By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Vancouver USA has secured $4.7 million in the 2019 state capital budget for the next phase of redevelopment at Terminal 1, the port announced earlier this month.
The money will go toward designing and renovating Vancouver Landing, where the American Empress cruise ship docks are located, and designing and building the East Portal stormwater facility, where all the development’s runoff will be treated.
“We are extremely appreciative of the support and leadership of our legislators,” said port CEO Julianna Marler. “I especially want to recognize Senators Annette Cleveland and David Frockt, and Representative Monica Stonier for their tireless advocacy for Terminal 1 and Southwest Washington.”
“This is a project our community has continually told us they want to see built. This investment by the state of Washington leverages current public and private investments and gets Terminal 1 off to a strong start, so we can build a world-class waterfront that connects our community and brings us all together on the Columbia River.”
Friday, May 10, 2019
Busy April for Los Angeles
By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Los Angeles posted its busiest April in history, moving 736,466 TEUs last month, according to latest numbers released Thursday.
This represents a 4.4 percent increase over April 2018 and 3 percent more than April 2017, which previously held the record with 714,755 TEUs.
This is despite flat imports, which were at 360,745 TEUs, and a 5.6 percent drop in exports to 155,533 TEUs. Empty containers, which are shipped overseas to be replenished with goods, jumped 22.5 percent to 220,189 TEUs.
Compared to 2018, port volumes are up 4.5 percent in the first four months of the year.
“With three-plus years of record throughput, we are focused on partnering with our stakeholders to refine operations for even greater efficiencies,” said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “Despite heightened uncertainty in global trade, we continue to invest and prepare our infrastructure and services to provide the best value for our customers.”
The Port of Los Angeles posted its busiest April in history, moving 736,466 TEUs last month, according to latest numbers released Thursday.
This represents a 4.4 percent increase over April 2018 and 3 percent more than April 2017, which previously held the record with 714,755 TEUs.
This is despite flat imports, which were at 360,745 TEUs, and a 5.6 percent drop in exports to 155,533 TEUs. Empty containers, which are shipped overseas to be replenished with goods, jumped 22.5 percent to 220,189 TEUs.
Compared to 2018, port volumes are up 4.5 percent in the first four months of the year.
“With three-plus years of record throughput, we are focused on partnering with our stakeholders to refine operations for even greater efficiencies,” said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “Despite heightened uncertainty in global trade, we continue to invest and prepare our infrastructure and services to provide the best value for our customers.”
Long Beach Breaks Cargo Record
By Karen Robes Meeks
A 13-year-old cargo record had been broken last month at the Port of Long Beach. The port handled 628,121 TEUs shattering the 619,512 TEUs April 2016 record. It represents an increase of 1.6 percent compared to April 2018.
Imports were up 1.8 percent to 317,883 TEUs compared to last year, while exports fell 12.7 percent to 123,804 TEUs. Empty containers jumped 13.5 percent to 186,435 TEUs.
Port Executive Director Mario Cordero said the increase in empty containers reflect the lingering effects of imported cargo being rushed in during the fourth quarter of 2018 ahead of potential tariffs.
“Ocean carriers have been busy repositioning containers back to Asia after sending so many to North America late last year,” said Cordero. “With peak season approaching, we’re expecting imports to continue to grow, but it’s clear exports are suffering under the weight of tariffs.”
A 13-year-old cargo record had been broken last month at the Port of Long Beach. The port handled 628,121 TEUs shattering the 619,512 TEUs April 2016 record. It represents an increase of 1.6 percent compared to April 2018.
Imports were up 1.8 percent to 317,883 TEUs compared to last year, while exports fell 12.7 percent to 123,804 TEUs. Empty containers jumped 13.5 percent to 186,435 TEUs.
Port Executive Director Mario Cordero said the increase in empty containers reflect the lingering effects of imported cargo being rushed in during the fourth quarter of 2018 ahead of potential tariffs.
“Ocean carriers have been busy repositioning containers back to Asia after sending so many to North America late last year,” said Cordero. “With peak season approaching, we’re expecting imports to continue to grow, but it’s clear exports are suffering under the weight of tariffs.”
Matson Reports Strong Earnings
By Karen Robes Meeks
Matson, Inc. this week reported a net income of $12.5 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, and consolidated revenue of $532.4 million in its first quarter.
"We are off to a solid start for the year with Ocean Transportation operating income coming in as expected with a number of positive and negative factors, and Logistics posting stronger-than-expected operating income,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Matt Cox. “Within Ocean Transportation, we saw continued strong demand in our China service and steady performance in SSAT, but we also faced significant weather-related issues that primarily affected our Hawaii service. In our Logistics segment, we performed exceptionally well with positive contributions across all service lines."
“As a result of the first quarter performance, we are raising our outlook for consolidated operating income in 2019,” Cox said. “In Logistics, we expect full year operating income to be moderately higher than the level achieved in 2018. For Ocean Transportation, we are maintaining our prior full year operating income outlook and expect a higher contribution from Alaska, offset by lower contributions from our China service and at SSAT, both of which are coming off exceptionally strong years.”
Matson, Inc. this week reported a net income of $12.5 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, and consolidated revenue of $532.4 million in its first quarter.
"We are off to a solid start for the year with Ocean Transportation operating income coming in as expected with a number of positive and negative factors, and Logistics posting stronger-than-expected operating income,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Matt Cox. “Within Ocean Transportation, we saw continued strong demand in our China service and steady performance in SSAT, but we also faced significant weather-related issues that primarily affected our Hawaii service. In our Logistics segment, we performed exceptionally well with positive contributions across all service lines."
