On the heels of reporting the second busiest month in its history, the Georgia Ports Authority Board approved more than $34 million to help expedite an additional 1.6 million TEUs in capacity that will begin coming online in December. Part of the approved expenditures included the purchase of 22.2 acres adjacent to GPA’s 145-acre West Expansion property. The board also provided funds to begin developing another 18 acres of land adjacent to GPA’s 60-acre Peak Capacity project, currently under construction.
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 Wednesday, September 29, concluded AAPA’s 110th Annual Convention and Expo in Austin, Texas. Ports, industry solution providers, sponsors and exhibitors gathered together for the first time in more than a year in a spirit of reunion. It is an understatement to say that this convention marked a turning point for the Association in both its ability to successfully bring the industry together for an extraordinary week of meetings and also conduct an event of this magnitude exclusively hosted by AAPA. It was a busy week of governance meetings, keynote speakers and networking events. An impressive lineup of speakers that called our attention to critical issues affecting the industry and supply chain, and a special motivational address from former Dallas Cowboy star Emmitt Smith, charged the attendees with a renewed vigor for the Association. Also, each afternoon, attendees had the opportunity to choose a small group salon session to dig even deeper into critical issues facing the industry from offshore wind to workforce development. Discussions examined challenges but, more importantly, offered solutions and practical insights to bring back to the workplace. Exhibitors enjoyed a robust show hall designed for one-on-one interaction with members and lighthearted engagement. The closing event at Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater capped off what was an exceptional week and a successful reentry to AAPA conferences and events. Next week, a link to the 2021 Austin Convention photo album will be available. A big shout out goes to everyone who made the trip to Austin to be together, and our sincerest gratitude to our sponsors who made it all possible. If you could not make it this year, be among the first to plan ahead for next year’s 111th Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida. Continue the Adventure in Orlando.
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority released the 2021 mid-year statistics for goods moving through the Port of Vancouver. From January 1 to June 30, 2021, overall cargo volumes through Canada’s largest port reached a record high of 76.4 million metric tons, up 7% from 2020 mid-year, and 5% above the previous record set in 2019. Sectors that experienced strong growth include grain and containers, hitting new records in 2021.
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The Port of San Diego celebrates and welcomes cruise passengers back to San Diego. The Disney Wonder and Grand Princess will be the first sailings out of San Diego since spring 2020. The Disney Wonder is setting sail for a four-day cruise beginning in San Diego to Cabo San Lucas and back. The Grand Princess sailing began in Los Angeles on September 30 and stops in San Diego on October 1 on its way to Ensenada and back to Los Angeles.
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Another new, huge, ship-to-shore crane (STS) started operating this week at the Port of Oakland on the Ben E. Nutter Terminal. The new crane has a lift height from the dock of 170 feet. Taller cranes allow more flexibility to move the containers on and off the biggest ships that call North America, the port said. The terminal is run by Everport Terminal Services, Inc. (ETS) which made the investment in the giant crane to enhance its maritime infrastructure at Oakland.
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A $139 million construction contract to complete the third phase of the landmark Port of Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project was awarded to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, LLC, by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The four-phase infrastructure project will increase the Corpus Christi Ship Channel depth from -47 to -54 feet Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) and widen it to 530 feet, with an additional 400 feet of barge shelves. The Corps, Jacksonville District, awarded a $5,911,728 contract to Cashman Dredging & Marine Contracting Co., LLC, for maintenance dredging of Palm Beach Harbor, FL. The project, in partnership with the Port of Palm Beach, will be 100% federally funded. The contract calls for dredging the harbor’s entrance channel, settling basin, extended settling basin, and the expanded settling basin’s southern portion to a required depth of 35 to 39 feet MLLW with two feet of allowable overdepth. It also calls for dredging the northern portion of the expanded settling basin to a required depth of 35 feet MLL; and dredging Cut 1, Cut 2, the southern turning basin, and the northern turning basin to a depth of 25 to 33 feet MLLW.
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Another major shipping line is bringing first-call service to the Port of Oakland in 2021. The port said that Geneva-based MSC would launch an Oakland route to Southeast Asia on November 6. MSC said its weekly service would link Oakland with ports in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The announcement signals a major upgrade in Oakland’s business with Southeast Asia and provides the port added shipping capacity while a trade boom is constricting vessel space.
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The Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) and Royal Caribbean Group have partnered to revitalize the U.S. Virgin Islands’ cruise industry with a commitment from Royal Caribbean Group to develop infrastructure and attractions. VIPA Executive Director Carlton Dowe and Royal Caribbean Group’s Vice President of Destination Development Joshua Carroll signed a Memorandum of Understanding to extend its existing 10-year, pier-use agreement this week at the Seatrade Cruise Global event held at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
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Port of Los Angeles Deputy Executive Director Marla Bleavins has been named the 2021 Chief Financial Officer of the Year for Public Service by the Los Angeles Business Journal for her ongoing efforts as an outstanding financial steward. “Marla’s financial acumen, expertise and strategic planning have played a vital role in the port’s success,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “Additionally, her focus on employee development has helped shape the talented workforce here at the port.”
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Vice President, Commercial - Marine Terminal, Wilmington, DE; Confidential Environmental Manager, Longview, WA; Port of Longview Director of Cruise Operations & Development, Seattle, WA; Port of Seattle Houston Ship Channel (HSC) Project Manager, Houston, TX; Port Houston Channel Development Engineering & Planning Manager, Houston, TX; Port Houston Vice President of Technical Services, Mobile, AL; Alabama State Port Authority
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