By Karen Robes Meeks
Port of Vancouver USA CEO Julianna Marler and port commissioners will present a report of the “State of the Port” on May 30.
Part of the port’s annual free Lecture Series, the event will feature a review of what happened at the port in 2018, an update on current projects and activities and a forward look at the port in the coming years.
The presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by an optional tour of Terminal 1, set to take place at 6:30 p.m. at Warehouse ’23 Event Space, 100 Columbia Street in Vancouver.
Space is limited so pre-registration is required. Call 360-693-3611 or email RSVP@portvanusa.com to reserve a spot.
Friday, April 19, 2019
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Seattle’s Terminal 5 Project Moves Forward
By Karen Robes Meeks
Lease agreements and construction for the Terminal 5 Modernization Program recently received approval from the managing members of The Northwest Seaport Alliance.
The deal sets the stage for Terminal 5’s return as a “premier international container terminal,” according to the alliance.
“The modernization of Terminal 5 represents a transformative investment in our region to support our state’s economy,” said Port of Seattle commission president Stephanie Bowman. “These actions will ensure robust and competitive marine cargo and maritime industrial activities in our harbor for the next 30 years, sustaining and creating family-wage jobs and economic opportunity for the region.”
The agreements call for:
• SSA Terminals to start operations at Terminal 5 after the completion of Phase 1 construction in 2021; The current lease at Terminal 18 to be changed to allow for the new SSA Terminals-TIL joint venture and waive a rail yard fee;
• The current Terminal 46 lease with TTI to end early, so that international container cargo can be realigned to Terminal 18 and allow the Port of Seattle to run a cruise berth on part of the property (breakbulk or project cargo will take up the rest of the space); and
• Matson’s Hawaii service to move to the south berth at Terminal 5 while construction takes place on the north berth, making more space at Terminal 30 for international container cargo.
The deal will yield 6,600 new direct jobs and over $2 billion in business activity, according to the NWSA.
“Terminal 5 will be able to handle the largest marine cargo vessels now being deployed in the Asia-Pacific trade route quickly and efficiently, providing a critical link for Washington state exports to Asian markets, both for agricultural products such as hay, apples and potatoes, as well containerized cargo for customers such as Paccar and Starbucks,” said Port of Tacoma commission president Clare Petrich.
Lease agreements and construction for the Terminal 5 Modernization Program recently received approval from the managing members of The Northwest Seaport Alliance.
The deal sets the stage for Terminal 5’s return as a “premier international container terminal,” according to the alliance.
“The modernization of Terminal 5 represents a transformative investment in our region to support our state’s economy,” said Port of Seattle commission president Stephanie Bowman. “These actions will ensure robust and competitive marine cargo and maritime industrial activities in our harbor for the next 30 years, sustaining and creating family-wage jobs and economic opportunity for the region.”
The agreements call for:
• SSA Terminals to start operations at Terminal 5 after the completion of Phase 1 construction in 2021; The current lease at Terminal 18 to be changed to allow for the new SSA Terminals-TIL joint venture and waive a rail yard fee;
• The current Terminal 46 lease with TTI to end early, so that international container cargo can be realigned to Terminal 18 and allow the Port of Seattle to run a cruise berth on part of the property (breakbulk or project cargo will take up the rest of the space); and
• Matson’s Hawaii service to move to the south berth at Terminal 5 while construction takes place on the north berth, making more space at Terminal 30 for international container cargo.
The deal will yield 6,600 new direct jobs and over $2 billion in business activity, according to the NWSA.
“Terminal 5 will be able to handle the largest marine cargo vessels now being deployed in the Asia-Pacific trade route quickly and efficiently, providing a critical link for Washington state exports to Asian markets, both for agricultural products such as hay, apples and potatoes, as well containerized cargo for customers such as Paccar and Starbucks,” said Port of Tacoma commission president Clare Petrich.
Coast Guard Seizes Cocaine
By Karen Robes Meeks
More than 14,300 pounds of cocaine seized off the Eastern Pacific Ocean in February-March was offloaded by US Coast Guard Cutter Waesche crew members earlier this month in San Diego.
The drugs were captured by the crew of Cutters Waesche, Active and Steadfast during six interdictions off the Mexican, Central and South American coasts.
The cutters are all homeported on the West Coast: the 418-foot national security cutter Waesche is in Alameda, while 210-foot medium endurance cutters Active and Steadfast are based in Port Angeles, Washington, and Astoria, Oregon, respectively.
"The offload that you see behind me, the bales of cocaine, represents a successful example of the cycle of justice," said Rear Adm. Nathan Moore, deputy commander of Coast Guard Pacific Area. "This cycle of justice disrupts a cycle of crime which, left unchecked, fuels violence and instability that erodes our hemisphere's social and economic fabric and directly contributes to historically high numbers of drug-related deaths in North America."
More than 14,300 pounds of cocaine seized off the Eastern Pacific Ocean in February-March was offloaded by US Coast Guard Cutter Waesche crew members earlier this month in San Diego.
The drugs were captured by the crew of Cutters Waesche, Active and Steadfast during six interdictions off the Mexican, Central and South American coasts.
The cutters are all homeported on the West Coast: the 418-foot national security cutter Waesche is in Alameda, while 210-foot medium endurance cutters Active and Steadfast are based in Port Angeles, Washington, and Astoria, Oregon, respectively.
"The offload that you see behind me, the bales of cocaine, represents a successful example of the cycle of justice," said Rear Adm. Nathan Moore, deputy commander of Coast Guard Pacific Area. "This cycle of justice disrupts a cycle of crime which, left unchecked, fuels violence and instability that erodes our hemisphere's social and economic fabric and directly contributes to historically high numbers of drug-related deaths in North America."
