The Port of Los Angeles has adopted a $1.7 billion annual budget for FY 2021-22. The approval comes on the heels of record cargo volumes during FY 2020-21, which port officials credit to a rapid recovery in global trade and pent-up, pandemic-induced consumer demand for goods. The financial plan prioritizes capital improvements and includes $188.7 million, an increase of 42.5% over last year, for investments in infrastructure, terminal upgrades and LA Waterfront improvement projects.

College students have teamed up with the Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada to help support local marine life, through hands-on collaborations. As British Columbia’s marine sector and blue economy grows, so does the demand for a workforce trained in environmental management, monitoring and ecosystem restoration. Students in Coast Mountain College’s Applied Coastal Ecology program are learning foundational knowledge through real-world, community-based projects to gain the necessary experience that will help meet that need.

Bahamas Paradise Cruise, the only provider of two-night cruises to the Bahamas with sailings from the Port of Palm Beach, finally welcomed the Grand Classica home. Board of Commissioners Chairman Joseph Anderson spoke about the cruise industry's economic impact to the area in this video for WPBF-TV.

Jan De Nul Group is a family-owned company that provides services relating to the construction and maintenance of maritime infrastructure. With customers worldwide, Jan De Nul offers maintenance dredging, land reclamation, beach replenishment, construction and maintenance of harbors, coastal and shore protection, and civil engineering and environmental activities.

PhilaPort has announced Robert Palaima, a globally respected leader in the Philadelphia port community, is retiring after 31 years with Delaware River Stevedores (DRS). Palaima managed PhilaPort’s Tioga Marine Terminal. His career spanned 44 years as a manager, supply chain expert, negotiator, diplomat, non-profit leader, port spokesman and other roles. “Bob is respected by shippers and supply chain professionals all over the world. He has been a great stevedore and marine terminal operator, and an ally in promoting the port. It’s been a real pleasure working with Bob, who was always passionate about the Philadelphia region and our ports,” said PhilaPort’s CEO Jeff Theobald.

The Port of Brownsville will be the site of a new refined products terminal for Sunoco LP. The greenfield terminal, with 560,000 barrels of storage, will provide supply flexibility to the company’s existing fuel distribution business in South Texas and facilitate Sunoco’s fuels export market to Mexico.

The Port of Los Angeles and its partners are launching a new era of pollution-free goods movement with the debut of five new hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) and the grand opening of two hydrogen fueling stations. Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka and technology development partners highlight the project in this short YouTube video.

Port of Benton recently secured Northwest Municipal Advisors to lay out a pathway to refinance existing debt at a lower rate, and free up new financing for a STEM Tourism Welcome Center. As a result, the port retained its Aa3 rating from Moody’s and secured financing in a highly competitive environment.

To honor the memory of the 215 children whose remains were found at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School and remember the survivors, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and the Chamber of Shipping coordinated ships all along the coast of British Columbia to sound their horns last week. In addition, Canada Place Sails of Light at the Port of Vancouver were illuminated in orange and flags lowered to half-mast.

Port Freeport Commission honored Commissioner Paul Kresta for his 12 years of service to the port. During Commissioner Kresta’s tenure, the port had many achievements including securing congressional authorization, federal funding and commencing construction on the Freeport Harbor Channel Improvement Project, which will make Port Freeport the deepest port in the Gulf of Mexico.

Gov. John Bel Edwards announced the state of Louisiana’s SmartPort initiative is the recipient of a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. That federal award will be matched by $1.4 million from the state and port partners for the $3 million project that will enhance Louisiana’s Mississippi River ports with next-generation maritime technology. The Port of New Orleans, the Port of South Louisiana and the Port of Greater Baton Rouge are lead partners with LED in supporting the project, along with other ports and warehouses along the Lower Mississippi River.

The Port of Vancouver USA premiered its annual Port Report following Tuesday’s Board of Commissioners meeting. The 10-minute “state of the port” video presentation highlights behind-the-scenes footage of port marine and commercial operations, the Terminal 1 renovation project, environmental priorities and several port tenants.

National Business Development Manager - Logistics Sector, Nationwide; Terracon

Chief Financial Officer - Maritime Industry, Tacoma Area, WA

Director of Real Estate and Business Development, Everett, WA; Port of Everett