Friday, January 17, 2020

SM Line Arrives at Port of Portland

By Karen Robes Meeks

This week, SM Line made its first vessel call to the Port of Portland’s Terminal 6. The arrival of the 4,360-TEU Qingdao, marked the start of weekly container shipping service for the company at the Oregon seaport.

The inaugural call – which departed the Port of Ningbo in China on Dec. 22 as part of the South Korea-based container carrier’s Pacific Northwest Service – included nearly 200 containers being imported, more than 70 export containers going to Korea, and 330 empty containers. The company’s service route includes stops in Shanghai, Pusan, Vancouver, BC and Seattle, Wash, the port said.

“We are excited to welcome SM Line’s maiden voyage to Portland,” said Port Executive Director Curtis Robinhold. “Their weekly container service provides an important option for regional shippers and will better connect Oregon businesses to global markets. It is such an encouraging sign to see Terminal 6 busy and productive.”

Oregon Ports Partner on Dredging Efforts

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay and the Port of Siuslaw have teamed up to finish dredging at the Port of Siuslaw inner boat basin, which accumulated so much debris that some slips were unusable, according to the port. The project – the culmination of a year of planning between Business Oregon and both ports – calls for the removal of roughly 12,000 cubic yards of sediment from the marina.

“Dredging is of dire importance to Oregon’s public ports as drivers of economic development,” says David Huntington, Port of Siuslaw manager. “This is a project that benefits our marina customers, the waterfront environment, and our entire community.”

“As the stewards of the state dredge, it is important to us to ensure safe navigation throughout Oregon coast,” said Charleston Marina Harbormaster Brandon Collura.

According to the port, the Port of Siuslaw Marina project will be the fourth successful dredging project since the Port of Coos Bay assumed maintenance and operational responsibilities in 2016

Port of Seattle Commission Elects its Officers for 2020

By Karen Robes Meeks

Peter Steinbrueck will lead the Port of Seattle Commission for 2020 as its elected President. Commissioner Fred Felleman will serve as Vice-President and newly elected Commissioner Sam Cho will be Secretary.

“The Port of Seattle has a critical mission to foster economic development and living-wage jobs, as we advance social equity and environmental stewardship for the region and state,” said Steinbrueck. “I’m grateful for the support and confidence of my commission colleagues, and for Commissioner Stephanie Bowman’s effective leadership as president last year. Those priorities will shape our work on new waterfront facilities in Elliott Bay and bring improvements to Sea-Tac Airport.”

Port of San Diego Appoints Interim Port Auditor

By Karen Robes Meeks

Former Assistant Port Auditor Mark Yeilding has been appointed as the Port of San Diego’s Acting Port Auditor. Yeilding, who started in his new role earlier this month, takes over for the retiring Robert “Bob” Monson.

Yeilding, who came to the port in 2014 as an auditor, became Assistant Port Auditor in 2018. He earned a master’s degree in public administration from USC and is a Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Government Auditing Professional.

“Mark has done a superior job in his role as Assistant Port Auditor and has demonstrated that he has the ability to lead the Port Auditor’s Office to be a regional model that will enhance the public’s understanding and trust in the port,” said Port Commission Board Chair Ann Moore. “We are grateful to have him lead the Auditor’s Office during this transition and are confident he will serve the port well in his new capacity.”

Meanwhile, the port said it is searching nationwide to fill the post and is expected to choose someone for the permanent position by the end of this month.

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Port of Long Beach to Host State of the Port

By Karen Robes Meeks

Long Beach Board of Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal and Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero will speak at the annual State of the Port address on Jan. 22.

The two leaders will review the port’s accomplishments of the past year and discuss the prospects for 2020.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Long Beach Convention Center Grand Ballroom, located at 300 E. Ocean Blvd. in Long Beach, Calif. Free parking can be accessed from Pine Avenue. Lunch and the program will start at noon.

To RSVP, contact Kimberly Sides at (562) 283-7710. The port also plans to broadcast the event live via webcast at www.polb.com/stateoftheport starting at 12:25 p.m.

CBP 2020 Trade Symposium to Discuss USMCA, E-Commerce

By Karen Robes Meeks

International trade organizations, interagency collaboration, and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) are expected to be discussed at the upcoming US Customs and Border Protection’s 2020 Trade Symposium in Anaheim, Calif.

The event will also address topics such as forced labor, e-commerce (specifically Entry Type 86, 321 Data Pilot), the latest on implementing the CTPAT Minimum Security Criteria, the future state of In-bound and Export capabilities, as well as ACE, the Blockchain proof of concept and emerging technologies.

The event will take place on March 10-11 at the Anaheim Hilton in Anaheim, Calif. To register, visit https://www.cbp.gov/trade/stakeholder-engagement/trade-symposium.

USCG Honors Fallen Coast Guardsmen, Mariners in Washington

By Karen Robes Meeks

The US Coast Guard on Saturday paid tribute to deceased Coast Guardsmen and mariners with a morning memorial service at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Ilwaco, Wash.

The event, which included words from former shipmates, land and sea wreath ceremonies and the ringing of the bell after each name was read, honored those who lost their lives to help others in trouble along Oregon and Washington coastal waters.

Among those recognized were four Coast Guardsmen aboard Motor Life Boat 36384 who died on Feb. 5, 1946, while searching for two crab boats near Ocean City, Wash., and three Coast Guardsmen aboard Motor Life Boat 44363 who died on Feb. 12, 1997, trying to save two crewmembers aboard the 31-foot sailing vessel Gale Runner near the Quillayute River Bar.

"Memorials provide an important link to the past, and it is important to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice," said Capt. Jeremy Smith, commander, Coast Guard Sector Columbia River. "These memorials allow us to remember the bravery and courage of those who have come before us, while also reminding us of the risks and dangers of our chosen profession."

Port of Everett Signs MOUs with Neighboring Cities

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Everett recently celebrated its new partnership with the cities of Arlington and Marysville with the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) that pave the way for the Cascade Industrial Center (CIC) to generate more jobs and bolster the region economically.

The MOUs allow the port to leverage its resources and expertise in various areas such as financing, grants, planning and environmental support and regulatory strategy to help the center. The CIC area offers more than 1,700 acres of buildable manufacturing and industrial opportunity close to vital transportation arteries such as I-5, the port, BNSF rail and the Arlington Municipal Airport.

As part of the celebration, the City of Arlington and Arlington Public Schools also launched the new Arlington Career Internships Program for local high school juniors and seniors.