored salmon-restoration projects and other efforts to restore salmon and steelhead that are listed for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act. Washington’s Recreation and Conservation office will receive $26.5 million and Oregon’s Watershed Enhancement Board will receive $13.2 million from NOAA’s Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF). The money will be used to fund a competitive process to choose projects to restore salmon and steelhead populations in the states.


Bike left on ferry HYAK
brings about $33,000 search

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard along with the Washington State Ferries has closed the case in the search for the owner of a bicycle left on the ferry HYAK. The bicycle was discovered after the ferry arrived at its destination just after 6:45 p.m. on Friday, September 18th which sailed from Seattle to Bremerton, Wash. The owner of the bicycle returned to the Bremerton ferry terminal at approximately 6:45 this evening to recover his bicycle after realizing it was missing prior to departing for work. The Coast Guard had initially suspended the search at approximately 11:00 p.m. on Friday after a Coast Guard rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station Seattle, a rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Group/Air Station Port Angeles, and the Seattle Fire Dept searched for nearly two and a half hours assuming the bike's owner fell overboard. The Coast Guard and the Washington State Ferry system reminds ferry riders to be mindful of their possessions which includes vehicles and bicycles along with all personal effects while traveling aboard the Washington State ferries. This search resulted in approximately $33,000 in asset and man hour expenditure.


Tsakos inks new charter
for tanker ASAHI PRINCESS

ATHENS — Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited has announced the delivery and charter of DNA-aframax tanker ASAHI PRINCESS from Sumitomo Heavy Industries in Japan. The vessel was placed on a one-to-four month repositioning time-charter with a major international oil trader. Upon expiry of the charter, the vessel will be redelivered to its intended operating area, the mid-Atlantic basin.


Artwork by local children
on display in Bellingham

BELLINGHAM — Children who enjoyed chalking the paint-by-numbers murals at the Haggen Family 4th of July Festival now have a chance to see their art on display in downtown Bellingham storefront windows. The pieces are at 1211 and 1213 ½ Cornwall Ave. as part of the Downtown Bellingham Partnership's Cornwall Gallery Project. The program fills empty storefront windows along Cornwall Avenue with local art, and is part of the Partnership's Downtown Art Walk. The chalk art murals will be on display through October, or until new tenants move into the spaces. The Port of Bellingham hired Local artist Brian Major to create the design of each mural specifically for the Haggen Family 4th of July Celebration. The event brought more than 10,000 people to Bellingham's Zuanich Point Park for Independence Day 2009. It included free family activities, live music and vendors, and ended with fireworks over Bellingham Bay.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, September 18, 2009

Testing set to begin
at GP site in Bellingham

BELLINGHAM — The Port of Bellingham reports trucks hauling drill rigs and augers will roll onto the G-P West cleanup site this week to begin installing test wells and taking soil samples. The work marks the beginning of a comprehensive environmental study required by a recently completed legal agreement between the Department of Ecology and the port. Aspect Consulting is performing the work for the port. Ecology is overseeing cleanup activities at the site under the state cleanup law, the Model Toxics Control Act. Crews will analyze samples to characterize soil and groundwater conditions, identifying the location and concentration of contaminants. The samples are expected to turn up mercury, metals, petroleum hydrocarbons and other industrial contaminants, including chromium and formaldehyde. The field work is scheduled to continue through Oct. 5, 2009. This work and previous studies will define the type and extent of site contamination. After the work is complete, Ecology and the port will evaluate cleanup methods. In about a year, Ecology will invite the public to comment on the results of the study and evaluations.


Monthly Port Tracker report
finds box numbers on the rise

WASHINGTON, DC — Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is now expected to total 12.5 million containers for 2009, according to the monthly Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and IHS Global Insight. The number is significantly below last year’s total but shows improvement from the 12.3 million forecast a month ago. The 12.5 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units now forecast for 2009 would be a drop of 17.7 percent form last year’s 15.2 million TEU and the lowest since the 12.47 million TEU in 2003. The number was revised upward to reflect higher projected imports for each of the remaining months of the year as retailers anticipate that economic conditions will begin to ease.


FMC to take fresh look at
passenger vessel finance rules

WASHINGTON, DC — At its Sept. 15 meeting, the Federal Maritime Commission voted unanimously to discontinue a pending rulemaking, Docket No. 02-15: Passenger Vessel Financial Responsibility, noting significant changes in the industry and the economy, as well as concerns for reliance by the Commission upon an outdated record in this proceeding, first commenced in 2002. Following action taken during the open session, Chairman Richard A. Lidinsky, Jr. directed staff to continue research and review of methods to assess adequacy of financial responsibility for passenger vessel operators, and to report back to the Commission within 60 days. The staff review will include a more in-depth review of current industry conditions and present options to the Commission for its further consideration, to include a possible public hearing.


Rail freight traffic
continues upward swing

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads reports that rail traffic continues to register incremental gains on a week-to-week basis, but remains down year over year. Rail carloadings were at their highest level since the week ended Dec. 13, 2008. For the week ended Aug. 29, 2009, U.S. railroads reported originating 285,580 cars, down 16.2 percent compared with the same week in 2008. Regionally, carloadings were down 16 percent in the West and 16.6 percent in the East. Intermodal traffic of 202,553 trailers or containers on U.S. railroads was down 15.6 percent from the same week last year. Container volume fell 9.4 percent and trailer volume dropped 38.7 percent. All 19 carload freight commodity groups were down from last year, with declines ranging from 8.7 percent for farm products not including grain to 42.1 percent for metals and metal products.


