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November, 2012

NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, November 30, 2012

Port of Camas-Washougal
named top port by WPPA

SEATTLE — The Port of Camas-Washougal has announced it received the 2012 Port of the Year Award from the Washington State Public Port Association (WPPA) at the organization's annual meeting in Seattle. Each year, the WPPA honors one of 76 public port districts across the state, for exceptional success in the port industry. The Port of Camas-Washougal was selected from a roster of nominees for its strategic planning, acquisition and development milestones it achieved in the last year. Founded in 1935, the Port of Camas Washougal's port district encompasses more than 40,000 residents in the cities of Camas and Washougal in Southwest Washington. The port's three main operating areas consist of a general aviation airport, industrial park and 350-slip pleasure boat marina, the largest publicly owned facility on the Washington side of the Columbia River. The marina is home to the Dolphin Yacht Club and is a launching point for public recreation and fishing enthusiasts.


WTSA member carriers
eye reefer cargo rate increases

OAKLAND — Container shipping lines in the Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (WTSA) have individually announced a series of general rate increases (GRIs) on refrigerated cargo moving from the U.S. to Asia. The increases are in response to a sustained erosion of freight rates in the trade affecting a market segment where equipment, operations and handling are all entail specialized expertise and high costs. WTSA members have filed GRIs in their tariffs, with slightly differing effective dates in early January, for US$1,500 per 40-foot container and proportionate increases for other equipment sizes. The increases will apply to all commodities, origins and destinations. WTSA is a research and discussion forum of major container shipping lines serving the trade from Asia to ports and inland points in the U.S.


US rail freight totals
have up/down week

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending November 10, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 283,414 carloads, down 5.4 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 249,531 trailers and containers, up 1.9 percent compared with the same week last year. Twelve of the 20 carload commodity groups posted increases compared with the same week in 2011, with petroleum products, up 45.5 percent; farm products excluding grain, up 24 percent, and motor vehicles and equipment, up 13.6 percent. The groups showing a decrease in weekly traffic included metallic ores, down 20.9 percent; coal, down 15.5 percent, and grain, down 9.8 percent.


Pair of executives join
ShipNet management team

CHAFFORD HUNDRED, UK — Solutions and software specialist, ShipNet, a subsidiary of Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), has announced the appointment of Jon Bumstead as managing director and Suren Thadani as chief operational officer as senior additions to its management team. In their new roles, Mr. Bumstead and Mr. Thadani will focus on innovation, product development and operational excellence to deliver new customer-driven products. Both men have extensive experience in both logistics and technology with roles at DHL, Accenture and IBM across the globe. The company is focusing on a new product road map that will transform its offering and capitalize on the latest technology available, combined with its expertise in maritime ERP solutions and the potential of web based software to merge different datasets and function to provide a lean and efficient software suite. ShipNet’s products are fully integrated and provide an end-to-end solution for shipping companies to increase efficiency and profitability, covering chartering and operations, liner management, finance and accountancy, technical management, procurement and disbursement management.


Crowley Maritime presents
Thomas Crowley scholarship

SAN JUAN — Years of studying and dedication are paying off for 17-year-old Coraly Lopez Ortiz, who has begun her first year of college at University of Puerto Rico (UPR), thanks in part to the support of Crowley Maritime Corporation, which recently awarded her with its 2012 Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarship. Ms. Ortiz recently graduated from Casiano Cepeda High School in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, where she attended the school’s commercial education vocational program and volunteered tutoring her peers in a variety of subjects after school. She is pursuing a degree in business administration and credits the scholarship for granting her the funds to allow her to focus on her studies and continue tutoring her peers. Ms. Ortiz is one of more than 275 students in the U.S., Alaska, Puerto Rico and Central America to receive a Crowley Scholarship since 1984. Crowley has also donated more than $2 million over the years to support other educational programs.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, November 29, 2012

Matson Navigation plans
Hawaii service rate increases

HONOLULU — Matson, Inc. has announced that Matson Navigation Company, Inc. (Matson) will raise its rates for the company's Hawaii service by $175 per westbound container and $85 per eastbound container, effective January 1, 2013. The increase will be filed with the Surface Transportation Board. In addition, Matson will raise its terminal handling charge by $50 per westbound container and $25 per eastbound container, also effective January 1, 2013. Matson estimates the combined increase of both the rate adjustment and terminal handling charge will result in shipping costs rising by an average of 5.6 percent. Historically, Matson announced average percentage increases based solely on the rate increase, excluding terminal handling charges. As of last year, the carrier is now combining both numbers for the average percent increase in the interest of greater transparency. Matson's terminal handling charge was first implemented in 2003 and is designed to recover a portion of the costs associated with the movement of cargo through terminals. This charge is standard in the industry and appears as a separate line item at the bottom of the company's freight bills.


