Friday, February 16, 2018

New Port of San Diego District Clerk

By Karen Robes Meeks

Donna Morales is the Port of San Diego’s new District Clerk, taking over for retiring Tim Deuel.

In her new position, Morales will be tasked with maintaining the Port District Code and ensuring compliance with the Public Records Act, the Brown Act, the Political Reform Act, the Port’s Ethics Policy and Robert’s Rules of Order. She will also helm the Office of the District Clerk, which coordinates the dockets for the port commissioners and board committees meetings, and oversees the port’s records management programs and responses to Public Records Act requests.

Morales has been with the port since 2002, first in the Audit, Risk Management and Safety Department before being promoted to Manager of Commissioner and Executive Services, which manages the administrative staff that supports the port commissioners.

“Donna Morales has proven to be a true public servant during her career at the Port of San Diego,” said Randa Coniglio, port president and CEO. “I have every confidence that the strong leadership skills she has demonstrated during her 16 years here will assist the port with its commitment to being an open and transparent government agency.”

Los Angeles Volumes Continue to Grow

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Los Angeles kicked off 2018 with strong volumes for January, moving 808,728 TEUs, making it its second-busiest January on record, according to statistics released Wednesday. The busiest January numbers were established in 2017, when the port moved 2.2 percent more cargo.

The port also handled 422,831 TEUs last month, a 1.8 percent jump from the same period last year, while exports fell 7.6 percent to 150,035 TEUs.

Officials attributed the strong volumes to retailers wanting restock inventory post-holidays and the rush to move goods before much of Asia slows down business to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

"After two consecutive years of record-breaking cargo, it’s encouraging to start 2018 with robust volumes,” said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “It’s only the seventh time we have eclipsed the 800,000 TEU mark in a single month, and we’re grateful to our supply chain partners for their continued confidence in our world-class infrastructure, innovative technology solutions and extraordinary customer service.”

Port of Seattle Removing Creosote Pilings

By Karen Robes Meeks

Efforts to restore 4.5 acres of habitat along Terminal 5 shoreline continue as the Port of Seattle approaches its goal to remove 90 percent of creosote-treated pilings from its properties.

About 8,000 creosote pilings – obsolete materials that were once instrumental in port infrastructure before today’s use of steel and concrete – remain as the port chips away at the estimated 18,000 that were accounted for in 2000.

“Restoring shoreline habitat and removing creosote pilings is a great way to return natural vitality to our ecosystem,” said Commissioner Fred Felleman. “The Port of Seattle is on track to remove thousands more creosote pilings by 2025.”

Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz thanked the port for its removal efforts, adding that the creosote-treated pilings were harming the health of Puget Sound.

“By partnering with agencies like the port, the Department of Natural Resources is leading efforts throughout Puget Sound to restore habitat and remove creosote pilings and debris from our waters,” she said. “I look forward to further partnership with the port and leaders like Commissioner Fred Felleman as we continue this important work.”

Charging Stations at Port Hueneme

By Karen Robes Meeks

Earlier this month, the Port of Hueneme, California, unveiled two new publicly-accessible electric vehicle charging stations, each able to fully charge two vehicles at once in less than five hours.

“These new stations are evidence of the Port’s ever-growing efforts to be responsible stewards of the environment and good neighbors,” said Board President Mary Anne Rooney. “We hope that not only port customers and employees will utilize them, but that residents of the surrounding community will take advantage of these state-of-the-art charging stations as well.”

The new stations, located at 333 Pomona Street and 105 E. Port Hueneme Road, were in part funded through an Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Program grant from the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD).

“We are grateful to the VCAPCD team who awarded the grant to fund this project and look forward to continuing to make meaningful improvements that build upon existing projects like shoreside power, battery power storage, and zero/near zero emission vehicles on port,” said port CEO and Director Kristin Decas.

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Clean Trucks for Seattle/Tacoma

By Karen Robes Meeks

The trucking industry in the Northwest will have to operate with cleaner trucks starting April 1, 2018.

