Friday, October 27, 2017

Boat Still Aground Off Hawaii

By Karen Robes Meeks

U.S Coast Guard responders will re-evaluate plans to remove the grounded 79-foot fishing vessel Pacific Paradise off Waikiki after unsuccessful removal attempts to tow it away from a coral reef Friday.

“Salvage teams attempted various removal procedures on both on the bow and stern and although the vessel had movement during the process, it remains aground,” said Capt. Michael Long, commander, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu and captain of the port. “Our Coast Guard teams will reassess with all our partners this weekend to prepare future removal plans. We understand the sense of urgency to remove this vessel from the reef and are working diligently to ensure this is done as quickly and as safely as possible.”

No marine mammals have been affected and all fuel tanks have been plugged but about 1,500 gallons of diesel is still on board. A safety zone 500 yards around the vessel is still in effect and the public should steer clear.

Coast Guard and Honolulu Fire Department crews rescued Pacific Paradise’s master and 19 fishermen after it ran aground off Diamond Head near Kaimana Beach, the cause of which is still being investigated.

Long Beach Explores More Asian Business

By Karen Robes Meeks

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia and Harbor Commission President Lou Anne Bynum recently returned from a trip to South Korea and Japan to develop business opportunities for the Port of Long Beach.

Port Executive Director Mario Cordero and Chief Commercial Officer Noel Hacegaba accompanied Garcia and Bynum on the trip, which included stops in Seoul, Tokyo and Yokkaichi, one of Long Beach’s sister cities.

“With the recent changes in the shipping industry, this is a crucial time to meet face-to-face with our customers to expand business opportunities for the Port of Long Beach,” said Garcia. “These relationships are key to generating even more economic development in Long Beach.”

“Our business development outreach is one of the main reasons that the port is known for its customer service,” Bynum said. “Our customers deeply value these meetings. It’s important for us to reaffirm our commitment to being adaptable, nimble and responsive to industry concerns.”

Port of Everett Mixed Use

By Karen Robes Meeks

Everett officials earlier this month broke ground on a project that will reconnect the Grand Avenue bluff to Puget Sound with a pedestrian footbridge.

Set for completion in late 2018, the $15 million bridge project stemmed from the replacement of utility pipes that carried drainage and storm water, also allowing for a car-free path to the waterfront, according to the Port of Everett.

The bridge will enhance the port’s new mixed development on the waterfront, expected to be completed by summer 2019, which will feature a hotel, splash pad, and retail.

“The Port of Everett is in the midst of waterfront redevelopment creating a neighborhood down there, which is a mixed-use development of residential housing, restaurants, public access, spaces and so forth,” said Les Reardanz, executive director for the Port of Everett. “So the opportunity to have connectivity between the bluff and down to the waterfront will be great and enhance that neighborhood.”

Hueneme Teams to Ship Missionary Supplies

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Hueneme recently teamed up with ENCOUNTER Bible Fellowship Church of Ventura, Del Monte Fresh Produce, ILWU, Ports America, and LAMA to ship two containers full of donated goods to the La Montana Christian Camps in Costa Rica.

“At a time when disasters are hitting many parts of our world, we are proud that when we are called upon to support a humanitarian effort, the Port of Hueneme family of Commissioners, staff, stevedore companies, and longshoremen have all donated their time and labor to a mission supporting children in Costa Rica,” said Secretary of the Board of Harbor Commissioners Jess Herrera. “The Port of Hueneme is not only a bright spot in our economy, but a bright spot in humanitarian effort as well.”

Fernando Basua, a retired Longshoreman and a member of the ENCOUNTER Bible Fellowship Church Men’s Group, said he is happy everyone could come together to help.

“The containers will carry the refrigerators, bikes, loaders, and gators down there,” he said. “We approached Chuck (Caulkins, Del Monte terminal manager) for space on one of the ships and he was able to give us space for both of the containers. Then, we got Ports America to donate the loading for free, and ILWU 46 to use four of their labors for free as well. Everyone has really pitched in to make this all happen.”