Retail group asks President
to help with LA labor woes

WASHINGTON, DC — The National Retail Federation has urged President Obama to immediately engage in the stalled contract negotiations between management and striking union workers at the nation's largest ports. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 63 Office Clerical Unit has established pickets outside a majority of terminals at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. “A prolonged strike at the nation’s largest ports would have a devastating impact on the U.S. economy,” read a letter from NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay to President Obama. “We call upon you to use all means necessary to get the two sides back to the negotiating table.” In its appeal to the President that the Administration directly engage in the ongoing labor dispute, NRF noted the outcome of the 2002 West Coast ports lockout. The 10-day lockout led to significant supply chain disruptions, which took six months to remedy, and cost the economy an estimated $1 billion a day. “An extended strike [in Los Angeles and Long Beach] this time could have a greater impact considering the fragile state of the U.S. economy,” the letter stated. “The two sides must remain at the negotiating table until a deal is reached.” NRF represents retailers of all types and sizes, including chain restaurants and industry partners, from the United States and more than 45 countries abroad.


Schnitzer Steel releases
first fiscal quarter numbers

PORTLAND — Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. has announced its market outlook for its first quarter of fiscal 2013. During the first half of the quarter, both export and domestic sales prices for ferrous metals dropped approximately $50 per ton from August levels driven by significantly lower domestic utilization rates and the weak economic conditions globally which continued to adversely impact overall steel demand. Domestic selling prices recovered toward the end of the quarter. Export sales prices lagged the domestic market slightly, strengthening in November for December shipments. Current export sales prices have nearly recovered to August levels. During the quarter, the supply of scrap continued to be constrained by low US GDP growth, and supply volumes were negatively impacted by the lower price environment. In the company's Metals Recycling Business, ferrous average net selling prices are expected to decline approximately five percent from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. Ferrous sales volumes are expected to decline approximately 20 percent due to softer demand resulting from the economic uncertainty, reduced flows of raw materials and timing of shipments. Nonferrous average selling prices are expected to increase approximately five percent while volumes are expected to decline approximately 30 percent from the fourth quarter. Operating income per ferrous ton is expected to be $4, approximately 60 percent lower than the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, due to the declining trend in selling prices, the impact of constrained supply volumes on production costs and the timing of shipments. Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. is one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of recycled ferrous metal products in the United States with 58 operating facilities located in 14 states, Puerto Rico and Western Canada. The business has seven deep water export facilities located on both the East and West Coasts and in Hawaii and Puerto Rico.


Jensen Maritime taps Gulkus
as New Orleans senior administrator

NEW ORLEANS — Jensen Maritime Consultants, Crowley Maritime Corporation’s naval architecture and marine engineering firm, continues to grow its new office in the New Orleans business district with the hiring of Senior Administrator Lauren Gulkus. Reporting to General Manager Sergio Fifi, she is the latest addition in a string of recent hires positioned to fully staff this new office. Ms. Gulkus will be responsible for project and departmental administrative duties, while also assisting in the development and documentation of business procedures. She will also support Jensen’s ongoing sales and marketing efforts. Before joining Jensen, she worked as an operations coordinator at Toxic Litigation Group, a customs compliance associate at Teva Pharmaceuticals USA and a customer service associate at Philadelphia Insurance Companies. Seattle-based Jensen, which also has an East Coast office in Jacksonville, Fla., announced the establishment of a third office in New Orleans this past summer. The company plans to hire up to 10 employees for a variety of positions in the new office.


