By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Los Angeles and Indonesia Port Corporation (IPC) PT Pelabuhan Indonesia II (Persero) will team up to share best practices related to infrastructure, operations and trade competitiveness.
Officials from both ports recently inked a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on issues ranging from the environment to technology that boosts supply chain efficiency.
“Increased global competitiveness, supply chain innovation and the more widespread use of sustainable operations technology can only happen if ports join forces in earnest to share ideas and expertise,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “This agreement today is another example of the Port of Los Angeles’ commitment to further promote international cooperation and collaboration across the globe.”
“PT Pelabuhan Indonesia II is excited to establish more formal ties with Port of Los Angeles to collaborate closely in the years ahead,” said Elvyn Gani Masassya, President Director of PT Pelabuhan Indonesia II (Persero). “From the environment to new technologies, business systems to infrastructure development, there is a great deal that we can learn from one another to improve operations and advance global trade, innovation and sustainability,” Masassya said.
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Clean Truck Workshop Webcast
By Karen Robes Meeks
Want to hear more about the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach’s Clean Truck Program rate proposal but can’t physically attend the workshop on Dec. 18? You can catch it live online at www.polb.com/webcast.
As part of the 2017 Clean Air Action Plan Update, a proposed 2020 rate structure on trucks handling containers to and from marine terminals is being considered in an effort to quicken the San Pedro Bay truck fleet’s conversion to cleaner trucks. Rebates may be possible for trucks that meet near-zero or zero-emissions.
The workshop, which will include a presentation on the proposed rate and related timeline, will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Dec. 18, in the Bob Foster Civic Chambers at Long Beach City Hall, 411 W. Ocean Blvd. in Long Beach, Calif.
For more information, visit https://cleanairactionplan.org.
Want to hear more about the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach’s Clean Truck Program rate proposal but can’t physically attend the workshop on Dec. 18? You can catch it live online at www.polb.com/webcast.
As part of the 2017 Clean Air Action Plan Update, a proposed 2020 rate structure on trucks handling containers to and from marine terminals is being considered in an effort to quicken the San Pedro Bay truck fleet’s conversion to cleaner trucks. Rebates may be possible for trucks that meet near-zero or zero-emissions.
The workshop, which will include a presentation on the proposed rate and related timeline, will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Dec. 18, in the Bob Foster Civic Chambers at Long Beach City Hall, 411 W. Ocean Blvd. in Long Beach, Calif.
For more information, visit https://cleanairactionplan.org.
Washington Maritime Accelerator
By Karen Robes Meeks
Eleven startups have been chosen to take part in Washington state’s first maritime accelerator scheduled to launch next month, according to Washington Maritime Blue, the Port of Seattle, and WeWork Labs.
The 11 companies – of which more than 30 percent were founded by women and 70 percent are based in Washington state – are Beam Reach, Discovery Health, ecoSpears, eOceans, Equll, MER Equipment, Net Your Problem, oneTank, OneForNeptune, Pure Watercraft, and SPBES.
Over the next four months, the companies will be housed at WeWork Labs where they will receive intensive programming, as well as access to WeWork Labs’ global network of mentors and advisors. According to the press release, this first cohort also will receive “additional mentorship opportunities, drawing on Maritime Blue's coalition of industry experts, as well as ‘pilots with enterprises’ demonstration and sales opportunities, and vast connections to the global maritime industry.”
Eleven startups have been chosen to take part in Washington state’s first maritime accelerator scheduled to launch next month, according to Washington Maritime Blue, the Port of Seattle, and WeWork Labs.
The 11 companies – of which more than 30 percent were founded by women and 70 percent are based in Washington state – are Beam Reach, Discovery Health, ecoSpears, eOceans, Equll, MER Equipment, Net Your Problem, oneTank, OneForNeptune, Pure Watercraft, and SPBES.
Over the next four months, the companies will be housed at WeWork Labs where they will receive intensive programming, as well as access to WeWork Labs’ global network of mentors and advisors. According to the press release, this first cohort also will receive “additional mentorship opportunities, drawing on Maritime Blue's coalition of industry experts, as well as ‘pilots with enterprises’ demonstration and sales opportunities, and vast connections to the global maritime industry.”
USCG Teams with University of Washington
By Karen Robes Meeks
The US Coast Guard will be formally collaborating with the University of Washington Tacoma to develop the next generation of Coast Guard leaders.
Officials from the agency and the university took part in a signing ceremony at William W. Philip Hall last week.
"The Coast Guard is excited to work with the University of Washington Tacoma to provide further opportunities for leadership, scholarships, and paths for public service,” said Rear Adm. Jack Vogt, commander of the 13th Coast Guard District. “Together we will work to teach, develop, and guide the future men and women who will lead our country, especially here in the Pacific Northwest and abroad, and further national safety and security."
One program, the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI), focuses on helping underrepresented students get a degree while at the same time allowing them to join the Coast. "The CSPI initiative at the University of Washington Tacoma is unique in that it allows the Coast Guard to recruit future leaders from our tribal communities in the Pacific Northwest, a population that has been underrepresented in the Coast Guard,” said Vogt.
For more, visit https://www.gocoastguard.com/CSPIScholarship
The US Coast Guard will be formally collaborating with the University of Washington Tacoma to develop the next generation of Coast Guard leaders.
Officials from the agency and the university took part in a signing ceremony at William W. Philip Hall last week.
"The Coast Guard is excited to work with the University of Washington Tacoma to provide further opportunities for leadership, scholarships, and paths for public service,” said Rear Adm. Jack Vogt, commander of the 13th Coast Guard District. “Together we will work to teach, develop, and guide the future men and women who will lead our country, especially here in the Pacific Northwest and abroad, and further national safety and security."
