On the one-year anniversary of the start of the pandemic, Paula Copeland, Director of Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility at Port Saint John, reminds us of the humanitarian crisis of seafarers, many have now been at sea for the past 12-18 months. Prior to the pandemic 4-6 months was normal. Seafarers live and work in austere conditions, and the pandemic has only exacerbated the isolation and loneliness of their work and environment. Take a few moments to read Copeland’s LinkedIn article and watch the embedded videos to learn more about the seafarers emergency and how industry can support the welfare of seafarers while their ship is in port. Copeland states, “Making a seafarer welcome can be as simple as being a help to get them connected to a virtual call home to reach loved ones, helping them conduct personal business while in port, or taking them for a shopping trip to get vital supplies for their life on board ship.”

Construction work to build Royal Caribbean's new cruise terminal at the Port of Galveston is on track to begin in April. The new $100 million cruise terminal is expected to be a major revenue generator, create good paying jobs and stimulate the local economy.

AAPA and SOCAL Approach will co-host a webinar titled A Ports of Indiana Case Study: 3 Things Data Taught Us About Building Constituent Awareness on Wednesday, April 7, from 1 to 2 p.m. EDT. All ports face the challenge of building awareness of the value they bring to their communities, especially those that are not part of a tourism or community zone.

This webinar will highlight how the Ports of Indiana used data and insights to address several areas that can help port directors communicate their value proposition to the broader communities they support. Learn three key lessons the data taught them – and one mistake to avoid! Webinar presenters include:

 

• George J. Owens – Founder, President and Principal Consultant, SOCAL Approach

• Michael Cooperman – Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Consultant, SOCAL Approach

 

Register today!

AAPA is pleased to announce the candidates in the Professional Port Management (PPM®) program, Bravo cohort, Class of 2023. Eleven candidates will earn a PPM credential designed to advance their careers in the port industry. The Bravo cohort and future potential candidates will have the added benefit of a shorter program duration, increased training opportunities through AAPA partner, the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives (IAMPE), and a virtual learning integration that provides even greater flexibility. 

Geollect, LLC is a commercial geospatial intelligence and analysis firm composed of a team of former federal law enforcement and intelligence officers from the U.S. and UK, combined with a multidisciplinary team of geospatial scientists, data scientists and software developers. Geollect builds decision-making tools by operators, for operators. Its automated tracking, alerting, and asset behavior monitoring platform enables users to quickly understand large volumes of data. Geollect’s Centralized Intelligence Platforms provide data visualized in one dashboard to reveal dynamic relationships and patterns often hidden in large volumes of data. Through Data as a Service, it offers a rich source of georeferenced data that can be accessed via an API to enrich your intelligence and information products. Geollect’s consultancy work is bespoke and discreet, conducted with urgency and competency.

The Port of Palm Beach recently learned the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers allocated just over $6.3 million for dredging of the nearby channel and the settling basins. Port of Palm Beach Engineer Ron Coddington discusses the project in this video.

In 2020, the pandemic disrupted many businesses but the Port of Vancouver’s proficiency in bulk and break bulk cargoes allowed the port to leverage its best assets, including the ability to handle large-sized shipments, such as wind energy components. This advantage, along with extensive laydown space for storage, a highly-skilled work force and excellent transportation connections, equipped the port to weather the economic disruption.

The Native Oyster Living Shoreline Project, a partnership of the Port of San Diego and California Coastal Conservancy, has been awarded a $960,533 grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The objectives of the living shoreline, to be installed adjacent to the Chula Vista Wildlife Reserve in San Diego Bay, are to demonstrate the ability of a native oyster reef to increase biodiversity and resiliency to future sea level rise impacts.

The breakbulk terminal building at Berths 54-55 at the Port of Los Angeles has a new fabric membrane roof among other improvements, thanks to nearly $1 million in upgrades completed this month by the port at the marine terminal operated by SSA Marine.

The Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners has authorized issuance of a Coastal Development Permit to Pacifica Companies for its Amara Bay Roadway Construction and Improvements Project within the Chula Vista Bayfront. The project is another significant step forward in transforming the bayfront as envisioned by the port, City of Chula Vista and Pacifica in the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan.

SSA Marine is now operating the first of nine electric container yard cranes at the Port of Long Beach’s Pier J, marking a significant milestone in a goal to transition to zero emissions terminal equipment by 2030. The demonstration of the electric rubber tired gantry cranes is part of the Zero-Emissions Terminal Equipment Transition Project, which is funded in large part by a $9.7 million California Energy Commission grant.

The Duluth Seaway Port Authority announced the reappointment of Yvonne Prettner Solon to a third term on the Port Authority Board of Commissioners. “We are excited to continue working with Commissioner Prettner Solon,” said Deb DeLuca, executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority. “Her political acumen and decades of experience, at all levels, give her unique perspective and insight. That, combined with her wisdom and passion for this region and our working waterfront, makes her a tremendous asset to the board.”

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and senior PhilaPort leadership participated in a virtual groundbreaking ceremony for a new near-dock warehouse. The new PhilaPort Distribution Center will fuel the next phase of development for one of the fastest growing ports in America. Watch a recording of the virtual groundbreaking ceremony.

The Port of Los Angeles processed 799,315 TEUs in February, a 47% jump compared to February 2020. It was the seventh consecutive month of year-over-year increases and the strongest February in the port’s 114-year history. In January, the Port of New York and New Jersey moved 721,284 TEUs (400,400 lifts) compared to 617,024 TEUs (349,196 rail lifts) in January 2020, a 16.9% increase. Rail volume increased 12.2% from the previous year’s monthly figure, totaling 68,880 containers for January 2021. The Port of Virginia in February handled nearly 249,000 TEUs and in doing so set a new record for February cargo volume. 

The Port of Los Angeles is the recipient of a Gamechanger award for its Port Optimizer™, a digital portal providing real-time, data-driven insights for improving the performance and predictability of the port supply chain. Every four years the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) recognizes infrastructure projects around the U.S. that it considers to be Gamechangers — innovative projects and programs that move infrastructure modernization forward.

 

Manager, Business Development Ports & Harbors, Nationwide; ION Geophysical Corporation

DART – CEO, Dallas, TX; Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)

SVP, Deputy General Counsel and Group General Counsel, Reston, VA; Major, Lindsey & Africa