International Maritime Organization
honors past secretary-general

LONDON — E.E. Mitropoulos, secretary-general emeritus of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), secretary-general of the organization from 2004 to 2011, has been awarded the International Maritime Prize, for his contribution to the work of IMO. IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu presented the award, a sculpture in the form of a dolphin, to Mr. Mitropoulos, during a special ceremony at IMO Headquarters on November 27, 2012, on the second day of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), 91st session. Mr. Mitropoulos was nominated for the prize by the Government of Greece and has been recognized for his contribution to the purposes and functions of IMO during his career with the organization, culminating in his eight-year stewardship as secretary-general. The International Maritime Prize is awarded annually by IMO to the individual or organization judged to have made the most significant contribution to the work and objectives of IMO.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Seattle port board finalizes
budget/finance plan for 2013

SEATTLE — Yesterday, the Port of Seattle Commission approved its 2013 Budget and Draft Plan of Finance. The budget contains $225.5 million for capital projects. The approved operating budget includes $7.3 million to cover air quality and storm water programs, environmental compliance and spill response, handling of hazardous materials, environmental permitting and other sustainability efforts. An additional $1.05 million will fund clean air initiatives. The budget includes forecasted revenues of $550.6 million, a 6.5 percent increase compared with 2012, driven in part by increased air traffic at Sea-Tac Airport, the effect of the Terminal 18 special revenue bond refunding and higher revenues from concessions and the new rental car facility at the airport. The port’s operating expenses are budgeted to be $328.9 million, a 6.2 percent increase from 2012 and net income before depreciation is forecasted to be $221.7 million, an increase of 7.1 percent compared with 2012. The port’s tax levy amount remains unchanged from 2012 at $73 million. Approximately $13 million of the levy will support habitat restoration and cleanup projects primarily of the lower Duwamish River. Other uses of the levy involve paying down debt, improving freight mobility and real estate capital improvements.


Freight access project in works
at Port of Vancouver, USA

VANCOUVER, USA — The Port of Vancouver, USA reports that in order to make room for its expanding rail corridor as part of the West Vancouver Freight Access project, the utilities that support the Kinder-Morgan bulk unloading facility are in the midst of relocation. The project, which began in October of this year, is moving utilities from the project area of the new bulk facility railcar dumper pit for port tenant Kinder-Morgan. More than 2,000 lineal feet of water mainline has been installed for the facility, and a revised electrical control structure to support revised electrical and communication systems is under construction. Trenching is taking place near the port’s maintenance building to house the new station, as the original station was in conflict with future rail lines. In addition, 600 feet of utility casings, which protect the Kinder-Morgan utilities and allows for additional rail tracks, has been installed. This is the first of three phases within this project, which is currently 50 percent underway, with plans to be complete in January 2013. Remaining activities for this phase includes installing additional water mainline and a sanitary sewer lift station. The final two phases include (2) the relocated facility foundation, and (3) configuring the rail, installing housing and conveyors and removing the existing facility. The entire project is expected to be completed in 2014.


Coast Guard responds to report
of barge incident near The Dalles Dam

SEATTLE — The U.S. Coast Guard, along with federal and state partners, responded to a report of a barge that struck a submerged object while transiting on the Columbia River at approximately 3 a.m., Friday. Coast Guard investigators and senior marine inspectors from Sector Columbia River conducted an inspection of the double-bottom barge TRI-CITY VOYAGER, which was being pushed by the tug DEFIANCE and determined there was no pollution or breach to the hull. Coast Guard investigators concluded that the barge struck the walls of the lock approach to The Dalles and not a submerged object. There are no reports of a hazard to navigation in the Columbia River. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River command center received a call at 3:13 a.m., from the agent of Tidewater Tug Co., stating that the TRI-CITY VOYAGER struck an object in the water while transiting north on the Columbia River near The Dalles Dam. DEFIANCE crewmembers conducted an immediate assessment, which included a sounding of their fuel tanks and bottom hull, and saw no breech and reported no pollution. The tug and barge continued north, through the Dalles Dam locks, at approximately 4 a.m., and safely moored at the upper basin north wall. At approximately 4:09 a.m., The Dalles lock operators reported, to the Coast Guard, no smell of diesel fuel and no visible pollution.


