Maritime industry stakeholders on May 20 are invited to a webinar on Cybersecurity for Ports, Terminals and Facilities.
John Jorgensen - Ship Operations Cooperative Program Vice President and ABS' Chief Scientist for Cybersecurity - will lead the hourlong talk, which will identify issues “for ports and for transportation industry interfaces across the shore, emphasizing action items that can be readily incorporated into security plans for small-to-large organizations,” according to the program.
The talk will also delve into what workforce training and skills are needed to develop and sustain security programs.
To register for the event, visit https://www.socp.us/event-registration-form.
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Name Sought for New Long Beach Port Bridge
California 70th Assembly District Assembly member Patrick O'Donnell is asking the public to weigh in on the newly-built bridge that replaced the former Gerald Desmond span, but the deadline for suggestions is right around the corner.
The cable-stayed $1.47 billion bridge is a major artery for the nation’s trade system and features six traffic lanes, a taller clearance for large cargo ships to pass through and a bike and pedestrian path.
The community feedback will serve as the basis for O’Donnell, who said he plans to introduce legislation for naming the bridge. The deadline to participate in the survey is midnight on May 12.
The survey can be found at https://a70.asmdc.org/select-name-new-bridge.
The cable-stayed $1.47 billion bridge is a major artery for the nation’s trade system and features six traffic lanes, a taller clearance for large cargo ships to pass through and a bike and pedestrian path.
The community feedback will serve as the basis for O’Donnell, who said he plans to introduce legislation for naming the bridge. The deadline to participate in the survey is midnight on May 12.
The survey can be found at https://a70.asmdc.org/select-name-new-bridge.
USCG Enacting New Engine Cut Off Law
Recreational boaters should take heed of a new law the U.S. Coast Guard is enacting this season that requires an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) and associated ECOS link on recreational vessels less than 26 feet long.
These are safety measures in case a boater is thrown from his or her vessel. The ECOSL is a cord that attaches the boater to the engine-shutoff switch. There are also approved wireless versions that use “an electronic ‘fob’ that is carried by the operator and senses when it is submerged in water, activating the ECOS and turning the engine off,” according to the USCG.
“Emergency cut-off switches protect all members of the boating public," Lt. Collin Gruin, the Coast Guard Sector Columbia River boarding team supervisor, explained. "In the Pacific Northwest in 2019, 26 boating accidents involved boat operators being ejected from the vessel or falling overboard. An engine cut-off switch, when used properly, prevents a runaway vessel from causing more harm in these types of accidents.”
For more information, visit https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/engine-cut-off-switch-faq.php
These are safety measures in case a boater is thrown from his or her vessel. The ECOSL is a cord that attaches the boater to the engine-shutoff switch. There are also approved wireless versions that use “an electronic ‘fob’ that is carried by the operator and senses when it is submerged in water, activating the ECOS and turning the engine off,” according to the USCG.
“Emergency cut-off switches protect all members of the boating public," Lt. Collin Gruin, the Coast Guard Sector Columbia River boarding team supervisor, explained. "In the Pacific Northwest in 2019, 26 boating accidents involved boat operators being ejected from the vessel or falling overboard. An engine cut-off switch, when used properly, prevents a runaway vessel from causing more harm in these types of accidents.”
For more information, visit https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/engine-cut-off-switch-faq.php
Friday, May 7, 2021
USCG, San Diego Harbor Police Crack Down
on Illegal Charter Boats
Coast Guard Sector San Diego and San Diego Harbor Police members say they’re on a mission to stop anyone who may be operating unlicensed and illegal charter boats on Southern California waters.
So far, members say they’ve conducted over 140 safety boardings, including one instance that resulted in an $81,286 civil penalty.
In that instance, Sector San Diego crew members in March stopped operations on a 19-foot runabout state-registered vessel because it had no credentialed mariner aboard while it had passengers, as well as not enough life jackets and lifesaving equipment, according to the USCG. The boat was also loaded beyond the specifications of the vessel manufacturer.
