Matson, Inc. was delivered its second Kanaloa Class combination container/roll-on, roll-off vessel, the Honolulu-based carrier announced Friday.
The new 870 foot-long vessel, Matsonia, was one of a pair of Kanaloa Class con-ro ships constructed by General Dynamics NASSCO. It joins sister ship Lurline, which was put into service last January. Both weigh more than 50,000 metric tons, feature an enclosed garage large enough to accommodate about 500 vehicles, plus room for rolling stock and breakbulk cargo.
Matsonia and Lurline, as well as Philly Shipyard-built container vessels Daniel K Inouye and Kaimana Hila, are key in Matson’s efforts to modernize its Hawaii service, the company said.
"Putting four new ships into service in a three-year span is a significant accomplishment that culminates eight years of planning, project management and coordination for teams across many departments at Matson," said Matt Cox, chairman and chief executive officer. "Together with the modernization and expansion of our Honolulu terminal, these investments position Matson to provide efficient, reliable service to Hawaii for decades to come."
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
NWSA Accepts EPA Grant for
Cargo-Handling Equipment
The Northwest Seaport Alliance members recently accepted a $782,482 EPA grant that will help the operator of the South Intermodal Yard in Tacoma, Rail Management Services, to turn its six diesel-powered terminal tractors into battery-electric tractors.
This grant will pave the way for the installation of the gateway’s first permanent deployment of electric cargo-handling equipment, said John McCarthy, Port of Tacoma commission president and co-chair of The Northwest Seaport Alliance.
“Through our partnership with (Rail Management Services) and Tacoma Power, these upgrades will replace nearly 23,000 gallons of diesel fuel with clean electricity annually, resulting in reductions of diesel particulate matter emissions of 1.4 tons per year and 260 tons of greenhouse gas,” he said.
RMS has 10 vehicles with a mix of Tier 2 and Tier 3 non-road diesel engines.
“As an intermodal provider operating more than 50 terminals and performing over 9,000,000 lifts a year, Rail Management Services consistently refines its operations to find the most innovative and cost-effective assets available,” said Ed Morgenthaler, vice president of Rail Management Services. “With our decades long standing relationship at the Port of Tacoma and with NWSA, RMS is proud to be included in this electric hostler venture which will reduce emissions and create a safer, cleaner environment for our employees.”
This grant will pave the way for the installation of the gateway’s first permanent deployment of electric cargo-handling equipment, said John McCarthy, Port of Tacoma commission president and co-chair of The Northwest Seaport Alliance.
“Through our partnership with (Rail Management Services) and Tacoma Power, these upgrades will replace nearly 23,000 gallons of diesel fuel with clean electricity annually, resulting in reductions of diesel particulate matter emissions of 1.4 tons per year and 260 tons of greenhouse gas,” he said.
RMS has 10 vehicles with a mix of Tier 2 and Tier 3 non-road diesel engines.
“As an intermodal provider operating more than 50 terminals and performing over 9,000,000 lifts a year, Rail Management Services consistently refines its operations to find the most innovative and cost-effective assets available,” said Ed Morgenthaler, vice president of Rail Management Services. “With our decades long standing relationship at the Port of Tacoma and with NWSA, RMS is proud to be included in this electric hostler venture which will reduce emissions and create a safer, cleaner environment for our employees.”
USCG Cutter Jupiter Arrives in Oahu
After a twelve-month Major Maintenance Availability mission in Baltimore and a 7,000-mile journey over 30 days, crew members of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Juniper have arrived in Oahu just in time for the holidays.
Crew members of the Juniper, which is expected to replace the CGC Walnut, have been working since September on $21.1 million of work to retrofit and install equipment at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, according to the USCG.
“The entire crew of the Juniper worked tirelessly at the Coast Guard Yard to ensure the cutter was ready for sea within only a few weeks following the conclusion of a year-long Major Maintenance Availability,” said Lt. Stephen Atwell, executive officer of the Juniper. “We were able to sail the Juniper with an on-schedule arrival to the Hawaiian Islands, where we will ready the cutter to support operations within Oceania, ranging from conducting our primary mission of aids to navigation to combating illegal and unreported fishing activities along with search and rescue.”