Crowley delivers equipment
for concert in Havana, Cuba

HAVANA — More than half-a-million Cubans are expected to gather at Havana's storied Plaza de la Revolución for the highly-anticipated "Concierto Paz Sin Fronteras" (Peace Without Borders concert) on Sunday, Sept. 20. Fifteen artists from six different countries will be performing including international music star and noted humanitarian Juanes; Latin Grammy award winning Spanish musician and actor Miguel Bose and Grammy and Latin Grammy award winning Puerto Rican merengue and pop music star Olga Tañon. The behind-the-scenes work for the historic cultural and musical event began just days ago as Crowley personnel worked to ensure all the production equipment were delivered to Havana safely. The shipment included 196 audio speakers, 12-LED video screens, scaffolding, six sound mixing consoles, 25 microphones and stands, 30 musical instruments, six electrical generators, four portable power plants, and other elements. On Monday, five 40-foot containers and one 40-foot flat-rack trailer sailed from Port Everglades arriving in Havana on Tuesday.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, September 17, 2009

Port of Vancouver, USA
Oks land deal with Clark Utilities

VANCOUVER, USA — The Port of Vancouver USA and Clark Public Utilities have finalized an agreement to exchange property adjacent to the utility’s River Road Generating Plant and the port’s new Terminal 5 in order to accommodate rail construction. The port commission on September 8 unanimously adopted a resolution to exchange 0.77 acre of property currently included in Terminal 5, immediately west of the utility’s property in exchange for two small triangle parcels totaling 0.77 acre on the south side of the utility’s property. The property the port acquires in the exchange will allow for rail construction to begin west of Gateway Avenue and around the perimeter of Terminal 5 – formerly the Alcoa/Evergreen Aluminum property. That construction will begin in the fall of this year, with expected completion slated for spring of 2010. The port will also pay Clark Public Utilities $30,644 at closing, the value of improvements on the property the port is receiving from the utility.


Washington DOT requests
$482 million in TIGER grants

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Transportation has submitted applications for three high priority projects in King County, Vancouver, and Spokane to compete for the $1.5 billion available in TIGER Discretionary Grants, part of the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). WSDOT applied for grants to build portions of the SR 520 Bridge Replacement program ($300 million), the Columbia River Crossing ($147 million), and the North Spokane Corridor ($35 million). Each of the projects proposed to receive funding will improve mobility in major freight corridors, complement current state highway investment, and provide jobs in communities experiencing significant business closures and unemployment. The $787 billion Recovery Act Congress passed in February included $1.5 billion for Surface Transportation Discretionary Grants, called TIGER grants. The U.S. Department of Transportation will review and score each application through a competitive process. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is expected to select projects in January. States are eligible to receive up to a maximum of $300 million in TIGER grants.


Boeing predicts China region
will need 3,770 new aircraft

BEIJING — Boeing has detailed its 2009 market update for commercial airplanes for China region, forecasting a requirement for 3,770 new airplanes valued at $490 billion over the next 20 years. Over the forecast period, China is and will remain the largest market outside the United States for new commercial airplanes. China air travel and air cargo market growth will cause China's fleet to more than triple to 4,610 airplanes by 2028, to about as many airplanes as are operating in Europe today. With China's cargo markets leading the global industry, Chinese freight carriers will add about 300 freighter airplanes by 2028, almost quadrupling its total freighter fleet size.


Matson earns honor
for IT excellence

OAKLAND — Matson Navigation Company has been honored by CIO magazine as a recipient of the 2009 CIO 100. The 22nd annual award program recognizes organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology (IT). Matson was recognized for its common application services (CAS) strategy for software reuse to reduce operating costs, eliminate technology obsolescence risks and enable growth. According to CIO magazine, Matson earned its ranking among the top 100 companies in the world because of its innovative approach to CAS and its value to the organization: “Reusable components are provided to applications development teams in conjunction with the needs of the applications projects so that those components can be efficiently used and reused. The company reduced capital expenditures across 14 completed software applications by $2 million – an ROI of 106 percent.”


Coast Guard to commission
new coastal patrol boat

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard will commission the cutter SEA FOX into service at Naval Base Kitsap-Keyport, Wash., 2:00 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, 2009. Rear Adm. Gary Blore, Commander, 13th Coast Guard District, will preside over the commissioning ceremony. Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Charles Bowen will provide the keynote speech and will be accompanied by his wife, Janet Bowen, who will serve as the ship’s official sponsor. SEA FOX is an 87-foot coastal patrol boat commanded by Chief Warrant Officer Michael Lemay. It has an assigned crew of 10 and is one of the new, innovative Marine Protector classes constructed by Bollinger Ship Yards of Lockport, La. Among many upgrades and new advanced technology are integrated bridge systems and a stern launched small boat. SEA FOX will be joining the cutter SEA DEVIL, which was formally commissioned in June 2008. Both Coast Guard cutters are assigned to Coast Guard Maritime Force Protection Unit Bangor, Wash., providing dedicated security to the Navy’s submarine fleet as they transit to and from homeport.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, September 16, 2009

