Friday, December 14, 2018

Los Angeles May See 9 Million TEU for 2018

By Karen Robes Meeks

For the fifth straight month, the Port of Los Angeles handled more than 800,000 TEUs, keeping the nation’s largest seaport on pace to reach 9 million for the year.

The port moved 832,331 TEUs in November, making it the port’s sixth busiest month ever. This despite last month’s numbers reflecting a 9.9 percent decrease from the same period last year when the port moved 924,256 TEUs.

Los Angeles also saw an 8.8 percent decrease in imports down to 422,793 TEUs and a 14.3 percent slowdown in exports to 152,527 TEUs compared to the November 2017 figures.

So far this year, the port has moved 8,555,490 TEUs. The Eleonora Maersk visit to the port’s APM Terminals moving 27,846 TEUs helped reach those numbers while also establishing a North American record for a single cargo vessel, according to the port.

“In November, we processed a number of high-volume vessels brought into service to facilitate the holiday season cargo surge and accommodate the push to import cargo before tariffs that were previously scheduled to increase on Jan. 1,” said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “As we enjoy the holiday season, I’m grateful to all of our labor workforce, customers and stakeholders for the role they play in moving such a high volume of trade. As 2019 approaches, we are committed to tackling the challenges and seizing the opportunities that await.”

Long Beach Approaching Second Record Year

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Long Beach is on the way to a record year for the second consecutive year.

Long Beach moved 621,835 TEUs last month, 1.5 percent higher than November 2017, adding to the port’s 2018 tally of 7,349,377 TEUs. With volumes up 7.3 percent for the year, officials predict that the numbers will surpass last year’s record of 7,544,507 TEUs.

“American retailers are stocking up on goods made in China to avoid anticipated higher tariffs,” said Port Executive Director Mario Cordero. “You’re seeing the opposite effect on the other side of the ocean. Chinese businesses seem to be already looking to other countries for goods and raw materials, meaning there’s less demand for American exports and more empty containers are being shipped.”

Imports last month were also up 0.2 percent to 319,877 TEUs from the same period last year while exports fell 8.4 percent to 115,774 TEUs year over year.

“Business has been good in 2018, and we appreciate our customers for choosing the Port of Long Beach,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Tracy Egoscue. “While the new year may bring challenges, we remain hopeful that trade will grow, bringing more jobs and economic opportunity to this region.”

Camas-Washougal Picks Developer

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Camas-Washougal has tapped Portland, Oregon-based Leland Consulting Group to help select a waterfront developer.

The Leland Consulting Group specializes in urban real estate, economic development, and public-private partnerships. “Their expertise in balancing rigorous analysis with candid advice for strategies that will enhance our community and create lasting value make them an ideal choice,” according to the port.

"We are very excited to be moving forward with the Leland Consulting Group," said port CEO David Ripp. "Their involvement in the Port of Vancouver's Waterfront Revitalization and like-minded vision for keeping the waterfront a thriving and vibrant destination will make for a great partnership."

The port is expected to put out a Request for Qualifications to prospective developers on Dec. 14.

For the latest on the Waterfront Development, visit portcw.com.

New Oakland Commissioner

By Karen Robes Meeks

Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce CEO Barbara Leslie is the newest member of the Port of Oakland’s Board of Port Commissioners, taking over for Earl Hamlin.

“We’re pleased to welcome a colleague to our Board with such deep roots and commitment to Oakland,” said Board President Ces Butner.

Leslie, who is the chamber’s first female president and CEO, brings 25 years of public and private sector experience, which include serving as Assistant to the City Manager during Gov. Jerry Brown’s time as mayor and as External Affairs and philanthropy for AT&T in the East Bay for more than a decade. She also worked as a Government Affairs Specialist for the Port of Oakland from 1998–1999.

“Oakland has been at the center of my professional life and it’s gratifying to return to the port in a new capacity,” Leslie said.

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Coos Bay Rail to See Federal Grant

By Karen Robes Meeks

An effort to rehabilitate 15 bridge structures along the Coos Bay Rail Line will soon receive a significant financial boost.

The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay is the recipient of a $20 million US Department of Transportation Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development grant, thanks to an award proposal that included 40 letters of support from port stakeholders.

The port-owned rail line stretches 134 miles through Coos, Douglas, and Lane Counties. With a $5 million match from the port, the $25 million project will repair and improve the Coos Bay Swing Span Bridge, the Siuslaw River Swing Span Bridge, the Umpqua Swing Span Bridge, the replacement of the Vaughn Viaduct near Veneta, Coalbank Slough Bridge in Coos Bay, and 10 bridges in Lane County.

“The shippers on the line directly employ close to 1,000 people throughout southwest Oregon with family wage jobs, supporting the economic fabric of our community,” the port said. “These businesses depend on rail as a competitive transportation option while ensuring adequate capacity to move goods to market.”

Redwood City Channel to be Dredged

By Karen Robes Meeks

The US Army Corps of Engineers has budgeted $7.95 million toward channel dredging in the Port of Redwood City region in 2019.

“The funding of the channel dredging and federal investment into our region is great news for the Port of Redwood City, providing certainty that the Port continues to secure and expand maritime activities in the future,” said Port Commission chairwoman Lorianna Kastrop.

The Port of Redwood City is South San Francisco Bay’s only deep-water port, and the dredging will help accommodate larger ships.

“This project is significant to the economic health of the Silicon Valley region, notably the construction industry as the Port supplies construction materials to fuel construction needs locally. Additionally, dredging also supports personal water recreation use in and around the Redwood Creek Channel.”

San Pedro Clean Action Plan Meeting

By Karen Robes Meeks

Residents will have an opportunity to hear the latest on the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan 2017 Update on Dec. 19 in Wilmington, Calif.

Staff members from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will discuss the new Clean Truck Program, technology feasibility assessments and technology demonstrations, and information on regulatory developments.

The public will have the chance to weigh in on how the action plan should be enacted.

The meeting is set from 10 a.m. to noon on Dec. 19 at the Banning’s Landing, 100 E. Water St., in Wilmington. For more information, go to www.cleanairactionplan.org.

New Oakland Auditor

By Karen Robes Meeks

Santa Clara County Internal Audit Manager Rebecca Haggerty will be the Port of Oakland’s new Chief Audit Officer.

The Board of Port Commissioners recently appointed Haggerty, who will take over Acting Chief Audit Officer Katherine Buckley, who will go back to being Port Audit Manager.

Haggerty, who will oversee direct operational and financial audits for all port offices, brings longtime accounting and auditing experience to Oakland.

She has worked for Santa Clara County since 1997. Before that, she worked for the cities of Palo Alto and San Jose. In the private sector, she worked as an auditor and accountant at Deloitte in San Jose and Perisho, Tombor, Loomis and Ramirez in Campbell, Calif.