Friday, March 6, 2020

New Multi-Modal Facility Opens in Coos Bay

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay announced Monday the opening of the Lost Creek Rock Products Coastal Reload Yard located on the North Spit in Coos County, Ore.

The yard, which will start moving quality aggregates and forest products, will allow for rail to truck and truck to rail terminal movement for the region, the port said.

“This new transportation facility is another important tool for shippers and businesses in Coos, Douglas and Curry Counties to be better connected to the global economy,” said John Burns, CEO of the Port and the Coos Bay Rail Line, Inc (CBRL). “The Port is keenly focused on diversifying and enhancing the economic vitality of the region. Being able to leverage the public investment in infrastructure from our local, state and federal partners to produce new and protect existing living wage jobs as a direct result is (a) huge win-win.”

The Coastal Reload Yard will allow Creswell, Oregon-based Lost Creek Rock Products the ability to offer customers “multi-modal and multi-commodity seamless end to end logistics solutions,” said Lost Creek Rock Products Principal Greg Demers, whose company has been running the Greenhill Reload Yard at the northern terminus of the CBRL in West Eugene, Ore., since 2016.

“We have been partnering with the Port and the CBRL for many years in West Eugene and have invested over $10 million in privately owned rail terminal facilities and infrastructure,” he said. “Moving forward at the Coastal Reload Yard is a logical next step.”

Foss Christens First of Four New Tugs

By Karen Robes Meeks

Foss Maritime recently christened its newest ASD-90 tug, the Jamie Ann, one of four being built by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders in Freeland, Wash.

Upgrades to the new tug features a pair of MTU Tier 4 engines that can generate 6,866 horsepower. It also meets EPA’s highest standards, curbing particulate and nitrogen oxide emissions to near zero through a Selective Catalytic Reduction system.

“We’re building these vessels to the most stringent emissions standards in the world,” said Janic Trepanier, the Foss naval architect managing the project. “These were built to satisfy the requirements of the State of California – requirements we believe will soon be required of the rest of the country and the world.”

The Jamie Ann is expected to be deployed this month to Foss Harbor Services in San Francisco Bay, supporting Foss Maritime’s Oil and Gas customers.

The remaining tugs – the Sarah Averick, the Leisa Florence, and the Rachael Allen – are anticipated for delivery later this year.

Port of Redwood City Releases Mid-Year Results

By Karen Robes Meeks

From July 1, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2019 – the first half of the Port of Redwood City’s fiscal year – the port moved 1.24 million metric tons of cargo that created $4.7 million of revenue, the port announced this week.

The cargo came from Australia, China, Mexico and Canada, while exported departed for Bangladesh, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.

“We are pleased that the Port of Redwood City has seen tremendous growth over the last few years,” said Port of Redwood City Board Chairman Ralph Garcia. “Our recent cargo numbers continue to validate a strong construction economic sector. Our port supports well-paying jobs in the region, while serving our community with global connections.”

Port of Hueneme Offers Job Opportunities

By Karen Robes Meeks

On March 7, the Port of Hueneme and Oxnard Harbor District will be hosting a free job fair. More than 100 job opportunities will be offered by the port and local employers such as the County of Ventura, Ventura County Fire, City of Port Hueneme, Oxnard College, Glovis International Inc. and Employers Depot Inc.

Available positions at the port include custodian, community outreach coordinator, groundskeeper, I.T. services manager, harbormaster and receptionist. Other employers taking part in the fair are looking to fill various jobs such as operations supervisor, operations customer service analyst, pre-delivery inspectors, shuttle drivers/peelers, cooks, facility maintenance technicians and student worker.

“It is important that we continue offering employment opportunities for local residents who count on their port for economic growth and vitality,” said Oxnard Harbor District President Jess Ramirez.

Bring a resume. There will also be a kids’ activity area.

For more information visit www.portofh.org/jobs.

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

San Pedro Bay Ports to Consider Clean Truck Fund Rate

By Karen Robes Meeks

Harbor leaders from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will decide on a Clean Truck Fund Rate proposal on March 9.

The ports are proposing a rate of $10 per TEU that would be charged to beneficial cargo owners for loaded cargo to be moved by non-zero emission or low-nitrogen oxides (NOx) trucks.

“On average, $18 per container will be collected, which is anticipated to generate $90 million in the first year,” according to the ports. “The money collected from the Clean Truck Fund Rate each year will be used to incentivize the turnover of the existing drayage trucking fleet to the cleaner trucks.”

If approved, a few steps will need to be taken before the ports can collect the fees. The California Air Resources Board will need to establish its low-NOx engine emission standard, and the ports will need to set up a mechanism to collect the rate at the gates. Both actions are expected to take place in the spring. Collecting the rate would start shortly after.

The joint meeting will take place at 9 a.m. in the Bob Foster Civic Chambers at Long Beach City Hall, 411 W. Ocean Blvd. in Long Beach, Calif. It will also be available on livestream at www.polb.com/commission/board-meetings/#board-meetings.

Startups Sought for Maritime Object Tracking Technology

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate Silicon Valley Innovation Program is seeking start-ups for the development of Maritime Object Tracking Technology that could aid US Coast Guard missions.

“During the course of normal operations, Coast Guard aircraft and vessels come across numerous types of jettisoned objects, and navigation hazards that need to be recovered from the seas and waterways,” said Wendy Chaves, US Coast Guard Chief of Research, Development, Test and Evaluation and Innovation. “The USCG is interested in tracking solutions that are interoperable with current USCG maritime and aviation assets.”

A Homeland Security Day hosted by the program and USCG is scheduled for March 4 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Menlo Park, Calif.

Visit https://sri-csl.regfox.com/dhs-svip-homeland-security-day-uscg to register for the event.

Port of Grays Harbor Caps 2019 in a Solid Financial Position

By Karen Robes Meeks

At nearly $34 million, the Port of Grays Harbor posted its second highest overall operating revenue and highest revenue by the Marine Terminals.

Although vessels calls fell in 2019, the port moved almost three million metric tons of cargo at its four terminal, a historic tonnage record.

Following two years of record cargo growth, the port is looking at growth opportunities in the coming years.

“We hope to increase the diversity of cargoes we handle here at the Port with progress on a potential new project and private investment at Terminal 3,” said port Executive Director Gary Nelson. “We will also move forward with preparing the former pontoon site for future development to support cargo operations at adjacent Terminal 4. As you will hear from us throughout the year, the Future is Here, in Grays Harbor.”

Port of Long Beach Debuts New Logo and Website

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Long Beach has unveiled a new logo and user-friendly website that officials hope will better communicate the port’s approach to operational excellence.

The port’s new graphic features a cargo container that doubles as a check mark which links to Long Beach’s new tagline “The Port of Choice”. The redesigned website, www.polb.com, is mobile-friendly and optimized for tablets and smartphones. It also showcases an interactive map of cargo facilities, port projects and other highlights as well as photo galleries, improved calendar and additional enhanced functionality.

“Replacing the old website with an up-to-date, mobile-friendly platform is a huge step forward for sharing the Port’s story with our diverse groups of stakeholders,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “The new logo and tagline, ‘The Port of Choice,’ are a clear declaration of our focus on innovation and visionary leadership that we share with our industry.”