WTSA member carriers
to follow bunker charge plans

OAKLAND — Container shipping lines in the Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (WTSA) say they fully intend to follow the formula adopted in late 2008 for calculating bunker fuel charges, when those charges adjust on October 1, 2009. On October 1, WTSA lines have scheduled increases of US$132 per 40-foot container (FEU) via the West Coast, and $258 per FEU via the East and Gulf Coasts, for dry cargo; and of $186 and $342 per FEU, respectively, for refrigerated cargo. The increases reflect higher average bunker fuel prices during the 13-week calculation period of June through August. WTSA’s bunker charge calculation formula tracks average bunker fuel loading prices at Hong Kong and Los Angeles for the West Coast, and Hong Kong and New York for the East and Gulf Coasts. It then translates fuel price fluctuations into per container fuel-related costs for a typical transpacific West Coast or East/Gulf Coast sailing.


Washington ferry rates
due for 2.5 percent bump

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Transportation Commission voted to approve a 2.5 percent increase in Washington State Ferry fares at its formal public hearing earlier this week in Seattle. The across-the-board fare increase, the first in two years, takes effect Oct. 11. The commission approved an increase in general fares, but rejected a proposed 10 percent summer surcharge that would be charged for the months of July and August. The existing 25 percent peak-season surcharge for vehicles, imposed each year from May 1 to the second Sunday in October, remains in effect. The 10 percent surcharge would have been an additional charge. The commission voted on the fare proposal after listening to public comment and taking into consideration the input from public meetings on the Kitsap Peninsula, in the San Juan Islands and on Vashon Island; and from comments received by mail, e-mail and phone. New fares and policies go into effect Oct. 11, 2009. With the increase, the central Puget Sound passenger fare will rise from $6.70 to $6.90; the car and driver rate will go from $11.55 to $11.85. The entire fare proposal can be found on the commission’s web site.


TSA eyes interim final rule
on air cargo security procedures

WASHINGTON, DC — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced an Interim Final Rule (IFR) implementing the Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP) - a system TSA will use to fulfill the air cargo security requirements of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (9/11 Act) that mandates screening of 50 percent of cargo transported on passenger aircraft by February 2009 and 100 percent by August 2010. CCSP has operated as a pilot program since February 2009, assisting aircraft operators in meeting the 50 percent screening milestone and allowing entities in the air cargo supply chain to screen cargo offsite and transport it to the airport securely without the need for rescreening. Aircraft operators must verify that the chain of custody is intact upon acceptance of screened cargo from a CCSP participant. Under the rule, industry entities may apply to TSA to become a Certified Cargo Screening Facility (CCSF). CCSFs must carry out a TSA-approved security program and adhere to strict chain-of-custody requirements to secure cargo from the time it is screened until it is loaded onto a passenger aircraft. They also must implement a multi-layered security program that includes appointing security coordinators, strict access controls and vetting of key personnel. TSA will conduct routine inspections to determine whether CCSFs are complying with requirements. The IFR will be effective 60 days from the date it is published in the Federal Register.


Crowley taps Demeroutis
as labor relations vice president

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Crowley Maritime Corporation has announced that effective October 1, Steve Demeroutis will assume the role of vice president, labor relations, replacing Jerry Dowd who is retiring after 25 years of service. Mr. Demeroutis is domiciled in Jacksonville and reports to Bill Pennella, vice chairman and executive vice president. In his new position, Mr. Demeroutis will be responsible for the development and implementation of Crowley's overall labor strategy. He will also oversee contract negotiations, union relationships and the day-to-day administration of collective bargaining agreements throughout the entire Crowley organization and will have functional responsibility for labor relations for all Crowley subsidiaries. Reporting to Mr. Demeroutis will be both East and West Coast labor functions. Mr. Demeroutis joined Crowley in 2007 as director, labor relations. He has more than 15 years of experience in labor relations including his prior position as vice president, United Inland Group of the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots. He served as a trustee for several different employee health and benefits plans and has conducted educational seminars for the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. He received his Master's license in 1986 and sailed as Master and First Class Pilot with the Washington State ferries.


CMA CGM plans to boost
Asia/Med/North Europe rates

MARSEILLE — CMA CGM has decided to restore freight rates in the Asia to North Europe and Asia to Mediterranean trades. New rate increases will apply to all cargo moving westbound from Asia to the Mediterranean and North Europe, effective October 1st, 2009. The increase quantum will be as follows:
Asia – North Europe: USD 250 per teu
Asia – Mediterranean – Black Sea – Adriatic: USD 250 per teu


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, September 14, 2009

Disney Cruise Line plans
Alaska cruises from Vancouver

VANCOUVER, USA — For the first-time ever, Disney Cruise Line will offer Alaskan cruises during a four-month season of seven-night sailings aboard the DISNEY WONDER in summer 2011. The DISNEY WONDER will depart out of Vancouver, B.C., calling on ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. The first-ever Disney cruise to Alaska will depart on May 3 with the last cruise of the season scheduled for Aug. 30, 2011. Rates for the seven-night Alaskan itinerary start at US$939 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.


