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The AAPA Legislative Summit—Revitalizing America’s Ports provides a critical opportunity to use our collective voice to rally for the interests of our port industry. As such, our summit hosts over 75% of the nation's sea and land ports in Washington D.C. every year making the summit an essential event to attend.
- Reauthorizing Surface Transportation
- Ending the freeze on permitting reviews for LNG export terminals
- Not expanding tariffs on imports
- Updating the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to expedite permitting reviews
- Expediting Department of Transportation permitting
- Not imposing vessel speed restrictions
- Passing WRDA 2026 on time
- Not rescinding infrastructure funds from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and BIL
- Reintroducing and passing the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) SPACE Act
- Expediting and provide transparency into the Build America Buy America (BABA) waiver process
Read the full AAPA Policy Agenda for the 119th Congress for a detailed itemization of the critical issues facing our nation's ports and our advocacy positions. We need every port to join us in championing for a strong, healthy, and prosperous port industry.
Register today to stand up for our ports. Together, we can affect lasting change.
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The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) is monitoring the impact of the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) January 27 memo, which froze federal financial assistance, affecting port infrastructure grants. AAPA is seeking feedback from ports on whether their federal grants are proceeding as normal or facing delays in fund withdrawals, permitting, and communication with federal agencies.
Reports indicate that the Clean Ports Program, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), remains largely frozen, while some Port Infrastructure Development Program grants may also be delayed. AAPA is engaging with federal agencies and congressional allies to determine when grant administration will resume, following a federal court ruling ordering the unfreezing of appropriated funds.
AAPA President & CEO Cary Davis addressed these concerns during a recent congressional hearing, emphasizing that fully obligated funding must be distributed as required by law.
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AAPA is proud to announce that Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX) has been selected as the 2025 Port Person of the Year, securing the most votes among a highly competitive slate of nominees, including Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-CA) and Rep. Rob Menendez (D-NJ). AAPA will present the award at this year’s Legislative Summit: Revitalizing America’s Ports in Washington, D.C., happening March 18-20.
A steadfast champion for ports and maritime infrastructure, Rep. Babin has been instrumental in advancing policies that support the industry.
His leadership includes:
- Advocating for the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), securing a key provision in the 2024 bill to increase the federal cost share for dredging projects deeper than 50 feet.
- Serving as a senior member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, with key roles on the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee and Highways and Transit Subcommittee.
- Co-chairing the Congressional Texas Maritime Caucus and chairing the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- Leading efforts to expand truck parking, a critical issue for supply chain fluidity and safe transportation.
We look forward to celebrating his contributions to the port industry!
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The Port of Los Angeles helped facilitate the delivery of 580 air purifiers donated by Chicago Public Schools to the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The donation, coordinated by the Council of Great City Schools, aims to support schools affected by January wildfires. Global logistics company C.H. Robinson, along with BNSF, Day N Night Transportation, DCLI, and Legend, provided free transportation services to move 90 pallets of purifiers and filters from Chicago to Los Angeles. The final shipment arrived at the LAUSD warehouse in mid-February for distribution to classrooms.
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PortMiami welcomed a record-breaking 10 cruise ships in one day on February 8, 2025, reinforcing its status as the "Cruise Capital of the World®." The ships included vessels from Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, and Virgin Voyages, with nearly 68,000 passengers onboard. The 2025 cruise season will also introduce several new ships, including Cunard’s Queen Anne, MSC Cruises’ MSC World America, and Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas. Additionally, PortMiami recently became the first major cruise port on the U.S. East Coast to offer shore power at five cruise berths, allowing ships to reduce emissions while docked.
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The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) welcomed customers and partners to the third annual Blue Carpet event, celebrating collaboration within Montreal’s port community. The event emphasized the port’s role in connecting businesses to 140 countries worldwide and highlighted the importance of adaptability and teamwork in ensuring smooth operations. MPA reaffirmed its commitment to delivering efficiency, capacity, and high-quality service as it moves into 2025. The gathering also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to strengthen relationships and discuss the future of supply chain resilience.
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The Port of Everett Commission is accepting applications for its annual community sponsorship program, which supports events and programs that promote tourism and economic development within the Port District. For 2025, the Commission has allocated $50,000 to fund initiatives that highlight Port properties, enhance tourism, create economic opportunities, or support maritime workforce development. Applications must be submitted electronically by March 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PST, with sponsorships expected to be awarded in the spring. All awarded funds must be used within the year, and if an event is canceled without rescheduling, the Port reserves the right to reallocate the funding.
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If you are planning to attend the 2025 AAPA Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C. on March 18-20 and haven't booked your room yet, it's important to make your reservations soon.
AAPA's room block at the JW Marriott Washington D.C. closes this month. To save on your hotel rate, book by February 24, 2025.
