Friday, January 3, 2020

Everett Wins Marina of the Year

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Everett Marina was recently named the 2019 Marina of the Year in the large marina category (250+ slips) by Marina Dock Age magazine. The announcement was made during The Docks Expo in Nashville, Tenn.

The Port of Everett Marina – the largest publicly run marina on the West Coast – was one of more than 20 US facilities considered for the award.

The facilities are scored based on several factors, including business operations, facility improvements, advertising and marketing, environmental responsibility and community involvement. “Recent in-water and upland developments, quality customer service, high environmental standards, community and industry engagement and unique special events were among the attributes bringing Port of Everett’s ranking to the top,” according to the release.

“The Port of Everett is so much more than its 2,300 slips, which is an incredible amount of boaters to serve,” Marina Dock Age Editor Anna Townshend said. “Beyond all those vessels and the boatyard, it’s a local public treasure for anyone that wants to enjoy the waterfront. Not many marinas may be as big as the Port of Everett, but everyone can take away something from its amazing operation.”

USCG Seeking Portland Bridge Input

By Karen Robes Meeks

The US Coast Guard is asking the public to weigh in on any navigation issues related to the proposed Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge project in Portland, Ore.

The new seismic-friendly bridge would replace the current Burnside Highway Bridge on the Willamette River, at river mile 12.4, in Multnomah County.

The public has until Jan. 17 to submit input on “the proposed bridge’s ability to meet the reasonable needs of navigation.” Multnomah County has created a navigation impact report for the project. That data will factor into the Coast Guard’s preliminary navigation determination.

Submissions may be sent to Commander (dpw), Thirteenth Coast Guard District, 915 2nd Ave, Rm 3510, Seattle, Wash., or via email at D13-PF-D13BRIDGES@uscg.mil or by calling 206-220-7282.

For more information, visit https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/D13BN.

Long Beach Bridge Tours

By Karen Robes Meeks

Want a closer look at the new $1.47 billion span that will replace the Gerald Desmond Bridge in Long Beach, Calif.? The port is offering its popular construction site tours and has opened free registrations for two new opportunities set for Jan. 16 and Feb. 20. Visits will take place from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Visitors will be bused to two locations on or close to the construction area to view and photograph the project from a variety of different angles.

Upon completion, the new bridge will feature six traffic lanes, a taller clearance for large cargo vessels to pass through and a bike and pedestrian path.

For more information on the project, go to www.newgdbridge.com.

To reserve your place on one of the tours visit https://www.eventbrite.com/o/gerald-desmond-bridge-replacement-project-17761916129?mc_eid=9feaaa0e54&mc_cid=d68a48383d&mc_cid=c1cab58845&mc_eid=f15fc0fac7.

Lynden Observes Red Dog Mine Anniversary

By Karen Robes Meeks

NANA/Lynden Logistics, LLC recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of its bid to take over the onsite trucking services for Red Dog Mine near Kotzebue, Alaska.

During that time, the 50 drivers and mechanics that make up the core of the team have moved more than “57 billion pounds of zinc and lead concentrates, 320 million gallons of fuel and 1 million tons of freight between the Red Dog Mine and port site 52 miles away,” according to the company.

"When we took over in 1999, we inherited tractors and trailers from the prior contractor and immediately saw an opportunity to improve the equipment to a more stable, environmentally safe and productive design," said General Manager Mark Tatlow. "We switched from a 9-axle tractor trailer set with a dolly to an 11-axle trailer set with the rear trailer connected directly to the lead trailer. This allowed us to increase our payload from 170,000 pounds to 280,000 pounds. We eliminated the dolly and pintle hitch between the two trailers, so they are connected by a single connection point for increased stability. We also added a solid lid to the trailers and eliminated the side dump doors to reduce dust escaping during transport."

"We are proud of our partnership with NANA and the shareholder and non-shareholder drivers and mechanics at the mine,” Tatlow said. “Each day they safely and professionally operate specialized equipment in the harsh Arctic environment and have contributed to the dramatic improvements we have seen over the past two decades.”

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

New Lurline for Matson

By Karen Robes Meeks

This week in San Diego, Matson, Inc. received delivery of its newest vessel from General Dynamics NASSCO. Christened Lurline, it is considered the biggest combination container / roll-on / roll-off (con-ro) vessel ever built in the US, the company announced Dec. 26.

The 870-foot-long vessel – Matson’s largest and one of its fastest – will embark on its maiden voyage to Hawaii next month, stopping in Oakland and Long Beach, Calif., on Jan. 9 and Jan. 11 before arriving in Honolulu on Jan. 15.

The Lurline is the first of a pair of "Kanaloa Class" con-ro ships by NASSCO, and the third of four new ships Matson is bringing online between 2018 and 2020.

Hawaii Terminal Project Moves to Phase 2

By Karen Robes Meeks

With the first phase of the Kapalama Container Terminal project at Honolulu Harbor completed ahead of schedule, Hawaii transportation leaders are ready for the second phase to begin.

Earlier this month, the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Harbors Division announced that it plans to open the bidding for Phase 2 in February 2020. This phase is expected to cost between $200 million and 300 million and should be completed by 2023.

“Positive improvements are underway at our commercial harbors that will enhance operations for the harbor users, which ultimately benefits the public as a whole,” said Deputy Director Derek Chow, Hawaii Department of Transportation Harbors Division. “This project is especially exciting because it will help address our capacity issues and meet the growing economic demands for the long term, that when complete, overseas transfers of containers to the interisland carrier will reduce traffic around the harbor’s surrounding roads.”

The terminal project, which started in January 2018, is the centerpiece of the Harbors Modernization Plan and is considered the biggest capital improvement project in Hawaii harbors history.

Countries Commemorate Cooperation

By Karen Robes Meeks

Earlier this month in Seattle, Wash., the US Coast Guard and the Canadian Coast Guard commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Cooperative Vessel Traffic Services (CVTS), a shipping traffic management system that spans from Puget Sound north to Prince Rupert, British Columbia.

The system works to make vessel traffic movement safer and faster while shrinking pollution risk to the marine ecosystems.

“The region, the people and the relationship we have with Canada is what makes this partnership so unique,” said Rear Adm. Jack Vogt, commander, 13th Coast Guard District. “This team works tirelessly to ensure the safe movement of maritime traffic throughout this pristine environment.”

For more information about the CVTS, visit https://www.pacificarea.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/District-13/Units/Sector-Puget-Sound/Co_opVTS/.

Everett Announces Strategy

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Everett has mapped out its vision for the next decade, thanks to a new Strategic Plan adopted by the port commission earlier this month.

Nearly two years in the making, the plan incorporated public comments received during the engagement process and outlines the priorities. Promoting and protecting a balanced waterfront and enabling balanced economic opportunities through a working waterfront with that of a destination waterfront while being accessible to the public are key components of the strategy.

The plan also prioritizes environmental stewardship, recreational access, facilitates a strong regional economy and supports national security and a resilience to disasters while reflecting the values of the community. For more details on the strategic plan, visit http://www.portofeverett.com/home/showdocument?id=14141