By Karen Robes Meeks
The US Coast Guard is asking mariners and other maritime stakeholders to weigh in on its Waterways Analysis and Management System (WAMS) study, which looks at the short-range Aids to Navigation (ATON) system that encompasses American waterways from the Canadian border to the Mexican border and around Alaska, Hawaii and all United States territories throughout the Pacific.
“This WAMS study will help us to tailor our Aids to Navigation levels of service to better meet the needs of mariners across the Pacific Seacoast System,” said Cmdr. Justin Kimura, the chief of the Navigation Technology and Risk Management Division in the Coast Guard Office of Navigation Systems.
Aids to Navigation is managed by the US Coast Guard Office of Navigation Systems and maintained by Coast Guard buoy tenders and ATON teams across the United States. It aids mariners determine their position, chart a safe course and avoid hazards.
Comments will be accepted until March 31. Visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/PacSeacoastWAMS to take the survey.
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
Port of Los Angeles Wins Award
By Karen Robes Meeks
The Southern California chapter of the American Public Works Association recently bestowed its B.E.S.T. Award to the Port of Los Angeles for the port’s $46 million John S. Gibson Boulevard/I-110 Freeway Access Ramp Improvements project, which was completed in 2016.
The B.E.S.T. Awards, which stands for Building Excellence Shaping Tomorrow, are annually awarded to public agencies for excellent capital improvement projects and public works programs.
“We are honored to be recognized for this project, which required the cooperation and support of CalTrans, other agencies, project teams and stakeholders to successfully complete on time and under budget,” said Tony Gioiello, deputy executive director of development at the Port of Los Angeles. “Working together, we’ve been able to make an impact in our community and improve the safety of our local highways.”
The Southern California chapter of the American Public Works Association recently bestowed its B.E.S.T. Award to the Port of Los Angeles for the port’s $46 million John S. Gibson Boulevard/I-110 Freeway Access Ramp Improvements project, which was completed in 2016.
The B.E.S.T. Awards, which stands for Building Excellence Shaping Tomorrow, are annually awarded to public agencies for excellent capital improvement projects and public works programs.
“We are honored to be recognized for this project, which required the cooperation and support of CalTrans, other agencies, project teams and stakeholders to successfully complete on time and under budget,” said Tony Gioiello, deputy executive director of development at the Port of Los Angeles. “Working together, we’ve been able to make an impact in our community and improve the safety of our local highways.”
Friday, December 29, 2017
Port of Oakland Air Quality Plan
By Karen Robes Meeks
Next fall, the Port of Oakland is expected to have an updated Maritime Air Quality Improvement Plan in place.
The current document, which expires in 2020, has shaped the port’s environmental policy since 2009. The new version is expected to address two key objectives – expanding the port’s efforts to lower diesel particulate matter emissions; and developing a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to the port, the plan could include using emerging technology to further curb emissions such as zero-and-near zero-emissions cargo handling equipment.
“Over nearly a decade, we’ve made significant progress in curbing emissions, improving air quality and protecting the community’s health,” said Richard Sinkoff, the port’s Director of Environmental Programs and Planning. “But we can’t stop now – we’ve got to have a new plan in place well before the old one expires.”
Next fall, the Port of Oakland is expected to have an updated Maritime Air Quality Improvement Plan in place.
The current document, which expires in 2020, has shaped the port’s environmental policy since 2009. The new version is expected to address two key objectives – expanding the port’s efforts to lower diesel particulate matter emissions; and developing a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to the port, the plan could include using emerging technology to further curb emissions such as zero-and-near zero-emissions cargo handling equipment.
“Over nearly a decade, we’ve made significant progress in curbing emissions, improving air quality and protecting the community’s health,” said Richard Sinkoff, the port’s Director of Environmental Programs and Planning. “But we can’t stop now – we’ve got to have a new plan in place well before the old one expires.”
New Port of LA Stakeholder Website
By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Los Angeles recently launched a new website aimed at bond investors and other stakeholders who support port projects.
The new “corporate-style investor platform,” portoflabonds.org, features more than 2,000 pages of information behind the port’s ‘AA/Aa2/AA’ rating, according to the port.
“This new tool is designed to make it easier for those interested in Port of Los Angeles bond opportunities to quickly access information about our nation’s busiest container port,” said Marla Bleavins, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of the Port of Los Angeles. “This site consolidates investment opportunities, financial data, and other resources needed to make informed decisions.”
Boston-based BondLink is powering the site, which is free and open to the public.
“We’re very proud to work with the Port of Los Angeles to increase its disclosure and transparency to the bond market,” said BondLink CEO and co-founder Colin MacNaught. “Disclosure and efficiency attracts investors, particularly individual investors in the Los Angeles region who may want to invest locally.”
The Port of Los Angeles recently launched a new website aimed at bond investors and other stakeholders who support port projects.
The new “corporate-style investor platform,” portoflabonds.org, features more than 2,000 pages of information behind the port’s ‘AA/Aa2/AA’ rating, according to the port.
“This new tool is designed to make it easier for those interested in Port of Los Angeles bond opportunities to quickly access information about our nation’s busiest container port,” said Marla Bleavins, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of the Port of Los Angeles. “This site consolidates investment opportunities, financial data, and other resources needed to make informed decisions.”
Boston-based BondLink is powering the site, which is free and open to the public.
