By Karen Robes Meeks
Approximately 1,200 pounds of smuggled marijuana worth an estimated $450,000 was recently seized at Cabrillo Beach, thanks to increased patrols by the Los Angeles Port Police.
On July 20, Los Angeles Port Police Marine Units noticed a suspiciously bow-heavy 23-foot boat, a vehicle, a trailer, and three men trying to leave the public boat launch.
They were taken into custody by the Los Angeles Border Enforcement Security Task Force and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations, which will handle the investigation.
A rise in drug smuggling along the state coast has prompted port police officials to ramp up patrols.
Friday, August 2, 2019
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Longshore Training Program Slated
for San Pedro Bay
By Karen Robes Meeks
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 13 and the Pacific Maritime Association (APM) have agreed to establish a workforce training program at the San Pedro Bay complex. A Blue Ribbon Commission was instituted to study and weigh in on the future of work at the Port of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who announced the agreements earlier this month, had been involved in talks between the two parties since April. The agreement comes after many months of negotiations over the automation of Pier 400, the port’s largest terminal.
“In Los Angeles, we know that if we don't guide the future, workers and communities can be left behind,” Garcetti said. “This workforce training program will ensure today’s waterfront workers are equipped for tomorrow’s jobs and continue to support the harbor community. I will never stop fighting to preserve good, middle-class jobs and protect the hardworking women and men who power our economy – and today’s agreement is a start, and not an end, to our work.”
The creation of the workforce training program will help boost the skillset of up to 900 registered longshore workers and mechanics. The agreement between the ILWU and APM Terminals “calls for the ILWU mechanics to begin familiarization and training of the new APM equipment in the coming weeks as it begins a modernization project on its terminal.”
Meanwhile, APM Terminals will postpone additional automated-related projects until at least July 1, 2022, according to the port. Los Angeles Councilman Joe Buscaino, whose district encompasses the port and San Pedro, proposed the Blue Ribbon Commission, which intends to look at the automation issue and future work at the port. The commission will make recommendations to the City Council.
“This agreement calls for a comprehensive, fully-paid training program to re-skill and up-skill longshore workers to equip them for the next generation of work on the waterfront,” said Pacific Maritime Association CEO Jim McKenna. “This will help longshore workers prepare for the port jobs of the future.”
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 13 and the Pacific Maritime Association (APM) have agreed to establish a workforce training program at the San Pedro Bay complex. A Blue Ribbon Commission was instituted to study and weigh in on the future of work at the Port of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who announced the agreements earlier this month, had been involved in talks between the two parties since April. The agreement comes after many months of negotiations over the automation of Pier 400, the port’s largest terminal.
“In Los Angeles, we know that if we don't guide the future, workers and communities can be left behind,” Garcetti said. “This workforce training program will ensure today’s waterfront workers are equipped for tomorrow’s jobs and continue to support the harbor community. I will never stop fighting to preserve good, middle-class jobs and protect the hardworking women and men who power our economy – and today’s agreement is a start, and not an end, to our work.”
The creation of the workforce training program will help boost the skillset of up to 900 registered longshore workers and mechanics. The agreement between the ILWU and APM Terminals “calls for the ILWU mechanics to begin familiarization and training of the new APM equipment in the coming weeks as it begins a modernization project on its terminal.”
Meanwhile, APM Terminals will postpone additional automated-related projects until at least July 1, 2022, according to the port. Los Angeles Councilman Joe Buscaino, whose district encompasses the port and San Pedro, proposed the Blue Ribbon Commission, which intends to look at the automation issue and future work at the port. The commission will make recommendations to the City Council.
“This agreement calls for a comprehensive, fully-paid training program to re-skill and up-skill longshore workers to equip them for the next generation of work on the waterfront,” said Pacific Maritime Association CEO Jim McKenna. “This will help longshore workers prepare for the port jobs of the future.”
Everett CEO Moving On
By Karen Robes Meeks
In a special Port Commission meeting on July 22, Port of Everett CEO Les Reardanz announced that he will step down from his post in October to care for his aging parents and focus on his newly expanded military duties.
Reardanz, who served his fourth overseas tour of duty in 2018, was recently promoted to the Reserve list for promotion to the permanent grade of Rear Admiral (Lower Half) in the Navy Reserve Judge Advocates General Corps (JAG).