Port of Olympia reissues
NorthPoint request for Proposals

OLYMPIA — The Port of Olympia has reissued its Request for Proposals (RFP) for the NorthPoint Development to allow for changes in the schedule. The new schedule requires responses to the RFP by Monday, October 12, 2009, at 4:00 p.m. The new schedule also moves up the public open house dates to October 27, 28 and 29. The commission made these adjustments to allow a more timely response, provide flexibility in the public outreach, respect the interest shown by potential parties, and provide an option for the port commission to hold an additional public hearing this year. The schedule changes necessitated the cancelling of the RFP issued Sept. 8 and a reissue of the RFP on Sept. 10. All other submittal requirements remain the same.


Port of Coos Bay
announces staff moves

COOS BAY — Kathy Wall, management analyst for the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay, has been promoted to the position of business development manager, and Donna Nichols, director of finance and administration for the port, was recently appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Insurance Services Trust of the Special Districts Association of Oregon (SDAO). SDAO provides a broad range of membership services to more than 950 local governments comprised of 35 different types of special service districts. Ms. Wall will also serve as business development manager with the Coos Bay Rail Link.


Naming ceremony held
for new NLG vessels

TOKYO — On September 10, NYK, Chinese Petroleum Corporation (CPC), and Mitsui & Co. Ltd. held a naming ceremony for two jointly owned LNG vessels being built at the Nagasaki shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Yen-Shiang Shih, the chairman of CPC, attended the ceremony, and his wife Ei-Wang Chang named the vessels TAITAR NO. 1 and TAITAR NO. 3 before cutting the ceremonial rope holding the vessels in place. Hideaki Omiya, president of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. ,Takao Omae, representative director senior executive managing officer of Mitsui & Co. Ltd., and Yasushi Yamawaki, executive vice-chairman of NYK, were also in attendance. TAITAR NO. 1 and TAITAR NO. 3 are jointly owned by CPC (45 percent), NYK (27.5 percent), and Mitsui (27.5 percent), and are two of four sister ships. TAITAR NO. 1 will be completed on September 30, 2009, and TAITAR NO. 3 is scheduled to be completed on January 5, 2010. The other two vessels are being built at the Sakaide shipyard of Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation. The four sister ships will be deployed for shipment of about three million tons of LNG from Qatar to Taiwan under long-term contracts of 23 to 24 years each.


Hanjin nets official approval
to repair foreign ships at yard

SEOUL — Hanjin Shipping has announced that ZESCO (Zhejiang Eastern Shipyard Co., Ltd.), its ship repair yard, has received official approval from the Chinese government to repair foreign ships. ZESCO is located in Qushan Island of Zhejiang Province near Shanghai’s Yang Shan Port. The completed phase-1 includes a 150,000 DWT-dock, 300,000 DWT-dock and a quay of 670m. When phase-2 is completed, it will also have a 400,000 DWT-dock with a quay of 640m. Set up back in May, 2007 and constructed last March, ZESCO successfully repaired 14 ships since last April with a temporary approval from the Chinese government. According to the company, once the ship repair industry recovers, ZESCO will be able to repair around 150 ships a year and as soon as the phase-2 is completed, it will become a mega-sized ship repair yard with a capacity for 300 ships on an annual basis.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, September 11, 2009

Port of Olympia calling for
NorthPoint development proposals

OLYMPIA — The Port of Olympia Commission on Aug. 26 gave the go-ahead to soliciting proposals for the development of 2.4 acres at the northern tip of the Port Peninsula, known as NorthPoint. Staff has issued the Request for Proposals (RFP) to developers and end users. The deadline for submissions is Oct. 30. The short-listed developers will be asked to present their concepts to the community at public open houses on Nov. 12, 16 and 18. The commission is expected to announce the selected preferred developer at their Dec.14 meeting. With views of Budd Inlet and the Olympics, the NorthPoint area is expected to attract visitors as well as residents. Its location on Marine Drive shares a parking area on the south with the adjacent Swantown Marina and Boatworks. To the west is Anthony’s Hearthfire Restaurant.


ACP to review bids
for expansion project work

PANAMA CITY — Three weeks after issuing the notice to commence work for the new set of locks, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is steps away from awarding another major expansion contract – the contract to dredge the Atlantic entrance. The ACP received bids from global firms vying for the project and will now thoroughly review the submissions. The Atlantic entrance dredging project represents an essential part of the canal’s Expansion Program to ensure that larger, wider ships can reach the new locks. This includes lowering the canal bottom to 15.5 meters below *mean low water, dredging approximately 14.8 million cubic meters and conducting the dry excavation of 800 thousand cubic meters. The area to be dredged on the Atlantic entrance extends approximately 13.8 kilometers, and the scope of work also includes widening the existing Atlantic entrance channel from 198 meters to a minimum of 225 meters and the north approach channel to a minimum of 218 meters. The ACP now will conduct a careful review of the bids. The ACP will award the contract in the coming weeks to the lowest bidder that complies with all the contract requirements.


Freight transportation index
up during month of July

WASHINGTON, DC — The Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) rose 1.6 percent in July from its June level, the first monthly increase since February and the largest increase since January 2008, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reports. BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the Freight TSI declined in nine of the last 12 months, but has remained steady or increased in the last two. The Freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in freight shipments in ton-miles, which are then combined into one index. The index measures the output of the for-hire freight transportation industry and consists of data from for-hire trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight. The July Freight TSI of 95.5 is a 1.6 percent increase from the recent low of 94.0 reached in May and June. During those two months, the index was at its lowest level since June 1997. The Freight TSI is down 15.4 percent from its historic peak of 112.9 reached in May 2006.


