By Karen Robes Meeks
After 58 days at sea, the US Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star and its crew of 159 members made it to Antarctica to support Operation Deep Freeze. It represents the icebreaker’s 23rd journey to the region to support the National Science Foundation.
The 399-foot, 13,000-ton icebreaker – which arrived at McMurdo Station on Jan. 22 – left its Seattle, Wash., homeport on Nov. 26 to carve a 23-mile channel through the ice to McMurdo Sound. This opening allowed more than 19.5 million pounds of dry cargo and 7.6 million gallons of fuel to be offloaded from three logistic vessels, according to the USCG. The three ships combined hold enough fuel and vital supplies to keep NSF operations going in the area throughout the year until Polar Star’s 2021 return.
“I am immensely proud of all the hard work and dedication the men and women of the Polar Star demonstrate each and every day,” said Greg Stanclik, commanding officer of the Polar Star. “Maintaining and operating a 44-year-old ship in the harshest of environments takes months of planning and preparation, long workdays and missed holidays, birthdays and anniversaries with loved ones. The Polar Star crew truly embodies the ethos of the Antarctic explorers who came before us – courage, sacrifice and devotion.”
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Public Tours Return to Port of Vancouver USA
By Karen Robes Meeks
This spring, the public will once again have the opportunity to take a closer look at Washington state’s third-oldest public port with the return of the Port of Vancouver USA’s public tour program.
The port will host 10 free outings from March through September that will feature information about navigating the Columbia River, international trade, environmental stewardship, waterfront redevelopment and more. Each excursion will offer refreshments, a slide presentation and a bus ride tour of the marine terminals and industrial centers.
The two-hour tours are expected to take place:
• Thursday, March 19, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
• Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. –12 noon
• Tuesday, May 12, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 27, 11:30 a.m–1:30 p.m.
• Thursday, June 11, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m. –12 noon
• Wednesday, July 8, 11:30 a.m. –1:30 p.m.
• Saturday, July 25, 10 a.m. –12 noon
• Tuesday, August 11, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 9, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Reservations are required and can be made by calling 360-693-3611 or sending an email to RSVP@portvanusa.com. Early RSVPs are encouraged. Government-issued photo ID is required. Cameras aren’t allowed on the terminals.
For more, go to www.portvanusa.com/community/know-your-port.
This spring, the public will once again have the opportunity to take a closer look at Washington state’s third-oldest public port with the return of the Port of Vancouver USA’s public tour program.
The port will host 10 free outings from March through September that will feature information about navigating the Columbia River, international trade, environmental stewardship, waterfront redevelopment and more. Each excursion will offer refreshments, a slide presentation and a bus ride tour of the marine terminals and industrial centers.
The two-hour tours are expected to take place:
• Thursday, March 19, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
• Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. –12 noon
• Tuesday, May 12, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 27, 11:30 a.m–1:30 p.m.
• Thursday, June 11, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m. –12 noon
• Wednesday, July 8, 11:30 a.m. –1:30 p.m.
• Saturday, July 25, 10 a.m. –12 noon
• Tuesday, August 11, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 9, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Reservations are required and can be made by calling 360-693-3611 or sending an email to RSVP@portvanusa.com. Early RSVPs are encouraged. Government-issued photo ID is required. Cameras aren’t allowed on the terminals.
For more, go to www.portvanusa.com/community/know-your-port.
Matson Announces Quarterly Dividend
By Karen Robes Meeks
Honolulu-based carrier Matson, Inc’s Board of Directors this week announced a first quarter dividend of $0.22 per common share. The dividend is expected to be paid to shareholders of record on March 5, according to the company.
The company operates in Hawaii, Alaska, Guam and Micronesia, and offers a fast, premium service from China to Southern California and services to Okinawa, Japan and other South Pacific islands. Matson’s fleet encompasses containerships, combination container and roll-on/roll-off ships and custom-made barges. Meanwhile, Matson Logistics offers “rail intermodal, highway brokerage, warehousing, freight consolidation, Asia supply chain services, and forwarding to Alaska,” according to the company.
For more on the company, visit www.matson.com.
