By Karen Robes Meeks
A McMenamins brewpub and hotel project at the Port of Kalama is on schedule to open in March 2018.
Construction of the building’s full height and most of the interior walls are completed, the rough interior construction is nearly done, as well as plumbing and electric work.
McMenamins will begin the finish work by including local historic details to the restaurant and hotel. When completed, McMenamins will feature 40 hotel rooms, a restaurant and a rooftop pub. It will complement the Ahles Point Small Bar currently under construction by local builder Mountain Log Homes south of the parks.
“We expect the entire McMenamins Project to be completed in the spring,” said Eric Yakovich, Port Economic Development Manager. “We look forward to enjoying all the amenities McMenamins has to offer as a new member of our community.”
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Vancouver, USA Strategic Plan
By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners will take part of a special workshop on December 14 that focuses on updating the port’s strategic plan.
At the 8:30 a.m. workshop, which is open to the public, consultant Maul Foster & Alongi will give an overview of the strategic planning process. For much of next year, the consultant will be gathering input from stakeholders and staff members to help form the update, which is expected to be implemented in late 2018.
Although parts of the plan have been amended annually, this is the first time in more than a decade that the plan will be entirely updated.
“During that time, the port has grown and completed or made significant progress on many key initiatives, including the West Vancouver Freight Access Project and Centennial Industrial Building,” according to the port. “Work is now underway to develop and create a new strategic plan to guide port staff and resources for the next decade.”
The Port of Vancouver USA Board of Commissioners will take part of a special workshop on December 14 that focuses on updating the port’s strategic plan.
At the 8:30 a.m. workshop, which is open to the public, consultant Maul Foster & Alongi will give an overview of the strategic planning process. For much of next year, the consultant will be gathering input from stakeholders and staff members to help form the update, which is expected to be implemented in late 2018.
Although parts of the plan have been amended annually, this is the first time in more than a decade that the plan will be entirely updated.
“During that time, the port has grown and completed or made significant progress on many key initiatives, including the West Vancouver Freight Access Project and Centennial Industrial Building,” according to the port. “Work is now underway to develop and create a new strategic plan to guide port staff and resources for the next decade.”
Record Volumes Predicted at Oakland
By Karen Robes Meeks
Improved infrastructure coupled with new supply chain capabilities should result in record cargo volume at the Port of Oakland. It could also make Oakland a first port of call for container ships visiting the US from Asia. That’s the message a senior Port official gave supply chain executives this week.
Port of Oakland’s Maritime Director John Driscoll recently forecasted that the port will see record-level annual cargo volume through 2022.
This prediction is based on the various projects currently under construction that would draw more containerized cargo to Oakland starting early next year.
Those projects include raising four ship-to-shore cranes 27 feet higher at Oakland International Container Terminal; the anticipated August opening of Cool Port Oakland, a refrigeration plant that can annually process some 27,000 20-foot containers full of meat; and Seaport Logistics Complex, a 440,000-square-foot distribution center for transloading.
“I’m forecasting growth because of the development that’s going on here,” Driscoll told about 50 trade and transportation leaders who meet three times a year to review Oakland’s operating performance.
“It won’t be dramatic – it will be steady – but it will result in more cargo volume than we’ve ever had before,” Driscoll said.
He added that three international shipping lines are considering first calls to Oakland because of the port’s recent improvements.
“The ocean carriers are looking favorably at Oakland,” he said. “It’s a major discussion between them and their import customers.”
Improved infrastructure coupled with new supply chain capabilities should result in record cargo volume at the Port of Oakland. It could also make Oakland a first port of call for container ships visiting the US from Asia. That’s the message a senior Port official gave supply chain executives this week.
Port of Oakland’s Maritime Director John Driscoll recently forecasted that the port will see record-level annual cargo volume through 2022.
This prediction is based on the various projects currently under construction that would draw more containerized cargo to Oakland starting early next year.
Those projects include raising four ship-to-shore cranes 27 feet higher at Oakland International Container Terminal; the anticipated August opening of Cool Port Oakland, a refrigeration plant that can annually process some 27,000 20-foot containers full of meat; and Seaport Logistics Complex, a 440,000-square-foot distribution center for transloading.
“I’m forecasting growth because of the development that’s going on here,” Driscoll told about 50 trade and transportation leaders who meet three times a year to review Oakland’s operating performance.
“It won’t be dramatic – it will be steady – but it will result in more cargo volume than we’ve ever had before,” Driscoll said.
He added that three international shipping lines are considering first calls to Oakland because of the port’s recent improvements.
“The ocean carriers are looking favorably at Oakland,” he said. “It’s a major discussion between them and their import customers.”
Friday, December 8, 2017
Oakland’s International Maritime Center
Lease Renewed
By Karen Robes Meeks
The nearly 5,000 sailors who arrive at the Port of Oakland annually on container ships will continue to have Oakland’s International Maritime Center as a safe place to rest, thanks to the Port Commissioners’ recent decision to extend for the next five years its rent-free lease with the Center.
The lease encompasses 0.2 acres of land near Ben E. Nutter marine terminal. The operators of the International Maritime Center own the building.
The center is a resource for visiting sailors, offering shopping excursions, a place to play billiards and other recreation activities as well as spiritual care through the Seafarers Ministry of the Golden Gate, Apostleship of the Sea, Korean Presbyterian, and others.
