POLA Executive Director Stepping Down

Just days after another high-ranking Port of Los Angeles executive announced his resignation, POLA Executive Director Geraldine Knatz says she’s stepping down at year’s end.

“After 42 years of dedicated service to the maritime industry here in San Pedro Bay, I have decided to retire as Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles and pursue other interests,” Knatz said in a statement released Oct. 3 by the office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “In a commitment to a smooth transition, I plan to remain in my position through the end of the year and support the mayor and the port in any way that I can. I am proud of the many accomplishments that our team made at the Port of Los Angeles during my tenure.”

Knatz, who was appointed executive director in 2006 by former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, will probably be best remembered for playing an instrumental role in the creation and implementation of the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan, which reduced port-related sulfur oxide, diesel particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emission levels by 76 percent, 71 percent and 51 percent, respectively, between 2005 and 2011.

During her tenure, she also paved the way for the Los Angeles Harbor Commission to approve three major container terminal expansion projects and a new deep-draft marine oil terminal on Pier 400.

Knatz, who began her maritime career as an environmental scientist at the Port of Los Angeles in 1977, was managing director of the neighboring Port of Long Beach from 1999 to 2005 before returning to the Port of LA.

“I thank Dr. Knatz for her service to Los Angeles,” Garcetti said. “My agenda for the port is focused on maximizing its economic impact and minimizing its environmental impact to build stronger neighborhoods in the Harbor area and across Los Angeles.”

According to the mayor’s office, City Engineer Gary Lee Moore will serve as acting general manager of the city’s Harbor Department until a permanent general manager is appointed, and Chief Deputy City Engineer Deborah Weintraub will serve as the Interim Chief City Engineer.

The news of Knatz’ departure came just three days after Deputy Operations Director John Holmes announced he was stepping down. Holmes, who joined the port in December 2006, is a retired Coast Guard captain. At the port, he was in charge of overseeing the operations of the Los Angeles Port Police, the Homeland Security Division, emergency preparedness planning and the Port Pilot service.

Garcetti, a former City Councilman who was elected mayor in May, said in an interview with a local CBS affiliate, that the management changes at the port were due to his wanting to pick his own leadership for various positions.

“I’m looking to start a new chapter. By mutual agreement, we’re moving on with leadership here,” he told KCBS-TV.

The adjoining Port of Long Beach is also looking for new leadership- its executive director, Chris Lytle, stepped down in July to accept to same job at the Port of Oakland. Al Moro, Long Beach’s chief harbor engineer, is serving as interim executive director while the port conducts a search for a new leader.

Alaska Commercial Fishing Vessel Christened

The Arctic Prowler, the first large commercial fishing vessel built in Alaska, was christened Oct. 5 during an afternoon ceremony at Alaska Ship & Drydock in Ketchikan. The ship is the first vessel to be constructed in the Ketchikan Shipyard’s new 70,000-square foot assembly and production hall.

“Not only is the Arctic Prowler the first vessel to be built in the new Ship Assembly Hall, it is also the first factory longliner made in Alaska,” Adam Beck, President of Alaska Ship & Drydock, said.

The new vessel has 16,300 cubic feet of freezer space and the ability to both catch and process at sea, and the capability of fishing 56,000 hooks per day. It was designed and built with an emphasis on economic use of space, allowing room for fishing and factory equipment.

“As an Alaska-based company with significant Alaskan ownership, it is fitting that this vessel was built in Alaska, by Alaskans,” Larry Cotter, President of Alaska Longline and Chief Executive Officer of Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association, said.

The sponsor for the christening of Arctic Prowler was Stella LeeAnne Asplund, granddaughter of John Winther, a leader in the Alaska fishing industry who spearheaded the planning and commitment to construct the Arctic Prowler in Alaska at the Ketchikan Shipyard, and was present during the start of the vessel's construction just prior to his passing in October, 2012.

“John would have been proud of his decision to build the Arctic Prowler in Alaska,” Bert Winther, John Winther’s widow, said. “He loved Alaska, Alaskans, and fishing boats, now he has the first ‘made in Alaska’ fishing boat.”