TSA member carriers Ok
new bunker surcharge scheme

OAKLAND — Beginning January 1, 2013, intermodal freight shippers in the Asia-U.S. container trade will begin paying a single, consolidated bunker surcharge that incorporates components for both low-sulfur fuel burned within 200-mile coastal limits, and long-haul intermodal fuel costs passed through by inland transportation providers. Member shipping lines in the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA) say the shift to a consolidated charge will dramatically simplify how inland intermodal fuel surcharges are assessed and collected, and provide customers with greater clarity in forecasting their total freight costs. At present, TSA carriers assess a three-tiered intermodal fuel surcharge (IFS) that is based on U.S. Department of Energy weekly on-highway diesel fuel prices and the BNSF Railway formula for fuel surcharges paid under intermodal contracts with ocean carriers. Shippers pay either 1) a ‘West Coast/Group 4’ charge for short-haul inland moves in harbor areas and throughout western coastal states; 2) an East and Gulf Coast ‘Reverse Inland Point Intermodal’ (RIPI) charge for short-haul inland moves throughout the eastern and southeastern U.S.; or 3) a long-haul inland point intermodal charge, recovering long-haul rail fuel surcharges via the West Coast. Effective January 1, the Group 4 and RIPI tiers for the IFS will be dropped, and the single, long- haul intermodal IFS tier will become an ‘Intermodal Component’ to the TSA guideline bunker charge. This component will be calculated in the same way it has been since the IFS was introduced in 2005, converting the BNSF formula – expressed as a percentage of the total intermodal rail charge – into a per-FEU charge that is then added to the basic marine bunker fuel charge. The Intermodal Component will only be applied to long-haul inland point and minilandbridge shipments from Asia moving via the West Coast. As a result, TSA’s bunker charge going forward will be expressed in three parts: West Coast/Group 4; East Coast & Gulf/RIPI; and West Coast intermodal. For the calendar quarter beginning January 1, the West Coast Intermodal bunker charge will be $933 per 40-foot container, including a $538 marine bunker charge, a $15 low-sulfur component and a $380 intermodal component.


Det Norske Veritas taps Torhaug
as new research/innovation director

HOVIK, Norway — Det Norske Veritas (DNV) has appointed Rune Torhaug as the new managing director for DNV Research and Innovation. He has worked internationally with leadership roles in DNV Energy, DNV Maritime and DNV Business Assurance. Mr. Torhaug has a background in risk and reliability, and a proven track record of applying risk methodology to critical problems in several industries. His drive for research is backed by his technology and operational leadership experience. He has a M.Sc. in Civil Engineering from NTNU and a Ph.D. in structural engineering from Stanford University, and more than 20 years of experience in related fields. DNV invests six to seven percent of annual revenue into research and development. A key aspect of the strategic research is to identify main technology and risk management trends, as shared in technology outlooks and position papers. Another is to develop new competences and services for the future.


NEWS BULLETIN
Tuesday, November 27, 2012

TSA member carriers eye
expansion of organization's scope

OAKLAND — The members of the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA) report they have filed an amendment with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) that would expand TSA’s scope to include the entire transpacific round trip, including the westbound trade. It is expected that once the amendment becomes effective, the lines would suspend activities of the existing U.S.-Asia carrier group, the Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (WTSA). TSA filed the amendment for a 24-month trial period, subject to review at the end of that time. Streamlining the agreements and cutting cost is the primary purpose of the filing, explained TSA Executive Administrator Brian Conrad. According to TSA, maintaining separate carrier agreements, each with its own meetings, dedicated carrier staff support, compliance requirements and administrative overhead is less justifiable than in the past, especially given the sustained low-revenue environment seen in recent years. TSA is a research and discussion forum of major container shipping lines serving the trade from Asia to ports and inland points in the U.S.


Port of Tacoma seeking
Summit Award nominations

TACOMA — The Port of Tacoma invites the public to join them in recognizing port customers and tenants for corporate achievement and business excellence by nominating top performers for the Summit Awards. The awards, to be presented at the annual breakfast in April, recognize three categories of leadership:
· Business Magnet: a port customer or member of the supply chain (shipper, transportation or logistics service provider, developer) for business development efforts and investments that led to a recognizable increase in business volume or new business opportunities for the Port of Tacoma, and have a positive economic effect for the citizens of Pierce County
· Livable Community: a port customer or tenant for a project, program or initiative that demonstrated the business community’s positive contribution to Pierce County through social responsibility. Criteria include philanthropy and charitable giving, community service and employee volunteering, community engagement and outreach, and employee development
· Environmental Stewardship: a port customer or tenant for a project, program or initiative that supported Pierce County’s sustainability and honors biodiversity and the interconnected nature of industry, people, wildlife and natural systems
Self nominations are welcome and encouraged. Find nomination forms and information at www.portoftacoma.com/summits.