“Character and integrity are values I hold deep, and it is with great sadness that I have to move on from my role at the Port of Everett to tend to my aging parents, while also balancing my new Navy role,” Reardanz said. “It has been a humbling honor to work at the Port of Everett, and I am so proud of what our team has accomplished and will continue to accomplish in the years to come.”
Reardanz has been Port CEO since November 2014. Previously, he served as the port's Deputy Executive Director. Before coming to Everett, he worked as municipal legal advisor at the city of Bellingham and project manager for the city’s Waterfront District Development, a joint venture with the Port of Bellingham.
The commission directed staff to enter contract talks with the Port’s Deputy Executive Director Lisa Lefeber with the intent of promoting her to port director role. Lefeber was Acting CEO in 2018 when Reardanz was deployed to Afghanistan.
In a special Port Commission meeting on July 22, Port of Everett CEO Les Reardanz announced that he will step down from his post in October to care for his aging parents and focus on his newly expanded military duties.
Reardanz, who served his fourth overseas tour of duty in 2018, was recently promoted to the Reserve list for promotion to the permanent grade of Rear Admiral (Lower Half) in the Navy Reserve Judge Advocates General Corps (JAG).
“Character and integrity are values I hold deep, and it is with great sadness that I have to move on from my role at the Port of Everett to tend to my aging parents, while also balancing my new Navy role,” Reardanz said. “It has been a humbling honor to work at the Port of Everett, and I am so proud of what our team has accomplished and will continue to accomplish in the years to come.”
Reardanz has been Port CEO since November 2014. Previously, he served as the port's Deputy Executive Director. Before coming to Everett, he worked as municipal legal advisor at the city of Bellingham and project manager for the city’s Waterfront District Development, a joint venture with the Port of Bellingham.
The commission directed staff to enter contract talks with the Port’s Deputy Executive Director Lisa Lefeber with the intent of promoting her to port director role. Lefeber was Acting CEO in 2018 when Reardanz was deployed to Afghanistan.
LA, LB Seek Public Opinion on Truck Emissions
By Karen Robes Meeks
The public is asked to weigh in on a proposed fee structure that could incentivize truck fleets to curb air pollution at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.
The proposed fee structure is part of the ports updated Clear Air Action Plan (CAAP) which requires that new trucks registered to operate at the ports as of Oct. 1, 2018, be model year 2014 or newer.
Part of the 2017 CAAP Update also calls for a proposal to enact a rate in 2020 on all trucks coming into marine terminals, except for those that are near-zero or zero-emissions.
The Clean Truck Fund Rate Workshop, put on by the twin ports, is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, at Banning’s Landing Community Center, 100 E. Water St. in Wilmington.
Visit www.cleanairactionplan.org for more details.
The public is asked to weigh in on a proposed fee structure that could incentivize truck fleets to curb air pollution at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.
The proposed fee structure is part of the ports updated Clear Air Action Plan (CAAP) which requires that new trucks registered to operate at the ports as of Oct. 1, 2018, be model year 2014 or newer.
Part of the 2017 CAAP Update also calls for a proposal to enact a rate in 2020 on all trucks coming into marine terminals, except for those that are near-zero or zero-emissions.
The Clean Truck Fund Rate Workshop, put on by the twin ports, is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, at Banning’s Landing Community Center, 100 E. Water St. in Wilmington.
Visit www.cleanairactionplan.org for more details.
Oakland Leaders Announced
By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Oakland recently announced several leadership moves this month.
The Board of Port Commissioners selected Port Attorney Danny Wan as Acting Executive Director shortly after Executive Director Chris Lytle announced his retirement on July 19.
Wan, who has been port attorney since 2012, was deputy port attorney from 2004 to 2008 and formerly served on the Oakland City Council.
Assistant Port Attorney Michele Heffes will take over as Acting Port Attorney.
The board also chose Cestra “Ces” Butner to serve a third term on the board as president, re-elected Commissioner Andreas Cluver as First Vice President and selected first-year Commissioner Barbara Leslie as Second Vice President.
The Port of Oakland recently announced several leadership moves this month.
The Board of Port Commissioners selected Port Attorney Danny Wan as Acting Executive Director shortly after Executive Director Chris Lytle announced his retirement on July 19.
