What Has AAPA Done for You Lately?

With our members at the center, our aim and focus are clear, Essential. Resilient. United. For the past few months, AAPA has been making significant waves despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our commitment to serving you has never been stronger, and we appreciate your continued membership with us. Allow us to take this opportunity to share some quick highlights of just a few things AAPA has done lately. 

The New AAPA Smart Guide: We have redesigned and optimized the former Pocket Guide as a brand new digital “Smart Guide,” which includes a mobile version for quick and easy access. This exclusive member benefit and “go-to source” now includes up-to-date contact information for port members and our very engaged volunteers from our governance, leadership, and technical committees. This is a unique member benefit that puts you in direct contact with the executives and decision-makers at ports and supply chain partners. Start accessing the new AAPA Smart Guide if you haven’t already. 

AAPA Anywhere: The COVID-19 pandemic changed how we do meetings, seminars, and other events. In-person meetings were canceled and came to a complete halt. AAPA adapted and launched AAPA Anywhere, a virtual platform for events and professional development programs for its members. We have delivered 6 programs virtually, that would have otherwise been in-person within the past year, and we continue to offer virtual programs and events that serve our members' needs, anytime and anywhere. Our members now have the opportunity to access past programs on-demand at the member rate. Visit our events page to see upcoming programs or access recordings of past programs that you may have missed. 

ACCELerate Apprenticeship Program: A grant partnership between the U.S. Department of Labor and the AAPA. The program is designed to close the skills gap among those looking for work and job opportunities in our industry particularly when it comes to advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity and transportation, distribution, and logistics. Money can be made available to our members through AAPA’s ACCELerate program for new and existing apprenticeship programs that upskill, reskill and train the future workforce. We are focusing on occupations that are difficult to fill in the maritime industry. AAPA is excited to facilitate the ACCELerate program and is ready and willing to help its members get started. Contact, Mary Beth Long for more information.

Government Relations:  AAPA is the association of choice if you want to move the needle on influencing policies and legislations concerning seaports and the maritime industry. We always have the latest and most up-to-date information on changes when it comes to sourcing requirements for Federal grants. Additionally, AAPA helps its members by ensuring they are positioned to meet stringent Buy America rules. AAPA is the meeting place where industry solution providers, supply chain partners, and ports come together to advocate for workable rules. The association continues to be a leading voice in shaping crucial policies concerning the industry and has made some major strides over the past few months. Here are some major accomplishments on the government relations front from AAPA. 

·        AAPA’s long-standing pursuit of a permanent legislative solution for the Harbor Maintenance Trust fund (HMT) was realized in 2020. The legislation included the four AAPA HMT funds distribution pillars, full use of annual HMT revenues which is currently $1.7 billion per year, funding assurances for donor ports, funding assurances for Great Lakes ports, and funding assurances for emerging harbors. Additionally, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020 was passed; this included a schedule for annual appropriations to use the $9.3 billion in unspent HMT tax collections to properly maintain Federal navigation projects leading to U.S. ports.

·        AAPA led a coalition of ports, terminal operators, crane manufacturers in 2020, opposing section 232; specifically, the tariff proposal that was on “mobile cranes.” This coalition aided in pushing the former administration to drop the proposal to impose tariffs on Mobile Harbor Cranes. This saves ports 30% taxes on imported equipment. AAPA is constantly leading coalitions and raising issues important to its members and seaport stakeholders with Congress, the White House, the Department of Transportation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Maritime Commission. 

·        AAPA led successful advocacy efforts to establish the Marine Transportation System Emergency Relief Act (MTSERA). This new program gives the U.S. Maritime Administration the authority to allocate funding for emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic and national disasters, like post-hurricane recovery.

·        AAPA’s commitment to advocacy and effective public outreach on behalf of its members aided in securing increased funding for FY21 Appropriations. These funds will go to the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD), Port Security Grant Program (PSGP), and Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA).

·        AAPA worked with the United States Maritime Administration (MARAd) on distributing 2.5 million masks to ports around the U.S The COVID-19 pandemic certainly reminded the world how vital ports and maritime workers are to the economy and our daily lives; maritime workers were deemed essential.

AAPA 2021 Spring Conference: 

The AAPA annual Spring Conference is one of the association's premier programs that bring port leaders, policymakers, senators, congressmen, congresswomen, and other high-ranking political figures, stakeholders, and thought leaders all together to discuss issues affecting ports and the maritime industry. The program kicked off with Marc Levinson, as part of the AAPA Speaker Series. Marc Levinson is a renowned economist, historian, and journalist who is also a contributor to publications such as the Harvard Business Review and the New York Times. He is also the author of “The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger.”

Though this year’s AAPA Spring Conference was virtual for the first time, it was well attended with close to 200 attendees, vibrant discussions, over 20 breakout rooms, dynamic keynote speakers, and presenters. AAPA got both Republicans and Democrats together, centered around one common goal; the urgent need for increased funding for U.S. ports and maritime industry if we are going to be competitive in the global economy. Learn more and see what you missed from this year’s AAPA Spring Conference here.

 What’s Next?

AAPA has several initiatives in its pipeline, designed specifically with its members in mind. We know you are longing for a time where we meet and network in person again. We are planning for an in-person APPA Annual Convention this fall, September 26-29 in Austin, TX and we cannot wait to see you. Stay tuned for more information!

Also, be on the lookout for the new AAPA app! We live in the information age of rapid-change and our goal is to stay connected to keep our members better engaged. Is there a feature you would like to see on the new app? Let us know!

Do you have any questions regarding membership and the benefits it brings? Reach out to our Manager of Member Experience and Engagement, Direna Cousins, for additional information. We look forward to hearing from you.