The donated containers departed from the port Oct. 4 on the Star Pride V.38 and arrived in mid-October to Costa Rica.

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Blue Economy Incubator for Port of Los Angeles

By Karen Robes Meeks

Real estate developer Morton La Kretz has inked an agreement with AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles to fund the La Kretz Blue Economy Incubator, which will focus on technology firms developing sustainable business models connected with the ocean.

“Creating a healthier, sustainable planet is the key focus of my philanthropic work,” said La Kretz, who also invested in the LA Cleantech Incubator’s downtown LA headquarters. “My first projects have been primarily about the land. With the La Kretz Blue Economy Incubator at AltaSea, I can extend that reach to the oceans. The newest addition to AltaSea will attract the world-class leaders and promising companies that can leverage the opportunities our ocean presents for research, exploration and innovation.”

Businesses within the incubator will be able to use AltaSea’s 4,100 linear feet of pier access to deep water and interact with other incubator firms, AltaSea tenants and partner organizations, including the Southern California Marine Institute, which represents 23 Southern California oceanographic labs, aquaria and research universities.

“The Blue Economy Incubator is a crucial part of our broader vision to turn aging wharfs in the Port of Los Angeles into a vibrant, cutting-edge center for ocean-based science research, STEM education and sustainable business creation,” said AltaSea Executive Director Jenny Krusoe. “Morton La Kretz’s support is a vital endorsement of that vision. He knows how important it is to invest in our future, creating the research and education structure that can help make our Los Angeles and indeed our entire planet healthier and more sustainable.”

SSA Marine Takes Over Tacoma Terminal

By Karen Robes Meeks

SSA Marine has replaced APM Terminals for stevedoring and terminal services for Matson at The Northwest Seaport Alliance Tacoma terminal.

The alliance’s managing members recently authorized SAA Marine’s 10-year lease for the West Sitcum Terminal, which APM Terminals (APMT) operated since 1985 until it was announced in April that SSA Marine would be taking over by the end of the year.

“APMT has served us well,” said Ron Forest, senior vice president – operations for Matson in April. “It just makes more sense to work with our strategic partner at Tacoma as we do at all of our other terminals on the West Coast. We expect a seamless transition and no change in our Tacoma operations from a customer standpoint.”

Before the deal, West Sitcum was the only Matson terminal on the West Coast not managed by SSA Marine.

Stormwater Management at Vancouver USA

By Karen Robes Meeks

Earlier this month, the Port of Vancouver USA showcased its innovation in stormwater management, including its employee-generated Grattix and stormwater bio-filtration facilities at StormCon, an annual conference that focuses on surface water quality.

This year, the conference took place in Bellevue, Washington.

Port Environmental Manager Matt Graves spoke about the Grattix and Terminal 2 stormwater bio-filtration facility, both built in 2009 to treat high copper and zinc levels in stormwater runoff.

“Both treatment systems have been tested regularly to see what types of metals they’re collecting and how the organic, locally sourced elements that comprise these systems hold up to the metals over time,” according to the port. “Those test results show that both the Grattix and stormwater bio-filtration facility had more detectable metals in their uppermost layers, meaning they were performing exceptionally well at capturing less-dense metals than other stormwater treatment systems.”

Port of Long Beach Seeks Grant Recipients

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Long Beach wants to hear from communities that could benefit from the next round of its Community Grants Program funding. The program seeks to improve the lives of those affected by port operations.

The port will host three public workshops this month to hear from stakeholders. The meetings will take place:

• 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at First Congregational Church, 241 Cedar Ave.

• 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Michelle Obama Library, 5870 Atlantic Ave.

• 10 to 11 a.m. Oct. 28 at Silverado Park, 1545 W. 31st St.

“The Community Grants Program is designed to help those most impacted by port operations,” said Harbor Commission President Lou Anne Bynum. “We’re off to a good start, but it’s important to get more input from our neighbors to make this the best program possible.”

The port used last year’s feedback to choose the nine air filtration projects the Harbor Commission agreed to fund on Monday.

Email grants@polb.com to RSVP for a workshop or submit comments.