Vessel Operator Pleads Guilty in Bilge Waste Discharge Matter

By Karen Robes Meeks

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (Singapore) PTE LTD. (Bernhard), has pleaded guilty in federal court to keeping “false and incomplete records” about how bilge waste was discharged from the tank vessel Topaz Express. This is considered a felony violation.

The plea agreement calls for the company to serve a four-year probation, enact a comprehensive Environmental Compliance Plan that will apply to all of its 38 vessels that call on US ports, and pay a $1.75 million fine, the largest imposed by the District of Hawaii for this kind of offense.

“This case was built on the hard work of Coast Guard inspectors and investigators and we appreciate the strong partnership with the Department of Justice to hold polluters accountable,” said Capt. Arex Avanni, commander of the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “All vessel owners and operators are responsible for maintaining their vessels and preventing illegal discharges of oily wastes into the ocean. We are committed to the people of Hawaii to protect our waters and the Pacific Ocean from the damage caused by pollution from illegal dumping.”

Cargo Volumes Dip at Port of Los Angeles

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Los Angeles saw a 5.4 percent drop in cargo movement last month when compared to January 2019, according to new numbers released Thursday.

The port handled 806,144 TEUs, including 414,731 TEUs in imports, a 3.5 percent decrease from the same period last year. Following 14 straight months of declines due to tariffs on US products, exports rose 2.2 percent to 148,206 TEUs. Meanwhile, empty containers fell 12.4 percent to 243,207 TEUs.

“We anticipated that tariffs would continue to impact cargo volumes as we moved into 2020, and our January volumes reflect that ongoing trend,” said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “The coronavirus, which prompted China’s Central Government to extend the Lunar New Year holiday, adds a new layer of uncertainty to global trade. The Port of Los Angeles is committed to ongoing collaboration with our customers and supply chain partners to innovate and adapt to new trade patterns.”

Port of Oakland Names New COO

By Karen Robes Meeks

Oakland International Airport Assistant Director of Aviation Kristi McKenney is the new Port of Oakland Chief Operating Officer, a newly created role.

McKenney, who came to the port in 1994 as an environmental planner before becoming assistant director of aviation in 2014, will now be tasked to oversee port operations, including engineering services, environmental programs and planning, utilities and IT, as well as ensuring the port is complying with board policies and government regulations.

“I’m grateful to the Board for establishing the COO position and pleased that Kristi is joining our executive team,” said Port Executive Director Danny Wan. “We’re developing an ambitious growth strategy for the port and she’ll be instrumental in advancing it.”

McKenney lives in Oakland, Calif. She has a bachelor of science degree in aeronautics from San Jose State University and a master of science degree in civil engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.

US Coast Guard Working on Vessel Aground in Hawaii

By Karen Robes Meeks

The US Coast Guard, the Department of Land and Natural Resources and contractor personnel are teaming up to respond to the removal of potential pollutants that may stem from a 63-foot fishing vessel that ran aground on Monday on rocks northwest of Hilo Harbor, Hawaii.

There are two marine batteries as well as up to 1,800 gallons of diesel aboard the Midway Island, a US-flagged vessel that was grounded after traveling from Los Angeles, Calif. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the incident.

Meanwhile, a safety zone that extends 100-yards in all directions from the source has been established. The agency is asking the public to steer clear.

Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports to Consider Clean Truck Rate

By Karen Robes Meeks

A proposed Clean Truck Rate resolution will be considered by the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach harbor boards later this month. If approved, the proposed rate, which is said to help speed up the introduction of cleaner drayage trucks at the twin ports, could be collected as early as the latter half of 2020.

The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners will consider the Clean Truck Rate proposal at a meeting schedule for 9 a.m. on Feb. 20 at the Port of Los Angeles Administration Building, 425 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro, Calif., 90731. The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners will decide on the Clean Truck Rate proposal on Feb. 24, The meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Bob Foster Civic Chambers at Long Beach City Hall, 411 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, Calif., 90802.

Both meetings will be on livestream.

Port of Los Angeles to Rename Street After Late Union Leader, Commissioner

By Karen Robes Meeks

On Saturday morning, Feb. 8, Los Angeles port, union and community representatives will unveil a new street name honoring the former Los Angeles Harbor Commission Vice President and International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) leader Dave Arian. Arian died in January 2019 after battling thyroid cancer.

A part of Miner Street south of 22nd Street in San Pedro, Calif., will be renamed “Dave Arian Way,” after the lifelong San Pedro resident who began working on the Wilmington waterfront when he was 18. He served three terms as president of ILWU Local 13 before becoming, in 1991, international president of the ILWU at age 44. Following his retirement in 2009, he was appointed to the harbor commission in 2010.

Several people are expected to speak at the event, including Port Executive Director Gene Seroka, Los Angeles Harbor Commissioner Diane Middleton, ILWU International President William Adams, ILWU Local 13 President Ray Familathe and Dave Arian’s daughter Justine Arian-Edwards.

Port of Everett Closes on LTGO Bond Sale

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Everett in late January closed on the $26.3 million sale of Limited Tax General Obligation (LTGO) bonds that will go toward newly acquired properties such as the Norton property in north Waterfront Place and the old Kimberly-Clark mill site, the port announced.

The port was able to secure a low 3.08 percent interest rate over the bonds’ 30 years in part because of its strong Aa2 LTGO bond rating. The rating reflects “the port’s sizeable and rapidly growing tax base, its participation in the broad and diverse Puget Sound economy, and adequate financial position to finance its five-year, $103 million Capital Improvement Program,” the port said.

“As committed financial stewards of public funds, this bond sale proved to be an excellent step to support financing for the acquisition of key community and regional assets,” Port of Everett CEO Lisa Lefeber said. “I commend the work of the port’s finance team for their consistent due diligence and monitoring of the market for financial opportunities like these, which are critical elements to responsibly grow our operations and remain competitive.”