By Karen Robes Meeks
For the second straight year, the Port of Seattle has surpassed the 1 million mark for cruise passengers.
The port, which began serving the cruise industry two decades ago, saw more than 1.1 million revenue passengers enter its cruise terminals this year. It beats last year’s number of 1.07 million revenue passengers.
The number of passengers is expected to swell in 2019 with the arrival of the Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas, which carries 4,180 passengers.
“This year, Port of Seattle is proud to celebrate our 20 years of serving the cruise industry, while also handling over one-million passengers for the second year in a row,” said Commission President Courtney Gregoire. “This continued growth points to a bright future for cruise in Seattle, and we are proud that each homeported cruise vessel brings approximately $2.7 million for our local economy. Through innovation and collaboration, we continue to work with our partners to make this the greenest port in the nation.”
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Oakland Expecting Container Record
By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Oakland is closing in on its third consecutive year of record imported container volume this year, despite the escalation of tariffs between the US and China.
Oakland, which plans to release its October numbers this week, says its imports are up 2.7 percent from 2017 and is seeing a 5 percent spike in imports from China this year.
How long the growth will continue was a point of discussion with the port’s Efficiency Task Force, a gathering of 40 trade and transportation leaders that meet quarterly.
The group, which met last week, surmised that the cargo volumes could fall by January. The trends of late – the crowded warehouses, the additional voyages to Transpacific routes and reported of record cargo growth since summer along West Coast ports – may mean shippers are pushing up orders in advance of new tariffs on imported Chinese goods that may take effect in January.
Other factors, such as strong US economy and peak season push to stock shelves for the holidays, also come into play.
“Imports are a good story, but the reason for the growth is still something of a mystery,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. “We suspect frontloading is part of the answer.”
The Port of Oakland is closing in on its third consecutive year of record imported container volume this year, despite the escalation of tariffs between the US and China.
Oakland, which plans to release its October numbers this week, says its imports are up 2.7 percent from 2017 and is seeing a 5 percent spike in imports from China this year.
How long the growth will continue was a point of discussion with the port’s Efficiency Task Force, a gathering of 40 trade and transportation leaders that meet quarterly.
The group, which met last week, surmised that the cargo volumes could fall by January. The trends of late – the crowded warehouses, the additional voyages to Transpacific routes and reported of record cargo growth since summer along West Coast ports – may mean shippers are pushing up orders in advance of new tariffs on imported Chinese goods that may take effect in January.
Other factors, such as strong US economy and peak season push to stock shelves for the holidays, also come into play.
“Imports are a good story, but the reason for the growth is still something of a mystery,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. “We suspect frontloading is part of the answer.”
Friday, November 9, 2018
Healy Wraps Up Arctic Mission
By Karen Robes Meeks
US Coast Guard Cutter Healy crewmembers recently finished their second mission of its Arctic West Summer 2018 deployment.
About 100 of Healy’s crew and 30 scientists and engineers left Dutch Harbor, Alaska, on Sept. 14 to learn more about stratified ocean dynamics in the Arctic for the Office of Naval Research. Understanding these environmental factors may help better predict ice coverage in the region.
The Healy, a 420-foot icebreaker homebased in Seattle, Washington, was made for these kinds of missions.
“The Healy is the only vessel we operate as a country that can get us this far into the ice,” said Dr. Craig Lee of the Applied Physics Laboratory at the University of Washington, Seattle. “If we wanted to come this far up north, we need to have an icebreaker. For the Arctic, the Healy is the only choice other than chartering a vessel from another country.”
US Coast Guard Cutter Healy crewmembers recently finished their second mission of its Arctic West Summer 2018 deployment.
About 100 of Healy’s crew and 30 scientists and engineers left Dutch Harbor, Alaska, on Sept. 14 to learn more about stratified ocean dynamics in the Arctic for the Office of Naval Research. Understanding these environmental factors may help better predict ice coverage in the region.
The Healy, a 420-foot icebreaker homebased in Seattle, Washington, was made for these kinds of missions.
“The Healy is the only vessel we operate as a country that can get us this far into the ice,” said Dr. Craig Lee of the Applied Physics Laboratory at the University of Washington, Seattle. “If we wanted to come this far up north, we need to have an icebreaker. For the Arctic, the Healy is the only choice other than chartering a vessel from another country.”
Everett to See Federal Funds
By Karen Robes Meeks
Two major infrastructure projects that are key to the Port of Everett’s Seaport Modernization efforts received a financial boost, thanks to the Port Commission’s $5.949 million approval of the Federal Rail Rehabilitation Improvement Financing Loan with the US Department of Transportation Build America Bureau.
According to the port, the now-completed Terminal Rail Improvements Phase II and the Cargo Transit Shed Relocation Project increase the port’s on-terminal rail footprint from 9,200 lineal feet to 12,500 lineal feet and provides nearly 40,000 square feet of covered warehouse space for rail loading.
“Completing critical infrastructure upgrades like this will better position the Port and its facilities to handle the larger vessels and heavier cargoes and other opportunities on the horizon,” Port Commission President Glen Bachman.
US Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee praised the port’s work in getting the funding.
“I’ve been proud to work with the Port of Everett to secure federal investments to ensure the Port continues to meet the demands of the 21st century economy, and I’m thrilled to see the federal government bring even more resources to the table,” Murray said. “This investment will help complete vital modernization projects and support an important economic hub in Washington state.”
Two major infrastructure projects that are key to the Port of Everett’s Seaport Modernization efforts received a financial boost, thanks to the Port Commission’s $5.949 million approval of the Federal Rail Rehabilitation Improvement Financing Loan with the US Department of Transportation Build America Bureau.