Rail freight carload count
reaches highest level since March

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads reports that rail traffic continues to show slight improvement with rail carloadings at their highest level since early March. For the week ended Aug. 22, 2009, U.S. railroads reported originating 279,478 cars, down 16.1 percent compared with the same week in 2008. Regionally, carloadings were down 14.2 percent in the West and 18.9 percent in the East. Intermodal volume of 193,207 trailers or containers on U.S. railroads was down 16.2 percent compared with the same week last year. Container volume fell 10.2 percent and trailer volume dropped 38.2 percent. Total volume on U.S. railroads for the week ending August 22 was estimated at 29.8 billion ton-miles, down 15.6 percent from the same week last year. Eighteen of the 19 carload freight commodity groups were down from last year, with only the nonmetallic mineral category defying the trend with a 1.3 percent increase. Declines among the other commodities ranged from 5.7 percent for petroleum products to 49.3 percent for metallic ores. For the first 33 weeks of 2009, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 8,715,641 carloads, down 18.8 percent from 2008; 6,151,511 trailers or containers, down 17.1 percent, and total volume of an estimated 927.7 billion ton-miles, down 17.9 percent.


Wood products association
releases 2008 production figures

PORTLAND — Sawmills in the 12 Western states weathered a rough year in 2008, according to final production figures compiled by Western Wood Products Association. While the difficult conditions for mills are continuing into 2009, the start of a recovery is expected in 2010. Softwood lumber production at mills in the 12 Western states declined for the third straight year, falling to 12.995 billion board feet in 2008. The total was down 20.4 percent from the previous year and represented the lowest annual Western volume since WWPA begin compiling statistics in the 1950s. Prices received for lumber declined even more steeply. The estimated wholesale value of Western lumber was $3.66 billion, a decrease of 40 percent from $6.1 billion set in 2007. WWPA compiled the final industry totals for 2008 following its annual survey of some 185 mills operating in the continental West.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, September 10, 2009

Port of Tacoma workshop
schedules presentation in Fife

TACOMA — The Port of Tacoma will host a “Port 101” workshop Sept. 16 in Fife to educate the public about the port, its history, operations and future development plans. This is the third in a series of workshops that expand last year’s launch of the program in an effort to connect more broadly with citizens throughout the community. The 90-minute workshop will be held Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Fife City Hall, 5411 23rd St. E. in Fife. The public is welcome. No reservations necessary. The workshop also will travel to Sumner and Spanaway in October. It visited Steilacoom and Gig Harbor earlier this summer. The Port of Tacoma is an economic engine for South Puget Sound, with more than 43,000 family-wage jobs in Pierce County and 113,000 jobs across Washington state connected to port activities. A major gateway to Asia and Alaska, the Port of Tacoma is among the largest container ports in North America. The port is also a major center for bulk, breakbulk and project/heavy-lift cargoes, as well as automobiles and trucks.


Isreal Corportation Oks
recovery plan for ZIM

LONDON — The Board of Israel Corporation has approved ZIM Integrated Shipping Services’ transaction report. ZIM CEO, Rafi Danieli, said the approval marked an important step in stabilizing ZIM’s financial position in the depths of a major industry downturn. Israel Corp has called a shareholders’ meeting for October 14 to approve the Company’s recovery plan. The company’s recovery plan includes a number of initiatives to significantly streamline operations – several of which are ongoing. Shipping lines have been rationalised and rearranged, leased ships have been returned to their owners, and the supply of new vessels from shipyards has been postponed. The recovery plan will also reduce operational and administrative expenses, including redundancies, as staff numbers are rationalized to meet existing activity levels.


Hamburg Sud consolidating
Bay area operations in Oakland

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Hamburg Süd has consolidated its three West Coast Liner Services at a single terminal in the San Francisco Bay area. With the transfer of the company’s Pacific Coast/South America West Coast service from the Oakland International Container Terminal, all services will now call the TransBay Container Terminal. Hamburg Süd operates nine container services to and from the U.S. and Canada,


MAERSK ALABAMA captain
honored as to shipmaster

LONDON — Richard Phillips - captain of the MAERSK ALABAMA which was seized by Somalian pirates last April - has been lauded as Shipmaster of the Year at the Lloyd's List Global Awards ceremony in London. The MAERSK ALABAMA hijacking - the first successful pirate seizure of a ship registered under the American flag since the early 1800s - began with four Somali pirates seizing the cargo ship some 240 nautical miles southeast of Somalia's port city of Eyl on the morning of April 8th 2009. Captain Phillips - from Vermont in the US - took action immediately, radioing his crew and telling them to lock themselves in the engine room and standing to face the pirates himself. The crew - who had received anti-piracy training in the use of small arms, basic safety and first aid - retook control of the ship and overpowered the leader of the pirates. After reneging on a deal to trade hostages, the pirates fled the tanker in one of the ship's covered lifeboats, taking Captain Phillips with them. While the MAERSK ALABAMA was escorted to safety, the destroyer USS BAINBRIDGE shadowed the pirates, keeping close tabs on the safety of the captain, who tried to escape once but was thwarted by heavy gunfire. Then, on April 12th - four days after the initial attack on the MAERSK ALABAMA - US Navy Seals staged a dramatic rescue from the USS BAINBRIDGE, killing three pirates and taking a fourth captive. Captain Phillips was rescued safe and well and has since been honoured by President Obama for his courage, selflessness, and clear thinking during the ordeal.


