By Mark Edward Nero
Carnival Cruise Lines set a one-month reservations record last month, taking bookings for more than 565,000 guests between Jan. 1 and Jan. 31, 2014. The record number of reservations was 17 percent higher than the same one-month period a year ago, the company revealed Feb. 3.
Traffic to the cruise line’s website carnival.com also reached an all-time high with 13 million visits during the one-month period, according to Carnival.
Carnival President and CEO Gerry Cahill attributed the record booking activity to a number of factors, including product enhancements being introduced across the Carnival fleet, promotions, support from travel agent partners and a new advertising campaign.
Among the new initiatives introduced over past several months was a guarantee that gives consumers the option of ending their voyage early and flying home at Carnival’s expense if they are dissatisfied for any reason.
“Now is the time of year when many people focus on their upcoming vacation plans and the cruise industry typically sees an escalation in booking activity,” Cahill said. “We are definitely observing a strong uptick in reservations.”
Cahill also pointed out that Carnival didn’t introduce any new ships in 2013 so added capacity would not account for the stronger booking activity.
The company says bookings were at unprecedented levels across the line’s 24-ship fleet, which operates three- to 23-day voyages from a range of North American homeports, which include Seattle, Los Angeles and Vancouver, British Columbia.
Friday, February 7, 2014
POLB Won’t Oust Fishing Business, Eateries
By Mark Edward Nero
A plan to add a new fireboat station and security facility at the Port of Long Beach won’t require displacement of a recreational fishing business and two eateries after all, the port announced Feb. 5. An analysis has found suitable alternative locations for the development of new firefighting and security facilities within the port, allowing the Berth 55 Fish Market & Seafood Deli, Queen’s Wharf Restaurant, Long Beach Sportfishing and charter boats based at Berth 55 to remain in their current locations, According to the POLB.
“Our study found that we can meet the port’s security and fire-protection infrastructure needs without asking the Berth 55 businesses to relocate,” the port’s Acting Executive Director, Al Moro, said. “And we’ve already established temporary facilities for Fire and Police operations displaced by the new bridge construction.”
The fireboat station is a replacement for Fire Station No. 20, which was in the path of the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project. The security facility would serve port-based Long Beach Police Department officers.
In 2012, the port proposed placing a combined fire station/security facility at what is technically known as “Berth C55,” but agreed to reassess after the community questioned the need to displace the businesses there.
Despite the good news for some port-based businesses however, Long Beach maintains that other locations will have to undergo further environmental scrutiny to assess their suitability, and until that is complete, a final decision can’t be made on the locations for the new facilities.
A plan to add a new fireboat station and security facility at the Port of Long Beach won’t require displacement of a recreational fishing business and two eateries after all, the port announced Feb. 5. An analysis has found suitable alternative locations for the development of new firefighting and security facilities within the port, allowing the Berth 55 Fish Market & Seafood Deli, Queen’s Wharf Restaurant, Long Beach Sportfishing and charter boats based at Berth 55 to remain in their current locations, According to the POLB.
“Our study found that we can meet the port’s security and fire-protection infrastructure needs without asking the Berth 55 businesses to relocate,” the port’s Acting Executive Director, Al Moro, said. “And we’ve already established temporary facilities for Fire and Police operations displaced by the new bridge construction.”
The fireboat station is a replacement for Fire Station No. 20, which was in the path of the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project. The security facility would serve port-based Long Beach Police Department officers.
In 2012, the port proposed placing a combined fire station/security facility at what is technically known as “Berth C55,” but agreed to reassess after the community questioned the need to displace the businesses there.
Despite the good news for some port-based businesses however, Long Beach maintains that other locations will have to undergo further environmental scrutiny to assess their suitability, and until that is complete, a final decision can’t be made on the locations for the new facilities.
BC Ferries Seeking Schedule Refinement Input
By Mark Edward Nero
Victoria, British Columbia-based BC Ferries is asking for public input regarding refinements of its vessel schedule brought on by the provincial government’s release of a summary report regarding service level reductions.
Needed service adjustments were outlined in the Coastal Ferries Consultation and Engagement summary report in the spring of 2013.
