It is with heavy hearts that AAPA shares news of the passing of Joseph T. Abston, Jr., manager of finance for the Port of Pascagoula on Sunday, due to complications from COVID pneumonia. Joe was only 51 years old. Since 1994, Joe has been an integral part of the port’s administration team. He was a dedicated leader in the community and touched many lives. Joe was a former Pascagoula City Councilman, member of the board of directors for several organizations and was currently the co-chairman of AAPA’s Finance Committee. AAPA extends its heartfelt condolences to his wife, Missy, his family and all who knew and loved Joe.

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, toured the Port of Monroe with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials, including Acting Commissioner Troy Miller, and Port of Monroe leaders to assess current operations, discuss resolving ongoing cargo clearance restrictions and CBP's requests for significant and costly technology and infrastructure upgrades.

The Port of Palm Beach is currently handling a record-breaking number of mitigation reef modules that are being constructed and deployed as part of the Broward County Government Segment II Beach Nourishment and Restoration project.

AAPA's Annual Convention & Expo is around the corner. Be one of the first 25 people who register by COB tomorrow, August 20, and be entered into a drawing to win one of two $100 Delta Airlines gift cards. Register today for a chance to win and secure a spot to attend the maritime transportation industry's premier event of the year. The hotel group rate at JW Marriot Austin ends September 3. AAPA continues to monitor all CDC, state and local COVID protocols and is prepared implement the required precautions to keep attendees safe and healthy throughout the convention's four-day run.

First-time Annual Convention Exhibitors are eligible to receive a Discounted Exhibitor Package: $500 off for First-Time Exhibitors and $1,000 off for First-Time Exhibitors who join AAPA as a new member. For additional information download the First-Time Exhibitor Prospectus or contact Direna Cousins to finalize your booth today. For Sponsorship Opportunities, contact Kevin Traver. We'll see you in Austin!

Last week, the U.S. Senate passed a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, including $5.23 billion exclusively for port programs and an additional $27.1 billion for newer, eligible programs for ports. The funding in this legislation contains five-year spending above the annual baseline for ports, a new program for reducing truck idling, and increases the kitty for programs in which ports compete for federal resources. Also included is Surface Transportation Reauthorization with baseline spending of $960 million per year for the INFRA grant program and an increase of the multimodal cap, a long-time AAPA request. All new programs would be competitive grants through the U.S. Department of Transportation.

This is a great start, but AAPA recognizes that more needs to be done. The Senate will soon take up the Democrat-only budget reconciliation legislation, with big sections on taxes, social welfare, and carbon reduction. The reconciliation bill is expected to include a “Healthy Ports” program, focused on electrification of ports and intermodal connectors. With the upcoming Democrat-only reconciliation bill in September, AAPA and the National Association of Waterfront Employers (NAWE), encourages readers to share these letters outlining maritime industry needs with their Congressional Delegation and urge swift passage of the bill (House letter here, Senate letter here).

The Port of Galveston hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of Royal Caribbean International’s new $125 million cruise terminal. Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO, addressed elected officials, port partners and community members, emphasizing the economic growth opportunities that this terminal and its partners bring to the region.

The Port of Iberia on Friday began the public advertising process as required by law to solicit bids from potential dredging contractors to dredge the Acadiana to the Gulf of Mexico Access Channel. This is a $38-million project funded with State of Louisiana Capital Outlay dollars, according to a release from the port. Bids will be received and opened in mid-September.

The Duluth Seaway Port Authority and its terminal operations on Rice’s Point earned high marks in the Green Marine 2020 environmental performance report, improving from a 3.8 rating in 2019 to a 4.0 score on Green Marine’s five-point scale. The overall average for reporting participants was 2.9. The annual report rates port authority participants in seven categories: air emissions, community impacts, dry bulk handling and storage, environmental leadership, spill prevention, underwater noise, and waste management. 

The Port of Los Angeles processed 890,800 TEUs in July, a 4% increase compared to last year. A year ago this summer, U.S. consumer demand began fueling 12 consecutive months of year-over-year growth at the port. The Northwest Seaport Alliance handled a total of 307,592 TEUs, an increase of 13.8% compared to July 2020. Full imports grew 21.5%, while full exports decreased 13.6%, reflecting trends in other major West Coast gateways. According to the Port of Oakland, cargo volume declined 3.5% in July compared to the same month a year ago. July containerized imports decreased 1.7% and containerized exports were down 4.7% year-over-year.

The Port of Long Beach project team for the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility project will update the public on the status of the project during a virtual community meeting at 10:00 a.m. September 1. A recording of the virtual meeting will be posted at www.polb.com/PierB for those unable to participate. 

Port Milwaukee has earned its 14th Pacesetter Award from the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) for increased international cargo in 2020. GLS Deputy Administrator Craig Middlebrook congratulated Port Milwaukee in a video message during the board of harbor commissioners August meeting.

The Greater Lafourche Port Commission (GLPC) announced the opening of the Coastal Wetlands Park Tidal Creek. The tidal creek can now be used by those wanting to kayak or canoe through the one-plus mile trail. “This marks an exciting milestone for us,” GLPC Executive Director Chett Chiasson said about the nearly 100-acre site that was constructed through the use of mitigated materials excavated out of the adjacent Slip D development in Port Fourchon. 

Port Engineering Manager, Anchorage, AK; Port of Alaska

Harbor Director, Channel Islands, Ventura, CA; Ventura County Harbor Department