Correction: The original article posted last week was written in advance of the hearing and has been updated to accurately reflect the full panel of witnesses and further clarify testimonies.

 

AAPA's president and CEO, Chris Connor, and a diverse panel of port leaders testified before the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations in a virtual hearing titled Assessing the State of America’s Seaports on January 19. Connor appeared alongside AAPA members Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles; Cathie Vick, chief development and government affairs officer for the Port of Virginia; and Richert Self, executive director of the Port of Lake Charles. Tony Reardon, national president of the National Treasury Employees Union – representing CBP officers – also testified. The port leaders used the opportunity to tell Congress about the challenges faced at their ports, including supply chain backups, cargo processing speed, disaster relief and recovery, and inspection issues. Connor discussed the unprecedented efforts made by seaports throughout the COVID-19 global pandemic, as well as the importance of the continuing role of ports as gateways to commerce and a first line of defense against potential threats. Other covered topic areas included screening staff shortages at CBP, screening facility upgrades and maritime cybersecurity. Read Connor's full testimony here and watch a recording of the hearing here.

From March 29-31, AAPA will hold its Legislative Summit – Now We Build! – for federal policy and government updates, featuring several prominent guest speakers, educational sessions and networking with peers, as well as events, like the Port Person of the Year Award. Policy experts, members and professionals alike are welcome and encouraged to register and join AAPA in Washington, D.C. from March 29-31, 2022. Check out the event details here.

 
In addition, AAPA held its Winter Legislative Policy Council meeting on Tuesday to discuss legislation and policy agendas for the year ahead. The Legislative Policy Council comprises AAPA board members, AAPA employees and corporate members, and meets a few times annually. The meeting was productive, with lots of feedback from the Council. More to come throughout the year as the Government Relations team presses forward.

Breaking its previous calendar year record by 13%, the Port of Los Angeles processed about 10.7 million TEUs during 2021. The milestone, a Western Hemisphere record, was announced by Port Executive Director Gene Seroka in his “State of the Port” address held virtually this year. The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) closed out 2021 with major milestones across all four of its lines of business: cargo, rail, industrial real estate and cruise. Breakbulk and bulk volumes were up 46% and the port moved 2.4 million short tons compared to 1.7 million short tons in 2020. NWSA full-year 2021 volumes improved 12.5% to 3,736,206 TEUs, with full imports growing 16.8% and full exports declining 12.5%. Full imports were fueled by strong consumer demand, while full exports were impacted by a shortage of equipment and space. Containerized, loaded import cargo volume hit a new record at the Port of Oakland in 2021. The port handled the equivalent of 1.05 million 20-foot import containers in 2021. That was the most in Oakland’s 94-year history and 6% above 2020 totals. 

The Port of Los Angeles debuted its Cyber Resilience Center (CRC), a state-of-the-art port community cyber defense solution created to improve the cybersecurity readiness of the port and enhance its threat-sharing and recovery capabilities among supply chain stakeholders. CRC was designed through a collaborative process with participating stakeholders and will be operated by International Business Machines (IBM).

The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA) project to use dredged material to restore a pair of vanishing islands off the coast of Dorchester County received a major boost this week with allocation of $37.5 million in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Supplemental FY 2022 Workplan. The funding guarantees construction of the Mid-Chesapeake Bay Island Ecosystem Restoration project, which will restore island habitat and help protect the shoreline from erosion.

For the 32nd consecutive year, Port Freeport received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its 2020 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). Rob Lowe, CFO, said, “This outstanding achievement demonstrates the port’s commitment to accurate, full disclosure to the public of the port’s financial performance.”

The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay received notification last week from House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers included $32.7 million in its FY 2022 disaster relief supplemental appropriations workplan to support repairs to the North Jetty. The jetty has been losing approximately 20 feet per year, which has resulted in its receding a total of 900 feet since its original construction design.

In the face of an unprecedented cargo surge that has led to record volumes and widespread congestion, ports and their supply chain partners are bravely adapting, experimenting and exploring creative new solutions – and incorporating these ideas in record time. Improved collaboration, infrastructure investments, strengthened freight policies, 24/7 terminal operations and digitized information are just a few of the ideas to be fast-tracked.

The Port of Everett is entering into a long-term ground lease with The Schuster Group, under a related LLC affiliate, to build and operate up to 44,431 square feet of new commercial retail and restaurants at Waterfront Place.

Blair J. Ciklin has been elected as the new chairman of the Port of Palm Beach District Board of Commissioners. During last week’s regular Board of Commissioners meeting, the fellow members of the five-member port board unanimously elected Ciklin. He succeeds Joseph D. Anderson as Chair.

Lead Risk Management Analyst, Corpus Christi, TX; Port Corpus Christi Authority

Human Resources and Equity Manager, Seattle, WA; University of Washington

Assistant/Associate Professor of Joint Military Operations, Newport, RI; U.S. Naval War College, Joint Military Operations

Associate Professor in Supply Chain and Operations Management (Empirical Studies), Hong Kong, China; Hong Kong Polytechnic University