By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Antwerp in Belgium will host this fall an international “Hackathon”, a technology contest formed under the chainPORT initiative.
Launched in 2015, chainPORT was established by a dozen ports to link ports digitally all over the world, discuss the best ways to handle the biggest container vessels and make the maritime supply chain more efficient.
“Ports must continue to incorporate the latest and most promising technologies in order to remain competitive in today’s dynamic global supply chain environment,” said Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. “The Port of Los Angeles is pleased to host a Hackathon for the third consecutive year and we look forward to seeing the ideas that emerge from this unique and unconventional approach to technology development.”
The competition, slated for October 11-13, 2018, will run simultaneously in both cities and include participants from around the world.
The Hackathon in Los Angeles will take place at the USC Marshall Center for Global Supply Chain Management. Industry professionals, students and coaches are invited to take part.
Visit www.chainporthack.com or email info@chainporthack.com for more details.
Friday, August 3, 2018
Dole, San Diego Promote “Sustainable” Equipment
By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of San Diego and the San Diego Port Tenants Association recently celebrated the arrival of Dole Fresh Fruit’s new sustainable-freight vehicles. Their electric-powered semi-trucks and forklifts are coming online at the port’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.
“The San Diego region is known worldwide for its innovation and the Port of San Diego is demonstrating leadership in the maritime industrial sector with these sustainable-freight vehicles,” said San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer. “I want to thank and recognize the San Diego Port Tenants Association for its teamwork in securing this important grant funding to assist five local businesses in operating cleaner and greener.”
The vehicles were funded through a $5.9 million California Energy Commission grant given to the San Diego Port Tenants Association.
“The Port of San Diego is a champion of the environment and we work closely with the California Energy Commission and our partner businesses to make their operations sustainable through cutting-edge technology like these sustainable-freight vehicles,” said Port Chairman Rafael Castellanos. “I am especially proud of the San Diego Port Tenants Association’s work to ensure that our tenants benefit from state funding for innovative projects. These businesses are good corporate citizens and forces for environmental change.”
The Port of San Diego and the San Diego Port Tenants Association recently celebrated the arrival of Dole Fresh Fruit’s new sustainable-freight vehicles. Their electric-powered semi-trucks and forklifts are coming online at the port’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.
“The San Diego region is known worldwide for its innovation and the Port of San Diego is demonstrating leadership in the maritime industrial sector with these sustainable-freight vehicles,” said San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer. “I want to thank and recognize the San Diego Port Tenants Association for its teamwork in securing this important grant funding to assist five local businesses in operating cleaner and greener.”
The vehicles were funded through a $5.9 million California Energy Commission grant given to the San Diego Port Tenants Association.
“The Port of San Diego is a champion of the environment and we work closely with the California Energy Commission and our partner businesses to make their operations sustainable through cutting-edge technology like these sustainable-freight vehicles,” said Port Chairman Rafael Castellanos. “I am especially proud of the San Diego Port Tenants Association’s work to ensure that our tenants benefit from state funding for innovative projects. These businesses are good corporate citizens and forces for environmental change.”
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
New Long Beach Commission President
By Karen Robes Meeks
Attorney Tracy Egoscue is the new president of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners, the five-member board that governs the Port of Long Beach.
“I am honored to be afforded this opportunity by my fellow Commissioners,” Egoscue said. “I look forward to working with each individually as well as collectively as we pursue what is best for the Port and the City of Long Beach.”
Egoscue, who owns Long Beach environmental law firm the Egoscue Law Group Inc., previously served as a California Deputy Attorney General. Mayor Robert Garcia appointed her to the board in 2014; last year, she served as board vice president.
The commission also selected former state lawmaker Bonnie Lowenthal as board vice president and real estate business owner Frank Colonna as board secretary. Both are former Long Beach City Council members.
Attorney Tracy Egoscue is the new president of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners, the five-member board that governs the Port of Long Beach.
“I am honored to be afforded this opportunity by my fellow Commissioners,” Egoscue said. “I look forward to working with each individually as well as collectively as we pursue what is best for the Port and the City of Long Beach.”
Egoscue, who owns Long Beach environmental law firm the Egoscue Law Group Inc., previously served as a California Deputy Attorney General. Mayor Robert Garcia appointed her to the board in 2014; last year, she served as board vice president.
The commission also selected former state lawmaker Bonnie Lowenthal as board vice president and real estate business owner Frank Colonna as board secretary. Both are former Long Beach City Council members.
Los Angeles to Welcome Norwegian Joy
By Karen Robes Meeks
Next winter, the Port of Los Angeles will be welcoming Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Joy, a nearly 4,000-passenger vessel that will be cruising the Mexican Riviera and Panama Canal markets.
The Norwegian Joy, which was built last year, is expected to receive $50 million worth of enhancement work before it comes to Los Angeles, where it will be able to plug into electrical shore power, according to the port.
“We’re extremely pleased that Norwegian Joy will be calling at the Los Angeles World Cruise Center,” said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “This newly enhanced, world-class vessel will be extremely popular as the Mexican Riviera and the Panama Canal re-emerge as premier cruise destinations. It will also offer a great new convenient departure option for Southern California.”
Next winter, the Port of Los Angeles will be welcoming Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Joy, a nearly 4,000-passenger vessel that will be cruising the Mexican Riviera and Panama Canal markets.
The Norwegian Joy, which was built last year, is expected to receive $50 million worth of enhancement work before it comes to Los Angeles, where it will be able to plug into electrical shore power, according to the port.
“We’re extremely pleased that Norwegian Joy will be calling at the Los Angeles World Cruise Center,” said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “This newly enhanced, world-class vessel will be extremely popular as the Mexican Riviera and the Panama Canal re-emerge as premier cruise destinations. It will also offer a great new convenient departure option for Southern California.”
