Friday, October 11, 2019

Camas-Washougal Seeks Input on Development

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Camas-Washougal is asking the public to weigh in on three preliminary waterfront concepts. “The community’s input is highly valued and desired in order 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,” the port said. The next opportunity to comment will be at a Special Meeting/Workshop on Oct. 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Port conference room. The workshop will feature three concept options with their respective PBS engineering and environmental data. The board is expected to approve a final Waterfront Master Plan Phase 1 concept on Dec. 16. Visit http://www.parkerslandingwaterfront.com for more details on each concept.

Logistics Facility to Break Ground at Oakland

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Oakland and CenterPoint Properties broke ground on CenterPoint’s new 466,830 square-foot logistics facility at the former Oakland Army Base. Viewed as a centerpiece project within the port’s Seaport Logistics Complex, the new facility is expected to decrease truck travel and offer living-wage jobs for Oakland residents. The development represents more than $60 million in investment in Oakland’s future. “The facility will be built to LEED standards and be prepped for electric vehicle charging stations,” said the port. “CenterPoint worked with the Port and the community to sign a groundbreaking jobs policy that prioritizes employing workers from nearby neighborhoods to work in living-wage warehouse jobs. This will provide a pathway to good jobs and help curb economic inequality.”

High School Students Win Clean Air Award

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Long Beach and Academy of Global Logistics’ education outreach program linking Cabrillo High School students to a project creating non-polluting, zero-emissions cargo-moving technology recently netted a Clean Air Award from the South Coast Air Quality Management District. The Zero-Emissions Transformation Capstone Project allowed 60 students to study the Commercialization of POLB Off-Road Technology project, which tests zero-emissions cargo-handling equipment at two terminals in Long Beach. “Connecting our Academy of Global Logistics students together with our work on zero-emissions technology was so gratifying. I’m doubly pleased to see the students and the Port recognized for this groundbreaking collaboration,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal. “Our education outreach programs aim to show our local students the universe of career opportunities in international trade and goods movement, and I think we’ve definitely hit the mark here.”

AAPA to Host Three Events on West Coast

By Karen Robes Meeks

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) recently announced that it will host three of its events on the West Coast in 2020. AAPA, which represents 130 seaport authorities in the US, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean, will host 10 events next year, including eight maritime industry training seminars and two conferences. Events on the West Coast include the Smart Ports seminar, which focuses on information technology, is scheduled for Los Angeles, Calif., on Feb. 5–6; the Finance Seminar, presented in partnership with SAP Concur, will be in Seattle, Wash., on April 15-16; and the three-day Port Security Seminar and Expo is slated for San Diego, Calif., on July 15-17.

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

New Everett Waterfront Hotel Now Open

By Karen Robes Meeks

Hotel Indigo Seattle Everett Waterfront, the first completed private development in the Port of Everett's 65-acre Waterfront Place, is now open.

The new hotel features rooms with water views, a large indoor saline swimming pool, nearly 8,000 square feet of indoor meeting and event space, more than 5,000 square feet dedicated to outdoor events and “a locally inspired restaurant with a seafood-forward concept,” according to the port.

“Welcoming our first guests to Hotel Indigo and Jetty Bar & Grille is truly special along with the enthusiastic community support that is essential to our success,” said Patty Davis, general manager of Hotel Indigo Seattle Everett Waterfront. “The tranquil setting paired with views of the Port of Everett Marina from most guestrooms is ideal for a leisurely getaway and the hotel's amenities are perfect for special events and group meetings of all sizes. We are excited to welcome guests from near and far and look forward to being part of the vibrant and growing community here in Everett.” Lisa Lefeber, Port of Everett deputy executive director, said she is happy to officially welcome Hotel Indigo and their guests to the port as they open their doors to the community.

“This exciting and historic milestone marks the first of many openings to come to Waterfront Place, adding to the overall vibrancy and livability of this waterfront destination,” she said.

San Diego Seeks Input on Charter Regulations

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of San Diego is seeking input on proposed changes to its charter vessel regulations, Port Code Section 4.37.

The proposal would affect charter vessels that operate in San Diego Bay marinas and sportfishing landings starting January 2020. It would allow the port to “issue permits to qualified charter vessel operators who conduct their businesses outside of a marina or sportfishing landing”. The port would collect the related license agreement fees from those operators.

Currently, unpermitted vessel charters operate in San Diego Bay and some lack proper insurance or operate under unsafe conditions, according to the port.

The outreach meeting will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 10 at the Port Administration Building, 3165 Pacific Highway, San Diego 92101. The public may also submit feedback at charters@portofsandiego.org.

For more information on the proposal, visit https://pantheonstorage.blob.core.windows.net/maritime/Draft-Proposed-Updates-Port-Charter-Vessel-Regulations.pdf.

San Pedro Bay Ports Celebrate Clean Air Day

By Karen Robes Meeks

The nation's two busiest seaports honored California Clean Air Day on Wednesday with the introduction of green cargo-handling equipment.

The Port of Los Angeles introduced two pre-commercial battery-electric top handlers that will be tested over a 12-month period, starting at the end of the year, at the Everport Container Terminal.

“Today shows we are making good on our pledge to do the hard work of advancing commercially feasible solutions to meet our goal of transitioning all cargo-handling equipment to zero emissions by 2030,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “We're excited to power up these battery-electric top handlers and test them under the real-world conditions of a working container terminal.”

Meanwhile, the Port of Long Beach announced that hydrogen- and electric-powered cargo handling equipment will be tested at two shipping terminals.

The equipment is funded through a $5.3 million California Air Resources Board grant as part of the “C-PORT,” or Commercialization of POLB Off-Road Technology Project.

According to the port, five vehicles will be tested, including two battery-electric top handlers at SSA Marine's Pacific Container Terminal at Pier J, as well as one fuel cell yard tractor, one battery-electric top handler and one battery-electric yard tractor at Long Beach Container Terminal at Pier E.

“Projects like these are designed to take us down the road to being the world's first zero-emissions seaport,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “We have our labor partners of the ILWU, our terminal operators SSA and LBCT, and our regulatory agencies all working together to find the right technologies to reach our zero-emissions goals. With teamwork and cooperation like that, I think we can look forward to many more innovative projects to demonstrate new technologies.”

New Olympia Business Development Head

By Karen Robes Meeks

Allyn J. Roe has been tapped to be the Port of Olympia's Business Development Director, confirmed Executive Director Sam Gibboney.

Roe has business development, real estate development, and airport management experience, having worked as chief operating officer for Industrial Park at Trans Alta, and as airport manager of the Chehalis-Centralia Airport where, for eight years, he managed daily operations and retail marketing.

“The Port received many excellent applications for this position,” said Gibboney. “And while the competition was close, we found Allyn to be the best fit for the Port of Olympia. We are looking forward to having Allyn on the port's leadership team and working with him to continue to build and foster the port's commitment to economic development, growth and revenue generation in Thurston County.”