By Mark Edward Nero
On July 30, the US Coast Guard, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and Fishing Company of Alaska called off the search for a missing fishing vessel, which presumably sank in about 5,400 feet of water in the Bering Sea, after the rescue of dozens of crewmembers.
“We have searched and have not been able to locate the fishing vessel Alaska Juris,” federal on-scene coordinator representative Lt. Todd Bagetis said.
The Coast Guard and other entities had formed a Unified Command last week to respond to the Alaska Juris, which began to take on water around 11:30 am on July 26.
Good Samaritan crews from four vessels assisted in the rescue of 46 mariners who abandoned ship after the vessel began taking on water. The mariners were transported to Adak, Alaska.
The Unified Command had activated a fishing vessel, salvage tug, and a Coast Guard aircraft crew to search the area northwest of Adak, Alaska, where the Alaska Juris was last seen.
Searches by sea were conducted on July 28-30, and air searches were conducted on July 29 and 30, with the vessel not being found. A search was also conducted along the track of the vessel’s projected drift.
Unrecoverable diesel sheen was located in the search area with the source of the sheen unknown but believed to be from the Alaska Juris.
Through an abundance of caution, the Fishing Company of Alaska formally activated a state and federally-approved oil spill response organization per a non-tank vessel response plan.
“We have received reports of intermittent unrecoverable sheen, potentially resulting from the sinking of this vessel,” state on-scene coordinator Ron Doyle said. “We do not anticipate any shoreline impacts. We will continue to monitor the situation and look into any future reports we receive.”
The cause of the fishing vessel’s sinking is under investigation.
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Port of Everett Receives Modernization Grant
By Mark Edward Nero
The US Department of Transportation has awarded a $10 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant to the Port of Everett to help fund the port’s South Terminal modernization project.
The project includes strengthening more than 500 feet of dock, creating a modern berth capable of handling roll-on/roll-off and intermodal cargo, upgrading high voltage power systems and constructing rail sidings to increase on-site rail car storage.
The port also has said the project would “modernize facilities to meet 21st century demands to efficiently and safely serve larger, heavy cargo vessels critical to the region’s aerospace supply chain.” The project could also improve the local and regional impact of freight movement on the general public by converting truck trips to rail, and also has environmental benefits from electrifying the terminal and implementing cold ironing.
Total cost of the modernization project is estimated at $55.5 million.
Federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER grants, are awarded on a competitive basis to fund capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure; selection prioritizes projects with significant regional economic impact.
The Port of Everett was one of only two West Coast ports awarded 2016 TIGER grants. The other facility was Oregon’s Port of Portland, which received $7.3 million to help fund a rail overpass and realign a congested and dangerous intersection at an industrial park.
Since 2009, the TIGER grant program has provided a combined $5.1 billion to 421 projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and tribal communities.
The funds leverage money from private sector partners, states, local governments, metropolitan planning organizations and transit agencies, with the 2016 TIGER round alone leveraging nearly $500 million in federal investment to support $1.74 billion in overall transportation investments.
The US Department of Transportation has awarded a $10 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant to the Port of Everett to help fund the port’s South Terminal modernization project.
The project includes strengthening more than 500 feet of dock, creating a modern berth capable of handling roll-on/roll-off and intermodal cargo, upgrading high voltage power systems and constructing rail sidings to increase on-site rail car storage.
The port also has said the project would “modernize facilities to meet 21st century demands to efficiently and safely serve larger, heavy cargo vessels critical to the region’s aerospace supply chain.” The project could also improve the local and regional impact of freight movement on the general public by converting truck trips to rail, and also has environmental benefits from electrifying the terminal and implementing cold ironing.
Total cost of the modernization project is estimated at $55.5 million.
Federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER grants, are awarded on a competitive basis to fund capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure; selection prioritizes projects with significant regional economic impact.
The Port of Everett was one of only two West Coast ports awarded 2016 TIGER grants. The other facility was Oregon’s Port of Portland, which received $7.3 million to help fund a rail overpass and realign a congested and dangerous intersection at an industrial park.
Since 2009, the TIGER grant program has provided a combined $5.1 billion to 421 projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and tribal communities.
The funds leverage money from private sector partners, states, local governments, metropolitan planning organizations and transit agencies, with the 2016 TIGER round alone leveraging nearly $500 million in federal investment to support $1.74 billion in overall transportation investments.
POLA Releases Terminal Improvement Study
By Mark Edward Nero
The Port of Los Angeles has released an Initial Study/Notice of Preparation (IS/NOP) as the first step in the Environmental Impact Report process for a marine oil terminal wharf improvement project in Los Angeles Harbor. The document is available for review on the Port of Los Angeles website at https://www.portoflosangeles.org/environment/notices/valero/nop/nop-valero.asp.
The port will hold a public meeting to receive comments at 6 p.m. Wed., Aug. 3 at the Port of Los Angeles Administration Building, 425 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro.
