Friday, August 31, 2018

New Roles for Leaders at Long Beach

By Karen Robes Meeks

Richard D. Cameron is the Port of Long Beach’s new Deputy Executive Director of Planning and Development and Noel Hacegaba its new Deputy Executive Director of Administration and Operations.

The roles of longtime port leaders Cameron and Hacegaba were made official Monday when the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners approved the promotion.

“Dr. Hacegaba and Mr. Cameron rose to the top of a wide range of qualified candidates from around the globe, and possess unique, complementary skills crucial for these leadership roles at the Port of Long Beach,” said Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners President Tracy Egoscue. “The Board looks forward to working with Noel and Rick in their new positions.”

Cameron started at the port in 1996 as an Environmental Specialist before rising to Manager of Environmental Planning and later director of the newly formed Division of Environmental Planning. He became Managing Director in January 2014. Cameron helmed the division during some of the port’s important environmental initiatives, including the Green Port Policy, and the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan.

Hacegaba joined the port in 2010 and serves as the senior executive tasked with creating and implementing business development strategies to increase port volume and revenue. In his latest function, Hacegaba led operations, customer service and security functions and was responsible for helping the port through the collapse of Hanjin, which based its largest terminal in Long Beach.

“I’ve worked with Rick and Noel for many years in my roles as Harbor Commissioner and Executive Director and they are among the best goods movement professionals in the industry,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “We have much to accomplish in the years ahead, and this extremely experienced team will help the Port of Long Beach continue to thrive.”

Cargo Up, NOx Down at Los Angeles

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Los Angeles saw nitrogen oxides emissions tumble 60 percent from 2005 emissions levels, its lowest level to date, according to the port’s 2017 Inventory of Air Emissions.

This latest figure comes as the port boasts its highest cargo volumes to date with 9.34 million TEUs. It also shows that the port has reached its 2023 Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) goals, with diesel particulate matter falling 86 percent, and sulfur oxides down 98 percent.

“Our port is driving the global economy forward – and showing the world how we can produce record-breaking growth and protect the environment at the same time,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Our progress on reducing emissions to just a fraction of our 2005 levels – while we ship more cargo than ever – is proof that our Clean Air Action Plan is working and exceeding expectations.”

Changes along the supply chain contributed to lowering emissions. The port saw fewer, but larger ships equipped with cleaner technology. Vessels also had to adhere to tighter rules that required them to use shore power and trucks and cargo-handling equipment had to be energy efficient.

“This is why cleaner technology and increased efficiency matter,” said Chris Cannon, Director of Environmental Management for the Port of Los Angeles. “Greenhouse gases come from burning fuel. The more cargo we move, the more CO2 emissions we generate, and greater the need to switch to cleaner low-carbon based equipment, while continuing to optimize port operations.”

Bellingham Welcomes Business

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Bellingham lauded the 17 new and expanding businesses at the port, many of which are benefiting from the Water Reliant Commercial Marine Rental Policy. They are among the more than 250 businesses operating at the port and employ Whatcom County residents.

The 2017 policy, created with the Working Waterfront Coalition, nurtures economic development and the marine trades industries that need marine access for their business.

The new businesses include Arvidson Marine Surveyors & Documentation Services, Bellwether Dental Cosmetic Dentistry, Ideal Wellness, Interior Doors & More, Kim Wiley Therapy, King Health Associates, Lakeside Marine, Livingspectrum Music, Moondance Kayak, Omni Property Management, On-Board Marine Services, and Washington Divers.

Expanding Businesses include LFS, Inc., Bellingham Cold Storage, NW Explorations, San Juan Sailing, and Top to Bottom.

Help Choose Olympia’s New Executive Director

By Karen Robes Meeks

Karras Consulting has been tapped to help the Port of Olympia search and select its new executive director and a recruitment plan is being developed.

The port is asking the community to weigh in on the selection by inviting the population to take a survey on what a potential candidate needs in terms of background and qualifications.

Residents will get a chance to meet finalists during a public forum in late 2018.

After serving 12 years, Executive Director Ed Galligan resigned after the port commission placed him on administrative leave. In June, the port said the move was necessary to make “a leadership change that would be instrumental in positioning the Port for the future.”

Galligan agreed to be available as an on-call consultant if necessary.

