Friday, April 26, 2019

Lynden Adds Airports

By Karen Robes Meeks

Lynden Air Cargo is widening its Alaskan reach. The company announced plans to expand its scheduled service points to include St. Mary’s and Emmonak, Alaska.

To better serve customers and support local industries in Western Alaska, Lynden will offer year-round scheduled air freight service on Tuesdays and Fridays starting April 30.The service will start and finish in Anchorage, Alaska. Along with fish and general cargo, the company will carry bypass mail to and from both areas in its commercial C-130 aircraft.

“We have traditionally served these areas with charter service to support seasonal fishing operations, but we are now proud to offer regular and reliable airfreight service all year,” says Lynden Air Cargo President Rick Zerkel. “Lynden Air Cargo has been delivering freight in Alaska for many years, and we know the challenges and terrain. We handle oversized loads and small packages alike with our scheduled service and flag stops to points in the Alaskan bush. We can arrange the right flight to get cargo delivered to practically any village or city in the state.”

New Long Beach Strategy Approved

By Karen Robes Meeks

An updated Strategic Plan for the Port of Long Beach has recently been approved by the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners.

The plan outlines the port’s key goals and objectives, which include bolstering its competitive stance through “secure and efficient movement of cargo while providing outstanding customer service,” staying fiscally strong and secure, building and maintaining its infrastructure, lowering the port’s environmental impacts through sustainable practices, expanding community access to port opportunities and economic benefits and keeping and drawing a diverse and high-performing workforce.

“In a highly competitive industry like ours, we must think strategically. The Strategic Plan, as created with the leadership of our Board of Harbor Commissioners, defines how we will maintain our longstanding commitment to operational excellence well into the next decade,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero.

New Heavy Electric Truck for California

By Karen Robes Meeks

Toyota, Kenworth, the Port of Los Angeles and the California Air Resources Board unveiled the first fuel cell electric heavy-duty truck created jointly by Toyota and Kenworth, earlier this week. Ten trucks will be deployed as part of the Zero and Near-Zero Emissions Freight Facilities Project.

According to the Port, this new version offers an estimated range of more than 300 miles per fill, twice that of a typical drayage trucks average daily duty cycle. It will move cargo from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

The project received $41 million in funding from CARB.

“This substantial climate investment by the state, matched by the project partners, will help speed up the number of zero-emission trucks in the California communities and neighborhoods where they are needed the most,” said CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols. “It will provide a real world at-work demonstration of innovative heavy-duty fuel-cell electric technologies. The project offers a commercial solution to move cargo and freight around the state using zero-emission trucks and equipment that protect air quality and cut climate-changing emissions.”

Port of Oakland is a Job Creator

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Oakland is a significant job creator and revenue generator, according to an economic impact study released April 18.

The research by Martin Associates points out that 84,144 jobs in the Bay Area – 20 percent are based in Oakland – are supported by the port, which generates $130 billion in overall economic value from business revenue, consumer spending, and total value of goods and services. The study also indicates that nearly $700 million in state and local taxes are generated by the port and its tenants.

“The report confirms the Port of Oakland’s role as a jobs generator for the region,” said port Director of Social Responsibility Amy Tharpe. “The port creates business opportunities that provide good, family-wage jobs.”

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Clean Truck Technology

By Karen Robes Meeks

The nation’s two busiest seaports, Long Beach and Los Angeles, have released a final report on how feasible clean truck technology can meet the Clean Air Action Plan’s zero-emission goals.

The report looks at what is currently available in terms of technology and infrastructure and their commercial readiness, as well as economic considerations.

The document is key to helping the ports meet some new aggressive goals: zero-emissions terminal equipment by 2030 and zero-emissions trucks by 2035.

The final report can be found at http://polb.com/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=15011

A draft examining cargo-handling equipment feasibility assessment is due out in the spring.

New Vietnam Service at Oakland

By Karen Robes Meeks

A new direct service to Vietnam will launch at the Port of Oakland later this month, the port announced April 15.

Pacific International Lines (PIL) will begin direct service to the Asian country called AC5, in partnership with Cosco and Wan Hai. The new route, which will use vessels that can accommodate as many as 11,900 TEUs, will make stops in Haiphong, Nansha, Hong Kong, Yantian, Long Beach and Oakland.

“PIL’s new direct service from the Port of Oakland is a good sign of increasing demand on Vietnam routes,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. “Vietnam is showing strong growth in its import and export markets.”

Vietnam was the port’s third biggest import market and fifth largest export market last year. Since 2015, U.S. exports to Vietnam from Oakland have risen by 126 percent when measured by volume, while imports have increased 29 percent.

New Foss VP

By Karen Robes Meeks

Sloane Perras is the new Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Ethics Officer for Foss Maritime Company.

She will oversee Foss’ Legal and Risk Management Group, providing legal counsel and business strategies and best practices advice, and directing ethics and compliance programs.

“We are very pleased to have Sloane join Foss Maritime,” said John Parrott, President and CEO of Foss Maritime. “She has impressive experience and is an excellent fit on our team.”

Prior to joining Foss, Perras was Chief Administrative and Legal Officer for The Krystal Company. She previously served as Acting General Counsel for Aaron’s, Inc., and as Vice President, Assistant General Counsel & Assistant Corporate Secretary of Americold Logistics, LLC. She also worked as corporate counsel for Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.

“I’m proud to join a company with such a rich history of safety and innovation in waterway commerce,” said Perras, “I’ve worked in a variety of complex business and regulatory environments and look forward to putting my years of experience into safeguarding the values and reputation of Foss – and in being a part of its continued growth.”

Matson Gives

By Karen Robes Meeks

More than 850 charitable organizations and non-profit programs in Hawaii, Alaska and other regions including the US mainland received a total of $3.6 million in cash and in-kind donations from Matson and its employees last year. The list below shows some of the largest cash donations:

• $200,000 to United Way;

• $60,000 to the American Red Cross;

• $45,000 to the Navy League;

• $40,000 to the American Heart Association;

• $35,000 to the Coast Guard Foundation;

• $50,000 to the expansion of Covenant House – a youth shelter in Alaska; and

• $25,000 to the Hawaii State Department of Education's Beginning Teacher Summer Academies.

"Matson considers itself a lifeline to the communities it serves, and with that comes a special responsibility," said Matt Cox, Chairman and CEO. "In addition to being a reliable supply chain provider, Matson is committed to supporting local organizations that improve the quality of life in our communities."