“In an effort to obtain as much meaningful feedback as possible on ferry schedule refinements from the communities affected, BC Ferries has committed to soliciting public opinion regarding sailing schedule options through online and telephone surveys,” the company said in a statement.
The draft options take into consideration previously gathered feedback, and will be designed to demonstrate feasible schedules that meet targeted savings for service reductions, according to BC.
“We want to work with the communities we serve on the sailing schedule refinement options," BC Ferries President and CEO Mike Corrigan said, "to ensure the optimal sailing times are determined while still achieving the net savings outlined by the Province."
BC says that based on online and telephone input on the draft schedules, it will meet with community leaders, including Ferry Advisory Committee members, to discuss the feedback received in order to implement the revised schedules.
Specifics of the online survey are to be announced in mid-February after details are finalized, according to BC, and that the revised schedules are planned to go into effect April 28.
Victoria, British Columbia-based BC Ferries is asking for public input regarding refinements of its vessel schedule brought on by the provincial government’s release of a summary report regarding service level reductions.
Needed service adjustments were outlined in the Coastal Ferries Consultation and Engagement summary report in the spring of 2013.
“In an effort to obtain as much meaningful feedback as possible on ferry schedule refinements from the communities affected, BC Ferries has committed to soliciting public opinion regarding sailing schedule options through online and telephone surveys,” the company said in a statement.
The draft options take into consideration previously gathered feedback, and will be designed to demonstrate feasible schedules that meet targeted savings for service reductions, according to BC.
“We want to work with the communities we serve on the sailing schedule refinement options," BC Ferries President and CEO Mike Corrigan said, "to ensure the optimal sailing times are determined while still achieving the net savings outlined by the Province."
BC says that based on online and telephone input on the draft schedules, it will meet with community leaders, including Ferry Advisory Committee members, to discuss the feedback received in order to implement the revised schedules.
Specifics of the online survey are to be announced in mid-February after details are finalized, according to BC, and that the revised schedules are planned to go into effect April 28.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
NASSCO Christens Navy’s Newest Ship
By Mark Edward Nero
A christening ceremony for the US Navy’s newest ship, the USNS John Glenn, was held the morning of Feb. 1 at the San Diego shipyard of build and repair company NASSCO.
The ship, which is named in honor of former Marine Corps pilot, Congressional Space Medal of Honor recipient and four-term US senator John Glenn, is the second of three Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) vessels designed and built by NASSCO.
The MLP is a flexible platform that provides capability for large-scale logistics movements, like the transfer of vehicles and equipment from sea to shore. It is expected to significantly reduce dependency on foreign ports and provide support in the absence of any port, making it particularly useful during disaster response and for supporting Marines once they’re ashore.
Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert was the principal speaker during the ceremony. Sen. Glenn’s daughter, Lyn Glenn, served as the ship’s sponsor and christened the vessel by breaking the traditional bottle of champagne against the ship’s hull.
“May this ship serve our country well and be strengthened with the legacy of our distinguished guest, the Honorable John Glenn,” General Dynamics NASSCO President Fred Harris said. “The USNS John Glenn carries with it the skill, dedication and the high regard for quality of the hundreds of men and women involved in its design and construction.”
The vessel’s expected to be delivered to the Navy sometime during the first quarter of 2014.
A christening ceremony for the US Navy’s newest ship, the USNS John Glenn, was held the morning of Feb. 1 at the San Diego shipyard of build and repair company NASSCO.
The ship, which is named in honor of former Marine Corps pilot, Congressional Space Medal of Honor recipient and four-term US senator John Glenn, is the second of three Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) vessels designed and built by NASSCO.
The MLP is a flexible platform that provides capability for large-scale logistics movements, like the transfer of vehicles and equipment from sea to shore. It is expected to significantly reduce dependency on foreign ports and provide support in the absence of any port, making it particularly useful during disaster response and for supporting Marines once they’re ashore.
Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert was the principal speaker during the ceremony. Sen. Glenn’s daughter, Lyn Glenn, served as the ship’s sponsor and christened the vessel by breaking the traditional bottle of champagne against the ship’s hull.