Port of Coos Bay sets meeting
to discuss Charleston Marina plans

COOS BAY — The staff of the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay and members of the Charleston Advisory Committee invite the community to a town hall meeting from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 4, at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology dining hall, 63466 Boat Basin Drive. The meeting will kick off a collaborative community process to review and update the Charleston Marina Complex Master Plan. The plan guides the port’s board of commissioners and management in infrastructure investments and ongoing development of the marina, RV park and shipyard facilities. The current plan was adopted in 2007 and many recommended improvements have been completed, including replacement of public restrooms, parking lot upgrades, construction of a fish cleaning station and the Boat Basin Drive Bike/Pedestrian Safety Project. Port staff will have the support of a Resource Assistance for Rural Environments community liaison to facilitate the process and draft the final document for adoption in July 2013.


Trade between NAFTA partners
down during month of September

WASHINGTON, DC — Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners, Canada and Mexico, was 0.1 percent lower in September 2012 than in September 2011, totaling $77.7 billion, unadjusted for inflation, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. This is the first year over year decrease since November 2009. Adjusted for inflation and exchange rates, the September 2012 total was $56.3 billion in 2004 dollars, up 1.4 percent from September 2011. BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the September 2012 value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 35.6 percent from September 2009, shortly after the end of the last recession. The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in September increased by 69.6 percent compared to September 2002, a period of 10 years. Imports in September were up 57.4 percent since September 2002, while exports were up 85.9 percent. Surface transportation includes freight movements by truck, rail, pipeline, mail, other modes of transport, and goods moving into Foreign Trade Zones. In September, 86.4 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved via land, 9.5 percent moved by vessel, and 4.1 percent moved by air.


International Maritime Organization
presents awards for exceptional bravery

LONDON — Canadian and Chilean rescuers have been presented with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea 2012, during a special ceremony held on 26 November 2012 at IMO Headquarters in London. Sergeant Janick Gilbert (posthumously), Master Corporal Max Lahaye-Lemay and Master Corporal Marco Journeyman, crew members of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 424 (Transport and Rescue) Squadron, were nominated by the Government of Canada, in recognition of the exceptional bravery which was displayed by them, in saving the lives of two Inuit hunters stranded in an open boat in icy waters near Igloolik, Nunavut. Master Corporal Lahaye-Lemay and Master Corporal Journeyman accepted their certificates in person, while Mélisa Lesquir, Sergeant Gilbert’s widow, and his mother Diane Pageau Gilbert, accepted his certificate on his behalf, and received the medal for the joint winners. They were accompanied at the ceremony by Gordon Campbell, high commissioner of Canada to the United Kingdom. Able Seaman César Flores, a rescue swimmer in the aerial detachment of the Chilean Navy, was nominated by the Government of Chile, in recognition of the exceptional bravery which he displayed in rescuing seven survivors from the motor launch Rosita V, in Locos islet, Moraleda Channel, in extremely dangerous weather, and at considerable risk to his own life. Able Seaman Flores received his certificate and award in person. He was accompanied by Tomás E. Müller Sproat, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary and permanent representative of Chile to IMO. This annual award was established by the Organization to provide international recognition for those who, at the risk of losing their own life, perform acts of exceptional bravery, displaying outstanding courage in attempting to save life at sea or in attempting to prevent or mitigate damage to the marine environment.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, November 26, 2012

New tentative deal avoids strike
at Port of Portland marine terminals

PORTLAND — The Port of Portland reports that with the assistance of State Conciliator Bob Nightingale, negotiations between the Port of Portland and International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), Local 28, which represents the 25-member security force for the port’s marine terminals, ended with a tentative contract agreement Nov. 24, averting a strike that would have shut down the port’s marine terminals 2, 4 and 6. Next steps in the process will include a union vote to ratify the agreement after which the Port of Portland Commission will formally review and approve the new contract. At the heart of the negotiations were assurances by the port that the Local 28 personnel will continue to perform their current duties regardless of changes in agreements with Terminal 2, 4 and 6 lessees for the duration of the Local 28 contract which runs from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2015.


