The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will hold two virtual meetings on how to apply for the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) discretionary grants. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) provides details for FY 2022 and FY 2023 and will remain open for applicants through August 18, 2023. The two webinars will take place on:

Both webinars will cover the same content. A recording will be posted on FHWA's website.

Join AAPA and new member Sercel for a free webinar on May 24, at 4:00-5:00 p.m. ET (1:00-2:00 p.m. PT), designed to help ports leverage new technologies. In the webinar, Navigating the Future: Leveraging Technology to Enhance American Ports, attendees will gain insights on emerging trends, how technology can improve the efficiency and sustainability of port operations, and best practices in the industry. In addition to networking opportunities, experts in the field will be available to answer questions and provide valuable knowledge to stay ahead in the ever-changing world of port management. Webinar topics include:

Register today to participate in the May 24 webinar. Technology can greatly improve the efficiency, throughput, and sustainability of port operations. Stay up to date on emerging trends and best practices to remain competitive.

AAPA's Lighthouse Awards recognize programs and projects that stand out as a beacon of excellence across the port industry throughout the Western Hemisphere. AAPA will be accepting project entries for the 2023 Lighthouse Awards program from May 8 to June 5, 2023.

 

Judges will evaluate entries in four categories: Communications, Environmental Improvement, Facilities Engineering, and Information Technology. Entries are evaluated on a performance scale and winners are awarded based on the combined scores of the judges. The Overall Awards of Excellence will be presented at the AAPA Annual Convention, October 22-25, in Aurora Colorado. Ports are encouraged to review the steps below and begin preparing for their project submissions. 

• Review application guidelines to become familiar with nomination criteria such as eligibility, project timeframe, required and supplementary materials.
• Speak with your port leadership and determine which organizational accomplishments you will highlight in your awards application.
• Gather all information needed for your application. Reports, data, pictures, graphs and other visuals help tell the story of your project to competition judges. Remember to download and complete the PowerPoint template and submit with your application.
• Submit the full application and application fee online by the June 5 deadline.

The Port of Vancouver USA premiered its annual Port Report, offering the community a comprehensive review of the port’s 2022 highlights and performance. After this year’s video premier, attendees were able to take tours guided by port staff of the progress at Terminal 1 and meet with port executives and commissioners. The video is available on the port’s YouTube page. 

The first cruise ship will visit Port Milwaukee on May 4 as part of the 2023 season. Passenger vessel Viking Octantis is scheduled to dock in Milwaukee Harbor, where 31 port calls by various cruise ships are planned, bringing an estimated 12,000 passengers to the city for the summer season.

Port Freeport and Dole Fresh Fruit Company, a subsidiary of Dole Food Company, marked the 40-year anniversary of their partnership. With roots in Hawaii dating back to 1851, Dole Food Company is one of the world's largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables. In 2022, Dole supplied over 10.5MM boxes of bananas to North America through Port Freeport.

The Port of Brownsville continues to gain strength in the steel industry as Forza Steel invests $60 million to build its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at the port. The Mexican company, which specializes in the manufacturing of carbon steel pipe, selected the Port of Brownsville to enhance operations in the U.S. and close gaps in the supply chain.

Jeanne E. Ferrer and Darryl D. Berger, pictured, were appointed to the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) in April by Governor John Bel Edwards. Ferrer and Berger succeed outgoing commissioners Charles H. Ponstein and William H. Langenstein, III respectively.

Three new members have been confirmed to the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners, the five-member oversight board for the Port of Los Angeles. Former U.S. Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, Michael Muñoz and Lee Williams will replace outgoing Harbor Commission President Jaime Lee, and Commissioners Lucia Moreno-Linares and Anthony Pirozzi, Jr.

Jeff Lubeck, CPA, has joined the Port of Benton as Director of Finance. Lubeck’s responsibilities include overall administration of the port’s financial operations, office administration, management of employee payroll, benefits, hiring and training activities. He brings substantial corporate finance experience with businesses ranging in size from venture capital-backed start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. 

Crowley will launch an end-to-end, integrated ocean and rail service between Mexico and the U.S. Midwest region and into Canada. Featuring Crowley’s new Mexico-U.S. ocean route in the Gulf, the service will leverage the highly efficient, inland rail network of Canadian National Railway Company and its U.S. rail subsidiaries (CN). The companies’ combined network provides broad reach across the Midwest and into Canada to increase solutions for global customers in North American markets.

Wilson Sons, a leader in port and maritime logistics in Brazil, started operating its new tugboat WS Rosalvo — equipped with more sustainable technologies — in the Port of Açu, Brazil. This is the third of six new, more sustainable tugs built at the company’s shipyards in the Port of Santos, Latin America’s leading port facility.

Electronics Officer, U.S. Merchant Marine, Nationwide; American Radio Association