Wan, who has been port attorney since 2012, was deputy port attorney from 2004 to 2008 and formerly served on the Oakland City Council.
Assistant Port Attorney Michele Heffes will take over as Acting Port Attorney.
The board also chose Cestra “Ces” Butner to serve a third term on the board as president, re-elected Commissioner Andreas Cluver as First Vice President and selected first-year Commissioner Barbara Leslie as Second Vice President.
Friday, July 26, 2019
Portland-Based Vigor Acquired
by the Carlyle Group
Global investment firm The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) and private equity firm Stellex Capital Management today announced a definitive agreement to acquire and merge Vigor Industrial LLC, an infrastructure, defense, and maritime services company based in Portland, Oregon, and MHI Holdings LLC, a ship repair, maintenance, and other ship husbandry services company based in Norfolk, Virginia.
The combined company is expected to create a bicoastal leader in critical ship repair services and commercial and defense-related fabrication services. Key customers include the US Navy, US Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, Boeing, cruise lines, fishing fleets, barges and ferry services for local and state governments, and other key commercial and defense customers.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close by the end of the third quarter 2019. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Frank Foti, President and CEO of Vigor, said, “Through this transaction, Vigor gains responsible, forward-thinking investors who will seek to build on our current platform while maintaining a values-driven culture. In addition, we are excited to join forces with a company of MHI’s caliber which has a history of delivering strong results and shares our mission to serve the people who protect our country every day. This evolution takes us where we want to go, growing sustainable jobs into the future. I’m excited to be an investor in this adventure and to be a part of what’s to come.”
Tom Epley, President and CEO of MHI, said, “MHI is stronger than it has ever been, and we’ve successfully executed our strategy of delivering cost effective maintenance and repair solutions to the U.S. Navy, a job we take very seriously. We are excited to continue our partnership with Stellex and look forward to working with The Carlyle Group and our new colleagues at Vigor. The MHI leadership team and our 800 employees across MHI Ship Repair, Seaward Marine and Accurate Marine remain committed to our mission.”
The combined company is expected to create a bicoastal leader in critical ship repair services and commercial and defense-related fabrication services. Key customers include the US Navy, US Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, Boeing, cruise lines, fishing fleets, barges and ferry services for local and state governments, and other key commercial and defense customers.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close by the end of the third quarter 2019. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Frank Foti, President and CEO of Vigor, said, “Through this transaction, Vigor gains responsible, forward-thinking investors who will seek to build on our current platform while maintaining a values-driven culture. In addition, we are excited to join forces with a company of MHI’s caliber which has a history of delivering strong results and shares our mission to serve the people who protect our country every day. This evolution takes us where we want to go, growing sustainable jobs into the future. I’m excited to be an investor in this adventure and to be a part of what’s to come.”
Tom Epley, President and CEO of MHI, said, “MHI is stronger than it has ever been, and we’ve successfully executed our strategy of delivering cost effective maintenance and repair solutions to the U.S. Navy, a job we take very seriously. We are excited to continue our partnership with Stellex and look forward to working with The Carlyle Group and our new colleagues at Vigor. The MHI leadership team and our 800 employees across MHI Ship Repair, Seaward Marine and Accurate Marine remain committed to our mission.”
Bellingham Manager Honored by Surrey, BC
By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Bellingham’s Economic Development Program Manager John Michener has been selected and confirmed as an honorary director on the Surrey, British Columbia, Board of Trade’s Board of Directors, the port announced earlier this month. It marks the first time an American citizen has served on the board in this role. The port has been a member of the board in an effort to foster relationships with its Canadian border since 2014.
The Surrey Board of Trade, which represents an estimated 6,000 members, offers economic opportunity, workplace development and education, international trade, government advocacy, and business connections to businesses and organizations.
The Port of Bellingham’s Economic Development Program Manager John Michener has been selected and confirmed as an honorary director on the Surrey, British Columbia, Board of Trade’s Board of Directors, the port announced earlier this month. It marks the first time an American citizen has served on the board in this role. The port has been a member of the board in an effort to foster relationships with its Canadian border since 2014.
The Surrey Board of Trade, which represents an estimated 6,000 members, offers economic opportunity, workplace development and education, international trade, government advocacy, and business connections to businesses and organizations.
