AAPA has retained the services of K&L Gates to represent its harbors and navigation policy and legislation portfolio, effective July 17. Service to maritime entities has long been a bedrock foundation of K&L, dating back to 1973 when Emanuel “Manny” Rouvelas founded the firm’s Public Policy and Law Practice group. Today, with five decades of experience addressing maritime policy and regulatory issues within the United States, K&L understands the numerous legal, regulatory, operational, and financial issues faced by ports in the harbors and navigation arena.

 

Jim Sartucci will serve as our lead contact at K&L. He will also serve as AAPA staff liaison for the Harbors and Navigation Committee. Jim has decades of experience working on maritime policy matters and is widely recognized in Washington, D.C., as an expert in his field. He has deep experience lobbying federal agencies, especially the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FMC, MARAD, and NOAA. As a practical matter, and with specific regard to navigational issues, Jim will be part of Cary Davis’s Government Relations team and structure. Jim will also be supported by other members of the maritime team at K&L, including Darrell Conner and Mark Ruge.

 

The K&L Gates maritime team has been consistently ranked among the top in the nation for its capabilities, most recently ranked in the top tier for Nationwide Shipping: Regulatory by Chambers USA.

Registration is now open for the 2024 POWERS Summit & Expo to be held January 21-24, at the Marriott Tampa Water Street in Tampa, FL. Planning information is available online including the hotel group rate, sponsorships, and exhibiting opportunities. Building on record attendance at the inaugural event, the 2024 POWERS Summit & Expo is set to be even bigger and better than before.

With a focus on emerging sustainability solutions in the port industry, the summit will bring together port executives, energy leaders, environmental experts, and other key stakeholders for in-depth discussions. Powered by AAPA’s Environment Committee, the program will feature a diverse range of topics that reflect the industry’s current priorities. Attendees can look forward to engaging sessions and interactive discussions on

Mainstage keynote addresses, breakout sessions, workshops, and an extensive exhibit hall will provide ample opportunities for learning. Special networking events designed to facilitate meaningful connections aim to foster collaboration and industry relationships. In addition, AAPA's Environment Committee will host a meeting to engage industry professionals in conversations to help shape future environmental initiatives.

Register now for the 2024 POWERS Summit & Expo and secure your spot at the forefront of energy transformation.

On Tuesday, Port Milwaukee and The DeLong Co., Inc. celebrated the grand opening of the $40-million Agricultural Maritime Export Facility on Jones Island. Representatives from the Port, DeLong and the City of Milwaukee were joined by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, Mayor Cavalier Johnson, and federal, state, and local officials to celebrate the completion of this major investment that will create jobs, support Wisconsin’s agriculture industry, and grow the regional economy.

The Port of Corpus Christi’s customers moved nearly 50 million tons of goods through the Corpus Christi Ship Channel in Q2 2023, setting a record for the fifth consecutive quarter. June saw the highest container volume of the year at the NWSA, posting 252,232 TEUs for the month. Full imports increased 16.1% over May while full exports increased nearly 5%. Ocean service schedule consistency has improved at the gateway, helping drive month-over-month improvement.

Port Everglades is getting to know its cruise guests a little better since completing a comprehensive study that included interviews with more than 7,000 travelers. “We really want to know how we can improve the guest experience, and also how the port impacts the economic well-being of Broward County,” said Port Everglades CEO and Port Director Jonathan Daniels.

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) marked the replacement of the 100th truck through the Clean Truck Replacement Incentive Program (Clean TRIP) over the 4th of July weekend, and 101st last week. Since Port NOLA launched the Clean TRIP program in 2016, 101 short-haul drayage trucks have been replaced with cleaner burning engines, reducing fine particulate emissions from each truck by 96%, which is equal to taking more than 116,000 cars off the road.

The Port of Oakland's Port Commissioners approved a 2024 fiscal year budget of $558 million.  Executive Director Danny Wan said, “The critical investments approved by our Port Commissioners highlight the work we are all doing to ensure we are building a sustainable future for the next generation.”

The Port of Galveston has been recertified as a Green Marine port, confirming its long-term commitment to continuous improvement in environmental performance. It is one of only two Texas ports certified by the voluntary environmental program for North America’s maritime industry.  The Port of Hueneme’s annual Green Marine certification results are out, and the Port was certified in June 2023 with its highest scores ever during the annual Green Marine re-certification process. These high scores are an acknowledgement of the Port of Hueneme’s commitment to leadership in environmental stewardship.

The Port of Montréal is going the distance to decarbonize shipping. It recently launched an e-methanol research project with the applied research center Innovation Maritime (IMAR), Greenfield Global, Ocean Group, École Polytechnique Montréal and Université Laval. They are all part of the Research Program for the Mitigation of Impacts of Commercial Navigation on Ecosystems (PLAINE) developed by Réseau Québec maritime (RQM), an intersectoral and collaborative research initiative to improve natural and human ecosystems alike.

The Port of Tacoma Commission on Tuesday voted unanimously to phase out greenhouse gas emissions under the Port’s direct control by 2040, accelerating the target from 2050. The commission addressed what are called Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gases, which represent direct emissions from Port-owned and operated buildings and vehicles, and electricity purchased for Port facilities.

The Port of Cleveland board of directors approved the hiring of an Ohio construction company for nearly $60 million to stabilize and rehabilitate the Irishtown Bend hillside, a project critical to maintaining the Cuyahoga River shipping channel, that will also lead to the creation of a 23-acre park.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Transportation and Air Quality announced a vacancy for an Environmental Protection Specialist – Air in the Transportation and Climate Division. The open period is July 18-27, 2023. The person or people selected will be integral in supporting the Inflation Reduction Act Clean Ports Program, which provides EPA with $3 billion to fund zero-emission port equipment and technology, including electric vehicles and equipment and their charging equipment. This new program builds on the EPA Ports Initiative, in collaboration with the port and marine industry, communities, and all levels of government to improve environmental performance and increase economic prosperity.

Manager of Environmental Sustainability & Resilience, Corpus Christi, TX; Port Corpus Christi Authority

Aviation Enterprise Director of Capital Projects, Fort Lauderdale, FL; Broward County

Deputy Executive Director of Development, San Pedro, CA; Port of Los Angeles

Managing Director of Commercial Services, Long Beach, CA; Port of Long Beach

Vice President of Finance and Administration, Washington, DC; AAPA 

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