“As a result of the first quarter performance, we are raising our outlook for consolidated operating income in 2019,” Cox said. “In Logistics, we expect full year operating income to be moderately higher than the level achieved in 2018. For Ocean Transportation, we are maintaining our prior full year operating income outlook and expect a higher contribution from Alaska, offset by lower contributions from our China service and at SSAT, both of which are coming off exceptionally strong years.”
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Port of Oakland Ballpark
By Karen Robes Meeks
On May 13, the Port of Oakland Commissioners are expected to consider a proposal that would give the Oakland Athletics four years to meet certain criteria necessary for the building of a new ballpark at Howard Terminal.
The terms include completing a report on the potential environmental effects of such a project, securing land use approvals and real estate agreements.
The port stated that “a positive vote on the outlines of further actions does not commit the Port to the project.” Regulatory, land use and environmental impact report must be completed and approved before an agreement can be binding.
The vote does culminate yearlong talks between the port and the baseball team.
On May 13, the Port of Oakland Commissioners are expected to consider a proposal that would give the Oakland Athletics four years to meet certain criteria necessary for the building of a new ballpark at Howard Terminal.
The terms include completing a report on the potential environmental effects of such a project, securing land use approvals and real estate agreements.
The port stated that “a positive vote on the outlines of further actions does not commit the Port to the project.” Regulatory, land use and environmental impact report must be completed and approved before an agreement can be binding.
The vote does culminate yearlong talks between the port and the baseball team.
New CFO for Portland
By Karen Robes Meeks
Dionne Denson is the Port of Portland’s new Chief Financial Officer, it was announced Thursday.
Denson, who will start on June 10, will oversee the port’s accounting, finance, budget management, audit and risk.
Denson has spent the last eight years at the Georgia Department of Public Health, where she recently served as Deputy Commissioner and Chief Financial Officer managing a $600 million budget.
“We could not be more excited to have someone as impressive as Dionne join our Executive Team,” said Port Executive Director Curtis Robinhold. “Not only will she bring proven financial skills and thoughtful leadership, she has a deep commitment to promoting service and inclusion, which are critical values to us at the port.”
Dionne Denson is the Port of Portland’s new Chief Financial Officer, it was announced Thursday.
Denson, who will start on June 10, will oversee the port’s accounting, finance, budget management, audit and risk.
Denson has spent the last eight years at the Georgia Department of Public Health, where she recently served as Deputy Commissioner and Chief Financial Officer managing a $600 million budget.
“We could not be more excited to have someone as impressive as Dionne join our Executive Team,” said Port Executive Director Curtis Robinhold. “Not only will she bring proven financial skills and thoughtful leadership, she has a deep commitment to promoting service and inclusion, which are critical values to us at the port.”
Lynden Businesses Recertified Green Star
By Karen Robes Meeks
Lynden Transport, Alaska West Express, Lynden International and Lynden Air Cargo have been re-certified as Green Star businesses at a recent Alaska Forum on the Environment event in Anchorage, Alaska.
Addressing the Anchorage Rotary last February, Lynden’s Green Initiative Coordinator Anna Deal talked about the Lynden companies’ environmental advancements, including how “Lynden’s common-sense approach to going green is good business and how small changes can add up to big savings for businesses and the environment.”
Established in 1990, Green Star is the only program on Pollution Prevention in Alaska. It seeks to lower or remove the volume or toxicity of materials, pollutants, or wastes at the source so that they never become waste in the first place.
Lynden Transport, Alaska West Express, Lynden International and Lynden Air Cargo have been re-certified as Green Star businesses at a recent Alaska Forum on the Environment event in Anchorage, Alaska.
Addressing the Anchorage Rotary last February, Lynden’s Green Initiative Coordinator Anna Deal talked about the Lynden companies’ environmental advancements, including how “Lynden’s common-sense approach to going green is good business and how small changes can add up to big savings for businesses and the environment.”
Established in 1990, Green Star is the only program on Pollution Prevention in Alaska. It seeks to lower or remove the volume or toxicity of materials, pollutants, or wastes at the source so that they never become waste in the first place.
Free Harbor Tours at Los Angeles
By Karen Robes Meeks
To help celebrate World Trade Week, the Port of Los Angeles is hosting its annual free harbor boat tours and STEM Funshop on May 18.
The hour-long narrated boat tours leave every half hour between 10:00 a.m. and 3 p.m. from Banning’s Landing Community Center, located at 100 E. Water St. in Wilmington, Calif., and Los Angeles Maritime Museum, located at 600 Sampson Way (Berth 84), in San Pedro, Calif.
According to the port, the educational event provides a chance to experience STEM-related Port activities demonstrated by Port of Los Angeles engineers, environmental specialists, police officers, and pilots.
To help celebrate World Trade Week, the Port of Los Angeles is hosting its annual free harbor boat tours and STEM Funshop on May 18.
The hour-long narrated boat tours leave every half hour between 10:00 a.m. and 3 p.m. from Banning’s Landing Community Center, located at 100 E. Water St. in Wilmington, Calif., and Los Angeles Maritime Museum, located at 600 Sampson Way (Berth 84), in San Pedro, Calif.
According to the port, the educational event provides a chance to experience STEM-related Port activities demonstrated by Port of Los Angeles engineers, environmental specialists, police officers, and pilots.