Vancouver USA to Hold Strategic Plan Workshops
By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Vancouver USA will host a special workshop on August 2 to examine the draft goals of the revamped strategic plan.
The port commissioners, which have hosted a series of workshops since launching the update process last October, plan to review public comments, talk about the strategies created based upon community and port staff input, and see a draft outline of the final plan.
The final proposal is expected to be presented to the board on August 14 and the commission could adopt the final plan on September 11.
The upcoming workshop begins at 1:30 p.m. at the port’s administrative offices, 3103 Northwest Lower River Road, Vancouver. Visit www.portvanusa.com/key-projects/strategic-plan for more details. There will be no public forum for comments during the meeting. Interested parties can weigh in by emailing communityfeedback@portvanusa.com and submitting written comments to 3103 Northwest Lower River Road, Vancouver, WA 98660.
The Port of Vancouver USA will host a special workshop on August 2 to examine the draft goals of the revamped strategic plan.
The port commissioners, which have hosted a series of workshops since launching the update process last October, plan to review public comments, talk about the strategies created based upon community and port staff input, and see a draft outline of the final plan.
The final proposal is expected to be presented to the board on August 14 and the commission could adopt the final plan on September 11.
The upcoming workshop begins at 1:30 p.m. at the port’s administrative offices, 3103 Northwest Lower River Road, Vancouver. Visit www.portvanusa.com/key-projects/strategic-plan for more details. There will be no public forum for comments during the meeting. Interested parties can weigh in by emailing communityfeedback@portvanusa.com and submitting written comments to 3103 Northwest Lower River Road, Vancouver, WA 98660.
Olympia Celebrates Five Years with Sister Marina
By Karen Robes Meeks
Port of Olympia’s Swantown Marina & Boatworks and Shin-Nishinomiya Yacht Harbor Hyogo, Prefecture, Japan, recently commemorated the fifth anniversary of their “Sister Marina” relationship, a bond created in 2013 to celebrate the 50th milestone of Hyogo, Prefecture, Japan and Washington being sister states.
Port Commissioner Bill McGregor and staff were joined by Shin-Nishinomiya Yacht Harbor President Shoji Sakai and Chief Manager Toshihiro Kuroki to mark the occasion. A tour of the marina and a lunch preceded a signing ceremony at the Capitol to commemorate the 55th Sister State anniversary.
“We are reaffirming our agreement to exchange information on the development of our marina services and operations, and share knowledge and activities on environmental stewardship, and at the heart of this agreement is our cultural exchange to promote mutual understanding and further relations between the citizens of Japan and the United States,” McGregor said.
Port of Olympia’s Swantown Marina & Boatworks and Shin-Nishinomiya Yacht Harbor Hyogo, Prefecture, Japan, recently commemorated the fifth anniversary of their “Sister Marina” relationship, a bond created in 2013 to celebrate the 50th milestone of Hyogo, Prefecture, Japan and Washington being sister states.
Port Commissioner Bill McGregor and staff were joined by Shin-Nishinomiya Yacht Harbor President Shoji Sakai and Chief Manager Toshihiro Kuroki to mark the occasion. A tour of the marina and a lunch preceded a signing ceremony at the Capitol to commemorate the 55th Sister State anniversary.
“We are reaffirming our agreement to exchange information on the development of our marina services and operations, and share knowledge and activities on environmental stewardship, and at the heart of this agreement is our cultural exchange to promote mutual understanding and further relations between the citizens of Japan and the United States,” McGregor said.
Friday, July 27, 2018
Hawaii Receives Marine Highway Designation
By Karen Robes Meeks
Hawaii received its first Marine Highway designation earlier this month, allowing the Hawaii Department of Transportation to be part of America’s Marine Highways program, which gives federal resources that will enhance more efficient cargo movement through Hawaii’s commercial harbors.
At a ceremony at Pier 38 at Honolulu Harbor, Gov. David Ige received a certificate from the Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation that officially names the waters around and between the Hawaiian Islands as Marine Highway “MH-1.”
“It is an honor to support this collaborative initiative between MARAD and the HDOT Harbors Division, and to acknowledge that this Marine Highway is Hawaii’s lifeline,” said Lauren Brand, MARAD’s Associate Administrator for the Office of Ports & Waterways. “This designation, awarded by Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao, complements the ongoing Harbors Modernization Plan.”
Ige and state transportation leaders also revealed the official name of the new route: The Daniel K. Akaka Marine Highway, named after the late senator.
“It is a great privilege to honor Senator Akaka and know his service to the people of our State will continue as the Daniel K. Akaka Marine Highway benefits and enhances the port system we all depend on,” Ige said.
Hawaii received its first Marine Highway designation earlier this month, allowing the Hawaii Department of Transportation to be part of America’s Marine Highways program, which gives federal resources that will enhance more efficient cargo movement through Hawaii’s commercial harbors.
At a ceremony at Pier 38 at Honolulu Harbor, Gov. David Ige received a certificate from the Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation that officially names the waters around and between the Hawaiian Islands as Marine Highway “MH-1.”
“It is an honor to support this collaborative initiative between MARAD and the HDOT Harbors Division, and to acknowledge that this Marine Highway is Hawaii’s lifeline,” said Lauren Brand, MARAD’s Associate Administrator for the Office of Ports & Waterways. “This designation, awarded by Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao, complements the ongoing Harbors Modernization Plan.”
Ige and state transportation leaders also revealed the official name of the new route: The Daniel K. Akaka Marine Highway, named after the late senator.
“It is a great privilege to honor Senator Akaka and know his service to the people of our State will continue as the Daniel K. Akaka Marine Highway benefits and enhances the port system we all depend on,” Ige said.