Alaska Commercial Fishing Vessel Christened

The Arctic Prowler, the first large commercial fishing vessel built in Alaska, was christened Oct. 5 during an afternoon ceremony at Alaska Ship & Drydock in Ketchikan. The ship is the first vessel to be constructed in the Ketchikan Shipyard’s new 70,000-square foot assembly and production hall.

“Not only is the Arctic Prowler the first vessel to be built in the new Ship Assembly Hall, it is also the first factory longliner made in Alaska,” Adam Beck, President of Alaska Ship & Drydock, said.

The new vessel has 16,300 cubic feet of freezer space and the ability to both catch and process at sea, and the capability of fishing 56,000 hooks per day. It was designed and built with an emphasis on economic use of space, allowing room for fishing and factory equipment.

“As an Alaska-based company with significant Alaskan ownership, it is fitting that this vessel was built in Alaska, by Alaskans,” Larry Cotter, President of Alaska Longline and Chief Executive Officer of Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association, said.

The sponsor for the christening of Arctic Prowler was Stella LeeAnne Asplund, granddaughter of John Winther, a leader in the Alaska fishing industry who spearheaded the planning and commitment to construct the Arctic Prowler in Alaska at the Ketchikan Shipyard, and was present during the start of the vessel's construction just prior to his passing in October, 2012.

“John would have been proud of his decision to build the Arctic Prowler in Alaska,” Bert Winther, John Winther’s widow, said. “He loved Alaska, Alaskans, and fishing boats, now he has the first ‘made in Alaska’ fishing boat.”

Fire Breaks Out Aboard Research Vessel

An evacuation took place but no injuries were reported after an electrical fire broke out on a research vessel moored at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal in the Port of San Diego Oct. 6.

The blaze aboard the British-flagged Dorado Discovery, a 321-foot ship equipped for deep-sea mineral exploration, broke out in the vessel’s storage area just before 2:30 pm and caused minor damage before being contained about 30 minutes later.

The fire may have been caused by oxygen containers that exploded, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

The 20-year-old vessel, which is 321 feet long and 59 feet wide, is operated by Tampa, Florida-based Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc., which specializes in searches for treasures and artifacts.

Odyssey conducts deep-ocean shipwreck exploration and searches oceans across the world for sunken ships.

In 2009, Discovery Channel aired a 12-part primetime series about Odyssey Marine’s worldwide explorations called “Treasure Quest.” A three-part series called “Silver Rush” premiered on Discovery Channel in 2013.

According to Odyssey Marine, the Dorado Discovery is “the first purpose-built SMS survey vessel and is “designed to support all the different types of equipment used in the exploration phase, and also in the next phases of bulk sampling, drilling, and coring of deposits.”

The company signed a long-term charter for the vessel in 2010.

APL Christens Ship at Los Angeles Port

On Oct. 4, APL welcomed the latest addition to its global fleet with the naming of a 9,200 20-foot equivalent unit containership, the APL Savannah, at the Port of Los Angeles. It was the first time ever for a ship christening to take place at the port.

“This is the first time a mayor of Los Angeles has helped christen a ship,” LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, a lieutenant in the US Navy Reserve, said. “I’m not just here because I enjoy champagne; I want to make sure APL and shipping industry know that you are a priority for me and my administration because more than 900,000 regional jobs depend on this port working.”

The APL Savannah is the fifth in a series of twelve 9,200-TEU vessels to be delivered to APL, the container shipping arm of Singapore-based shipping and logistics company Neptune Orient Lines (NOL).

APL Savannah and her sister ships are the largest in the APL fleet to sail between Asia and the US on the South Asia Express (SAX) service, rotating ports in San Pedro, Busan, Kaohsiung, Chiwan, Yantian and Singapore.

APL says the new 9,200-TEU series of vessels is designed for greater operational efficiency and more environmentally sustainable operations. For example, an optimized hull form reduces hull resistance and results in less fuel consumed for propulsion.

The APL Savannah’s fuel efficiency, measured by the Energy Efficiency Design Index, is certified to be 30.54 percent better than guidelines set by the International Maritime Organization.