Honolulu-based carrier Matson, Inc’s Board of Directors this week announced a first quarter dividend of $0.22 per common share. The dividend is expected to be paid to shareholders of record on March 5, according to the company.
The company operates in Hawaii, Alaska, Guam and Micronesia, and offers a fast, premium service from China to Southern California and services to Okinawa, Japan and other South Pacific islands. Matson’s fleet encompasses containerships, combination container and roll-on/roll-off ships and custom-made barges. Meanwhile, Matson Logistics offers “rail intermodal, highway brokerage, warehousing, freight consolidation, Asia supply chain services, and forwarding to Alaska,” according to the company.
For more on the company, visit www.matson.com.
Blue Technology Center of Expertise Launches in San Diego
By Karen Robes Meeks
Earlier this month, the US Coast Guard and Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, celebrated their partnership with the kickoff of the Blue Technology Center of Expertise on the Scripps Oceanography campus.
The center - which brings together experts from various disciplines related to the ocean - will allow data-sharing among the public and private sector, including other federal agencies, academia and nonprofit groups, according to the USCG.
“The Blue Technology Center of Expertise will better connect the Coast Guard with the tremendous government, academic and industry innovation ecosystem in the San Diego area,” said Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Mission Support Vice Adm. Michael F. McAllister. “It will create a unique pipeline for the rapid identification and implementation of new maritime technologies into critical Coast Guard operations around the globe.”
Earlier this month, the US Coast Guard and Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, celebrated their partnership with the kickoff of the Blue Technology Center of Expertise on the Scripps Oceanography campus.
The center - which brings together experts from various disciplines related to the ocean - will allow data-sharing among the public and private sector, including other federal agencies, academia and nonprofit groups, according to the USCG.
“The Blue Technology Center of Expertise will better connect the Coast Guard with the tremendous government, academic and industry innovation ecosystem in the San Diego area,” said Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Mission Support Vice Adm. Michael F. McAllister. “It will create a unique pipeline for the rapid identification and implementation of new maritime technologies into critical Coast Guard operations around the globe.”
Friday, January 24, 2020
California Independent Truckers Get Brief Reprieve from AB-5
By Karen Robes Meeks
California’s independent truckers scored a win last week when US Southern District Court Judge Roger T. Benitez granted a preliminary injunction to halt the state’s enforcement of a new employment classification test against motor carriers until a final judgment is rendered, the California Trucking Association (CTA) announced.
“This ruling is a significant win for California’s more than 70,000 independent owner-operators and CTA members who have worked as independent truckers for decades, and who have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars to own their own vehicle and comply with California’s strict environmental guidelines and regulations over the years,” said CTA CEO Shawn Yadon.
The association filed the preliminary injunction motion as part of its lawsuit challenging Assembly Bill 5, which was to take effect Jan. 1.
In his 23-page Jan. 16 decision, Benitez said “There is little question that the state of California has encroached on Congress’ territory by eliminating motor carriers’ choice to use independent contractor drivers, a choice at the very heart of interstate trucking. In so doing, California disregards Congress’ intent to deregulate interstate trucking, instead adopting a law that produces the patchwork of state regulations Congress sought to prevent. With AB-5, California runs off the road and into the preemption ditch of the FAAAA (Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act of 1994).”
For more on the decision, visit https://californiatruckingassoc.growthzoneapp.com/ap/CloudFile/Download/QLmzA4Wr.
California’s independent truckers scored a win last week when US Southern District Court Judge Roger T. Benitez granted a preliminary injunction to halt the state’s enforcement of a new employment classification test against motor carriers until a final judgment is rendered, the California Trucking Association (CTA) announced.
“This ruling is a significant win for California’s more than 70,000 independent owner-operators and CTA members who have worked as independent truckers for decades, and who have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars to own their own vehicle and comply with California’s strict environmental guidelines and regulations over the years,” said CTA CEO Shawn Yadon.
The association filed the preliminary injunction motion as part of its lawsuit challenging Assembly Bill 5, which was to take effect Jan. 1.
In his 23-page Jan. 16 decision, Benitez said “There is little question that the state of California has encroached on Congress’ territory by eliminating motor carriers’ choice to use independent contractor drivers, a choice at the very heart of interstate trucking. In so doing, California disregards Congress’ intent to deregulate interstate trucking, instead adopting a law that produces the patchwork of state regulations Congress sought to prevent. With AB-5, California runs off the road and into the preemption ditch of the FAAAA (Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act of 1994).”