“We’re very proud to work with the Port of Los Angeles to increase its disclosure and transparency to the bond market,” said BondLink CEO and co-founder Colin MacNaught. “Disclosure and efficiency attracts investors, particularly individual investors in the Los Angeles region who may want to invest locally.”
Port of Olympia Park Proposal
By Karen Robes Meeks
The public is invited to weigh in on a proposal to rename the Port of Olympia's East Bay Trail and NorthPoint Park after the late Billy Frank Jr.
The 1.2-mile trail stretches from Olympia/Marine Drive to KGY Radio station and ends at the park, which overlooks two canoe landings. The groundbreaking is scheduled to take place in March.
A pair of public open houses are set to take place at 6 p.m. on January 4 at the Olympia Community Center and on January 9 at the Lacey Conference Center. The public comment period will close on January 12.
People can leave comments about the name or the project by visiting wa-portofolympia.civicplus.com/forms.aspx?FID=110.
For more information about the proposal, go to wa-portofolympia.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/3018.
The public is invited to weigh in on a proposal to rename the Port of Olympia's East Bay Trail and NorthPoint Park after the late Billy Frank Jr.
The 1.2-mile trail stretches from Olympia/Marine Drive to KGY Radio station and ends at the park, which overlooks two canoe landings. The groundbreaking is scheduled to take place in March.
A pair of public open houses are set to take place at 6 p.m. on January 4 at the Olympia Community Center and on January 9 at the Lacey Conference Center. The public comment period will close on January 12.
People can leave comments about the name or the project by visiting wa-portofolympia.civicplus.com/forms.aspx?FID=110.
For more information about the proposal, go to wa-portofolympia.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/3018.
New Property for Port of Seattle
By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Seattle Commission has recently agreed to purchase Salmon Bay Marina for more than $15.6 million.
The five acres property, located on the Ship Canal next to the port’s Fishermen’s Terminal facility, includes five docks supporting 166 slips measuring 6,547 lineal feet of moorage.
“The purchase of Salmon Bay Marina is a step toward fulfilling our Century Agenda goal to double the number of jobs in our region associated with fishing and maritime and is financially smart for the Port,” said Commission President Tom Albro. “It also protects urban industrial and maritime land, which is also environmentally wise.”
Salmon Bay Marina was developed by the Draper family, who bought the property in 1945.
“We applaud the Port of Seattle for purchasing and preserving this unique freshwater recreational boat facility,” said Peter Schrappen, Director of Government Affairs for the Northwest Marine Trade Association. “These assets are rare, and help maintain maritime and family-wage jobs.”
The Port of Seattle Commission has recently agreed to purchase Salmon Bay Marina for more than $15.6 million.
The five acres property, located on the Ship Canal next to the port’s Fishermen’s Terminal facility, includes five docks supporting 166 slips measuring 6,547 lineal feet of moorage.
“The purchase of Salmon Bay Marina is a step toward fulfilling our Century Agenda goal to double the number of jobs in our region associated with fishing and maritime and is financially smart for the Port,” said Commission President Tom Albro. “It also protects urban industrial and maritime land, which is also environmentally wise.”
Salmon Bay Marina was developed by the Draper family, who bought the property in 1945.
“We applaud the Port of Seattle for purchasing and preserving this unique freshwater recreational boat facility,” said Peter Schrappen, Director of Government Affairs for the Northwest Marine Trade Association. “These assets are rare, and help maintain maritime and family-wage jobs.”
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Port of Los Angeles Goes Blue
By Karen Robes Meeks
Work has officially begun on the La Kretz Blue Economy Incubator at AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles.
Civic and maritime officials gathered December 11 to kick off the construction of the incubator, considered a key part of AltaSea’s ocean innovation campus.
“The ocean is a frontier for new discoveries that can transform how we live, help us better understand our planet, and create green jobs that can drive our economic future,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “This new campus will be a place where scientists, educators, policy makers, and entrepreneurs can work together to accelerate marine research that will set an example for the world to follow.”
Businessman and philanthropist Morton La Kretz is funding the incubator and has supported the La Kretz Innovation Campus in downtown Los Angeles. The downtown-based Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator will have a hand in operating the Blue Economy Incubator.
“I strongly share AltaSea’s vision to create the infrastructure of science, education and business incubation that will help the Los Angeles region thrive in a fast-changing future,” said La Kretz. “The La Kretz Blue Economy Incubator will find and support entrepreneurs developing aquaculture, undersea mapping and other businesses vital to understanding the largely unexplored frontier at our doorstep.”
Work has officially begun on the La Kretz Blue Economy Incubator at AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles.
Civic and maritime officials gathered December 11 to kick off the construction of the incubator, considered a key part of AltaSea’s ocean innovation campus.
“The ocean is a frontier for new discoveries that can transform how we live, help us better understand our planet, and create green jobs that can drive our economic future,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “This new campus will be a place where scientists, educators, policy makers, and entrepreneurs can work together to accelerate marine research that will set an example for the world to follow.”
Businessman and philanthropist Morton La Kretz is funding the incubator and has supported the La Kretz Innovation Campus in downtown Los Angeles. The downtown-based Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator will have a hand in operating the Blue Economy Incubator.
“I strongly share AltaSea’s vision to create the infrastructure of science, education and business incubation that will help the Los Angeles region thrive in a fast-changing future,” said La Kretz. “The La Kretz Blue Economy Incubator will find and support entrepreneurs developing aquaculture, undersea mapping and other businesses vital to understanding the largely unexplored frontier at our doorstep.”