The primary goal of the proposed project, which is located at the Valero Terminal on Mormon Island, is to comply with the Marine Oil Terminal Engineering and Maintenance Standards (MOTEMS) to protect public health, safety, and the environment, which involves demolition of the existing 19,000-square-foot timber wharf at Berth 164 and construction and operation of a new, MOTEMS-compliant wharf, with minor infrastructure improvements to connect the new loading platform to the existing landside pipelines and utilities.
The proposed project would also include a new, 30-year lease through 2047.
The IS/NOP was released in late July for public review to solicit feedback, which helps to identify any potential environmental impacts and suggest possible alternatives for the project that can be incorporated into the EIR. Written comments on the IS/NOP may be submitted via email to ceqacomments@portla.org or to the following address through the public comment period from July 21 to Aug. 19:
Christopher Cannon, Director of Environmental Management
Los Angeles Harbor Department
425 South Palos Verdes St.
San Pedro, CA 90731
Comment letters sent via email should include the project title “Berth 164 [Valero] Marine Oil Terminal Wharf Improvements Project” in the email subject line and the commenter’s physical mailing address in the body of the email.
The Port of Los Angeles has released an Initial Study/Notice of Preparation (IS/NOP) as the first step in the Environmental Impact Report process for a marine oil terminal wharf improvement project in Los Angeles Harbor. The document is available for review on the Port of Los Angeles website at https://www.portoflosangeles.org/environment/notices/valero/nop/nop-valero.asp.
The port will hold a public meeting to receive comments at 6 p.m. Wed., Aug. 3 at the Port of Los Angeles Administration Building, 425 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro.
The primary goal of the proposed project, which is located at the Valero Terminal on Mormon Island, is to comply with the Marine Oil Terminal Engineering and Maintenance Standards (MOTEMS) to protect public health, safety, and the environment, which involves demolition of the existing 19,000-square-foot timber wharf at Berth 164 and construction and operation of a new, MOTEMS-compliant wharf, with minor infrastructure improvements to connect the new loading platform to the existing landside pipelines and utilities.
The proposed project would also include a new, 30-year lease through 2047.
The IS/NOP was released in late July for public review to solicit feedback, which helps to identify any potential environmental impacts and suggest possible alternatives for the project that can be incorporated into the EIR. Written comments on the IS/NOP may be submitted via email to ceqacomments@portla.org or to the following address through the public comment period from July 21 to Aug. 19:
Christopher Cannon, Director of Environmental Management
Los Angeles Harbor Department
425 South Palos Verdes St.
San Pedro, CA 90731
Comment letters sent via email should include the project title “Berth 164 [Valero] Marine Oil Terminal Wharf Improvements Project” in the email subject line and the commenter’s physical mailing address in the body of the email.
International Shipholding Files Chapter 11
By Mark Edward Nero
International Shipholding Corp., which is based in Alabama but has affiliates with a significant West Coast presence, announced July 31 that it and certain of its subsidiaries have filed petitions for relief under Chapter 11 in US Bankruptcy Court.
However, the company has stated that it currently intends to continue operating in the normal course of business without interruption.
Among ISC’s subsidiaries are Waterman Steamship Corp., a deep-sea ocean carrier operating direct service between US West Coast ports and Asian countries.
To facilitate the Chapter 11 process, the company has entered into a debtor-in-possession $16 million credit facility. The credit facility can be used to fund, among other things, the company’s working capital needs while in Chapter 11.
“Today, we took a critical step toward right-sizing the company’s balance sheet,” ISC President and CEO Erik Johnsen said in a prepared statement. “While the company is facing challenges with its debt and capital structure, we believe our core business segments are performing satisfactorily.”
The company has filed a series of first-day motions with the United States Bankruptcy Court to allow it to continue to operate in the ordinary course of business, including asking the court to approve, among other things, the payment of wages, salaries and other employee benefits during the Chapter 11 process as well as payments to certain vendors.
“During the Chapter 11 process, suppliers will be paid in full for all goods and services provided after the filing date as required by the Bankruptcy Code,” ISC said in a statement.
International Shipholding Corp., which is based in Alabama but has affiliates with a significant West Coast presence, announced July 31 that it and certain of its subsidiaries have filed petitions for relief under Chapter 11 in US Bankruptcy Court.
However, the company has stated that it currently intends to continue operating in the normal course of business without interruption.
Among ISC’s subsidiaries are Waterman Steamship Corp., a deep-sea ocean carrier operating direct service between US West Coast ports and Asian countries.
To facilitate the Chapter 11 process, the company has entered into a debtor-in-possession $16 million credit facility. The credit facility can be used to fund, among other things, the company’s working capital needs while in Chapter 11.
“Today, we took a critical step toward right-sizing the company’s balance sheet,” ISC President and CEO Erik Johnsen said in a prepared statement. “While the company is facing challenges with its debt and capital structure, we believe our core business segments are performing satisfactorily.”
The company has filed a series of first-day motions with the United States Bankruptcy Court to allow it to continue to operate in the ordinary course of business, including asking the court to approve, among other things, the payment of wages, salaries and other employee benefits during the Chapter 11 process as well as payments to certain vendors.