MCC calling for support
for Children's Shopping Spree

PORTLAND — The Portland Maritime Commerce Club reports its 24th Annual Children's Christmas Shopping Spree is this Saturday. The club’s annual event helps children and their families living in shelters the opportunity to experience holiday giving. Sponsoring the Children’s Shopping Spree ensures these children will receive Christmas gifts this year and allow them to share gifts with their family. Each sponsored child is allowed $75 to spend on gifts for family members. An additional $25 is allocated to purchase a gift from Santa for the child to open Christmas morning. The event begins at 7:30 a.m. on December 1, at the Kmart store located at 12350 N.E. Sandy Blvd. in Portland. The club says the shopping spree can't happen without sponsors and volunteers. Help make the shopping spree a success by donating your time or a monetary contribution. For more information go to: http://www.pdxmex.com/media/Maritime_Commerce_Club/12_Spree_Registration_Final.pdf


Georgia Ports Authority board
Oks funds for paving project

SAVANNAH — The Georgia Ports Authority board has approved project funding to increase capacity, efficiency and flexibility in heavy machinery exports. The board approved $2 million at their Nov. 19 meeting for a total of just under $5 million dedicated recently to high density paving at the Port of Savannah’s Ocean Terminal. The improved surface employs roller compacted concrete (RCC), which is conducive to the heavy traffic and loads endured by paved surfaces in a shipping terminal. Unlike traditional concrete, RCC is relatively dry when poured. According to the port, using RCC reduced the cost of the project and the amount of natural resources required, as well as offering a slightly faster cure time. The additional funding will expand outdoor paved areas to improve sorting and storage of cargo handled at Ocean Terminal. The work includes expanding and improving the cargo pressure washing area, and cargo staging areas to support outside stored cargo. In the last four years the volume of Ro/Ro cargo moved though Georgia’s deepwater ports, including Savannah’s Ocean Terminal and Brunswick’s Colonel’s Island, has nearly doubled from 293,265 in FY2009 to 569,984 in FY2012.


Inchcape Shipping Services
nets marine seismic survey work

CHAFFORD HUNDRED, UK — Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) has been appointed by Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) to support a marine seismic survey project in Greece. Under the three month research project, ISS Greece will provide marine services to the survey vessel NORDIC EXPLORER and two smaller support vessels as they work along the western Greek coast from Patras Port. The national project has been commissioned by the Greek government to try and seek out new reserves of natural gas. This is the third contract awarded by PGS to ISS Greece and follows previous surveys in Cyprus. PGS operates in 25 countries worldwide including regional centers in London, Houston and Singapore.


NYK solar energy system
connects to New Jersey power grid

TOKYO — NYK Trading Corporation, an NYK Group company, reports it has connected NYK’s largest solar energy generating system to a community power grid. The 500-kilowatt (kW) system, which is located at a warehouse owned by Yusen Logistics (Americas) Inc. in the U.S. state of New Jersey, consists of 6,246 CIS panels made by Solar Frontier K.K. The system was installed by Toshiba International Corporation, which is based in the U.S., and is expected to generate about 650,000 kWh of electricity per year. The system will make use of clean solar energy to power the warehouse, and any surplus electricity will be sold to local power companies. This project is eligible for Solar Renewable Energy Certificates offered by the State of New Jersey as well as a subsidy from the U.S. federal government, and will help promote the use of renewable energy sources. The NYK Group says it will continue to actively promote the use of renewable energy globally in accordance with the group’s environmental management vision of contributing to the betterment of the global environment and the achievement of a sustainable society.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, November 23, 2012

Rail numbers up/down
for month of October

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports U.S. rail traffic continues to show mixed results in monthly rail data, and that impacts from Hurricane Sandy can be seen in decreased traffic for week 44. Intermodal traffic in October saw an increase for the 35th straight month, totaling 1,233,475 containers and trailers, up 1.5 percent (18,710 units) compared with October of 2011. Carloads originated in October totaled 1,422,654 carloads, down 6.1 percent (92,601 carloads) compared with the same month last year. Carloads excluding coal were up 1.9 percent for the month, or 15,609 carloads, compared with the same month last year. AAR also reported declines in rail traffic for the week ending Nov. 3, 2012, which included impacts from Hurricane Sandy. Last week U.S. railroads originated 278,230 carloads, down 6.8 percent compared with the same week last year, while intermodal volume for the week totaled 224,467 trailers and containers, down 6.2 percent compared with the same week last year.


