Friday, June 30, 2017

Maersk Hit with Cyberattack

By Karen Robes Meeks

The A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, the world’s largest shipping liner company, announced that it was under cyber attack this week, forcing the shutdown of a number of IT systems across multiple sites worldwide, including its email systems.

The Denmark-based company was among several under sieged by Petya, a kind of ransomware that forces victims to pay a sum to regain system access, according to American Shipper.

As a result, Maersk suspended operations Tuesday at ports of New York/New Jersey, Rotterdam, Netherlands, and APM Terminals at Pier 400 in Los Angeles. APM Terminals, one of largest terminals in North America, remained closed as of Thursday, port officials confirmed.

One ship was able to leave the port early Tuesday, and no other ships were scheduled to depart later that day or Wednesday.

Maersk issued a statement, saying that “the issue remains contained and we continue to work towards technical recovery,” adding that business continuity plans are being implemented and prioritized.

. “We are collaborating with IT experts including national cyber-crime agencies and IT industry leaders, to reinstate services safely and without further disruption,” the company explained.

Maersk entities Maersk Oil, Maersk Drilling, Maersk Supply Services, Maersk Tankers, Maersk Training, Svitzer and MCI remain operationally unaffected.

All Maersk Line ships are “under control, employees are safe and communication to crew and management onboard is functioning,” according to the company, adding that it is able to accept bookings through INTTRA.

However, Damco’s access to certain systems is limited, Maersk said, noting that “a business continuity plan has been deployed with a key focus on protecting customers’ cargo flows.”

Meanwhile, the majority of terminals are now operational, with some running slower than usual or with limited functionality, according to Maersk.

Maersk said APM Terminals continue to work towards full restoration of its IT systems.

Hotel Planned for Everett Waterfront

By Karen Robes Meeks

This month, the Port of Everett Commission endorsed plans to ink a long-term lease with a developer to build a 142-room flagship Hotel Indigo in Fisherman’s Harbor at Waterfront Place.

Waterplace LLC, in partnership with Columbia Hospitality, was selected for its hotel concept, which pay homage to the port’s global impact and complements the nearby Pacific Rim Plaza, which honors Everett’s international trading relationships.

The deal includes the construction and management of an 86,163-square-foot hotel under a 50-year land lease, with three 10-year options.

"The Port team received proposals from three well-known and qualified hotel operators to serve as the anchor tenant for Fisherman’s Harbor," said Terrie Battuello, the port’s chief of business development. "Ultimately, we selected Columbia Hospitality because of their Hotel Indigo flag that prides their facilities on embracing the character and history of the communities that they operate in, and the Waterfront Place story is the heart and soul of this new waterfront community."

Hotel Indigo is slated for construction in January 2018 and will feature a restaurant, lounge, indoor swimming pool, conference center, retail shops and business center, as well as pedestrian-friendly walkways and public spaces. "We are honored to collaborate with the Port of Everett on what will be a transformational project for the downtown Everett waterfront," said John Oppenheimer, Columbia Hospitality founder and CEO. "Our collective goal is to create an incredible destination for locals, tourists and businesses alike, stimulating economic growth for Snohomish County."

The hotel will open in conjunction with SeaLevel Properties, a residential development set to be ready in mid-2019. All this will be located at Fisherman’s Harbor, Phase One of the 65-acre Waterfront Place Central mixed use development.

This year, port officials commenced a $12 million public infrastructure program for new roadways on Seiner Drive and 14th Street, the Esplanade trail system, Pacific Rim Plaza, landscaping for all the public spaces and a new pipeline in the City of Everett’s Puget Sound stormwater infrastructure within the site. Improvements should be completed in 2018, according to the port.

Bellingham Capacity Upgrades

By Karen Robes Meeks

Plans to repair three deteriorating piers in Blaine Harbor in the Port of Bellingham moved forward this month. The port commission selected American Construction of Tacoma for the $750,000 contract to rehabilitate the piers, create more dock space and bolster the piers’ load bearing capacity for commercial fishing vessels and other maritime industries.

The project involves fixing the North, South and Sawtooth Piers with new timber piles, decking, framing beneath existing cranes, bull rails and stringers, as well as building two sewage pump-out floats to support boaters and promote environmental stewardship. “Marine trades are an important part of Blaine’s local economy,” said Port Commission President Dan Robbins. “The commercial seafood industry is expanding and the port is committed to making the investments necessary to strengthen Blaine Harbor’s marine industrial area as a center for economic growth.”

The port has seen an increasing demand for marine industrial property in Blaine Harbor, said Port Real Estate Director Shirley McFearin.

“Several of our commercial seafood tenants have expressed interest in expanding operations and outside investors continue to be attracted by Blaine Harbor’s strategic location along the US/Canada border,” she said.

It’s the latest in plans to enhance Blaine Harbor. The commission recently inked a long-term lease with Sundance Marine Holdings, which plans to build a nine million dollars dry boat storage facility.