“During the Chapter 11 process, suppliers will be paid in full for all goods and services provided after the filing date as required by the Bankruptcy Code,” ISC said in a statement.
Friday, July 29, 2016
NASSCO Delivers 7th Ship in 13 Months
By Mark Edward Nero
On July 25, San Diego-based shipyard General Dynamics NASSCO marked its seventh ship delivery in the span of just over a year.
The Garden State, an ECO Class tanker built for longtime customer American Petroleum Tankers, was delivered during a special signing ceremony. It’s one of three classes of ships delivered by the shipyard since June 2015.
Within the year, NASSCO has delivered the world’s first two containerships to be powered by liquefied natural gas. The 764-foot-long ships – the Isla Bella and the Perla del Caribe – currently service the Puerto Rican-Jacksonville trade route and are considered to be among the cleanest cargo-carrying ships in the world.
NASSCO also delivered four ECO Class product tankers within the same time period – three for American Petroleum Tankers and one for a partnership between vessel operator SEA-Vista and equipment company SEACOR Holdings. The new “ECO” design allows for 33 percent increased fuel efficiency with a 330,000-barrel cargo capacity. NASSCO currently has under construction four remaining tankers under contract between the two companies.
In June of last year, NASSCO delivered the US Navy’s first Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) as part of a mobile landing platform program. The USNS Lewis B. Puller was built with a 52,000 square-foot flight deck, stowage and accommodations spaces for up to 250 personnel. The ship was also designed to support MH-53 and MH-60 helicopters. NASSCO is currently constructing the second ESB, and is under contract to build a third.
“In the past year, NASSCO shipbuilders have delivered seven ships – or the equivalent to 100,000 tons worth of steel,” General Dynamics NASSCO Vice president and General Manager Kevin Graney said. “We are proud of the diverse design and build portfolio we have delivered during the course of this year.”
Portland Marine Project Receives Federal Grant
By Mark Edward Nero
The US Department of Transportation has awarded a $7.3 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant to the Port of Portland and City of Portland to help fund a rail overpass and realign a congested and dangerous intersection in Portland’s Rivergate Industrial Park.
The Portland Marine Terminal Freight and Jobs Access Project will attempt to address congestion created by an at-grade rail crossing near the entrance to Rivergate and the port’s Terminal 5, while also providing safer and more reliable access to jobs from nearby residential areas.
Rivergate is Portland’s largest concentration of marine and industrial land offering more than 3,800 direct, middle-income jobs. Plans call for an overpass over a busy marine terminal rail lead, associated road and intersection improvements and new bike lanes.
Pedestrian facility upgrades include a new sidewalk connecting to an existing bus stop and a multi-use path that increases mobility options for North Portland residents who work at Rivergate.
Planned environmental improvements include enhanced stormwater treatment, landscaping and street lighting.
Currently, truck and passenger vehicle traffic is snarled in gridlock for up to four hours a day because of frequent rail movement. In many cases, traffic backs up, impacting business access and creating unsafe conditions for all users. While alleviating traffic congestion, the project also increases efficiency of rail product delivery and lowers the cost of moving bulk cargo trains in and out of the area.
Federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER grants, are awarded on a competitive basis to fund capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure; selection prioritizes projects with significant regional economic impact. The grant application was a collaborative effort between the port and the City of Portland.
“The City of Portland is lucky to have the port as a partner in the application for, and now implementation of, this TIGER grant,” Portland City Commissioner Steve Novick said. “This project will have a tremendous impact on Portland and the greater region.”
The project’s full price tag is $19.5 million; the remaining $12.2 million is expected to come from the port, city and other federal funds already secured for infrastructure improvements.
POLB Approves $46 Million Mitigation Fund
By Mark Edward Nero
At its July 25 meeting, the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners authorized the framework for a record $46.4 million program to lessen the impacts of port-related pollution on the community.
The investment, expected to be disbursed over 12 to 15 years, adds to the $17.4 million that the Port of Long Beach has awarded to community groups since 2009, for a total of almost $65 million.
Previous funding from the Community Mitigation Grants Program helped pay for projects that included air-filtration systems at schools, renewable energy projects, energy efficiency upgrades and asthma outreach health programs.
Harbor Commission President Lori Ann Guzmán said the Board felt strongly about identifying an ongoing, long-term source to continue the program, which has helped the most vulnerable in the community, children and seniors.
“As commissioners, we live in Long Beach, so we understand for the port to do well, we must do good,” she said. “The proposed community mitigation program is the latest example of our longstanding and long-term commitment to the environment and the Long Beach.”
Before the port could consider establishing a new mitigation-related program, state law required the completion of a study identifying the port’s cumulative impacts to air, traffic, noise and water. The study, released in April, valued the impacts at $46.4 million.
In early fall, the port plans to host a public workshop to help develop grant guidelines for allocating funds to the variety of community health, facility improvement and community infrastructure projects identified in the study. A date for the workshop has yet to be announced.
The Harbor Commission is expected to decide on program rules later this year, and funding is expected to be awarded starting in 2017.