“The primary goal of ending illegal charters in San Diego is to increase passenger safety,” the agency stated. “Frequent examinations by Coast Guard investigators have identified a direct correlation between maritime passenger fatalities and illegal charters.”
As summer ramps up, the Coast Guard Sector San Diego is telling the public to beware of illegal charters. Passengers should make sure the vessel has a credentialed master, and that the master and crew are enrolled in a Department of Transportation Drug and Alcohol Testing program, that the vessel has the appropriate paperwork and safety equipment. Also, if more than six passengers are aboard, the vessel should have a USCG-issued Certificate of Inspection.
For more on recreational boating safety, visit www.uscgboating.org. For boating operations or charter regulations, contact Sector San Diego Investigations Division at (619) 572-2904 or SDIO@uscg mil.
So far, members say they’ve conducted over 140 safety boardings, including one instance that resulted in an $81,286 civil penalty.
In that instance, Sector San Diego crew members in March stopped operations on a 19-foot runabout state-registered vessel because it had no credentialed mariner aboard while it had passengers, as well as not enough life jackets and lifesaving equipment, according to the USCG. The boat was also loaded beyond the specifications of the vessel manufacturer.
“The primary goal of ending illegal charters in San Diego is to increase passenger safety,” the agency stated. “Frequent examinations by Coast Guard investigators have identified a direct correlation between maritime passenger fatalities and illegal charters.”
As summer ramps up, the Coast Guard Sector San Diego is telling the public to beware of illegal charters. Passengers should make sure the vessel has a credentialed master, and that the master and crew are enrolled in a Department of Transportation Drug and Alcohol Testing program, that the vessel has the appropriate paperwork and safety equipment. Also, if more than six passengers are aboard, the vessel should have a USCG-issued Certificate of Inspection.
For more on recreational boating safety, visit www.uscgboating.org. For boating operations or charter regulations, contact Sector San Diego Investigations Division at (619) 572-2904 or SDIO@uscg mil.
Nikola, TTSI Team on Zero Emission Vehicles
Phoenix-based Nikola Corporation and Southern California trucking firm Total Transportation Services Inc. are partnering on solutions to help speed up zero-emission transportation at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Under the collaboration, the two companies will engage in vehicle testing and intend to purchase 100 Nikola Class 8 battery-electric and fuel-cell electric vehicles, according to an announcement released Thursday.
“The Nikola Tre trucks are exactly the type of zero-emission solution we need to be using at the port,” TTSI President Vic LaRosa said of the Nikola Tre FCEV trucks, which aim to travel up to 500 miles.
TTSI trucks run 18 to 20 hours a day, making the benefits of the Nikola portfolio a perfect match for TTSI’s needs, LaRosa added.
“The expected availability of the (Nikola Tre BEV, which was designed to haul for up to 350 miles) aligns with our desire to reach our sustainability goals quickly and the FCEV is ideal for longer-range applications,” he said. “Nikola’s value proposition of the truck and hydrogen fuel bundled together made this partnership even more appealing to our leadership team.”
The companies will begin with the testing of four trucks - two BEVs and two FCEVs - in the early half of 2022. If testing goes well and government funding is in place, the firms would move forward with 30 BEVs in 2022 and 70 FCEVs in 2023, the companies said.
“The drayage and port operations present an excellent use case for BEV and FCEV trucks where operational efficiency cannot be compromised,” said Jason Roycht, Nikola’s Global Head of FCEV business unit. “We hope to jointly demonstrate with TTSI the advantages of both technologies during vehicle trials at the port of Los Angeles/Long Beach. The planned conversion of the TTSI fleet over the next several years will provide a roadmap to implement zero-emission trucking that we hope many in Southern California will follow.”
Under the collaboration, the two companies will engage in vehicle testing and intend to purchase 100 Nikola Class 8 battery-electric and fuel-cell electric vehicles, according to an announcement released Thursday.