“We are upsizing and upgrading our ships calling here, and remain firmly committed to provide our customers a competitive product with comprehensive service coverage and leading customer service,” Ng Yat Chung, Group President and CEO of NOL, said.

A ceremonial champagne bottle was broken over the ship hull by Jeannie Lavers, Director of International Transportation for Kohl’s Department Stores.

Saltchuck Buying Ex Kimberly-Clark Mill Site

Seattle-based shipping and logistics, air cargo, marine and trucking services company Saltchuk Resources has signed a purchase and sales agreement with Kimberly-Clark to buy a 66-acre property on the Everett waterfront, formerly home to Kimberly-Clark’s pulp mill and tissue plant.

Saltchuk, which employs 6,500 people nationwide, including 800 in the Puget Sound region, is the parent company of Foss Maritime Co. Saltchuk also owns Tacoma-based shipping company Totem Ocean Trailer Express, and Interstate Distributor, a national trucking company.

The existing Foss Maritime yard in Seattle, located inside the Ballard Locks, is not accessible to larger ships and is too small for future expansion, something that made the larger, saltwater site in Everett an attractive long-term option, Saltchuk Chairman Mark Tabbutt noted.

“We see tremendous opportunity and potential for further growth at the Everett site, a deep water port with unrestricted waterways,” Tabbutt said in a statement. “And we believe the redevelopment of this site as a shipyard and maritime complex will contribute a vital economic base to the Everett community.”

The planned sale price has yet to be disclosed. Also, work remains to be done to close the deal. The purchase and sales agreement calls for a four-month due diligence period, followed by adequate time to close the transaction. If all goes as planned, the sale could close early in the second quarter of 2014.

Saltchuk says it plans to develop a site plan for the property as well as working with local, state and federal officials to determine the permits required to develop the site in a way that fits its needs.

“We are very excited to have a successful, thriving maritime company choose Everett to be its new shipbuilding headquarters,” Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson said. “Foss Maritime ... will be a tremendous asset to the community and redevelopment of the site will generate additional opportunities in the future.”

Unsafe levels of petroleum, dioxins and other unsafe substances have been previously found in the waterway next to the mill site. Kimberly-Clark says it expects to continue cleaning up the former plant, which closed in April 2012, and hopes to further accelerate its work with the Department of Ecology to develop the final remediation plan for the site.

“We are pleased that Saltchuk emerged as the successful bidder because they are the type of prospect we were hoping to attract,” Kimberly-Clark real estate director Len Anderson said, “a well-respected company that will bring jobs and economic vitality back to that section of the Everett waterfront.”

Work on current Foss shipbuilding projects in Seattle is expected to continue at the current location over the next several years. The headquarters offices for Saltchuk and Foss Maritime are expected to remain in Seattle.

Port of Portland to Begin Car Exports to China

Following inspections by Chinese government auditors, Auto Warehousing Co.’s facility at Terminal 6 within the Port of Portland has received full approval to export Ford vehicles beginning in a few weeks.

“We are proud to be serving as the primary gateway for exports of new Fords to China and furthering our mission to provide access to international markets,” Port of Portland Executive Director Bill Wyatt said in a prepared statement. “This new business will provide local jobs and economic benefits, but also fulfills a national role for Ford vehicles manufactured in plants throughout North America.”

Initial volumes are planned to be 30,000 in the first year and growing to 40,000 per year, and AWC says it plans to hire up to 50 people immediately at its 130-acre Terminal 6 facility to process vehicles and prepare them for the Chinese market.

A $2.8 million project to expand the processing building by 27,000 square feet and increase capacity to more than 110,000 vehicles annually is nearing completion. Oregon State grant funding and a $560,000 investment by AWC financed the expansion.

The Port of Portland, which has specialized in handling vehicles since 1953, is among the top three auto import gateways on the West Coast and is the fifth largest in the US.

“There is great potential to grow this business as our expertise and available capacity matches growing demand for Ford vehicles in China,” Auto Warehousing Co. President Ben Seher said. “By better utilizing transpacific car carriers returning to Asia, this will be good news for everyone involved.”