Airport director Rudy Rudolph will serve as port interim executive director while the search takes shape. Residents have until the end of October to visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V89P6JL and take the survey.

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

More Oregon Ag Products for China

By Karen Robes Meeks

Thanks to a newly minted cooperation with hoopla Global, the Port of Portland and Oregon agricultural brands will reach even more Chinese consumers.

Founded in early 2017 to do away with the “hoopla” or barriers around exporting “Made in the USA” natural and organic consumer products, the Portland-based hoopla Global recently launched its flagship store on e-commerce JD.com, a major retailer in China, a move that makes Made in USA natural products accessible to the Chinese market.

“In my more than 30 years of doing business directly with China, I have never experienced this level of open market access for USA brands that JD is providing us,” said Stuart Follen, co-founder and chairman of hoopla Global. “Our flagship store on JD is the fulfillment of a dream to provide my Chinese friends and their friends with the trusted ‘Better for You’ products they could previously only get by hopping on a plane and traveling to the U.S.”

“JD.com is pleased to announce our partnership with hoopla Global and to offer Made in the USA natural and organic brands to our more than 300 million customers,” said Vicky Zhuang, general manager North America of JD.com.

“As we continue to grow our offering of U.S. brands, we look forward to expanding our cooperation with hoopla Global.”

“We are excited about this entrepreneurial launch by a Portland-based company to open international access for Oregon and other USA food makers,” said Keith Leavitt, chief commercial officer at the Port of Portland. “The intermodal rail service at Terminal 6 is an example of how we are offering hoopla Global and other local shippers another option to move their products to domestic and overseas markets,” he added.

Vancouver USA Strategic Plan

By Karen Robes Meeks

After nearly a year of workshops and meetings, the Port of Vancouver USA is reaching the home stretch and is asking the public to weigh in on the final draft of its strategic plan.

The public has until September 6 to submit comments either by attending Board of Commissioners meetings, sending comments by email to communityfeedback@portvanusa.com or mailing them to 3103 Northwest Lower River Road, Vancouver, WA 98660.

In addition, residents can submit comments by contacting their commissioner directly. Visit http://www.portvanusa.com/commission/communicating-with-the-commission for more details.

The commission is expected to consider and adopt a final strategic plan at its September 11 meeting.

The draft plan and materials from all open houses and workshops can be found at www.portvanusa.com/key-projects/strategic-plan.

New Program for Students of Shipping

By Karen Robes Meeks

Thanks to a partnership between the Port of Long Beach and Long Beach City College, a new program has been created for students looking into a career in goods movement.

Long Beach Harbor Commissioners recently approved $60,000 to pay for the program’s first year of program as a pilot project.

The Port of Long Beach Maritime Center of Excellence at Long Beach City College will zero in on job programs in the global logistics and supply chain industries that need more than a high school diploma, but less than a four-year college degree, according to the port.

The Maritime Center will be teaming up with the Academy of Global Logistics at Cabrillo High School on this outreach effort.

“Ports and other supply chain companies across the country and around the world are realizing the vital importance of developing a skilled maritime workforce to ensure the future of the goods movement industry,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “As always, the Port of Long Beach is in the education forefront.”

The training will concentrate on in-demand jobs such as warehouse and distribution supervisor, transportation supervisor, logistics and supply chain specialist, order processor, shipping and receiving clerk, and scheduler and operations coordinator.

“Long Beach City College (LBCC) and the Port of Long Beach have a strong partnership of working together to positively impact our community,” said Long Beach Community College District Superintendent-President Dr. Reagan F. Romali. “At LBCC, we have been preparing our students to work in a complex global economy with ever-changing technology needs. This innovative partnership will truly change the lives of our students by providing them education and skills that will transition them from LBCC to the workforce.”

Oakland Cargo Increases

By Karen Robes Meeks

Cargo volume at the Port of Oakland rose 3.6 percent in July compared to a year ago, an increase the port attribute to more empty containers returning to Asia to be replenished with new products. Strong import activity earlier in the summer may have contributed to the rise in empty container volume, according to the port. Meanwhile, the amount of imported cargo dipped 0.6 percent, while exports fell 7.3 percent year-over-year.

Based on the current 2018 numbers, Oakland’s total container volume is up 2.5 percent from the same period a year ago. If the trend continues, the port is on track to set a new full-year volume record.