Experience the Port of Tampa Bay like never before! Join the exclusive tour on Tuesday, January 21, departing at 9:30 am aboard the Captain Jack II. Guests will board at Pirate Water Taxi stop #7, conveniently located near the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street. Please note that the tour coincides with the Environment Committee meeting.
The Captain Jack II, the newest addition to the Pirate Water Taxi fleet, features a full bar, climate-controlled seating, and an ADA-compliant restroom for your comfort.
Spots are limited to the first 70 registrants—secure your place today! You can register for the tour during the POWERS registration process or log back into your account to add it if you've already registered.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is accepting applications for its annual $50,000 Combating Human Trafficking in Transportation Impact Award. This award encourages transportation stakeholders to develop innovative tools, initiatives, campaigns, or technologies that help prevent human trafficking. Open to individuals, non-governmental organizations, transportation industry associations, research institutions, and government entities, the award aims to raise awareness and advance counter-trafficking efforts. Submissions are due by 11:59 PM PST on March 7, 2025. For more details, including information on past winners, visit the DOT's website.
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 The application deadline for AAPA’s Port Professional Manager (PPM®) program’s Foxtrot Class is quickly approaching. Aspiring port leaders have until tomorrow, Friday, January 10, 2025, to submit their applications and secure a spot in this esteemed program, designed to elevate expertise and leadership in the port and supply chain industry.
The PPM® program offers participants a unique opportunity to develop advanced knowledge in key areas such as port operations, strategic planning, and environmental sustainability. Joining the Foxtrot Class means gaining access to a network of top industry professionals and acquiring the skills necessary to address the evolving challenges of port management. This is an invaluable step for professionals aiming to make a lasting impact on their organizations and the industry at large.
Don’t let this chance slip away! If you’ve been considering applying to the PPM ® program, now is the time to act. Visit the AAPA website to review application details and submit your materials before the January 10 deadline. The future of port leadership awaits you in the Foxtrot Class!
For more information about AAPA’s professional development programs, reach out to Julie Barelas at jbarelas@aapa-ports.org.
Join industry leaders and decision-makers, including:
The engaging port executives sharing their essential knowledge and sought-after opinions have both domestic and foreign expertise. You'll learn from port industry professionals from PortMiami, Port of Seattle, Port of Corpus Christi, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, and so many more on critical topics such as Opportunities for Healthier Port Habitats, The Expansion of Shore Power at Ports, and Shipping US Energy Internationally.
You don't want to miss this important event starting in less than 2 weeks. Register today!
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The Port of Québec celebrated the arrival of its first oceanic vessel of 2025, marking the 190th consecutive year of the prestigious Golden Cane tradition. The Castillo de Malpica, arriving from the United States and captained by Tarapore Burgess Dadi, docked at Wharf 52 on January 4, and received the Golden Cane award. This long-standing tradition, established in 1835, honors the captain of the first vessel to navigate the St. Lawrence River each year, symbolizing maritime excellence and collaboration. The Castillo de Malpica will load iron pellets before continuing its journey to France, underscoring the Port of Québec's vital role in global trade and regional economic development.
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The Port of Grays Harbor celebrated a milestone year in 2024 with several notable achievements. Leonard Barnes assumed the role of Executive Director, guiding the Port through a record-breaking year for cargo handled at its deep-water terminals. The groundbreaking of the $60 million Terminal 4 Expansion & Redevelopment Project marked a significant step in supporting AGP's $170 million investment in a new export facility. The Port also secured contracts to handle 80,000 auto imports in 2025, creating numerous jobs, and saw an expansion of Life Flight Network operations at Bowerman Airport. Additionally, the Satsop Business Park hosted the highly successful Try-A-Trade event, connecting over 1,100 students with trade organizations.
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The Port of Philadelphia continues to dominate the U.S. fresh fruit import market, handling 20% of all imported fruit in 2023, totaling 5.1 billion pounds. Known for its robust cold storage infrastructure and proximity to 47 million consumers within a four-hour drive, the port supports thousands of local jobs in areas such as logistics and distribution. Key imports include grapes, citrus, and berries, with most sourced from Central and South America. Recent state and private investments, including new refrigerated warehouses, aim to maintain Philadelphia's competitive edge amidst growing competition from southern ports. PhilaPort is also pursuing funding to expand capacity and further modernize its facilities.
North Carolina Ports achieved significant milestones in 2024, with general cargo volumes at the Port of Wilmington exceeding budget forecasts by 16% year-to-date through November and increasing 11% over the prior year. The Port of Morehead City saw an 18% rise in breakbulk cargo, driven by imports for manufacturing, clean energy, and locomotives, while grain programs across both ports increased by 31%. The completion of a new warehouse in December has expanded capacity for agricultural cargo, and intermodal rail volumes are outpacing last year's record. Investments in refrigerated container facilities and a new intermodal rail yard highlight ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency and accommodate growing demand.