MarAd issues advisory
warning of increased piracy

WASHINGTON, DC — The Maritime Administration has issued an advisory to mariners and ship operators that piracy is likely to increase off the Horn of Africa and in the Indian Ocean now that monsoon season has ended. The advisory not only warns vessels to avoid routes where attacks have taken place, but also recommends that mariners “demonstrate a willingness to defend yourself.” This update encourages mariners to travel at “maximum sustainable speed” through “high threat areas” and to continually conduct risk assessments during their voyage. The advisory also gives mariners information on how best to check in with authorities and how to request escort service in a convoy.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Federal funds help Port of Portland
refurbish Terminal 6 container crane

PORTLAND — Specialized work crews have lifted one of the Port of Portland’s nine container cranes off of the docks at Terminal 6 using heavy duty hydraulic jacks so it can be moved for extensive maintenance and modernization work. Nearly 20 years old, the crane will receive equipment upgrades and a fresh coat of paint thanks to nearly $8.9 million in federal grant funding awarded in March of this year. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, through the Maritime Administration is funding 100 percent of the eligible costs of this project along with a second phase of modernization work at Terminal 6 involving wharf improvements. The port’s share of funds came from $100 million allocated to the Oregon Department of Transportation to support key transportation infrastructure projects, which includes freight mobility. The crane rehabilitation project will add new motor controls to improve the crane’s reliability, improve its accuracy, and improve overload recognition. This will make troubleshooting electrical maintenance issues on the crane faster. Sections of the crane will also receive a protective coat of paint.


Port of Tacoma installing
automated rail switch machines

TACOMA — A recent $1 million investment in new rail switching equipment is having positive impacts at the Port of Tacoma. The money was used to install 34 automated switch machines on about 1.5 miles of high-volume track in the Tacoma Tideflats. The switch machines, along with the associated hardware and software, were provided by Global Rail Systems of Marlin, Texas. The new equipment offers the ability to eliminate manual switching on all westbound trains coming into the port area. Rail switching is used to align trains onto the right track, based on their destination at the port. With the old manual system, the train conductor had to get off the train every few hundred feet, and manually operate each of the switches over the 1.5 mile stretch of track. In addition, the train would remain idling while each switch is thrown by hand. With the new automated system, the conductor operates the switch control unit and the rail switches are lined automatically.


CMA CGM plans
to restore freight rates

MARSEILLES, France — The CMA CGM Group has decided to restore freight rates in the North Europe to Asia & the Middle East/Red Sea trades to a sustainable level. New rate increases will apply to all cargo moving eastbound from North Europe to Asia, Middle East and Red Sea, effective October 1st, 2009. The increase quantum will be as follows: From North Europe to Asia: General cargo (Dry and Reefer): + USD 150 per teu. Waste paper: + USD 100 per feu. From North Europe to Middle East & Red Sea: All cargo: + USD 100 per teu.


Crowley scholarship program
helps students in Central America

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Crowley's scholarship program continues to cross borders helping five new students in their respective Central American countries fund their educations and their dreams. Over the last month, Crowley has awarded scholarships to students in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, Honduras and El Salvador. The scholarships are part of Crowley's commitment to provide educational opportunities to exemplary students with strong academic records and financial need. In Central America, the scholarships are awarded to one student in each country each year through graduation, bringing the total to 20 scholarship recipients to date. The scholarships are well-received, especially from students who come from very modest means.


Port of Camas-Washougal
plans dedication ceremony

WASHOUGAL, WA — The Port of Camas-Washougal will host a celebration honoring local Chinook Indians with a dedication ceremony on Saturday, September 12 at 4 p.m. The event will feature Native American speakers, drumming and dancing in the Chinook Plaza in Parkersville Historical Park on port property. The formal entrance to the park features an 11-foot basalt column, a welcoming power figure with coyote atop by Chinook artist Greg Robinson and a basalt column engraved with the names of Chinook chiefs, installed by Bruce Fuerstenberg of Vancouver Granite Works. It is adjacent to interpretive signs and a man-made pond. Funding for the estimated $62, 500 project was a joint contribution of the Parkersville Heritage Foundation, Clark County Historic Promotion Grant Program and the Port of Camas-Washougal.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, September 4, 2009

Port of Tacoma to begin
Lincoln Avenue overpass project

TACOMA — Construction begins Sept. 8 on the final piece of the Lincoln Avenue Grade Separation. This freight transportation project will move cargo and commuters more efficiently in and out of the Tacoma Tideflats. The 2,200-foot overpass will add three lanes of roadway over four sets of railroad tracks serving the Port of Tacoma’s two main intermodal yards. Lincoln Avenue will close in two stages. Beginning Sept. 8, the road will close to public traffic from Milwaukee Way to Thorne Road. Approximately two weeks later, Lincoln Avenue will close between Marc Street and Thorne Road, and remain closed for the duration of the project. Milwaukee Way and APM Road Connector will remain open to public traffic for access through the construction zone. Please allow extra time to travel through the area. The project is expected to be completed by May 2011. Access to all businesses will be provided during construction. Find more information, detour maps and updated construction schedules at www.portoftacoma.com/lincoln-ave. Construction of the overpass became possible in March, when the port received $15.4 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. Scarsella Brothers Inc. of Kent was recently awarded the $21.8 million construction contract. The project is expected to create about 200 jobs during construction and another 1,500 permanent jobs through efficiency and additional capacity when it’s completed.