For more on the decision, visit https://californiatruckingassoc.growthzoneapp.com/ap/CloudFile/Download/QLmzA4Wr.
Port of Los Angeles Director Appointed to State Workforce Board
By Karen Robes Meeks
California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Port of Los Angeles Director of Labor Relations and Workforce Development Avin Sharma to the California Workforce Development Board, which advises the governor in workforce development-related policies.
“Avin brings a wealth of experience in building high road training partnership among management and labor that will be a huge asset to the Board’s work and mission,” said Tim Rainey, Executive Director of the California Workforce Development Board. “We’re honored to have him join the Board and represent the Port of Los Angeles.”
Before coming to the port in 2017, Sharma served in the Obama Administration as White House liaison and counselor to the secretary at the U.S. Department of Labor, economics director for the presidential personnel office at the White House and special assistant to the chairman of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission at the U.S. Department of Justice.
“I’m extremely honored to be appointed to this prestigious board, which has done so much to advance the workforce needs of California,” said Sharma. “I plan to make the most of this opportunity to help prepare and ready our state’s workforce for success in the decades ahead.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Port of Los Angeles Director of Labor Relations and Workforce Development Avin Sharma to the California Workforce Development Board, which advises the governor in workforce development-related policies.
“Avin brings a wealth of experience in building high road training partnership among management and labor that will be a huge asset to the Board’s work and mission,” said Tim Rainey, Executive Director of the California Workforce Development Board. “We’re honored to have him join the Board and represent the Port of Los Angeles.”
Before coming to the port in 2017, Sharma served in the Obama Administration as White House liaison and counselor to the secretary at the U.S. Department of Labor, economics director for the presidential personnel office at the White House and special assistant to the chairman of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission at the U.S. Department of Justice.
“I’m extremely honored to be appointed to this prestigious board, which has done so much to advance the workforce needs of California,” said Sharma. “I plan to make the most of this opportunity to help prepare and ready our state’s workforce for success in the decades ahead.”
Port of Everett Seeks Input on Crane Lighting Demo
By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Everett would like the community to participate in a crane lighting demonstration happening from Jan. 29 to Feb. 5 at the seaport.
The port is gathering feedback on a pair of Federal Aviation Administration airspace navigation compliance options it is considering related to the installation of container cranes acquired for South Terminal.
The FAA requires that any structure taller than 200 feet located within applicable flight zones must be marked or illuminated per FAA Obstruction Marking and Lighting Requirements.
The South Terminal cranes are 215 feet tall, and the port is near the flight paths for both Naval Station Everett and Providence Hospital. As such the port is considering the following options:
• Keep the cranes as they are and mark the parts that exceed 200 feet with the current white and orange hash markings, or
• Paint the cranes to match the port’s shorter, 197-foot tall cranes at Pacific Terminal, and install red and white pulsating lights, to be continuously lit, on the portion that exceed 200 feet.
To find out more information and to weigh in go to http://www.portofeverett.com/your-port/port-of-everett-lighting-demonstration.
The Port of Everett would like the community to participate in a crane lighting demonstration happening from Jan. 29 to Feb. 5 at the seaport.
The port is gathering feedback on a pair of Federal Aviation Administration airspace navigation compliance options it is considering related to the installation of container cranes acquired for South Terminal.
The FAA requires that any structure taller than 200 feet located within applicable flight zones must be marked or illuminated per FAA Obstruction Marking and Lighting Requirements.
The South Terminal cranes are 215 feet tall, and the port is near the flight paths for both Naval Station Everett and Providence Hospital. As such the port is considering the following options:
• Keep the cranes as they are and mark the parts that exceed 200 feet with the current white and orange hash markings, or
• Paint the cranes to match the port’s shorter, 197-foot tall cranes at Pacific Terminal, and install red and white pulsating lights, to be continuously lit, on the portion that exceed 200 feet.
To find out more information and to weigh in go to http://www.portofeverett.com/your-port/port-of-everett-lighting-demonstration.
