The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report critiquing the Federal Maritime Commission's (FMC) handling of data on shippers' complaints, especially concerning hazardous materials (hazmat) cargoes during the pandemic. The GAO identified gaps in FMC's data collection that hinder effective oversight and recommended a comprehensive data strategy to improve analysis of trends and oversight capabilities. Despite improvements post-Ocean Shipping Reform Act, the FMC contested the findings, particularly the data used by the GAO.
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The Georgia Ports Authority and Wallenius Wilhelmsen have entered a 20-year terminal agreement to centralize the latter's port and logistics operations at the Port of Brunswick, enhancing Colonel’s Island Terminal as a premier U.S. auto and heavy machinery hub. This strategic move supports a specialized approach to handling different cargo types and expands infrastructure, boosting capacity and efficiency. This long-term partnership underscores both organizations' commitment to strategic growth in the automotive and machinery sectors.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is revising its Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection (AQI) program fees to fully cover the costs of protecting U.S. agriculture from invasive pests and diseases. Set to take effect in October 2024, these adjustments are necessary to maintain the program's financial sustainability and enhance the effectiveness of inspections at ports of entry, ensuring the safety of U.S. agricultural and natural resources. The revised fee structure addresses the increased operational costs and aligns with the 1990 Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade (FACT) Act requirements.
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The Port of Lake Charles has ascended into the top 10 busiest ports in the United States, according to the latest U.S. Army Corps of Engineers waterborne commerce statistics for 2022. This achievement comes after the port handled 64.2 million short tons of cargo, marking a 32.7% increase from the previous year.
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AAPA will continue to provide various resources on news and updates regarding the Key Bridge collapse and response efforts. Latest updates:
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Topics for the Smart Ports Seminar & Expo—Connecting Tech, People, and Progress have just been released. Included are cybersecurity, human trafficking, MARSEC accreditation, and so much more!
AAPA partnered with the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) on a significant industry report, "Port Decarbonization Survey: Trends and Lessons Learned." With extensive cooperation and feedback from 27 ports and two terminal operators, the report details some of the many challenges that America's ports face, including financial constraints, low technology readiness, and physical space limitations, to decarbonize. However, it also reveals the rapid progress and critical importance of port decarbonization, a rate perhaps not seen since the advent of containerization.
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The Port of Oakland is seeking proposals for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Oakland International Airport to enhance energy management and grid stability. This RFP, aimed at procuring and operating a utility-scale BESS, includes installation, testing, and maintenance services with proposals due until 11 a.m. on June 6, 2024. The pilot project will assess the BESS's potential to integrate renewable energy, manage load efficiently, and prepare for wider deployment within the port's electrical systems.
A Non-Mandatory Pre-Proposal Meeting will be held on:
May 7, 2024 at 9:00 A.M. (Pacific Time)
Oakland International Airport
Facilities Maintenance Complex
8500 Earhart Road, Oakland CA 94621
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The Port Authority of Guam has been authorized by its Board of Directors to procure up to three new gantry cranes, marking a significant upgrade from their over 40-year-old predecessors. This move, aimed at enhancing national security and operational efficiency, reflects a proactive approach in securing funding aligned with U.S. security policies and reducing dependency on Chinese-manufactured equipment.
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The April 2024 edition of Trade Currents Navigator presents containerized trade trends and forecasts through the first quarter of 2025 based on the February 2024 trade information released by the U.S Census Bureau in early April. The report highlights activities affecting ports’ trade volumes, including:
Containerized Imports
U.S. containerized imports surged 13% year-over-year in February 2024, following a 1% year-over-year decline in January. In the first two months of 2024, containerized imports grew 5% year-over-year. Volumes of solar panels, the highest growth commodity in 2023, increased slightly in the first two months of 2024. However, containerized import growth was mainly driven by a rebound in volumes of commodities that had significantly declined in 2023 – plastics, furniture, and articles of iron and steel.
Imports from China accounted for almost two thirds of the increase in total U.S. containerized imports in the first two months of 2024. The highest growth import commodity from China was plastics.
Containerized Exports
Containerized export volumes increased 9% year-over-year in February 2024, a fourth consecutive month of such increases. In the first two months of 2024, containerized exports rose 6% year-over-year. Plastics in primary forms remained the top containerized export growth commodity. Exports of food industry residue and waste also continued strong growth.
During the first two months of 2024, exports to Malaysia contributed most to the rise in total containerized exports, with waste paper the principal contributor to those increased exports.
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The Port of Albany has received a $9.9 million grant from the NYS Department of Transportation Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program for critical infrastructure improvements. This funding will enhance rail and maritime capabilities at the port, supporting heavy lift operations and project cargo, which are vital for regional manufacturing and economic growth. This initiative is part of New York's largest investment in port and freight rail infrastructure, aimed at modernizing facilities and promoting eco-friendly transportation solutions.
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The Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport has been awarded $2.6 million from the Strategic Multi-Modal Investments Fund (SMIF) to enhance its infrastructure, specifically expanding rail connectivity and capacity. This funding, part of a larger $30 million statewide allocation, aims to bolster Mississippi's freight movement and economic growth, with a focus on enhancing the port's competitive edge and regional economic contributions.
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Consumer Demand Proving to Be a Key Driver
Connor D. Wolf
Transport Topics
Jennifer A. Dlouhy
Bloomberg
Arathy Somasekhar
Reuters
Mike Schuler
GCaptain
Stas Margaronis
AJOT
Mike Schuler
GCaptain
Pacific Daily News
Maritime Logistics Professional
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