Port Metro Vancouver
making managment moves

VANCOUVER, BC — Port Metro Vancouver has announced a smaller and more streamlined Executive Team. Robin Silvester, president and chief executive officer, has announced a new Executive Team for Port Metro Vancouver. Effective September 3, the port’s Executive Team includes: Chris Badger – chief operating officer; Allan Baydala – chief financial officer; Tom Corsie – vice president real estate; Christine Dioszeghy – vice president human resources; and Peter Xotta – vice president planning and development. The Executive Team will report directly to Mr. Silvester. Graham Kee will retire at the end of March but until then will take on the role of vice president Olympic Operations.


Rail freight traffic down
during month of July

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads reports 1,319,387 carloads of freight in July 2009, down 17.5 percent (280,659 carloads) compared with July 2008. U.S. intermodal rail traffic, comprising trailers and containers on flat cars not included in carload figures, totaled 922,734 units in July 2009, down 18.0 percent (203,061 trailers and containers) compared with July 2008. For the first seven months of 2009, total U.S. rail carloadings were down 19.0 percent (1,854,657 carloads) to 7,885,039 carloads, while intermodal traffic was down 17.2 percent (1,153,208 units) to 5,569,802 trailers and containers.
All 19 major commodity categories tracked by the AAR saw carload declines in July. The biggest carload declines were coal (down 9.9 percent, or 68,879 carloads); metals and metal products (down 47.7 percent, or 29,849 carloads); metallic ores (down 58.9 percent, or 26,724 carloads); and crushed stone and gravel (down 25.8 percent, or 26,402 carloads).


Horizon adding Tampa call
to Gulf Express Service menu

CHARLOTTE, NC — Horizon Lines, Inc., has announced that it will add regularly scheduled vessel container service between Tampa, Florida and Puerto Rico. A vessel call at the Port of Tampa will be added to the carrier's Gulf Express Service (GAX), currently operating a fixed-day, bi-weekly schedule between Houston, Texas and San Juan. The Tampa service is scheduled to commence with the arrival of the HORIZON DISCOVERY on October 4th. The addition of a port call in Tampa provides new options for customers located in west and central Florida, while continuing to provide fixed-day vessel service between Houston and San Juan. The Tampa call is expected to begin contributing to the company's earnings within the first few months of service.


Port of Bremerton employee
earns 'sustainable' certification

BREMERTON — The Port of Bremerton has announced the recent certification of Laura Melrose, port special projects assistant, as the port's first sustainable building advisor. Ms. Melrose completed the Olympic College Sustainable Building Advisor course and is now certified to identify and discuss the key practices of sustainable building practices; apply LEED, Built Green and other relevant criteria or established guidelines to port projects; analyze the costs and benefits of incorporating sustainable building measures; and work with architects, designers, builders, building operators and utilities to improve a building’s performance. Ms. Melrose's initiative, along with the support of the Port of Bremerton is in keeping with the port's re-emphasis on commitment to sustainable business practices and will help the port incorporate sustainable building principles in all future projects.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, September 3, 2009

Crowley christens new barge
at Gunderson facility in Portland

PORTLAND — Crowley welcomed the newest 400-foot by 105-foot, heavy-lift deck barge to its fleet August 29, at a christening celebration at the Gunderson Marine shipyard in Portland. Micki Harrison, Crowley's regional human resources manager, did the honors, smashing a bottle of champagne on the side shell of the barge 455 7 and sending it hurtling into the Willamette River. The barge is the fourth heavy-lift deck barge christened by Crowley this year and the seventh in a series of heavy-lift deck barges slated to be built and put into service by 2013. Crowley's heavy-lift 455 series deck barges with 25-foot side shells provide both the capacity and deck strength needed to accommodate larger drilling and production units used for deepwater offshore energy exploration and development. They provide increased deck strength for loads up to 4,200 pounds per square foot.


New shore power facility
goes to work at Canada Place

VANCOUVER, BC — Port Metro Vancouver has unveiled its new shore power facility at the Canada Place cruise ship terminal. The port is the first in Canada to install shore power for cruise ships, and only the third in the world to do so. The shore power installation at the home port of the Vancouver-Alaska cruise is the result of a $9-million cooperative initiative between the government of Canada, the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, BC Hydro and Port Metro Vancouver. Representatives from each of the participating organizations gathered at Canada Place August 31, to formally launch the project. Shore power is an effective way to reduce marine diesel air emissions by enabling ships to shut down their engines and connect to BC Hydro’s electrical grid in order to provide necessary power while docked.