“May this ship serve our country well and be strengthened with the legacy of our distinguished guest, the Honorable John Glenn,” General Dynamics NASSCO President Fred Harris said. “The USNS John Glenn carries with it the skill, dedication and the high regard for quality of the hundreds of men and women involved in its design and construction.”
The vessel’s expected to be delivered to the Navy sometime during the first quarter of 2014.
Vigor Industrial Buying Alaska Drydock Business
By Mark Edward Nero
The owner of Seward Ship’s Drydock, a full service shipyard and drydock facility in Seward, Alaska, has signed a letter of intent to sell the company’s assets to Vigor Industrial.
The two companies are currently negotiating the terms of the potential sale, and according to Vigor, expect the sale to be finalized “after satisfactory completion of environmental, financial and business due diligence,” as well as Seward Ship’s Drydock, Vigor and the City of Seward reaching a final agreement on certain unspecified details.
Under the terms of the tentative deal, the Seward shipyard would become a subsidiary of the company’s Vigor Alaska subsidiary. The acquisition, according to Vigor Industrial President and CEO Frank Foti, is expected to empower the yard to land more projects and larger-scale projects, and is part of a larger plan to improve the company’s service offerings in Alaska for existing customers in the fishing, oil and gas and marine transportation sectors.
Vigor also said that it expects the acquisition to increase overall capacity to meet expected increases in demand from arctic drilling and the revitalization of the commercial fishing fleets in the area.
“The purchase of this strategically located shipyard will expand our ability to provide the services our customers need, when they need them, where they need them,” Foti said.
In a statement, Seward Ship’s Drydock President James Pruitt said that in order to continue to grow and expand the business, additional capital was required, and that reason – along with a desire to further diversify his financial holdings – made him seek a buyer for the business. “Vigor Industrial has an impressive vision for Seward Ship’s Drydock and I am confident that I have made a decision which will leave the future of the business, and its employees, in safe hands,” Pruitt said.
The owner of Seward Ship’s Drydock, a full service shipyard and drydock facility in Seward, Alaska, has signed a letter of intent to sell the company’s assets to Vigor Industrial.
The two companies are currently negotiating the terms of the potential sale, and according to Vigor, expect the sale to be finalized “after satisfactory completion of environmental, financial and business due diligence,” as well as Seward Ship’s Drydock, Vigor and the City of Seward reaching a final agreement on certain unspecified details.
Under the terms of the tentative deal, the Seward shipyard would become a subsidiary of the company’s Vigor Alaska subsidiary. The acquisition, according to Vigor Industrial President and CEO Frank Foti, is expected to empower the yard to land more projects and larger-scale projects, and is part of a larger plan to improve the company’s service offerings in Alaska for existing customers in the fishing, oil and gas and marine transportation sectors.
Vigor also said that it expects the acquisition to increase overall capacity to meet expected increases in demand from arctic drilling and the revitalization of the commercial fishing fleets in the area.
“The purchase of this strategically located shipyard will expand our ability to provide the services our customers need, when they need them, where they need them,” Foti said.
In a statement, Seward Ship’s Drydock President James Pruitt said that in order to continue to grow and expand the business, additional capital was required, and that reason – along with a desire to further diversify his financial holdings – made him seek a buyer for the business. “Vigor Industrial has an impressive vision for Seward Ship’s Drydock and I am confident that I have made a decision which will leave the future of the business, and its employees, in safe hands,” Pruitt said.
Port of Seattle Annual TEUs Down Significantly
By Mark Edward Nero
The Port of Seattle handled 1.57 million TEUs in calendar year 2013, a 16.5 percent drop since the Grand Alliance consortium of shippers began calling at the Port of Tacoma in July of 2012, according to newly-released data.
By comparison, the nearby Port of Tacoma handled 1.89 million TEUs in calendar year 2013.
The Port of Seattle maintains, however, that the addition of two new customers in the past year and an increase in grain export volumes in the last quarter of 2013, are signs that a turnaround is ahead.
United Arab Shipping Co. (UASC) and Pacific International Line (PIL) became new customers in 2013, joining the ANW1 string at Terminal 30 in partnership with China Shipping Container Lines’ (CSCL) existing joint service.
UASC began calling at the port last June, and PIL’s first boxes are expected later this month.
