Friday, February 26, 2021

USCG Investigates Marine Casualty

U.S. Coast Guard officials announced Wednesday that the agency is pursuing a formal investigation into the Feb. 20 capsizing of a commercial fishing vessel that resulted in two deaths.

Rear Adm. Anthony Vogt, Coast Guard Thirteenth District Commander, authorized the investigation into the circumstances of the 38-foot fishing vessel Coastal Reign, which capsized with four crew members while they were trying to cross the Tillamook Bay Bar in Oregon, the agency said.

An email has been created for those interested in weighing in or offering any information on the investigation and inquiring about any scheduled hearings.The email is D13WebManagers@uscg.mil. The Coast Guard plans to put out a report after that investigation is done.

Those who traverse the bar should tread carefully as “most accidents and deaths that occur on coastal bars are from capsizing,” according to the state of Oregon.

Before embarking, mariners should check weather, bar and tide conditions, make sure family and friends have your Float Plan, avoid overfilling a vessel, wear a life jacket and have with you flares and a VHF-FM radio.

For more tips, visit https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/forms-library/Documents/Publications/TillamookBayChartlette2020_web.pdf.

Port of L.A. Rolls Out New Data Tool

The Port of Los Angeles on Wednesday introduced a new data tool designed to help make cargo flow more efficient and modernize the way information is conveyed along the supply chain.

The new Control Tower data - the latest in a series of tools being rolled out by the port in the last six months - allows stakeholders to see truck turns in real time at cargo terminals and other truck-related trend information so they can better plan based on flow of cargo, the port said.

“The Control Tower is a service and digital tool that will help get critical and reliable information to San Pedro Bay port stakeholders so that they can improve decision making and efficiencies,” said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “We are currently the only port in North America offering this array of digital tools, but I’m optimistic that this type of data will eventually be more uniformly available at every node of the supply chain.”

The tool was developed with Wabtec and is being introduced in phases.

“Data is a critical resource in moving goods across the supply chain and into the hands of consumers,” said Scott Holland, Vice President of Wabtec’s Network and Logistics business. “The Port Optimizer Control Tower is an important step in the journey to connect railroads, chassis providers, truckers, warehouse operators and others across the supply chain, and ensure cargo seamlessly flows in and out of ports. This system’s real-time and historical analytics will help the Port of Los Angeles community optimize their operations, relieve congestion stemming from increased global shipping traffic, and get products to people faster.”

To sign up for Control Tower, go to Tower.Portoptimizer.com.

Imports Up at NWSA

Latest numbers show that imports rose nearly 11 percent last month at the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, according to the Northwest Seaport Alliance.

The ports moved 288,289 TEUs in January, a 9.3 percent jump from the same time a year ago, with imports up 10.9 percent. Meanwhile, exports fell 13.4 percent.

This news comes as vessels from Wan Hai Lines’ new AA5 service is scheduled to make its call to Seattle Harbor in mid-March, giving customers direct links between Asia and the Pacific Northwest.

Also beginning in mid-March is ZIM new quick transpacific ZX2 service, which will be regularly visiting the Tacoma Harbor and the newly modernized Husky Terminal.

Port of Oakland Chief Selected CAPA VP

Port of Oakland Executive Director Danny Wan has been selected to serve as vice president of the California Association of Port Authorities, it was announced this week.

Wan takes on the role previously held by Port of Richmond Executive Director Jim Matzorkis, who died in December.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to help lead a unified advocacy effort for our system of California ports,” said Wan. “Our business recovery efforts in Oakland will guide my work with CAPA as we move toward stabilizing and strengthening our maritime and freight sectors.”   Wan, who plans to work closely with CAPA President and Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka, spoke of the association’s push for ports in California to be seen as an economic force.

“CAPA calls attention to the need for statewide coordination of investments in goods movement infrastructure, conversion to clean energy operations and efficient transportation corridors,” said Wan. "Just like the Port of Oakland, which supports over 84,000 jobs in Northern California, each California port contributes to a healthy economy, job base and environment in each of its respective regions and statewide."

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

January Cargo Volumes Up at Port of Los Angeles

The Port of Los Angeles handled 3.6 percent more cargo last month than in January 2020, reflecting an upward trend of increases over the past six months and strong U.S. consumer spending, according to recent numbers released by the port.

The nation’s busiest seaport moved 835,516 TEUs in overall cargo last month, including 437,609 TEUs in loaded imports. The port saw 87 cargo ships - including eight extra loaders - arrive in January. Meanwhile, loaded exports fell 19.5 percent to 119,327 TEUs. Empty containers rose 14 percent to 278,580 TEUs, reflecting higher demand in Asia.

“All indications point toward a strong flow of imports over the next few months as consumers continue an unprecedented buying surge which began last summer,” said Port of Los Angeles Director Gene Seroka. “However, U.S. exports continue to lag, down 25 of the last 27 months. What we’re experiencing is one-way trade, which has created challenges for the entire supply chain.

“We are grateful to our dock workers, truckers and terminal operators who have worked every day since the pandemic began to process these record volumes. We will continue to advocate at all levels of government for sufficient supplies to ensure every waterfront worker has a chance to be vaccinated.”

Wan Hai Lines to Call on Seattle Port

The Northwest Seaport Alliance's Seattle Harbor will be Wan Hai Lines’ first port of call for its new AA5 service launching in mid-March, the NWSA has announced.

The Taiwan-based international shipping firm’s new service will include stops in Kaohsiung, Yantian, Shanghai, Ningbo, Seattle and Oakland before heading back to Kaohsiung and offers direct links between Asia and the Pacific Northwest, the NWSA said.

"The Northwest Seaport Alliance has ample terminal capacity, provides efficient operations and low dwell times that ensure cargo moves quickly onto its ultimate destination,” said John Wolfe, CEO of The Northwest Seaport Alliance. “The gateway offers supply chain flexibility and low-cost transload options to our customers."

The service will call at Terminal 18 in Seattle.

Port of Coos Bay Scholarship Application Open

Graduating high school seniors are invited to apply for the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay’s annual scholarship program, which will be open until April 1.

The scholarship was created to nurture and support the Oregon’s South Coast regional workers of the future.

Applicants must be high school seniors living in the port district and will be given special consideration if the senior is studying a trade or skills in the maritime, rail, or trade and logistics industries.

“The Port sees great value in investing in our youth and growing our workforce locally,” said Port CEO John Burns. “It is an essential component to cultivate our community and create opportunities to grow and thrive. As we look to the future of this community, it’s important to encourage our young people to pursue successful careers and return to the area.”

For more, go to https://www.portofcoosbay.com/community-giving.

Port of Oakland Names New CFO

Julie Lam, who has been instrumental in the Port of Oakland’s economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is the port’s new chief financial officer, it was announced Friday.

Lam, who joined the port eight years ago as its controller, has been serving as acting CFO for the last 10 months. She will be tasked with overseeing the port’s accounting, budgeting, management of finances, human resources, risk management, purchasing and enterprise resource planning.

Lam molded two major efforts to help the port weather the pandemic, including an initiative to refinance a $544 million bond, a move that slashed interest costs by $87 million. She also helped offset revenue losses through a port-wide austerity program. “Julie has been central to our efforts at overcoming the economic effects of coronavirus,” said Port Executive Director Danny Wan. “She’s a strategic thinker who’ll play a critical role in helping us plan the post-pandemic future.”

Before joining the port, Lam was an accounting and treasury manager for M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates, Inc. Lam graduated from the University of San Francisco with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with an emphasis in accounting and a minor in economics.