NYK resumes operations
at quake damaged coal port

TOKYO — NYK reports that on November 19, a 90,000 DWT NYK-operated bulk carrier HARAMACHIMARU, filled with coal arrived at a dedicated port for a thermal power station operated by Tohoku Electric Power Co. Inc. This was the first arrival of a coal carrier at the berth since the Great East Japan Earthquake last year. The berth is located in the town of Haramachi, and wharf operations restarted as the power station became operational again. A total of 89,000 tons of coal from Newcastle, Australia, was unloaded from the vessel. NYK says it will continue its efforts to aid reconstruction of the affected area and help maintain a stable supply of energy resources.


US sending trade team
to Zambia/South Africa

WASHINGTON, DC — Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sánchez has announced he will lead a multi-sector trade mission to Zambia and South Africa, November 26-30. This will be the first-ever U.S. Department of Commerce led trade mission to Zambia. A delegation comprised of representatives from 14 U.S. firms will join Under Secretary Sánchez on stops in Lusaka, Zambia; and Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa. In the first half of 2012, U.S. goods exports to Sub-Saharan Africa increased by 4.6 percent from the same period in 2011. South Africa is the largest U.S. export market in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2011, total U.S.-South Africa trade was $16.7 billion, up from $13.9 billion in 2010. U.S. exports to Zambia have increased more than 27 percent to nearly $111 million thus far in 2012 when compared to the same period last year. U.S.-Zambia total bilateral trade more than doubled in 2011.


Hanjin Shipping plans
series of rate increases

SEOUL — Hanjin Shipping has announced a rate restoration plan for Asia-Europe trade as of December 16, 2012. Details are as follows:
· Far East Asia & South East Asia to North Europe & Baltic & Scandinavia -- $600 per TEU
· IPBC & Middle East to North Europe & Baltic & Scandinavia -- $600 per TEU
· Far East Asia & South East Asia to Mediterranean, North Africa -- $600 per TEU
· IPBC & Middle East to Mediterranean, North Africa -- $600 per TEU
Hanjin reports that these rate increases are inevitable to cover the losses caused by falling freight rates and to maintain service quality.


FESCO releases numbers
covering first nine months of 2012

VLADIVOSTOK — For the first nine months of this year ending September 2012, FESCO reports bilateral sea container trade reached 257,707 TEU ( up 13 percent versus 9M 2011). Domestic sea container trade volumes amounted to 50,888 TEU, up 10 percent year-on-year. Intermodal transportation and freight forwarding grew by five percent year-on-year reaching 151,193 TEU. Reefer cargo transportation demonstrated growth of 38 percent to 35,917 TEU. In the reporting period, rail container transportation amounted to 198,973 TEU (up eight percent versus 9M 2011), while non-container rail transportation stood at 18.5 mln tons (down four percent year-on-year). Non-container rail cargo turnover amounted to 22.3 bln ton-kilometers. Consolidated container throughput of Vladivostok Commercial Sea Port (including Vladivostok Container Terminal) totaled 338,769 TEU, up eight percent year-on-year. Non-container cargo throughput reached 2,459.6 thsd tons (up 12 percent versus 9M 2011).


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, November 21, 2012

October box numbers rise
at Port of Tacoma terminals

TACOMA — The Port of Tacoma reports international container volumes improved 20 percent year to date in October, even as peak shipping season began winding down. Total container volumes improved 34 percent over the same month last year, with 165,173 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) crossing Tacoma's terminals. Full import containers improved 26 percent year to date to 490,760 TEUs, while full exports grew nearly 17 percent in the same time period to 360,080 TEUs. For the year, container volumes increased nearly 14 percent to 1,387,761 TEUs. Meanwhile, intermodal lifts and breakbulk cargo volumes at the Port of Tacoma showed continued improvement last month. Intermodal lifts grew 30 percent year to date, reflecting the port's growing container volumes, and high demand for machinery and construction equipment overseas drove breakbulk volumes up 91 percent on the year.


Port of Vancouver, USA
sees progress on access project

VANCOUVER, USA — The Port of Vancouver, USA reports that Apollo, Inc. of Kennewick, has passed the halfway mark in the port's West Vancouver Freight Access Terminal 5 Expansion/SPL project. The project, now 55 percent complete, will add approximately 2,450 feet of new track and relocate 6,300 feet of track within the port's Terminal 5 loop track. This configuration will result in the ability to handle 120 cars at the new facility versus the original 110. Granite Construction began paving 1,600 tons of asphalt layered with geo-composite fabric on November 5, and is currently 80 percent complete. Coast Rail, the rail subcontractor for the project, then laid 800 rail ties, arranging the foundation for future rail that will unload potash at the facility. This is the second phase of a two-phase project. The SPL project began construction in August 2012 and is estimated to be completed in the first quarter of 2013.