“The Port of Seattle has the cargo capacity and is big ship ready,” Managing Director of the Seaport Linda Styrk said. “New customers recognize that we have excellent intermodal infrastructure, a strong export market, and regional distribution facilities, along with a collaborative approach to working with businesses.”
On the grain side of the business, 21 vessels called at the Terminal 86 grain facility in 2013, with 17 calling in the last quarter alone, representing over 80 percent of the year’s volume, according to port data.
The Port of Seattle handled 1.57 million TEUs in calendar year 2013, a 16.5 percent drop since the Grand Alliance consortium of shippers began calling at the Port of Tacoma in July of 2012, according to newly-released data.
By comparison, the nearby Port of Tacoma handled 1.89 million TEUs in calendar year 2013.
The Port of Seattle maintains, however, that the addition of two new customers in the past year and an increase in grain export volumes in the last quarter of 2013, are signs that a turnaround is ahead.
United Arab Shipping Co. (UASC) and Pacific International Line (PIL) became new customers in 2013, joining the ANW1 string at Terminal 30 in partnership with China Shipping Container Lines’ (CSCL) existing joint service.
UASC began calling at the port last June, and PIL’s first boxes are expected later this month.
“The Port of Seattle has the cargo capacity and is big ship ready,” Managing Director of the Seaport Linda Styrk said. “New customers recognize that we have excellent intermodal infrastructure, a strong export market, and regional distribution facilities, along with a collaborative approach to working with businesses.”
On the grain side of the business, 21 vessels called at the Terminal 86 grain facility in 2013, with 17 calling in the last quarter alone, representing over 80 percent of the year’s volume, according to port data.
2013 Volumes Seesaw at Port of Portland
By Mark Edward Nero
It was an up and down year for traffic volumes at the Port of Portland in 2013, with imports and exports of a handful of commodities rising during the year, while others fell as much as double digits over the same time period.
According to data that was released Feb. 3, Portland had total throughput of almost 12 million tons during the 2013 calendar year, and saw more than 500 ship calls.
The total container volume – both import and export – was 178,451 TEUs, down 2.6 percent from 2012. Of that number, import containers represented 82,336 TEUs, which was an increase of 13.3 percent over the prior year, while the export container volume of 96,115 TEUs was an annual decrease of 11.5 percent.
Total volumes in other specific categories were as follows:
• Auto import and exports – 262,512, down 7.6 percent.
• Break bulk imports – 903,067, down 8.3 percent.
• Grain exports – 3,511,490 tons, down 12.7 percent.
• Mineral exports – 5,072,060, up 5.7 percent.
Portland is one of the top auto handling ports in the US, the largest mineral export gateway on the US West Coast and the largest wheat export hub in the US Although its total tonnage of 11.93 million in 2013 was down 3.4 from the previous year, it ended 2013 with one of the highest volume months in recent history with 1.3 million tons handled in December.
The port also posted fiscal year gains at the halfway point that it says bode well for 2014.
It was an up and down year for traffic volumes at the Port of Portland in 2013, with imports and exports of a handful of commodities rising during the year, while others fell as much as double digits over the same time period.
According to data that was released Feb. 3, Portland had total throughput of almost 12 million tons during the 2013 calendar year, and saw more than 500 ship calls.
The total container volume – both import and export – was 178,451 TEUs, down 2.6 percent from 2012. Of that number, import containers represented 82,336 TEUs, which was an increase of 13.3 percent over the prior year, while the export container volume of 96,115 TEUs was an annual decrease of 11.5 percent.
Total volumes in other specific categories were as follows:
• Auto import and exports – 262,512, down 7.6 percent.
• Break bulk imports – 903,067, down 8.3 percent.
• Grain exports – 3,511,490 tons, down 12.7 percent.
• Mineral exports – 5,072,060, up 5.7 percent.
Portland is one of the top auto handling ports in the US, the largest mineral export gateway on the US West Coast and the largest wheat export hub in the US Although its total tonnage of 11.93 million in 2013 was down 3.4 from the previous year, it ended 2013 with one of the highest volume months in recent history with 1.3 million tons handled in December.
The port also posted fiscal year gains at the halfway point that it says bode well for 2014.
