AAPA and ports across the country will commemorate National Maritime Day on Saturday, May 22. AAPA's #SoundOff initiative this year celebrates ports and maritime industry workers for their dedication to the safe and efficient movement of goods. Ships and boats in harbors are encouraged to sound their horns (or whistles) in four short blasts at noon this Saturday. In addition, AAPA and participating ports will #SoundOff on social media to show appreciation for the industry’s workforce and the vital work they do every day. For questions or a graphics toolkit to join the salute #NationalMaritimeDay #SoundOff, contact AAPA public affairs director Jen Wilk.

The new AAPA app has launched! The app is available for both iOS and Android and will serve as AAPA's hub for content, collaboration and events all year round. Members will have access to dedicated news feeds and forums, a member directory with in-app messaging and the AAPA Smart Guide – all the possible tools you could need in one great app. Be sure to have your AAPA login credentials ready to access the full bandwidth of the app. Reach out to Devin Stubbs or Renita Gross for assistance with login information.

Join industry colleagues for the AAPA Anywhere: Cruise Seminar on June 21-25 to network and learn about the latest best practices, updates and challenges in an ever changing cruise market. Attendees who register before May 31 will receive the Early Bird rate. Act fast and secure your spot now.

Key upcoming AAPA events provide additional opportunities to learn and exchange ideas while forging valuable connections with industry leaders.

The ACCELerate Apprenticeship Partnership Consortium (AAPC) will hold a meeting on the AAPA apprenticeship program for grant partners and interested parties on Thursday, May 27, from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. EDT. Anyone interested in learning more about the process of building out a workforce development program that includes apprenticeships is encouraged to join. Contact Julie Barelas for more information.

The annual AAPA Lighthouse Awards, the port industry’s foremost recognition program, nomination period is now open, and the deadline to submit entries is June 1, 2021. With only two weeks remaining, AAPA encourages ports to submit their applications today. The AAPA Lighthouse Awards acknowledge excellence in four disciplines: Communications, Environmental Improvement, Information Technology, and Facilities Engineering. Ports can access the application submission portals for each category on the awards webpage. Follow these tips when applying:

Duluth Seaway Port Authority Executive Director Deb DeLuca was honored with a 2021 Distinguished Service Award by the University of Minnesota’s Center for Transportation Studies. The William K. Smith Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to a private sector professional in the freight transportation and supply chain industry for leadership in the field and contributions to mentorship and education of future leaders. Port of South Louisiana Safety Risk Agency Manager and InfraGard Louisiana President Lester Millet, III, received the 2020 Government Technology & Services Coalition Homeland Security Today (GTSC) Citizen of Mission Award. The Citizen of Mission award goes to an individual who devotes their personal time, energy and resources to work for causes related to homeland security.

The Port of Long Beach Harbor Commission awarded 141 sponsorships totaling $409,430 this week to promote local groups advancing causes such as the arts, environment, social justice and historic preservation. Members of the Port of Palm Beach’s facilities team delivered eight benches to the Max M. Fisher Boys and Girls Club in Riviera Beach. Two of the donated benches were placed in the club's lobby and the other benches will be dispersed among local Boys and Girls Club. The benches were previously used in the cruise terminal for cruise passengers.

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) and Tangipahoa Parish Economic Development entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together to grow trade, as well as to support existing and new business relationships for the benefit of the region and state of Louisiana. Port NOLA and economic development organizations throughout the region have been strategically working on the addition of distribution centers to promote additional development and business for the port, and this MOU along with the St. Tammany MOU are successes from those efforts.

A coalition including the Port of Oakland wants California to spend $2.25 billion on emissions-free freight hauling. Supply chain and environmental groups sent their request to Sacramento this month, seeking surplus state revenue to finance zero-emission trucks and cargo equipment, infrastructure such as electric charging stations, and training to operate and maintain the equipment.

Port of Long Beach had its strongest April on record, largely driven by online spending and retailers restocking shelves, having moved  746,188 TEUs in April, a 43.6% increase from the same month last year. Imports grew 44.8% to 367,151 TEUs, while exports climbed 21% to 124,069 TEUs. The Port of Los Angeles handled 946,966 TEUs in April, up 37% compared to last year, marking the best April in the Port’s 114-year history. The Northwest Seaport Alliance handled a total of 301,074 TEUs in April, growing 21.6% compared to April 2020. Full imports increased 23.9%, while full exports decreased 12%. The Port of Virginia in April set a new record for monthly TEU volume having handled more than 286,000 units.

National Business Development Manager - Logistics Sector, Nationwide; Terracon

Chief Financial Officer - Maritime Industry, Tacoma Area, WA

Terminal Director, South Boston, MA; Massachusetts Port Authority

Managing Director, Commercial Operations, Long Beach, CA; Port of Long Beach

 

Chief of Business Development, Everett, WA; Port of Everett

 

Deputy Port Director, Brownsville, TX; Port of Brownsville