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The Port of Bellingham has published its 2023-24 Sustainability Report, detailing significant environmental initiatives and achievements over the past two years. Key accomplishments include the remediation of historic industrial contamination in Bellingham Bay and Blaine Harbor, restoration of salmon habitats, enhancements in energy efficiency, and waste reduction across Port operations. These efforts underscore the Port's commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development within Whatcom County.
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The Port of Palm Beach set a new record on January 3, 2025, with over 1,400 passengers debarking the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise before 10 a.m. using new facial recognition technology. This advancement has significantly expedited customs processing, allowing quicker boarding for embarking passengers. The Port also introduced self-parking and a designated ride-share area to enhance convenience and safety. Future plans include permanent pedestrian walkways, improved signage, resurfaced pavements, and additional landscaping. These updates position the Port as one of Florida's most efficient cruise departure points.
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The Federal Biscay departed the Port of Duluth-Superior on December 28, 2024, as the last oceangoing vessel of the season, carrying durum wheat bound for North Africa. This marks the conclusion of a 272-day navigation season for oceangoing traffic at North America’s farthest-inland seaport, which began with the arrival of the Barbro G on April 1. The shipment highlighted a strong fourth quarter for agricultural commodities, pushing grain tonnage toward its highest total since 2020. Interlake shipping at the port will continue until mid-January, with the Soo Locks scheduled to close for seasonal maintenance on January 15, 2025.
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A federal appeals court has overturned a 2021 ruling that awarded the Municipality of Anchorage $367.4 million in a lawsuit against the federal government over faulty construction at the Don Young Port of Alaska. The court reduced the damages to $11.3 million, citing partial rescission of the earlier decision. The lawsuit stems from construction issues discovered after Anchorage entered a 2003 agreement with the federal Maritime Administration (MARAD) to overhaul the facility. Anchorage officials, including Mayor Suzanne LaFrance, expressed disappointment and are considering next steps.
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Manatee County Commissioner Mike Rahn has been elected chairman of the Manatee County Port Authority, effective January 1, 2025. Rahn expressed his commitment to advancing infrastructure enhancements and hurricane recovery efforts at SeaPort Manatee, which recently reported handling over 11.8 million tons of cargo in the fiscal year ending September 30. The port's annual economic impact has risen to nearly $7.3 billion. Additionally, $9.5 million in emergency funding announced by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is aiding the port's recovery from damages caused by Hurricane Milton on October 9.
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Strike Averted a Week Ahead of Deadline; No Details Disclosed
Paul Wiseman
Associated Press
Jarrett Renshaw and Timothy Gardner
Reuters
Data, dredging and alternative fuels discussed
Stuart Chirls
Freightwaves
Maritime Executive
Bill Mongelluzzo
Journal of Commerce
Promises Aggressive Measures to Boost US Manufacturing
Daniel Flatley
Bloomberg
Defense Department adds Tencent, Cosco, CATL and Comac to its list
James T. Areddy
Wall Street Journal
Jose Orozco
Bloomberg
Massive 'Typhoon' cyberattacks on U.S. infrastructure and telecoms sought to lay groundwork for potential conflict with Beijing, as intruders gathered data and got in position to impede response and sow chaos
Dustin Volz, Aruna Viswanatha, Sarah Krouse and Drew FitzGerald
Wall Street Journal
Eric Johnson
Journal of Commerce
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14
Jan 2025
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Time: 2:00-3:00 pm ET
For more information or a link to attend, please contact AAPA staff liaison, Holden Haley at hhaley@aapa-ports.org.
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20
Jan 2025
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This summit brings together passionate industry leaders from around the globe to explore the transformative power of purpose-driven innovation in the port industry, focusing on sustainable growth, resilience, and practical solutions for profitable operations.
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20
Jan 2025
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Time: 12:00-3:00 pm ET
Location: JW Marriott Tampa Water Street
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21
Jan 2025
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Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm ET
Location: JW Marriott Tampa Water Street
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21
Jan 2025
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Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm ET
Location: JW Marriott Tampa Water Street
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6
Feb 2025
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Time: 1:30-2:30 pm ET
For more information or a link to attend, please contact AAPA staff liaison, Liz Mancini at lmancini@aapa-ports.org.
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18
Mar 2025
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The AAPA Legislative Summit is the premier port industry government affairs and advocacy forum held annually in Washington, D.C. and will take place March 18-20, 2025. The summit brings together senior port executives from around the nation with federal government leadership to discuss issues important to one of the most critical national industries. AAPA plans and manages private meetings with Congressional leadership for our port executives as part of this event.
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8
Apr 2025
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Time: 2:00-3:00 pm ET
Agenda
Topic 1: AAPA CEO update to the Committee Presented by Cary Davis, CEO/President of AAPA
Topic 2: Municipal Finance (Seaport Sector) Update
- Presented by Conner Benoit, Senior Vice President, Hilltop Securities Inc.
For more information or a link to attend, please contact AAPA staff liaison, Charissa Meikle at cmeikle@aapa-ports.org.
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