“Our role is to recognize and appreciate the contributions of seafarers and shipping to the Bay Area,” International Maritime Center Director John Claassen said. “We provide a safe space for the seafarers and the Port community to just take a break.”
The nearly 5,000 sailors who arrive at the Port of Oakland annually on container ships will continue to have Oakland’s International Maritime Center as a safe place to rest, thanks to the Port Commissioners’ recent decision to extend for the next five years its rent-free lease with the Center.
The lease encompasses 0.2 acres of land near Ben E. Nutter marine terminal. The operators of the International Maritime Center own the building.
The center is a resource for visiting sailors, offering shopping excursions, a place to play billiards and other recreation activities as well as spiritual care through the Seafarers Ministry of the Golden Gate, Apostleship of the Sea, Korean Presbyterian, and others.
“Our role is to recognize and appreciate the contributions of seafarers and shipping to the Bay Area,” International Maritime Center Director John Claassen said. “We provide a safe space for the seafarers and the Port community to just take a break.”
Kalama Marina Construction
By Karen Robes Meeks
Marina construction at the Port of Kalama is expected to start early next year.
“The floats at the boat launch, fuel dock, and existing guest dock will be replaced along with the main walkway floats in the marina,” said Recreation Administrator Paul Morin. “In addition, there will be utility and gangway/ADA upgrades. The grant from the [Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office] will help offset the costs for renovating the boat launch and existing guest dock.”
New fuel systems and utilities will also be installed, steel will replace the wood pilings. Potable water lines will be replaced, and the water system will be graded for emergency response.
Boat Houses A and B will see power boosted from 30 to 50 amps, while Houses C and I will go from 20 to 30 amps. The south end of the marina will also be ADA accessible. The wailer boards on the outside slips that keep the floats together will be replaced.
Marina construction at the Port of Kalama is expected to start early next year.
“The floats at the boat launch, fuel dock, and existing guest dock will be replaced along with the main walkway floats in the marina,” said Recreation Administrator Paul Morin. “In addition, there will be utility and gangway/ADA upgrades. The grant from the [Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office] will help offset the costs for renovating the boat launch and existing guest dock.”
New fuel systems and utilities will also be installed, steel will replace the wood pilings. Potable water lines will be replaced, and the water system will be graded for emergency response.
Boat Houses A and B will see power boosted from 30 to 50 amps, while Houses C and I will go from 20 to 30 amps. The south end of the marina will also be ADA accessible. The wailer boards on the outside slips that keep the floats together will be replaced.
Long Beach Considers Air Draft Issues
By Karen Robes Meeks
The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners will consider on December 11 an environmental impact report that studies a Southern California Edison proposal to remove and raise its current transmission and telecommunication lines so ships can move safely in the Inner Harbor.
The project would involve taking out a section of the existing transmission line and raising other segments of transmission and telecommunication lines as well as supporting transmission structures that cross the Cerritos Channel at Piers A and S.
The transmission lines and associated towers, which are currently 155 feet above water, will need to be at least 205 feet to avoid navigation issues. The new span being built to replace the Gerald Desmond Bridge will also be 205 feet above the port's Back Channel.
The board will meet at 6 p.m. at the Port Interim Administrative Offices, 4801 Airport Plaza Drive in Long Beach. The report can be found at www.polb.com/ceqa. The public can also submit comments via email at ceqa@polb.com.
The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners will consider on December 11 an environmental impact report that studies a Southern California Edison proposal to remove and raise its current transmission and telecommunication lines so ships can move safely in the Inner Harbor.
The project would involve taking out a section of the existing transmission line and raising other segments of transmission and telecommunication lines as well as supporting transmission structures that cross the Cerritos Channel at Piers A and S.
The transmission lines and associated towers, which are currently 155 feet above water, will need to be at least 205 feet to avoid navigation issues. The new span being built to replace the Gerald Desmond Bridge will also be 205 feet above the port's Back Channel.
The board will meet at 6 p.m. at the Port Interim Administrative Offices, 4801 Airport Plaza Drive in Long Beach. The report can be found at www.polb.com/ceqa. The public can also submit comments via email at ceqa@polb.com.
Port of Los Angeles Master Plan Public Meeting
By Karen Robes Meeks
The public can weigh in on a completed draft amendment of the Port of Los Angeles’ Master Plan.
According to the port, the amendment includes a proposed map change to Planning Area 1 that adds maritime support to the commercial area at Berth 73A, the institutional area near the municipal fish market (Canetti’s building), and the proposed Jankovich barge area at B51.
A hearing will take place at 8:30 a.m. on December 14 at the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners meeting at the Los Angeles Harbor Department Administration Building, 425 S. Palos Verdes Street, San Pedro.
Comments can also be sent by December 14 to the port’s Planning and Strategy Division, 425 S. Palos Verdes Street, San Pedro, CA 90731 or emailed to djordan@portla.org.
The public can weigh in on a completed draft amendment of the Port of Los Angeles’ Master Plan.
According to the port, the amendment includes a proposed map change to Planning Area 1 that adds maritime support to the commercial area at Berth 73A, the institutional area near the municipal fish market (Canetti’s building), and the proposed Jankovich barge area at B51.
A hearing will take place at 8:30 a.m. on December 14 at the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners meeting at the Los Angeles Harbor Department Administration Building, 425 S. Palos Verdes Street, San Pedro.
Comments can also be sent by December 14 to the port’s Planning and Strategy Division, 425 S. Palos Verdes Street, San Pedro, CA 90731 or emailed to djordan@portla.org.