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The Port of Vancouver USA will host its annual public lecture series featuring three events in March and April at Kiggins Theatre in Vancouver. The series will begin on March 6 with Capt. Bruce Jones, Executive Director of the Columbia River Maritime Museum, discussing maritime history and the museum’s $31.5 million campus transformation project. On March 19, port leadership will provide updates on key projects, international trade, environmental initiatives, and economic development efforts. The final lecture on April 3, will feature Eric Fitch, Executive Director of the Washington Public Ports Association, highlighting the role of Washington’s 75 port districts in economic development across the state. The lectures are free and open to the public, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and food and beverage sales benefiting the Fort Vancouver Seafarers Center.
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Ports of Indiana handled 13 million tons of cargo in 2024, marking the second-highest annual volume in its 60-year history and a 3% increase from 2023. The state’s three ports saw significant shipments of coal, steel, and agricultural products, which accounted for 85% of total cargo. Public and private investments exceeded $200 million, including four company expansions, three new businesses, and six federal grant projects supporting infrastructure. The newly launched Indiana River & Rail Terminals contributed to a 48% increase in cargo at Mount Vernon and a 12% increase at Jeffersonville. Overall, Ports of Indiana’s business activities support over 49,000 jobs and generate $8.7 billion annually for the state’s economy.
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The Port of Cleveland has approved a $110,000 grant to Argonaut, a nonprofit that provides maritime career training to students at Davis Aerospace and Maritime High School. The funding will expand student participation in Argonaut’s Marine Safety Program, enhancing workforce training and safety operations on the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie. In 2023, Argonaut’s crew assisted 91 ships, partnered with the U.S. Coast Guard on 123 missions, and contributed to 42 rescue operations. The program also engages students in environmental efforts, using specialized vessels to remove floating debris from local waterways. Since 2019, the Port has invested $380,000 in Argonaut, reinforcing its commitment to workforce development and Cleveland’s growing waterfront economy.
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Port Everglades experienced double-digit growth in cargo tonnage and container throughput during the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2025 (Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 2024). The port’s total container throughput increased by 12% to 285,335 TEUs, while containerized cargo tonnage rose by 11% to 1,750,546 tons compared to the same period last year. CEO and Port Director Joseph Morris credited this growth to strong regional consumer demand, the appeal of the port’s cargo services, and the efforts of its terminal customers. In addition to container cargo, petroleum deliveries to Florida counties and international airports also showed an upward trend. These positive results reinforce Port Everglades’ role as a key hub for international trade and regional supply chains.
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The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners has appointed Kristi McKenney as the Port’s new Executive Director, succeeding Danny Wan, who will retire on February 28. McKenney, who has served as the Port’s Chief Operating Officer since 2020, was unanimously approved for a three-year contract at the February 13 Board meeting. She has held multiple roles at the Port, including Assistant Aviation Director and Interim Executive Director, and played a key role in securing state and federal grants for sustainability initiatives.
McKenney will be the first woman to serve as Executive Director in the Port of Oakland’s 98-year history. She plans to focus on implementing the Port’s five-year Strategic Plan to support local employment, contracting opportunities, and economic growth.
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Maritime Executive
Republican senators are asking Cabinet secretaries and other Trump officials to let money flow back into their states.
Liz Goodwin
Washington Post
Stephen Lee
Bloomberg
Billionaire joins an economic team that includes trade hawk Peter Navarro
Gavin Bade
Wall Street Journal
Greg Knowler
Journal of Commerce
Analysts wonder when prices will find their level
Stuart Chirls
Freightwaves
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24
Feb 2025
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Time: 3:00 - 4:00 pm ET
Agenda:
Ryann Child, Senior Environmental Program Manager at Port of Seattle, presenting on shore power projects and upgrades.
For more information or a link to attend, please contact AAPA staff liaison, Shawn Balcomb at sbalcomb@aapa-ports.org.
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3
Mar 2025
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Time: 3:00 - 4:00 pm ET
For more information or a link to attend, please contact AAPA staff liaison, Shannon McLeod at smcleod@aapa-ports.org.
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4
Mar 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, Melodie George at mgeorge@aapa-ports.org.
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13
Mar 2025
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Dates: March 13th and 14th
Time: TBD
Location: Port Tampa Bay - Tampa Bay, Florida
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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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18
Mar 2025
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Time: 8:00 - 11:45 am ET
Location: JW Marriott Washington, DC, Salon J
*Please note, this is an in-person meeting only.
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18
Mar 2025
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Time: 9:00 - 10:30 am ET
Location: JW Marriott Washington, DC, Salon H
*Please note, this is an in-person meeting only.
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19
Mar 2025
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Time: 12:00 - 1:30 pm ET
Location: JW Marriott Washington, DC, Salon J
*Please note, this is an in-person meeting only.
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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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15
May 2025
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Time: 1:00 - 2:00 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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