Last week, the managing members of the Northwest Seaport Alliance – made up of the ports of Seattle and Tacoma – changed its Clean Truck Program to read that in order to operate within the port’s international container terminals, trucks must be outfitted with a 2007 or newer engine or equivalent emissions control retrofits. Non-compliant truckers may obtain a temporary pass while working to get vehicles that meet those standards by the end of the year.

Starting April 1, all trucks entering a container terminal at the Port of Seattle must have an RFID tag or a pass.. At the Port of Tacoma, a green Clean Truck Program sticker or a pass will be required. Those failing to comply will be turned away.

The 2007 engine model standard is expected to remain in place until at least 2025, according to the ports. To apply for the temporary port access pass, visit www.nwseaportalliance.com/trucks. Application process starts March 1 and must be completed by April 1, 2018.

Long Beach Breaks Cargo Record

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Long Beach continues its record-breaking run in cargo movement.

On Friday, the nation’s second busiest seaport reported moving 657,830 TEUs last month, the first time the port handled more than 600,000 TEUs in the month of January.

“The pre-Lunar New Year surge is definitely here,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero, referring to two-week holiday in Asia. “Since this year’s holiday begins February 16, we anticipated a busy January and February, as cargo owners seek to get goods shipped ahead of the festivities.”

The port also handled a record 324,656 TEUs in imports, 8.6 percent more than January 2017, and 120,503 TEUs in exports, 1.9 percent more than the same period last year.

This comes on the heels of the port’s record-shattering 2017, which marked the port’s busiest year with 7.54 million TEUs.

“The Port of Long Beach is happy to have a great start to 2018, especially after the successes of last year,” said Harbor Commission President Lou Anne Bynum. “We wish our supply chain partners in Asia a prosperous Lunar New Year and we’ll be doing all we can to ensure we can continue to grow our businesses together.”

Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal Upgrade

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of San Diego recently kicked off a $24 million project to upgrade its Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.

The modernization project, which will take approximatively 13 months to complete, will involve the removal of two old warehouses to make way for laydown area for larger project cargo as well as upgrading utilities, and improving lighting and pavement. Building new modular office space, utility enclosures and restrooms and improving on-dock rail capabilities are also part of the plan.

“The timing is right for this project as the Port of San Diego is poised for additional growth in the Blue Economy,” said Port Commission Chairman Rafael Castellanos. “We are the fourth largest port in the state and this project will allow the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal to handle up to 4.6 million metric tons of cargo annually and create many great jobs, while protecting the environment by incorporating smart technology to reduce pollution.”

This is part of a larger effort to enhance the port’s specialty cargo advantage. The plan also includes “three distinct cargo nodes within the existing footprint of the terminal and is focused on project and break-bulk cargo, refrigerated containers and dry bulk cargo,” according to the port.

Portland Logistics Center

By Karen Robes Meeks

On April 1, Portland company EYELEVEL will relocate its distribution center from Swan Island to the PDX Logistics Center.

Capstone Partners LLC and its joint venture partner PCCP, LLC recently inked a 122,749-square-foot lease with EYELEVEL, for its PDX Logistics Center Phase III Building 5. The two-building development in Capstone’s approximately 1.1 million-square-foot logistics park located in Portland International Center is ground leased from the Port of Portland.

“We are excited to welcome EYELEVEL in their relocation to PDX Logistics Center Phase III,” said Chris Nelson, Principal of Capstone Partners LLC. “EYELEVEL is an international company that designs and manufactures retail experiences for global brands. This facility will be home to their DC and logistics teams. We are pleased they have selected our development for this important expansion of their Portland footprint.”

EYELEVEL said the company has outgrown the Swan Island facilities that served the company well for the last decade. “As we continue to produce, assemble, inventory, and distribute worldwide from Portland, it’s important that we have the infrastructure to support our clients’ needs, and above all, provide well-designed and thoughtful workplaces for our employees,” said Operations Director Joseph Wenz.