Port Tampa Bay celebrates its formal 75th anniversary having grown to the largest port in the state of Florida in land and tonnage. Port Tampa Bay’s commercial shipping history dates back, in earnest, to the 1880s when cattle trade with Cuba helped to put Tampa on the map.

Cargo shipments rose at the Port of Long Beach in May as the economic effects of COVID-19 started to subside. Dockworkers and terminal operators moved 628,205 TEUs of container cargo last month, a 9.5% increase from May 2019. The Port of Los Angeles moved 581,665 TEUs in May, a 29.8% decrease compared to last year’s record-setting May. Five months into 2020, overall cargo volumes have decreased 18.6% compared to 2019. Port Executive Director Gene Seroka announced the May volumes in a news briefing. Earlier this week, longshore workers at Total Terminals International, a Port of Long Beach tenant, set a North American record for highest volume of container movements during a single call, while working the MSC Sveva. Workers transferred 17,080 containers – the equivalent of 30,744 TEUs. Port of Oakland loaded container volume decreased 12.7% last month from May 2019 totals, according to data released. The port had been expecting cargo decline due to continued COVID-19 impacts on global shipping. 

The Port of Davisville Managing Director Steven King was tasked to lead Rhode Island’s efforts to establish a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supply chain. King has worked full time for the past two-and-a-half months to procure the much needed medical equipment. The legislative body of the Port of Everett adopted the Economic Development Grant for Evolution (EDGE) – a new Port Commission initiative aimed at giving commercial tenants and subtenants an opportunity to get an ‘edge’ on their COVID-19 recovery. 

AAPA and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) will co-host a free webinar on the new Marine Highway Module of the Port Planning & Investment Toolkit (PP&IT) on June 25 at 1:00 p.m. EDT. The webinar will feature panelists from AAPA, MARAD, module contractor WSP, SEACOR AMH LLC, the Port of Greater Baton Rouge and The Port of Virginia. The online event will provide an overview of America's Marine Highway Program and describe how marine highway services can become designated projects by the U.S. Department of Transportation. It will also present details on the Marine Highway Module of the PP&IT, including how to plan a marine highway service, determine its feasibility, and identify possible funding mechanisms, including grants. Webinar panelists include:

Register here for the free webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event.

The webinar and PP&IT Marine Highway Module is supported by MARAD through a U.S. Department of Transportation grant.

GHD is one of the world's leading professional services companies operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. GHD provides engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services to private and public sector clients.

Some regional planning authorities are recognizing the potential value of inland ports and are working on legislation to have them be federally recognized as ports.

The Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles will update the public on progress toward the goals of the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan during a June 24 meeting via WebEx. The Port of Vancouver USA’s second edition of Fieldwork with Phil, Environmental Specialist Phil Martello gives a behind-the-scenes look at the port’s bird monitoring measures – specifically with the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus).  

The Port of Galveston reported grants would help fast-track expansion of its West Port Cargo Complex. Continuing to expand and diversify cargo business is a top priority in its long-range plan, which guides future growth and identifies the best and highest uses for port facilities. 

The Port of Iberia announced the signing of a long-term lease with Seadrill, a world-class deepwater drilling contractor, to establish a shorebase for their Western Hemisphere operations. 

The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay owns and operates the Coos Bay Rail Line and wants to remind the public to observe all safety precautions when near a rail line. The Coast Guard, Port of San Diego and partner agencies urge boaters to be safe as recreational and commercial waterways traffic increases in San Diego. Boaters should be aware of maritime rules and guidelines to help them maintain safety for themselves and their fellow mariners.

Port of Davisville Managing Director Steven King worked with Electric Boat and the Town of North Kingstown to finalize a revised payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement that will mean millions in additional revenue for the town. The Port of Los Angeles has adopted a $1.5 billion budget for FY 2020/21. The budget is based on expectations of slower cargo volumes in the near term and a continued slowdown in the worldwide economy, due to market uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the lingering impacts from the 2019 trade war. The Finance Committee of the North Carolina State Ports Authority will meet via teleconference on June 18. The meeting will be made available to the public via a link on the homepage at ncports.com. 

Wallenius Wilhelmsen, a global shipping and logistic solutions provider, recently made its initial port call to Port Freeport. This service from Asia to the Gulf Coast will continue to bring automobiles on Wallenius Wilhelmsen ocean vessels into Freeport.

The Port of Lake Charles issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a new unloader crane and related parts at its Bulk Terminal in Sulphur, LA. A pre‐bid meeting will be held on June 30 at the District’s Administration Building. Contractors planning to submit bids are encouraged to attend. At the end of the pre‐bid meeting, attendees can visit the terminal site for a site inspection.  

Engineer, Point Comfort, TX; Calhoun Port Authority

Sales Director, Houston, Texas; Port of Vancouver USA

Director of Finance and Grant Management, Alexandria, Virginia; American Association of Port Authorities

Chief Human Resources Officer, Norfolk, VA; The Port of Virginia

Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director, Norfolk, VA; The Port of Virginia