“The Nikola Tre trucks are exactly the type of zero-emission solution we need to be using at the port,” TTSI President Vic LaRosa said of the Nikola Tre FCEV trucks, which aim to travel up to 500 miles.
TTSI trucks run 18 to 20 hours a day, making the benefits of the Nikola portfolio a perfect match for TTSI’s needs, LaRosa added.
“The expected availability of the (Nikola Tre BEV, which was designed to haul for up to 350 miles) aligns with our desire to reach our sustainability goals quickly and the FCEV is ideal for longer-range applications,” he said. “Nikola’s value proposition of the truck and hydrogen fuel bundled together made this partnership even more appealing to our leadership team.”
The companies will begin with the testing of four trucks - two BEVs and two FCEVs - in the early half of 2022. If testing goes well and government funding is in place, the firms would move forward with 30 BEVs in 2022 and 70 FCEVs in 2023, the companies said.
“The drayage and port operations present an excellent use case for BEV and FCEV trucks where operational efficiency cannot be compromised,” said Jason Roycht, Nikola’s Global Head of FCEV business unit. “We hope to jointly demonstrate with TTSI the advantages of both technologies during vehicle trials at the port of Los Angeles/Long Beach. The planned conversion of the TTSI fleet over the next several years will provide a roadmap to implement zero-emission trucking that we hope many in Southern California will follow.”
Port of Oakland Posts Record Q1 Cargo Numbers
The first quarter proved to be the busiest first quarter ever for the Port of Oakland, which announced Thursday that it moved a record 631,119 TEUs from January to March.
This beats the Northern California port’s prior record of 612,151 TEUs, which took place in the first quarter of 2019.
“Our business has been growing for nearly a year now,” said Port Maritime Director Bryan Brandes. “Based on the evidence, we expect the trend line to keep going up.”
Port officials are attributing the numbers to high consumer demand that has resulted in retailers and manufacturers and to restock warehouses with Asia-sourced goods.
Most of the port’s container volume is connected to Asia. Officials also expect soon-to-be-released April cargo numbers to be strong.
This beats the Northern California port’s prior record of 612,151 TEUs, which took place in the first quarter of 2019.
“Our business has been growing for nearly a year now,” said Port Maritime Director Bryan Brandes. “Based on the evidence, we expect the trend line to keep going up.”
Port officials are attributing the numbers to high consumer demand that has resulted in retailers and manufacturers and to restock warehouses with Asia-sourced goods.
Most of the port’s container volume is connected to Asia. Officials also expect soon-to-be-released April cargo numbers to be strong.
Soybean Export Milestone Achieved
at Port of Kalama
The Port of Kalama exported more soybeans than any other U.S. West Coast port in 2020, according to a recent Pacific Merchant Shipping Association report.
A total of almost 5 million metric tons of soybeans moved through privately-owned TEMCO and Kalama Export, two grain elevators at the port. It amounts to about 33% of all soybean exports on the U.S. West Coast, the port revealed May 5.
The two grain elevators have been able to upgrade their facilities in recent years.
“Both TEMCO and Kalama Export are the absolute workhorses of the port,” said Port Commission President Randy Sweet. “Every year we continue to be amazed at how well they perform, and it speaks volumes about their operations and hardworking employees.”
The port also handled 15 million metric tons of exported cargo in 2020, most of them agricultural goods. That’s almost 15% more than 2019 and 50% more than a decade ago, according to port data.
A total of almost 5 million metric tons of soybeans moved through privately-owned TEMCO and Kalama Export, two grain elevators at the port. It amounts to about 33% of all soybean exports on the U.S. West Coast, the port revealed May 5.
The two grain elevators have been able to upgrade their facilities in recent years.
“Both TEMCO and Kalama Export are the absolute workhorses of the port,” said Port Commission President Randy Sweet. “Every year we continue to be amazed at how well they perform, and it speaks volumes about their operations and hardworking employees.”
The port also handled 15 million metric tons of exported cargo in 2020, most of them agricultural goods. That’s almost 15% more than 2019 and 50% more than a decade ago, according to port data.
