More than 120 government, port and freight industry executives took part in AAPA's Cargo Optimization Seminar June 7-8. The two-day conference offered insights into enhancing cargo opportunities and efficiencies while gaining community acceptance and "buy-in" for freight projects.

John Wood has been elected chairman of the board of commissioners of the Brownsville Navigation District. The board also elected John Reed vice-chairman and Sergio Tito Lopez secretary. Port of Port Angeles commissioners will interview four applicants for executive director. The position became vacant following the retirement in December 2015 of Kenneth O’Hollaren. Michael Alexander, retired Urban League of Portland president and CEO and healthcare-industry leader, has joined the Port of Portland Commission.

Port Tampa Bay is partnering with Tampa developer Richard Corbett and Port Logistics in the financing of a 130,000 square foot on-dock cold storage facility at the port.

A new fireboat equipped with 10 water cannons capable of extinguishing fires in the harbor or on nearby land with more than 41,000 gallons per minute was officially welcomed into service June 8 at the Port of Long Beach.

Port Canaveral’s completely refurbished Cruise Terminal 5 resumed operations earlier this month by hosting Carnival Valor.

A new shipping service link with Asia operated jointly by COSCO Container Lines and Hanjin Shipping made its first call at APM Terminals Mobile on June 6.

Construction has started on a $10 million manufacturing facility for local boat builder All American Marine on Bellingham’s central waterfront. The company is a tenant of the Port of Bellingham.

The Halifax Port Authority earned top grades from Green Marine for environmental sustainability.

The Port of Oakland’s largest marine terminal announced June 6 it would continue night operations even after a port subsidy expires later this month. What’s more, Oakland International Container Terminal (OICT) said it will offer full – not partial -- operations at night.

The St. Lawrence Seaway opened two weeks earlier this shipping season, and U.S. ports took advantage of the warm weather to move cargo for their customers.

Set for November 16-17, 2016, at the Hilton Toronto Airport, the 12th Annual HWY H2O Conference will feature topics including a market overview, connectivity within the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Seaway and beyond, a commodity review relevant to growth, and future opportunities in technology, infrastructure and innovation. Delegates will benefit from in-depth discussion with peers and presentations relevant to Great Lakes/Seaway from stakeholders and industry specialists. Register by September 23 and SAVE $100 on registration fees!