Now is the time to advance your career goals and engage in AAPA's Professional Development Programs. The application period closes January 13, 2023, for the Port Professional Manager (PPM) Certification program and the annual Port Professional Associate (PPA) and Port Professional Executive (PPX) Credential programs.

Submit your materials online for the 2023 PPA Credential here and the PPM Delta Cohort here. If you are interested in becoming a PPX, email Shannon McLeod. 

PPA/PPM/PPX programs offer ports a flexible approach to educate and develop their staff on the intricacies of port management at every level. AAPA Professional Development Programs aim to lead through innovation, nurturing the development of industry professionals as they shape the futures of port infrastructure, the supply chain, and global trade. For more information about AAPA’s professional development programs, contact Julie Barelas.

In just two weeks, experts from private industry and government will come together to discuss the future of port electrification at the POWERS Summit & Expo, January 24-26, 2023, in Tampa, Florida. This main stage conversation will feature panelists including:

Electrification is top of mind for the port industry. Planning for enhancing electric infrastructure at ports, including installation of microgrid technology, local power generation, and electric vehicles is being discussed globally, which includes the resources to make this transformation happen. More information on port electrification is available at https://aapapowers.com/port-electrification.

Recognized for its strong market position and financial resiliency, the Port of Long Beach has received upgraded ratings with a stable outlook by Standard & Poor’s, one of the nation’s leading credit-rating agencies. Senior bonds were raised to an “AA+,” while the rating was increased to “AA” for the port’s Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan agreement for the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project.

The Port of Los Angeles has awarded a total of $6 million to two trucking companies and their truck manufacturer partners to speed up the transition to zero-emission (ZE) drayage trucks serving the nation’s busiest container port. The grants will defray the cost of putting 22 pre-production emissions-free models in port service during 2023.

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards announced a historic public-private partnership between the state, the Port of New Orleans and two global maritime industry leaders to build a $1.8 billion state-of-the-art container facility on the Lower Mississippi River. The new Louisiana International Terminal (LIT) in St. Bernard Parish will serve vessels of all sizes, increasing import and export capacity and stimulating the creation of more than 17,000 new jobs statewide by 2050.

The Port of Hueneme has been recognized for excellence in financial reporting for the 12th consecutive year by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada. The Oxnard Harbor District, which owns the Port of Hueneme, received this award for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2021.

The Port of Grays Harbor Commissioners voted to approve the Westport Marina Modernization Plan at the December commission meeting. The plan will guide the phased, strategic, revitalization of the marina floating docks through a series of rehabilitation, construction, and refurbishment projects over the next several years.

Galveston Wharves, a major U.S. cruise homeport, and MSC Cruises, a leading international cruise company, are negotiating the development of a fourth cruise terminal at the Port of Galveston. The entities signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) in December outlining parameters of a potential agreement for the development and operation of a terminal at piers 16-18.

The Port of Harlingen is optimistic for the possibility of state funding appropriated for Texas ports by the 88th Legislature. An interim report released by the House Committee on Transportation provides two recommendations: $750 million to the Ship Channel Improvement Revolving Fund and $1 billion for projects in the Port Capital Improvement Report.

The Duluth City Council recently appointed Nancy Aronson Norr to the Duluth Seaway Port Authority Board of Commissioners. Norr succeeds Commissioner Ray Klosowski, who concluded an 18-year stint on the Port Authority Board of Commissioners in October. Norr’s appointment is a six-year term.

The Port of Everett has been named 2022 Port of the Year by the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) – a member organization representing the interests of the 75 public port districts in Washington state through government relations, education, and advocacy programs. The award honors the Port of Everett for its leadership in innovation in the Everett community and the Port world.

For the 14th consecutive year, the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore received another top U.S. Coast Guard security assessment for its state-owned, public marine terminals. The Coast Guard’s annual inspection of facilities included a detailed review of all security protocols and procedures at the port’s six public marine terminals: Dundalk, Seagirt, North Locust Point, South Locust Point (including the cruise passenger terminal), Fairfield and Masonville.

The Q4 issue of Seaports Magazine is now available online! This issue of the magazine has a focus on fiscal responsibility, covering topics such as revitalizinig revenues, keeping costs in check, using local funding, and winning grant awards.