Mayer Brown LLP, 71 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606. Phone: (312) 701-8818. Email: jseliga@mayerbrown.com.  Website: www.mayerbrown.com. Contact: Mr. Joseph Seliga, Partner. (AAPA Sustaining Member)

Governor Charlie Baker joined elected officials, community members and children from South Boston and the Massachusetts Port Authority on May 4 in officially dedicating Flynn Cruiseport Boston in honor of Raymond L. Flynn, a former mayor of Boston and U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See. The event also celebrated the start of Boston’s 2017 cruise season.

Royal Caribbean International’s recently revitalized Empress of the Seas will sail from Port Tampa Bay for the duration of the 2017 summer season on a series of four- and five-night itineraries that include port calls in Cuba. Royal Caribbean International will return to New Orleans with a seasonal home-based cruise ship in late 2018. The 915-foot Vision of the Seas will sail seven-night itineraries to The Bahamas and Yucatan Peninsula from New Orleans’ Julia Street Cruise Terminal.

The Bellingham Port Commission has adopted a policy aimed at providing a consistent and predictable rent structure for working waterfront employers.

Ultra-large container vessels of 18,000 TEUs capacity will be able to access marine terminals in Newark, Elizabeth and Staten Island in the Port of New York and New Jersey six months ahead of schedule with the June 30 opening of the elevated Bayonne Bridge roadway.

The Port of Belledune is the newest participant in Green Marine, a voluntary environmental certification program for the maritime industry in North America. The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) celebrated Arbor Day at Garden City Terminal by replacing a historic oak lost during Hurricane Matthew last year.

Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. has resumed calling the Port of Long Beach, this time as part of its new Pacific South service between China, South Korea and West Coast North America.

Nearly 10 million tons of cargo was shipped through Port Houston during first quarter 2017, an 11 percent increase from last year. Much of the growth was due to the port’s skyrocketing container trade, up 19 percent for the quarter to a record 607,462 TEUs. During the past six months, the Jacksonville Port Authority - JAXPORT  recorded 12 percent growth in vehicle handling volumes, from 321,741 a year earlier to 360,945 vehicles during the first half of the fiscal year that began last October 1.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett publicly shared Port Milwaukee’s new logo with a display May 5 of signs outside the port’s offices. The new name, logo and tag line are intended to project a contemporary image that highlights the port’s role in domestic and international transportation. The Port of San Diego is introducing a new brand as part of a comprehensive marketing strategy designed to unify and clarify its diverse functions, and attract more people and businesses to the waterfront.  The brand – comprising a new logo and five sub-brands –  debuted May 1 in conjunction with Maritime Month.

Port Everglades Assistant Director David Anderton, PPM®, was recently appointed to the Florida Freight Advisory Committee. Port of Seattle Interim CEO Dave Soike has hired Rod Covey as the port’s new chief of police. Chief Covey has been the interim chief since the retirement of Chief Colleen Wilson in November.  His appointment is effective immediately.