Crew members of the Juniper, which is expected to replace the CGC Walnut, have been working since September on $21.1 million of work to retrofit and install equipment at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, according to the USCG.
“The entire crew of the Juniper worked tirelessly at the Coast Guard Yard to ensure the cutter was ready for sea within only a few weeks following the conclusion of a year-long Major Maintenance Availability,” said Lt. Stephen Atwell, executive officer of the Juniper. “We were able to sail the Juniper with an on-schedule arrival to the Hawaiian Islands, where we will ready the cutter to support operations within Oceania, ranging from conducting our primary mission of aids to navigation to combating illegal and unreported fishing activities along with search and rescue.”
Port of Oakland Releases November
Cargo Numbers
In November, the Port of Oakland saw a slight uptick of 0.9 percent in imported cargo and a 2.6 percent drop in exports when compared to the same time last year, according to new numbers released by the port earlier this month.
The Northern California seaport handled 78,045 TEUs in imports and 79,667 TEUs in loaded exports.
So far, the port has moved 197,692 TEUs in overall cargo this year, 0.2 percent uptick from the same time frame in 2019 with 197,360 TEUs, according to the port.
While import demand is strong in the U.S., Oakland’s November import numbers were not as high as it should be because of congestion at Southern California ports, cargo backups and ship delays, officials said. This meant fewer containers through Oakland last month.
“The cargo is there, it’s just delayed,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes. “We expect to see higher import cargo volume numbers this month compared to December 2019.”
Meanwhile, empty containers needed for restocking goods are in high demand to meet growing import volumes. “The Port of Oakland is working closely with ocean carriers, importers, freight forwarders, agricultural exporters, and container providers to help facilitate communications and solutions for any equipment shortages,” Brandes said.
The Northern California seaport handled 78,045 TEUs in imports and 79,667 TEUs in loaded exports.
So far, the port has moved 197,692 TEUs in overall cargo this year, 0.2 percent uptick from the same time frame in 2019 with 197,360 TEUs, according to the port.
While import demand is strong in the U.S., Oakland’s November import numbers were not as high as it should be because of congestion at Southern California ports, cargo backups and ship delays, officials said. This meant fewer containers through Oakland last month.
“The cargo is there, it’s just delayed,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes. “We expect to see higher import cargo volume numbers this month compared to December 2019.”
Meanwhile, empty containers needed for restocking goods are in high demand to meet growing import volumes. “The Port of Oakland is working closely with ocean carriers, importers, freight forwarders, agricultural exporters, and container providers to help facilitate communications and solutions for any equipment shortages,” Brandes said.
Friday, December 18, 2020
Cargo Volumes up at Port of Los Angeles
The Port of Los Angeles saw a 22 percent jump in cargo year over year when the nation’s busiest seaport moved 889,746 TEUs last month, according to new numbers released Monday.
Imports for November were up 25 percent to 464,820 TEUs, while exports dipped 5.5 percent to 130,917 TEUs. Empty containers - many returning to Asia - rose 34.2 percent to 294,010 TEUs last month when compared to the same time last year.
More spending by consumers, holiday shipments and warehouse restocking have been driving the increased numbers in recent months, according to the port.
“Since August, monthly cargo volume has averaged almost 930,000 TEUs,” said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “It’s unusual to see this kind of import activity this late in the year. But 2020 has been anything but normal.”
With consumers continuing to stay at home and buy goods rather than services, the port expects robust activity at the port for at least several months, Seroka said.
“To help stakeholders manage the cargo influx, the port has introduced new data tools for asset planning, provided additional land for chassis and containers, and is working with cargo owners large and small to prioritize their shipments.”
More spending by consumers, holiday shipments and warehouse restocking have been driving the increased numbers in recent months, according to the port.
“Since August, monthly cargo volume has averaged almost 930,000 TEUs,” said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “It’s unusual to see this kind of import activity this late in the year. But 2020 has been anything but normal.”
