Friday, April 19, 2019

New Cranes for Matson

By Karen Robes Meeks

Matson, Inc. welcomed three new 65 long-ton capacity gantry cranes at its Honolulu hub terminal at Sand Island earlier this week. These are the largest ship-to-shore container cranes to be deployed at a commercial harbor in the Aloha state.

The new cranes – which are anticipated to start service in the third quarter of 2019 – are part of a $60 million terminal expansion and modernization project that aligns with four new ships to be deployed between 2018 and 2020.

Each new Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding-built crane weighs about 1,290 tons, is taller and features better lifting capacity and reach than the current cranes, allowing Matson to process its new, bigger vessels.

Oakland Volumes Increase

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Oakland posted a 4.2 percent increase in cargo volumes in the first quarter of 2019.The port processed 612,151 TEUs compared to 587,356 TEUs in Q1 2018.

It moved 213,972 TEUs in March, a 10.7 percent jump from the 193,341 TEUs recorded the year before. Exports were up 7.6 percent compared to March 2018.

“Though the import rally has calmed down, we are still seeing a strong consumer demand in Northern California and Western Nevada,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. “The Bay Area’s strong consumer-based economy has helped the Port of Oakland absorb the impact of the weakening rally better than other ports.”

Portland Firm to Develop Port of Camas-Washougal

By Karen Robes Meeks

Portland, Oregon-based RKm Development has been tapped by the Port of Camas-Washougal to be lead Waterfront Developer, it was announced Tuesday. In the coming weeks, the port and the developer will hammer out an exclusive negotiating agreement.

Known for various mixed-use development projects in the Portland Metropolitan region, RKm Development has the expertise to create a multi-faceted public epicenter, with design and programmatic elements that will not only boost the local economic engine, but also amplify the unique amenities of the site to attract visitors, customers and users from around the region.

“Roy Kim and his team have developed a variety of dense, livable, mixed-use suburban districts,” said Port CEO David Ripp. “While the demographics for his signature projects are different, the approach is the same: Create a centralized community with diversity in mind.”

Vancouver, USA to Present Port Report

By Karen Robes Meeks

Port of Vancouver USA CEO Julianna Marler and port commissioners will present a report of the “State of the Port” on May 30.

Part of the port’s annual free Lecture Series, the event will feature a review of what happened at the port in 2018, an update on current projects and activities and a forward look at the port in the coming years.

The presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by an optional tour of Terminal 1, set to take place at 6:30 p.m. at Warehouse ’23 Event Space, 100 Columbia Street in Vancouver.

Space is limited so pre-registration is required. Call 360-693-3611 or email RSVP@portvanusa.com to reserve a spot.

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Seattle’s Terminal 5 Project Moves Forward

By Karen Robes Meeks

Lease agreements and construction for the Terminal 5 Modernization Program recently received approval from the managing members of The Northwest Seaport Alliance.

The deal sets the stage for Terminal 5’s return as a “premier international container terminal,” according to the alliance.

“The modernization of Terminal 5 represents a transformative investment in our region to support our state’s economy,” said Port of Seattle commission president Stephanie Bowman. “These actions will ensure robust and competitive marine cargo and maritime industrial activities in our harbor for the next 30 years, sustaining and creating family-wage jobs and economic opportunity for the region.”

The agreements call for:

• SSA Terminals to start operations at Terminal 5 after the completion of Phase 1 construction in 2021; The current lease at Terminal 18 to be changed to allow for the new SSA Terminals-TIL joint venture and waive a rail yard fee;

• The current Terminal 46 lease with TTI to end early, so that international container cargo can be realigned to Terminal 18 and allow the Port of Seattle to run a cruise berth on part of the property (breakbulk or project cargo will take up the rest of the space); and

• Matson’s Hawaii service to move to the south berth at Terminal 5 while construction takes place on the north berth, making more space at Terminal 30 for international container cargo.

The deal will yield 6,600 new direct jobs and over $2 billion in business activity, according to the NWSA.

“Terminal 5 will be able to handle the largest marine cargo vessels now being deployed in the Asia-Pacific trade route quickly and efficiently, providing a critical link for Washington state exports to Asian markets, both for agricultural products such as hay, apples and potatoes, as well containerized cargo for customers such as Paccar and Starbucks,” said Port of Tacoma commission president Clare Petrich.

Coast Guard Seizes Cocaine

By Karen Robes Meeks

More than 14,300 pounds of cocaine seized off the Eastern Pacific Ocean in February-March was offloaded by US Coast Guard Cutter Waesche crew members earlier this month in San Diego.

The drugs were captured by the crew of Cutters Waesche, Active and Steadfast during six interdictions off the Mexican, Central and South American coasts.

The cutters are all homeported on the West Coast: the 418-foot national security cutter Waesche is in Alameda, while 210-foot medium endurance cutters Active and Steadfast are based in Port Angeles, Washington, and Astoria, Oregon, respectively.

"The offload that you see behind me, the bales of cocaine, represents a successful example of the cycle of justice," said Rear Adm. Nathan Moore, deputy commander of Coast Guard Pacific Area. "This cycle of justice disrupts a cycle of crime which, left unchecked, fuels violence and instability that erodes our hemisphere's social and economic fabric and directly contributes to historically high numbers of drug-related deaths in North America."

Washington Ports Lecture

By Karen Robes Meeks

Ever wanted to know more about Washington State’s diverse ports?

Washington Public Ports Association Executive Director Eric Johnson will discuss the history and significance of some of the state’s 75 public ports, what cargo they handle and what purpose they play on May 1 in “The Fascinating World of Washington State’s Public Ports,” part of the Port of Vancouver USA’s annual free Lecture Series.

The event will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Warehouse ’23 Event Space, 100 Columbia Street in Vancouver.

Space is limited so pre-registration is required. Call 360-693-3611 or email RSVP@portvanusa.com to reserve a spot.

Port of Olympia Grants Community Funds

By Karen Robes Meeks

The cities of Bucoda, Rainier, Tenino, and Yelm each recently received $10,000 for community and economic development investments by the Port of Olympia Commission.

The funds are part of the Port’s Small Cities Program, which was created in 2010 to help provide gap funding for community and economic development efforts in Thurston County cities with fewer than 15,000 residents.

Bucoda will use the money to buy event equipment for its popular Annual Haunted House, as well an outdoor event space.

Rainier will use the funds toward renovating and preserving the historic Rainier School and Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church for event and activity space rentals.

The funds will help Tenino with construction of a shaded pavilion for bicyclists.

Yelm will use the money to buy emergency notification message boards.