AAPA and the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD) are soliciting proposals from consulting firms to provide survey research on the topics of cargo handling equipment and port items, with a focus on electrified equipment and domestic manufacturing. The selected contractor will work with AAPA to build a survey instrument, conduct the survey, analyze the data, and report survey findings. Those results will then be used to identify manufacturers capable of successfully producing the required equipment in the United States, either directly or through a joint venture with an American company.

Companies must satisfy applicable domestic preference requirements as described in domestic preference laws and regulations for U.S. government procurement and assistance, with respect to government funding and including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s “Build America, Buy America” provisions.

The survey distributed to U.S. ports and terminals will identify current and future demand for: cargo handling equipment to include electric equipment and port items with limited or no domestic suppliers. Further information on the initiative is available in the RFP, which you can find here.

Upcoming on June 13 is a co-sponsored, AAPA-members-centric virtual listening session between AAPA and the Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) on the topic of generational investments for the nation's transportation network. Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Section 25003 Federal support for local decision-making, BTS is developing a 'Work Plan' for reviewing, updating and developing the data and data analysis tools needed to assist AAPA members with making infrastructure investment decisions. Your help is needed alongside BTS to collectively shape the 'Work Plan' and develop a roadmap for the decade ahead. The session will take place on Monday, June 13, from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. PT). You can attend using this Zoom link.

The White House and U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) have announced that Retired General Stephen R. Lyons will take over as new Port and Supply Chain Envoy to the Biden-Harris Administration Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force. General Lyons is a retired four-star general who last served as the 13th commander of the U.S. Transportation Command. He takes the reins from envoy John D. Porcari and will work with USDOT, the White House National Economic Council, ports, rail, trucking and other private companies to continue to address bottlenecks, speed up the movement of goods, and help lower costs for American families. 

The Port of Virginia^® has announced it will be fulfilling all of its operational electricity needs from clean-energy resources by 2024, in line with its goal of becoming completely carbon-neutral by 2040. The port is already sourcing some of its electricity for its on-terminal cargo operations from renewable sources, and a power-purchase agreement with Virginia Department of Energy and Dominion Energy allocates an additional 10% of the energy from 345 megawatts of solar projects. Other solar, nuclear and wind resources will enable the port to maintain 100% clean energy sourcing as its load grows.

The Port of Corpus Christi experienced double-digit volume growth in the first four months of 2022, establishing new records for tonnage and revenues. Through the end of April, 59.2 million tons of cargo moved through the port, representing a 10.4% increase over the prior record set in 2020. NWSA April volumes were impacted by ongoing COVID-related lockdowns at key origin ports in China. April 2021 was also a near-record volume month for imports, which artificially amplifies year-over-year comparisons. April volumes decreased 12.2% to 266,635 TEUs, with full imports declining 18.1% and full exports declining 22% year-over-year.

The Port of Bellingham announced Corvus Energy is expanding its U.S. operations and opening a new factory at the port. Corvus Energy is the leading supplier of battery energy storage systems (BESS) for marine applications. The new facility will support demand for marine BESS in the Americas to meet global GHG emissions reduction targets.

Do you have any open positions that require a specific skillset and you’re having trouble finding qualified candidates? The AAPA Career Center is a place for both job seekers and employers in the port industry to come together. This targeted site works much like LinkedIn or Indeed, but it is geared toward the port industry. Registered job seekers can browse and apply for positions that employers have posted. Employers can create a profile that allows them to post positions. Interested? Take a peek here: www.aapa-ports.org/empowering/CareerCenter.aspx.

 

Plus, we are celebrating United for Infrastructure 2022 (May 16-20) for a month instead of a week! Until June 20, use code "250FF4INFRA" for a 25% discount at the AAPA Career Center.

The Port of Harlingen released its first Annual Report highlighting the 2020-2021 fiscal year. The theme for this year’s report – Expanding Possibilities – appropriately encapsulates the accomplishments of the port this past fiscal year. The report provides an overview of the port’s achievements, its Marine Highway Project Designation that expands opportunities in Harlingen, and a look ahead at 2022.

NYK Line made its initial port call to Port Freeport signifying the start of regular service to the port. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, NYK Line is a market leader in RoRo shipping and vehicle logistics, managing the distribution of cars, trucks, rolling equipment and breakbulk cargoes.

The Port of Baltimore will receive $15.6 million from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Consolidated Rail and Infrastructure Safety Improvements (CRISI) program for its Rail Capacity Modernization Project. The project will reconstruct Seagirt Marine Terminal’s intermodal rail yard infrastructure and support demand for double-stacked trains of containerized cargo. The Port of Long Beach has completed construction of its Double Track Access from Pier G to Pier J Project that will increase efficiency of goods movement and reduce congestion on local roadways by shifting more cargo to trains.

The Port of New York and New Jersey’s global automotive supply chain partners launched an innovative process to speed delivery of auto parts to assembly plants amid ongoing global supply chain issues. The new process uses RoRo vessels to ship crated parts to U.S.-based automotive manufacturing plants rather than delivering parts using traditional container ships. Due to its proven success so far, the port said it has high potential to become an “all new business model,” should it continue to be a needed solution to complete vehicle assembly on time. 

The Port of New Orleans announced Sharonda Williams has been appointed a member of Port NOLA Board of Commissioners. Williams succeeds Darryl D. Berger and will serve a five-year term. Port of San Diego President and CEO Joe Stuyvesant has appointed Magda Fernandez as the new Harbor Police chief/vice president of public safety, and she has promoted Jeffrey Geary to assistant chief. Fernandez and Geary were formally sworn in May 19.

The Port of Saint John has launched “The Port Pod,” a new interpretive experience located in the AREA506 Container Village. The Port Pod will act as a storefront for all things Port Saint John with a goal to educate the public about the complex port ecosystem. Paula Copeland, vice president of engagement and sustainability, said, “Helping the public understand what happens at Port Saint John has been a part of my personal and professional mission since I started at the port over 20 years ago."

The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) celebrates 50 years of Mazda vehicles moving through the Seattle/Tacoma gateway. Mazda’s distinct history in the Pacific Northwest dates back to April 14, 1970, when the first Mazda vehicle was imported into the Pacific Northwest through Seattle.

The Brownsville Navigation District announced recipients of the 2022 Port of Brownsville Scholarship, aimed at making a difference in the lives of local students pursuing higher education. Thirty local high school graduating seniors will receive $1,000 scholarships upon enrollment in a college, university or technical school.

Director of Operations, Shreveport, LA; Caddo-Bossier Parishes Port Commission

International Student Coordinator, Cheshire, CT; Cheshire Academy