With consumers continuing to stay at home and buy goods rather than services, the port expects robust activity at the port for at least several months, Seroka said.
“To help stakeholders manage the cargo influx, the port has introduced new data tools for asset planning, provided additional land for chassis and containers, and is working with cargo owners large and small to prioritize their shipments.”
USNS Fisher Arrives at Port of Vancouver USA
On Saturday, USNS Fisher, a 951-foot long vessel with the Military Sealift Command, dropped anchor at the Port of Vancouver USA, where Fisher will call home for the next nine months, the port announced.
The vessel, which will be based at berths 13 and 14, allows the military to quickly load and unload Army vehicles and large equipment. MSC oversees 125 civilian-crewed ships including Fisher and conducts “specialized missions, strategic pre-positioning combat cargo at sea and moving military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners,” according to the port.
“For the Port of Vancouver to host the USNS Fisher for an extended period of time is an honor and shows the aptitude of the port and the capabilities of the Columbia River,” said Alex Strogen, chief commercial officer for the port. “With a 43-foot shipping channel and the infrastructure capable of safely mooring the vessel, supplying necessary utilities and the low-cost of electricity in this area, the Port of Vancouver USA is a dynamic establishment that builds upon the Columbia River’s international maritime hub.”
For more, go to www.sealiftcommand.com.
The vessel, which will be based at berths 13 and 14, allows the military to quickly load and unload Army vehicles and large equipment. MSC oversees 125 civilian-crewed ships including Fisher and conducts “specialized missions, strategic pre-positioning combat cargo at sea and moving military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners,” according to the port.
“For the Port of Vancouver to host the USNS Fisher for an extended period of time is an honor and shows the aptitude of the port and the capabilities of the Columbia River,” said Alex Strogen, chief commercial officer for the port. “With a 43-foot shipping channel and the infrastructure capable of safely mooring the vessel, supplying necessary utilities and the low-cost of electricity in this area, the Port of Vancouver USA is a dynamic establishment that builds upon the Columbia River’s international maritime hub.”
For more, go to www.sealiftcommand.com.
USCG, Border Patrol Conduct Joint Effort Along U.S.-Canadian Border
The U.S. Coast Guard recently teamed up with Border Patrol members near Southeast Alaska and the Canadian border to ensure border security and motor vessel safety and raise awareness among mariners on border crossing requirements.
Crew members of Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak HC-130J Super Hercules transported Border Patrol agents and equipment from Anchorage to Juneau, while Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew members pointed out vessels of interest to the Border Patrol and Coast Guard members that were on Coast Guard Station Juneau 45-foot Response Boat-Medium.
Crew members jointly accomplished four boardings to discuss vessel safety and rules related to U.S.-Canadian border crossings, including those pertaining to the Taku Inlet. Mariners need to turn in proper Notice of Arrival information per federal regulations when they come from a foreign port, according to the USCG.
"Partnerships between federal, state, tribal and other local agencies are necessary to provide an enforcement presence across Alaska's expansive geographic and maritime domain," said Lt. Jeff Schoknecht, Sector Juneau enforcement officer. "These joint operations improve training and establish more efficient tactics and techniques that enables greater search and rescue and law enforcement responses."
Crew members of Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak HC-130J Super Hercules transported Border Patrol agents and equipment from Anchorage to Juneau, while Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew members pointed out vessels of interest to the Border Patrol and Coast Guard members that were on Coast Guard Station Juneau 45-foot Response Boat-Medium.
Crew members jointly accomplished four boardings to discuss vessel safety and rules related to U.S.-Canadian border crossings, including those pertaining to the Taku Inlet. Mariners need to turn in proper Notice of Arrival information per federal regulations when they come from a foreign port, according to the USCG.
"Partnerships between federal, state, tribal and other local agencies are necessary to provide an enforcement presence across Alaska's expansive geographic and maritime domain," said Lt. Jeff Schoknecht, Sector Juneau enforcement officer. "These joint operations improve training and establish more efficient tactics and techniques that enables greater search and rescue and law enforcement responses."
