The port and maritime industry continues to grow and contribute to the national economy, connecting U.S. manufacturers and households to worldwide markets, according to AAPA’s 2024 Economic Impact Study prepared by Ernst and Young. A top-line summary was released this week at the Legislative Summit to more than 200 port leaders in attendance. The full report will be available at a later date. Transport Topics Senior Reporter Dan Ronan highlights the report in this March 20 news story.

New member NOHOLD hosted a webinar, Leverage AI to Keep Your Port Moving Forward, on March 6 to help ports learn how AI can improve operational efficiencies, enhance the customer experience, and maximize return on investment. Panelists discussed use cases and implementation considerations for AI, followed by Q&A. Webinar presenters included Diego Ventura, CEO, NOHOLD; Tony Callahan, Account Manager, NOHOLD; and Blair Wegescheide, Manager, Port Efficiency – Facilities & Goods Movement, Port of New York and New Jersey. 

If you missed the webinar, the session recording and presentation slides can be viewed on AAPA’s website.

Port of Baltimore’s state-owned public marine terminals, managed by the Maryland Port Administration, and its private terminals handled a record 52.3 million tons of foreign cargo, worth $80 billion, in 2023. The port’s new record illustrates the rebound from pandemic impacts and worldwide supply chain issues facing the international maritime shipping industry. The Port of Los Angeles processed 781,434 TEUs in February, a 60% increase over the previous year. It was the seventh consecutive month of year-over-year growth at the nation’s busiest port. Vessel calls at the NWSA were up 10% in February and up 13% YTD, helping full international exports continue a six-month growth streak, increasing 9.7% over February 2023. Full international imports declined 1.5%, with total international volumes declining 0.5%. The Port of Palm Beach achieved a new record for total tonnage in one day. On March 14, there were 15 ships docked at the port, for a total tonnage of 137,765 gross registered tons (GRT).

FreezPak Logistics, LLC, a leading provider of full-service cold and dry storage services, is investing $77.5 million to construct a 245,000-square-foot cold storage facility in the City of Suffolk to serve the Mid-Atlantic region via The Port of Virginia. This project will create 80 new jobs.

Port NOLA expressed gratitude to U.S. Senator John Kennedy for ongoing support of infrastructure development in St. Bernard Parish. Senator Kennedy requested and received $15 million in federal funding to move planning, environmental and engineering work for the St. Bernard Transportation Corridor forward.

Port Tampa Bay’s Board of Commissioners approved two lease agreements with Agunsa (AGS) for facilities at the port’s Eastport and Hookers Point locations. AGS is part of a multinational group of companies with more than 91 years of experience in port services. Their reach spans over 20 countries worldwide.

The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) will be launching a feasibility study to evaluate business opportunities in the offshore wind supply chain. The study aims to assist NWSA in positioning the gateway to support the burgeoning offshore wind (OSW) supply chain market. 

The Port of Oakland appointed Diego González as Government Affairs Manager. Mr. González brings legislative advocacy and policy experience after serving eight years as a port governmental affairs field representative. González served in the acting manager position for the previous six months. He will lead the port’s governmental advocacy strategies with the port’s advocacy team, trade organizations and stakeholders.

Port of Benton is seeking a third-party operator for its Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center in Prosser to maintain the day-to-day business of the facility above and beyond the port’s landlord role. The request for proposals packet is available on the port’s website and is open until 11:00 a.m. PT on April 12, 2024.

The Port of Hueneme and City of Port Hueneme hosted the FIRST Robotics Hueneme Port Regional Competition this month onsite at the Port of Hueneme in the FATHOMWERX lab — a collaborative space for innovation and technology transfer between the Port, the Naval Base Ventura County, the Economic Development Collaborative, and Matter Labs. Over 1,500 high school students from around the world showcased their engineering skills and innovations.

The Brownsville Navigation District is partnering with Sam Houston State University College of Criminal Justice Institute for Homeland Security for education and training services focused on Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP). The training aims to provide executive level training to protect critical infrastructure with the necessary skills and knowledge to enhance security risk management operations and understand compliance requirements.

The Port of Los Angeles is accepting applications for its 2024 Summer Internship Program through March 29. College-enrolled student interns gain hands-on experience working at one of the world’s busiest ports, with assignment opportunities in various fields such as engineering, marketing, real estate and more.