Coordinated Effort Saves Fishermen

By Karen Robes Meeks

The crew of the fishing vessel Kodiak Sockeye was saved this month near Knowles Bay, Prince William Sound, Alaska, thanks to Coast Guard and good Samaritan crews.

Both went into action after discovering that the fishing vessel began taking on water and its engine compartment was flooding. Rescue crews provided dewatering pumps and towed the ailing vessel 37 miles to Cordova.

“The crew of the Kodiak Sockeye was preparing to abandon ship when they called for help,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Lindsey Green, a Sector Anchorage watchstander. “The quick response time of our crews allowed us to save the crew and salvage their vessel.”

Those involved in the rescue included a Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew, a Coast Guard Station Valdez 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Sycamore and the crew of the good Samaritan vessels Rocky B and the Remedy.

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Vancouver USA Terminal Redevelopment

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Vancouver USA’s Terminal 1 Waterfront Development master plan is moving forward. On June 9, the Vancouver City Council approved the massive redevelopment project at the birthplace of the port on the Columbia River.

When fully developed, Terminal 1 will feature nearly 950,000 square feet of new office, retail and commercial space, housing, hotels, a public marketplace, low- and high-dock access and a link to the Renaissance Trail.

The development also is expected to generate 800 new jobs and nearly $93 million in state and local taxes over 25 years, according to the port.

“This is an exciting project,” said port CEO Julianna Marler. “It’s a different kind of development than we typically do, but it still achieves the port’s mission of economic benefit to the community. The jobs, tax dollars and activity down at the waterfront will complement our beautiful downtown and create a ripple effect of benefit in the region. We appreciate the City Council’s support of Terminal 1 and look forward to working together to build a community resource and destination we can all be proud of.” The master plan will now go before the Washington State Department of Ecology for review and decisions on shoreline permitting.

“It’s going to be really exciting to see this develop into what will be its future,” said Vancouver’s Downtown Association Executive Director Lee Rafferty. “There’s a very strong and wonderful history there, but the future is very bright, as well, and I think Vancouver’s downtown is going to be much better off because we have strong partners at the port.”

Container Record Set

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Los Angeles became the port with the most container throughput in the western hemisphere last week when it welcomed its nine millionth TEU in 12 months with Evergreen Line’s Ever Sigma container ship.

"Nine million TEUs is a major milestone for Los Angeles, and it’s only fitting that Evergreen Line, a longstanding customer, discharged the box that set this new Western Hemisphere record," said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. "Their operation in Los Angeles is an example of how our customers and supply chain partners are continually adapting to the changing dynamics in the marketplace."

The 12 months measured for this new record is based on the port’s fiscal year, which spans from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017.

"As a Port of Los Angeles tenant and partner for more than 50 years, Evergreen is proud to be the shipping line that delivered the nine millionth TEU during this 12-month period," said Evergreen, Roy Amalfitano, Vice Chairman of Evergreen Shipping Agency (America) Corp. "Congratulations to everyone involved, including captain and crew of the Ever Sigma, the ILWU labor workforce and the Everport terminal management team in Los Angeles. Los Angeles remains an important and strategic gateway for Evergreen, and we look forward to growing our business via the Port of Los Angeles."

In 2006, Los Angeles became the first port to go beyond eight millions TEUs in annual throughput.

San Diego Development Deadline

By Karen Robes Meeks

Stakeholders will have more time to provide feedback on the future of waterfront development. The Board of Port Commissioners for the Port of San Diego agreed to extend the timeline of the Port Master Plan Update to allow more input of key policy issues.

As a result, the Draft Port Master Plan Update is expected to be released in October.

“We are focused on completing a Port Master Plan Update with clear guidance on land use that will give greater certainty to developers and other plan users going forward,” said Port Commissioner Ann Moore. “As we pursue this worthy goal, we want to do it right and that means taking the time we need to engage our stakeholders.”

About 6,000 acres encompasses the Integrated Planning initiative, a roadmap for baywide planning and development for the next 50 years. That initiative will result in an update to the Port Master Plan, which will “create certainty for developers and other community members by codifying a vision for how future projects will fulfill public goals, including public realm uses such as parks,” according to the port.

For more, visit https://www.portofsandiego.org/integrated-planning.html.

San Pedro Bay Clean Air Plan

By Karen Robes Meeks

The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles plan to release their joint draft Clean Air Action Plan 2017 Update on July 19.

The public will have until September 18 to weigh in in writing, in addition to a workshop for public comment scheduled for 5 p.m. on August 30 at Banning’s Landing, 100 E. Water St. in Wilmington.

Adopted in 2006, the plan is the twin port’s living blueprint for improving the region’s air quality by curbing the pollution generated by operations at the ports. That includes pushing for cleaner equipment and procedures for vessels, trains and trucks.

Earlier this month, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia strengthened their commitment to the landmark plan, which includes initiatives to further lower at-berth emissions and start a zero emissions drayage truck pilot program in the coming years.

Long Beach and Los Angeles Harbor Commissioners will meet in November to approve the final CAAP 2017 Update. For more, visit www.cleanairactionplan.org or email caap@cleanairactionplan.org.