AAPA is strongly urging Congressional leaders to prioritize passage of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) during the lame duck session. The biennial WRDA legislation authorizes activities in the Corps of Engineers Civil Works program, including the study, construction, operation and maintenance of federal navigation projects and related programs. WRDA is one of several critical authorization bills that is included in the 2023 NDAA.

AAPA is excited to announce the newest keynote speakers for its POWERS Summit & Expo, Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., U.S. Navy (ret), CEO of Ocean STL Consulting, and Daniel Scott, Chief Data Scientist of Arcadis Gen. RADM Gallaudet and Scott will lead a panel on coastal resiliency and facilitated discussion on coastal ecology and transportation infrastructure planning. The POWERS Summit & Expo takes place January 24-26 in Tampa, Fla., and will bring together industry leaders for an in-depth look at decarbonization, port electrification, and fuels of the future.

RADM Gallaudet is the CEO of Ocean STL Consulting, a company focused on marine technology and management. He was the former acting and deputy administrator at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and acting undersecretary and assistant secretary of Commerce. He served for 32 years in the U.S. Navy and holds a Ph.D. in Oceanography from the University of California, San Diego. He is an expert in blue economy and hosts the podcast The American Blue Economy. RADM Gallaudet also serves as an associate editor for multiple publications, including the journals of the American Meteorological Society (AMS).

Daniel Scott is the Chief Data Scientist of Arcadis Gen, a data science company focused on sustainability in multiple fields, including energy, water, and aviation. Scott is an experienced data scientist with more than 18 years of experience as an engineer and data analyst. Scott spent over seven years at the Transport of London, working in multiple departments including track systems and civil assets management. He specializes in data analysis, advanced problem solving, analytics communication, large scale whole life cost analysis and data-led asset management.

It is with heavy heart that AAPA shares the passing of Tim McNamara, vice chairman and partner at Odgers Berndtson, on December 5, 2022. A decade-long member of AAPA, Tim was known for his passion in helping others. He was a trailblazer in global executive search, leadership development, and strategic organizational design consulting for over 25 years. Tim was instrumental in transforming leadership recruitment in the maritime transportation and infrastructure sectors with additional focus on aerospace, defense, cyber, U.S. Government, foreign governments, private equity/P3 and other clients. He was named one of the top 100 most influential headhunters in the world by Businessweek. In 1989, Tim was knighted by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark in recognition of his service to the country.

Tim featured prominently in bringing a number of current AAPA port executives into their roles, as well as placing the current AAPA CEO Chris Connor. Tim will be missed by AAPA and the many partners he worked with over the years. Our thoughts are with Tim’s wife Judy, his family, friends, and colleagues.

William P. Doyle, executive director of Mayland's Port of Baltimore and the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA) was appointed by U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to the Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee (MTSNAC) for a two-year term, effective immediately. MTSNAC provides information and recommendations to Secretary Buttigieg through the U.S. Maritime Administration on matters relating to the maritime industry and its role in overall transportation.

The CMA CGM Group, a global player in sea, land, air, and logistics solutions, has signed a binding agreement to acquire GCT Bayonne and New York terminals, currently held by Global Container Terminals Inc (GCT). After closing, the CMA CGM Group will operate the two strategic facilities as multi-user terminals under the leadership of the current management team and will continue focusing on improving its service quality to satisfy U.S. customers’ expectations. Investment in the infrastructure will be undertaken to meet both CMA CGM and local communities’ environment protection targets.

The Georgia Ports Authority Board has approved a plan to renovate and realign the docks at the Port of Savannah’s Ocean Terminal to better accommodate its expanding container operation. GPA plans to shift breakbulk cargo carried by Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean to Colonel’s Island Terminal in Brunswick.

Port Everglades celebrated its second highest year for container volumes and missed beating its own record by one day. The port moved a total of 1,107,546 TEUs in FY 2022, up 7% from FY 2021, according to the port's unaudited end-of-fiscal-year report.

The Port of Hueneme received $10.4 million in funding from Ventura County Transportation Commission to help build shoreside power plug-in infrastructure on its North Terminal. The port also received state and federal funding from the EPA and Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust to implement innovative technologies to increase electrification efforts, track air quality progress, and further reduce particulate matter.

Port Saint John recently received both Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and Environmental Management Systems ISO certifications. ISO (International Organization of Standardization) is one of the most rigorous and well-regarded standards in the world. This makes Port Saint John the first port in Canada to receive the OHS ISO certification. These certifications validate that Port Saint John has been vetted against global benchmarks for industry excellence.

The Port of Everett made history last week, officially opening its new Norton Terminal – the first all new cargo terminal to open on the U.S. West Coast in more than a decade. The $40 million maritime infrastructure investment introduces 40 acres of new upland cargo capacity to the national freight network to further enhance movement of commerce throughout the global supply chain.

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners this week approved 156 sponsorships totaling $508,150, enabling community organizations to host a wide variety of events and programs. In turn, the events help the Port of Long Beach to highlight its role in international trade and social responsibility.

The 11th Annual Port Freeport Golf Tournament raised record proceeds for the Texas Port Ministry (TPM). A check in the amount of $83,200 was presented to Chris Moore, director of TPM, during the November port commission meeting. TPM provides for the spiritual, social, and physical needs of mariners, truckers, and port workers within the Freeport Harbor Channel community.

The Port of San Diego is a proud sponsor of the 52nd Parade of Lights, December 11 and 18, when sparkling boats light up the night on San Diego Bay. Approximately 80 vessels will take part in the parade, each decked out with lights and festive decorations that spotlight this year’s parade theme, “FantaSEA.”

The question on the lips of port stakeholders everywhere – even before COVID-19 – is the impetus for a digital infrastructure project led by the Port of Long Beach that promises to add visibility at every step of a container’s journey and unkink supply chains nationwide.

Homeland Security and Emergency Management Position, College Station, TX; Texas A&M University / The Bush School of Government & Public Service