Matson continues string
of Quest for Quality award wins

OAKLAND — Matson has been honored for the seventh consecutive year with Logistics Management magazine’s annual Quest for Quality award in the Ocean Carrier category. The annual survey is regarded in the transportation and logistics industry as the most important measure of customer satisfaction and performance excellence. Transportation service providers are rated by customers on five key criteria: on-time performance, value, customer service, information technology and equipment operations. Matson will be presented with the award on September 23 at the Quest for Quality awards dinner in Chicago, which coincides with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) Annual Conference.


Christopher Banks taps MOL
as its buyer's consolidator

TOKYO — Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced that Christopher & Banks, a women's specialty retailer in the U.S., has selected Hong Kong-based MOL Consolidation Service Limited (MCS) as its buyer's consolidator in Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. Christopher & Banks headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, has more than 800 stores, in 46 states, under the brand names Christopher & Banks and CJ Banks. It selected MCS because of a service network that covers all of Asia, the company's track record in this field, and the comprehensive STARLINK* cargo information service.


Coast Guard cutter returns home
following counter-drug patrols

PORT ANGELES — The Coast Guard Cutter ACTIVE returned to Port Angeles September 1, after a two month deployment. The crew of the ACTIVE participated in a counter-drug patrol off the West Coast of the United States and Mexico. During the deployment, the ACTIVE crew patrolled over 8,000 nautical miles and conducted law enforcement boardings, cutter training and participated in Los Angeles Navy Days. The ACTIVE's deployment culminated in the rescue of two fishermen after their 60-foot fishing vessel caught fire offshore of Long Beach, Wash. The ACTIVE is assigned primarily to law enforcement and search and rescue duties. The law enforcement duties involve counter-narcotic operations, fisheries, and environmental protection. To add to its diverse mission capability, the ACTIVE also participates in public events such as the Portland Rose Festival and Seattle Sea Fair.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Stork Craft inks new lease
for Port of Bellingham facility

BELLINGHAM — Stork Craft (USA) signed a five year lease with the Port of Bellingham September 1, extending the term of their lease for a large portion the former Georgia Pacific tissue warehouse through June of 2014. Stork Craft signed its first lease on the former GP warehouse in July of 2008, and moved its US headquarters from Las Vegas to Bellingham earlier this summer. Currently, 17 people work in the warehouse, up from an initial three employees one year ago. This lease extension allows Stork Craft the ability to grow the company and expand their employment base in anticipation of being in Whatcom County for many years into the future. The port will celebrate the grand opening of the center with a dedication ceremony conducted by Gov. Chris Gregoire at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28.


Steel imports into US
rise during month of July

WASHINGTON, DC — The International Trade Administration reports that preliminary data released show that overall steel imports in July 2009 increased 14.2 percent from June 2009. This change in the July total amount of steel imports resulted from increases in several categories including carbon and alloy blooms, billets and slabs at113.4 percent, plates in coils at 65.7 percent, and reinforcing bars at 55.3 percent. Notable decreases included stainless blooms, billets and slabs at -29.2 percent, wire rods at -21.9 percent, and carbon and alloy cold rolled sheets at -12.6 percent. July 2009 imports of steel mill products were down 66.2 percent compared to July 2008.


Port of Camas-Washougal
plans Comprehensive Plan update

WASHOUGAL, WA — The Port of Camas-Washougal has announced the beginning of the process to update the port's Comprehensive Plan and the immediate availability of an online survey to encourage public participation. The electronic survey and information about the public input process can be found on the port Web site at: www.portcw.com/compPlan. "Although it has been continually amended by board resolutions over the years, we believe that because of changes in our community and the economy, now is the time to facilitate the public process to update the plan," said Executive Director David Ripp. Mr. Ripp also noted that the real benefit of the strategic planning process is the process, not the plan document. A comprehensive plan provides a broad, general statement of policy and serves as a long range road map for decisions relating to the development and use of a port's resources in the improvement of its community. The plan sets forth policies that reflect the vision and values of the community and can be a more effective guide for the port commissioners and staff in establishing clear priorities with actions to achieve them.


General Dynamics NASSCO
delivers new T-AKE vessel to Navy

SAN DIEGO — General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, has delivered USNS WALLY SCHIRRA (T-AKE 8) to the U.S. Navy. The ship is named in honor of the fifth American launched into space, Navy Captain Walter M. "Wally" Schirra, Jr. Construction of the USNS WALLY SCHIRRA began in October 2007. The 689-foot-long ship will serve under the Navy's Military Sealift Command and will soon begin delivering as much as 10,000 tons of dry cargo and petroleum products at one time to U.S. and allied ships at sea. Including the WALLY SCHIRRA, NASSCO has delivered eight T-AKEs, which are also known as Lewis and Clark-class ships. NASSCO has construction contracts for four additional ships and long-lead material contracts for two more ships for a total class of 14 T-AKE vessels.


Trailer Bridge buying back
$1 million worth of debt

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Trailer Bridge, Inc. has announced that it has repurchased in a privately negotiated transaction $1 million of its 9 1/4 percent Senior Secured Notes maturing on November 15, 2011, at $0.905 cents on the dollar. The transaction will be accounted for as a $1 million retirement of debt. The $95,000 difference between the retirement price and the carrying amount will be recorded as an ordinary gain on extinguishment of debt. Trailer Bridge recently appointed Chief Executive Officer Ivy Barton Suter stated, "We believe that this opportunistic purchase of debt at this level represents an attractive return on capital for our shareholders while simultaneously improving our financial position."