In a recent article in Expansion Solutions Magazine authored by Public Affairs Director Aaron Ellis, AAPA member seaports and partners highlight their worries and concerns regarding the needs of the maritime workforce. According to Ellis “… America’s ports are competing for qualified candidates to fill positions ranging from longshore workers, drayage truckers, welders and mechanics, to data analysts, security personnel and energy-efficiency specialists, [and yet] there’s an estimated 3.5 million unemployed, working-age individuals who aren’t even searching for jobs.” This is only one of the many challenges our ports are facing as they look to fill the employment gaps and address future needs.

 

This critical issue will be the subject of an in-depth AAPA Workforce Summit to be held in Long Beach June 25-27. Join us as we take a close look at the issue of workforce development and provide attendees with best practices and solutions for addressing their individual needs.

Join commissioners and port governing bodies from the Western Hemisphere at the Annual AAPA Commissioners Seminar, June 18-20, in Northern California. A distinguished slate of speakers will address issues ranging from global economic forecasts to port digitization and resiliency. If you have not done so, be sure to register for the opportunity to join your port colleagues for this in-depth program.

CenterPoint Properties will spearhead the project management and development of the Port Everglades International Logistics Center. Scheduled to be delivered in Spring 2020, the center consists of two logistics/industrial buildings totaling 296,207 square feet at 3413 and 3423 McIntosh Road in Hollywood, Florida. The Port of Oakland has received $12.45 million from the California Transportation Commission for the implementation of the Freight Intelligent Transportation System program. The Québec Port Authority has signed a long-term commercial agreement with Hutchison Ports, the world’s leading port network, and CN, the leading North American transportation and supply chain company, to build and operate the new container terminal, known as project Laurentia.

The commercial shipping industry is on alert to begin voluntarily slowing their ships when southern resident killer whales return to Haro Strait and Boundary Pass to feed for the summer. Now in its third year, voluntary ship slowdowns are part of a regional-scale collaborative research trial coordinated by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority-led Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program, which aims to reduce underwater noise from large commercial ships that could affect these at-risk whales.

Nicholson Construction is a nationally-renowned geotechnical engineering and construction firm with over 60 years of experience. The company's core business is geotechnical work, including excavation, support, tunnels, piles, borehole drilling, marine and soil improvement projects. Vector Corrosion Technologies is the leading full-service supplier of corrosion mitigation products and services for reinforced concrete and masonry structures including bridges, parking garages, buildings, marine structures and industrial facilities.