Washington Ports Lecture
By Karen Robes Meeks
Ever wanted to know more about Washington State’s diverse ports?
Washington Public Ports Association Executive Director Eric Johnson will discuss the history and significance of some of the state’s 75 public ports, what cargo they handle and what purpose they play on May 1 in “The Fascinating World of Washington State’s Public Ports,” part of the Port of Vancouver USA’s annual free Lecture Series.
The event will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Warehouse ’23 Event Space, 100 Columbia Street in Vancouver.
Space is limited so pre-registration is required. Call 360-693-3611 or email RSVP@portvanusa.com to reserve a spot.
Ever wanted to know more about Washington State’s diverse ports?
Washington Public Ports Association Executive Director Eric Johnson will discuss the history and significance of some of the state’s 75 public ports, what cargo they handle and what purpose they play on May 1 in “The Fascinating World of Washington State’s Public Ports,” part of the Port of Vancouver USA’s annual free Lecture Series.
The event will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Warehouse ’23 Event Space, 100 Columbia Street in Vancouver.
Space is limited so pre-registration is required. Call 360-693-3611 or email RSVP@portvanusa.com to reserve a spot.
Port of Olympia Grants Community Funds
By Karen Robes Meeks
The cities of Bucoda, Rainier, Tenino, and Yelm each recently received $10,000 for community and economic development investments by the Port of Olympia Commission.
The funds are part of the Port’s Small Cities Program, which was created in 2010 to help provide gap funding for community and economic development efforts in Thurston County cities with fewer than 15,000 residents.
Bucoda will use the money to buy event equipment for its popular Annual Haunted House, as well an outdoor event space.
Rainier will use the funds toward renovating and preserving the historic Rainier School and Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church for event and activity space rentals.
The funds will help Tenino with construction of a shaded pavilion for bicyclists.
Yelm will use the money to buy emergency notification message boards.
The cities of Bucoda, Rainier, Tenino, and Yelm each recently received $10,000 for community and economic development investments by the Port of Olympia Commission.
The funds are part of the Port’s Small Cities Program, which was created in 2010 to help provide gap funding for community and economic development efforts in Thurston County cities with fewer than 15,000 residents.
Bucoda will use the money to buy event equipment for its popular Annual Haunted House, as well an outdoor event space.
Rainier will use the funds toward renovating and preserving the historic Rainier School and Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church for event and activity space rentals.
The funds will help Tenino with construction of a shaded pavilion for bicyclists.
Yelm will use the money to buy emergency notification message boards.
Friday, April 12, 2019
Los Angeles Volumes Rise
By Karen Robes Meeks
Cargo volumes rose 12.7 percent at the Port of Los Angeles in March when compared to the same period last year, according to statistics released Thursday.
The nation’s busiest seaport handled 650,977 TEUs, wrapping up a solid first quarter in which Los Angeles saw 4.6 percent more volume.
The port also handled 12.4 percent more imported cargo compared to the previous year, with 297,187 TEUs. Export felt 2.9 percent to 158,924 TEUs.
“Despite global trade uncertainties, we experienced strong first quarter growth,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “I commend our supply chain stakeholders who have processed record amounts of cargo in recent months and we anticipate greater efficiency improvement with the Port Optimizer™ that was rolled out in the first quarter. Retailers are forecasting an uptick in summer consumer demand and we are ready for those boxes.”
Cargo volumes rose 12.7 percent at the Port of Los Angeles in March when compared to the same period last year, according to statistics released Thursday.
The nation’s busiest seaport handled 650,977 TEUs, wrapping up a solid first quarter in which Los Angeles saw 4.6 percent more volume.
The port also handled 12.4 percent more imported cargo compared to the previous year, with 297,187 TEUs. Export felt 2.9 percent to 158,924 TEUs.
“Despite global trade uncertainties, we experienced strong first quarter growth,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “I commend our supply chain stakeholders who have processed record amounts of cargo in recent months and we anticipate greater efficiency improvement with the Port Optimizer™ that was rolled out in the first quarter. Retailers are forecasting an uptick in summer consumer demand and we are ready for those boxes.”
Vancouver USA Continues Clean Audit Streak
By Karen Robes Meeks
For the 10th straight year, the Port of Vancouver USA earned a clean audit from the Washington State Auditor’s Office. No deficiencies were discovered for the audit period of Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2018.
“I’m incredibly proud of the hard work of our Port of Vancouver staff,” said CEO Julianna Marler. “Receiving 10 consecutive clean audits is no small feat. It truly demonstrates the integrity of our team and our continued dedication to accountability and responsible use of public resources.”
The office annually reviews ports across Washington state for various programs and processes.
At the Port of Vancouver, the office looked at “self-insurance; marine terminal revenue; payroll disbursements; procurement, including professional services, public works, and award of contracts on an emergency basis; and accounts payable, including general disbursements, credit cards and employee reimbursements,” according to the port.
For the 10th straight year, the Port of Vancouver USA earned a clean audit from the Washington State Auditor’s Office. No deficiencies were discovered for the audit period of Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2018.
“I’m incredibly proud of the hard work of our Port of Vancouver staff,” said CEO Julianna Marler. “Receiving 10 consecutive clean audits is no small feat. It truly demonstrates the integrity of our team and our continued dedication to accountability and responsible use of public resources.”
The office annually reviews ports across Washington state for various programs and processes.
At the Port of Vancouver, the office looked at “self-insurance; marine terminal revenue; payroll disbursements; procurement, including professional services, public works, and award of contracts on an emergency basis; and accounts payable, including general disbursements, credit cards and employee reimbursements,” according to the port.