According to the port, the now-completed Terminal Rail Improvements Phase II and the Cargo Transit Shed Relocation Project increase the port’s on-terminal rail footprint from 9,200 lineal feet to 12,500 lineal feet and provides nearly 40,000 square feet of covered warehouse space for rail loading.
“Completing critical infrastructure upgrades like this will better position the Port and its facilities to handle the larger vessels and heavier cargoes and other opportunities on the horizon,” Port Commission President Glen Bachman.
US Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee praised the port’s work in getting the funding.
“I’ve been proud to work with the Port of Everett to secure federal investments to ensure the Port continues to meet the demands of the 21st century economy, and I’m thrilled to see the federal government bring even more resources to the table,” Murray said. “This investment will help complete vital modernization projects and support an important economic hub in Washington state.”
LA Port Police Add Defibrillators
By Karen Robes Meeks
The Los Angeles Port Police has increased its emergency capabilities by adding automated external defibrillators (AED) in all its patrol and specialty vehicles.
The addition of 50 devices augments the several dozen already in strategic locations all over the port, an initiative that started in 2012. Other locations with AEDs include the World Cruise Center Terminal, the LA Harbor Department Administration Building, the Port Pilot Station, the USS IOWA and the Maritime Law Enforcement Training Center.
“When someone has suffered a sudden cardiac arrest or is non-responsive for other reasons, quick access to a defibrillator can mean the difference between life and death,” said Port Police Chief Tom Gazsi. “Our officers now have life-changing equipment right in their vehicles, which provides an added measure of readiness to our Port community, workers and employees, as well as residents and visitors.”
The Los Angeles Port Police has increased its emergency capabilities by adding automated external defibrillators (AED) in all its patrol and specialty vehicles.
The addition of 50 devices augments the several dozen already in strategic locations all over the port, an initiative that started in 2012. Other locations with AEDs include the World Cruise Center Terminal, the LA Harbor Department Administration Building, the Port Pilot Station, the USS IOWA and the Maritime Law Enforcement Training Center.
“When someone has suffered a sudden cardiac arrest or is non-responsive for other reasons, quick access to a defibrillator can mean the difference between life and death,” said Port Police Chief Tom Gazsi. “Our officers now have life-changing equipment right in their vehicles, which provides an added measure of readiness to our Port community, workers and employees, as well as residents and visitors.”
Hueneme Philanthropy
By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Hueneme, ILWU Local 46, Chiquita and El Lustrador Foundation are teaming up for the “Fill the Chiquita Container Challenge,” a philanthropic effort that aim to stuff a shipping container with new or gently used clothes, shoes and supplies.
The challenge benefits those helped by the El Lustrador Foundation, a nonprofit established in 2016 by author René Corado that assists the underprivileged in Guatemala. The organization also provides scholarships and education to Guatemalan youths and their families and work with US school districts to provide guidance to Latino youth in the community.
Donations may be dropped off until Dec. 15 on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Port of Hueneme Admin Building located at 333 Ponoma Street, Port Hueneme.
For more information on the challenge contact 805-488-3677 or info@portofh.org. Visit www.ellustradorfoundation.org for more details about the foundation.
The Port of Hueneme, ILWU Local 46, Chiquita and El Lustrador Foundation are teaming up for the “Fill the Chiquita Container Challenge,” a philanthropic effort that aim to stuff a shipping container with new or gently used clothes, shoes and supplies.
The challenge benefits those helped by the El Lustrador Foundation, a nonprofit established in 2016 by author René Corado that assists the underprivileged in Guatemala. The organization also provides scholarships and education to Guatemalan youths and their families and work with US school districts to provide guidance to Latino youth in the community.
Donations may be dropped off until Dec. 15 on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Port of Hueneme Admin Building located at 333 Ponoma Street, Port Hueneme.
For more information on the challenge contact 805-488-3677 or info@portofh.org. Visit www.ellustradorfoundation.org for more details about the foundation.
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Satsop Manager Honored
By Karen Robes Meeks
Satsop Business Park Manager of Business Development Alissa Shay was named to the South Sound Business Magazine’s 2018 class of 40 Under 40.
“It is an honor to be working to create more job opportunities for people in our region while helping existing port customers be successful in Grays Harbor,” Shay said. “I am proud of the work we do to help make Grays Harbor a prosperous and vibrant community.”
Shay started her career at the port in 2013 following more than five years as a city planner for the city of Hoquiam.
In her current position, Shay has helmed the recruitment of Xpress Natural Gas, Overstock.com’s Customer Care Call Center and Fuller Hill Development Co., who in total employ more than 350 people at the park.
“Alissa is most deserving of this honor and we are proud of all she has accomplished during her tenure,” said Port of Grays Harbor Executive Director Gary Nelson. “I am confident the port and the community will continue to benefit from her leadership and experience as her career continues to flourish.”
Satsop Business Park Manager of Business Development Alissa Shay was named to the South Sound Business Magazine’s 2018 class of 40 Under 40.
“It is an honor to be working to create more job opportunities for people in our region while helping existing port customers be successful in Grays Harbor,” Shay said. “I am proud of the work we do to help make Grays Harbor a prosperous and vibrant community.”
Shay started her career at the port in 2013 following more than five years as a city planner for the city of Hoquiam.
In her current position, Shay has helmed the recruitment of Xpress Natural Gas, Overstock.com’s Customer Care Call Center and Fuller Hill Development Co., who in total employ more than 350 people at the park.
“Alissa is most deserving of this honor and we are proud of all she has accomplished during her tenure,” said Port of Grays Harbor Executive Director Gary Nelson. “I am confident the port and the community will continue to benefit from her leadership and experience as her career continues to flourish.”