One program, the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI), focuses on helping underrepresented students get a degree while at the same time allowing them to join the Coast. "The CSPI initiative at the University of Washington Tacoma is unique in that it allows the Coast Guard to recruit future leaders from our tribal communities in the Pacific Northwest, a population that has been underrepresented in the Coast Guard,” said Vogt.
For more, visit https://www.gocoastguard.com/CSPIScholarship
Friday, December 13, 2019
LA Sees Cargo Drop
By Karen Robes Meeks
Last month, the Port of Los Angeles handled 728,918 TEUs, a 12.4 percent drop from the same period a year ago, according to statistics released Tuesday.
Year over year, imports fell 12.2 percent to 371,350 TEUs while exports dropped 9.2 percent to 138,545 TEUs, marking a 13th straight month of decline. Empty containers also fell 14.8 percent to 219,024 TEUs.
Despite these decreases, the port is reporting a 0.4 percent uptick in overall volumes through the first 11 months of the year compared to 2018, a record year for the port.
“As we expected, 2019 winds down with volumes weakening, due largely to the US-China trade war which continues to negatively impact American consumers, manufacturers and US supply chain jobs,” said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “Although we anticipate tariffs will linger well into 2020, we will continue to aggressively invest in our physical and digital infrastructure through this economic cycle.”
Last month, the Port of Los Angeles handled 728,918 TEUs, a 12.4 percent drop from the same period a year ago, according to statistics released Tuesday.
Year over year, imports fell 12.2 percent to 371,350 TEUs while exports dropped 9.2 percent to 138,545 TEUs, marking a 13th straight month of decline. Empty containers also fell 14.8 percent to 219,024 TEUs.
Despite these decreases, the port is reporting a 0.4 percent uptick in overall volumes through the first 11 months of the year compared to 2018, a record year for the port.
“As we expected, 2019 winds down with volumes weakening, due largely to the US-China trade war which continues to negatively impact American consumers, manufacturers and US supply chain jobs,” said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “Although we anticipate tariffs will linger well into 2020, we will continue to aggressively invest in our physical and digital infrastructure through this economic cycle.”
Oakland Trade Rises
By Karen Robes Meeks
At the Port of Oakland, exports rose 5.8 percent to 81,781 TEUs in November compared to the same period a year ago, while import volume fell 7.2 percent to 77,350 TEUs, according to statistics released Tuesday.
The port attributes the increased export numbers to “increased overseas demand – primarily in Asia – for US goods perceived to have high quality. It singled out American-produced farm goods, as an example.”
Meanwhile, the import numbers reflect last year’s rush by shippers to quickly move cargo ahead of tariff hikes.
Total cargo volume dipped 0.8 percent through the first 11 months of the year mainly because of the 10.5 percent decrease in empty container movement, according to the port.
At the Port of Oakland, exports rose 5.8 percent to 81,781 TEUs in November compared to the same period a year ago, while import volume fell 7.2 percent to 77,350 TEUs, according to statistics released Tuesday.
The port attributes the increased export numbers to “increased overseas demand – primarily in Asia – for US goods perceived to have high quality. It singled out American-produced farm goods, as an example.”
Meanwhile, the import numbers reflect last year’s rush by shippers to quickly move cargo ahead of tariff hikes.
Total cargo volume dipped 0.8 percent through the first 11 months of the year mainly because of the 10.5 percent decrease in empty container movement, according to the port.
Brown Line Trucking Wins EPA Award
By Karen Robes Meeks
Brown Line, part of the Lynden family of companies that specializes in the trucking of temperature-controlled goods, recently garnered its third straight SmartWay High Performer Award from the Environmental Protection Agency.
"Our team is very proud to receive this award for the third consecutive year," says Brown Line President Bill Johansen. "We continue to work hard to ensure we reduce carbon emissions by reducing idle time, sudden starts and stops and by using a new system called SmartDrive. This system allows our team to work together to improve driver safety and driving habits while reducing carbon emissions."
Brown Line, who has a location in Mount Vernon, Wash., has made several sustainable upgrades this year, including the addition of 14 new fuel-efficient trucks to its fleet – a move that makes 90 percent of its equipment less than five years old – and enhancing its refrigeration units with StarTrak, which alerts personnel of any temperature issues.
The company has also made a nearly 40 percent improvement in its fuel consumption over the past five years. It has curbed its nitrous oxide and particulate matter emissions per ton mile by 44 and 62 percent respectively over the last seven years.
Brown Line, part of the Lynden family of companies that specializes in the trucking of temperature-controlled goods, recently garnered its third straight SmartWay High Performer Award from the Environmental Protection Agency.
"Our team is very proud to receive this award for the third consecutive year," says Brown Line President Bill Johansen. "We continue to work hard to ensure we reduce carbon emissions by reducing idle time, sudden starts and stops and by using a new system called SmartDrive. This system allows our team to work together to improve driver safety and driving habits while reducing carbon emissions."
Brown Line, who has a location in Mount Vernon, Wash., has made several sustainable upgrades this year, including the addition of 14 new fuel-efficient trucks to its fleet – a move that makes 90 percent of its equipment less than five years old – and enhancing its refrigeration units with StarTrak, which alerts personnel of any temperature issues.
The company has also made a nearly 40 percent improvement in its fuel consumption over the past five years. It has curbed its nitrous oxide and particulate matter emissions per ton mile by 44 and 62 percent respectively over the last seven years.
