The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $1.5 billion in grant funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program. This program aids communities around the country in implementing local or regional projects. RAISE discretionary grants, which were originally created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as TIGER grants, are available for a wide variety of purposes. This is the first discretionary funding program to accept applications under the new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) – formerly known, and sometimes still called, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

In 2021, RAISE funded 90 projects in 47 states, the District of Columbia and Guam. The deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m. ET on April 14, 2022, and the announcement of selections is anticipated no later than August 12, 2022. The NOFO is available here.

Last week's AAPA Leadership Summit was a rounding success in laying the groundwork for the association’s goals for the program year. Although the event was shifted from in-person to virtual, the agenda facilitated engaging discussions. AAPA members serving as committee leaders also took part in the summit including Chris Novak (Georgia Ports Authority), Kent Britton (Port Corpus Christi), Mark Dubina (Port Tampa Bay), Patrick Robitaille (Québec Port Authority), Raquel Kibrit (AAPA LatAm), Nathan Orf (Port of Portland), Franc J. Pigna (Aegir Port Property Advisers) and Lauren Gleason (Massport).

AAPA President and CEO Chris Connor led the opening remarks, highlighting legislation and policy, membership growth and retention, sponsorship growth, improving upon seminars and events, professional and workforce development, and operations and administration. AAPA’s technical and policy committee representatives reviewed committee goals for 2022 and a plan of action toward achieving the goals.

Closing out the day, AAPA Vice President of Business Development Kevin Traver emphasized the importance of AAPA’s Industry Solution Provider (ISP) and Supply Chain Partner (SCP) members, changes for AAPA Technical Committees, and planning for the 2022 calendar. Additional focus included membership growth, specifically bringing new members on board in line with AAPA's mission, and increasing the size of its annual conventions.

General Stan McChrystal, former Commander of U.S. and International Forces in Afghanistan, best-selling author and co-founder of the McChrystal Group, will speak at the AAPA Legislative Summit – Now We Build! – March 29-31, 2022, at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center in Washington, D.C. From exploring the changing political landscape to lessons in leadership, General McChrystal will share strategies from years of specialized expertise in the military and private sector to address some of today’s biggest questions. Secure a seat at the Legislative Summit and be a part of this must attend event. 

The AAPA Legislative Summit will delve into a variety of key topics, including infrastructure, energy, digitalization and next generation technologies. This event will also bring together senior port executives from around the nation to discuss issues impacting one of the top critical industries. An advocacy event for port executives to meet with Congressional leadership and visit federal agencies will take place on the final day of the Legislative Summit. Learn more here.

The application deadline for the AAPA Professional Port Manager (PPM) 2024 program has been extended to March 1. PPM is an unparalleled industry credential designed to shape the future of port leadership and enhance port management professionalism. To qualify, candidates must be recommended by their executive director or direct supervisor and must select a person from their port or organization to act as a mentor to provide advice and support for the duration of the PPM program.

To better fit the needs of candidates, AAPA has recently optimized the program for a shorter timeframe, cost efficiency, monthly cohort advisory meetings, training opportunities through IAMPE (International Association of Maritime and Port Executives), and the integration of virtual learning. The application portal is now open and will remain open until midnight on March 1.

The Port of Long Beach announced the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been allocated $8 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to help make navigational efficiency improvements to Port of Long Beach waterways that will allow visiting ships to transit the harbor faster, reduce transportation costs and cut pollution.

The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) reported record breakbulk cargo volumes, handling 366,184 metric tons in 2021. The majority was comprised of ro-ro (roll-on, roll-off) cargo with construction equipment making up 67% of the past year’s cargo volumes. PhilaPort had a record-breaking year in growth in 2021. The port saw double-digit growth in containers, breakbulk and overall port tonnage for the year. Year-to-date TEU volumes increased 15% to 739,323 TEUs, with imports growing 16% and exports up 15%. Overall cargo tonnage at Port Saint John for the year 2021 was 28,822,218 metric tons (MT), an 11% increase over 2020. The container sector experienced year-over-year increases with TEUs increasing to 86,949 TEUs (10% over 2020) and tonnage increasing to 617,312 MT (6% over 2020). The Port of Savannah moved a record 5.6 million TEUs in CY 2021, growing volumes by a million TEUs, or 20%, compared to 2020. In Brunswick, Colonel’s Island Terminal handled 649,550 units of cars, trucks and machinery, an increase of 10.6%.

The Alabama Port Authority board of directors approved this week a $2.042 million purchase of 272 acres in Montgomery, Ala., to construct an inland container intermodal transfer (ICTF) facility. The project will extend intermodal rail service from the port authority’s container intermodal terminal at the Port of Mobile in support of Alabama regional growth in manufacturing, retail, distribution and agribusiness sectors.

DP World and Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) have announced updates to several critical infrastructure projects that will make Canada’s West Coast more resilient to future supply chain challenges. Disruptions and congestion experienced during the past year in southern British Columbia and other West Coast supply chains have accentuated the need for additional capacity in Prince Rupert.

Industries everywhere are decarbonizing. Seaports are no exception; they are driving decarbonization initiatives of every shape and size. Ports are transitioning to cleaner fuels for cranes, equipment, fleets and general port operations. And some ports are even building their own new energy infrastructure.

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), the Port of Los Angeles, and CMA CGM announced the formation of a Dairy Exports Working Group aimed at identifying and addressing supply chain issus hampering U.S. dairy product exports.

Port Tampa Bay was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. This is the 21st year in a row the port has received the honor.

The Port of Oakland announced an initiative with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to speed up agricultural exports by clearing bottlenecks impeding outbound shipments. USDA would help fund a temporary 22-acre waterfront “pop-up” yard dedicated to export distribution.

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