FMC collects civil penalties
from NVOCC shipping act violations

WASHINGTON, DC — The Federal Maritime Commission has announced it has completed compromise agreements recovering a total of $383,000 in civil penalties for alleged violations of the Shipping Act of 1984. The agreements were reached with six non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) located in the U.S. and abroad. The compromise agreements are:
· King Shipping Company, a bonded and tariffed NVOCC located in the People’s Republic of China. King Shipping made a payment of $100,000 in compromise of these allegations.
· American Freight Line, a licensed NVOCC and freight forwarder headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Under the terms of the compromise, American Freight Line paid $85,000.
· Greating Shipping Company, a licensed NVOCC located in Alhambra, CA. Greating Shipping made a payment of $68,000 in compromise of these allegations.
· Proshipping Group Corp., a licensed and bonded NVOCC located in City of Industry, CA. Proshipping made a payment of $60,000 in compromise of these allegations.
· U.S. Pacific Transport Inc., a licensed and bonded NVOCC based in Jamaica, NY. Under the terms of the compromise, USPTI paid $50,000.
· Icon Logistics Service LLC., a business entity based in Laurel, MD. Under the terms of the compromise, Icon Logistics paid $20,000.


APL Logictics buys
Carmichael International

LOS ANGELES — APL Logistics, the supply chain management unit of Singapore’s NOL Group, has acquired U.S. Customs brokerage and trade compliance firm Carmichael International Service. Los Angeles-based Carmichael is one of the largest independent customs brokerage, trade compliance and consulting specialists in the U.S. Founded in 1961, the firm employs approximately 200 professionals in 10 U.S. metropolitan markets. For nearly two decades, APL Logistics has enjoyed a close working relationship with Carmichael in serving its customers’ U.S. Customs brokerage and trade compliance needs. This transaction allows APL Logistics to bring this service capability in-house. Carmichael offers traditional customs brokerage, trade compliance, consulting, and transportation services. It operates in the ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, Chicago, San Francisco/Oakland, Seattle/Tacoma, Miami, Boston, Atlanta, Savannah and Memphis.


Inchcape Shipping Services
opens North Africa operations desk

CHAFFORD HUNDRED, UK — Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) reports it has opened a new North Africa operations desk to co-ordinate customer requirements across ports in Libya, Algeria and Morocco, providing a new single point of contact for North Africa. Based at ISS Algericas office and operating around the clock, the North Africa operations desk will be headed up by Gavin Griffin, general manager for Gibraltar, Iberia and North Africa, supported by Operations Manager, Julian Isola. The North Africa operations desk will cover all markets including offshore, RoRo and container liner agency, project cargos, dry bulk ports and terminals and oil and gas ports and terminals.


NEWS BULLETIN
Tuesday, November 20, 2012

ILWU members eye contract offer
from Pacific Northwest grain firms

PORTLAND — The ILWU Coast Longshore Division reports that after nearly three months of negotiations,the multinational grain corporations operating in the Columbia River and Puget Sound have given local workers a final contract offer. Negotiators for the union include member representatives from ILWU Local 8 in Portland, ILWU Local 4 in Vancouver, ILWU Local 23 in Tacoma, and ILWU Local 19 in Seattle. The grain industry’s proposal will be reviewed and shared with the union membership before officials will comment on it. In the meantime, work is continuing under the full terms of the agreement that the union has developed with the grain elevator owners over the past 80 years and that expired on Sept. 29. The collective bargaining agreement currently being negotiated covers six terminals – Louis Dreyfus in Seattle; Temco/Cargill in Tacoma; United Grain/Mitsui in Vancouver, WA; and Temco/Cargill, Louis Dreyfus, and Columbia Grain/Marubeni in Portland.


New Great Western Malting entrance
in the works at Port of Vancouver, USA

VANCOUVER, USA — The Port of Vancouver, USA reports a new entrance for port tenant Great Western Malting is in the midst of construction. The project, which began October 30, 2012, will ease congestion in and out of the port by creating a dedicated entrance, complete with keypad, camera, and swinging gate, for the Great Western Malting facility. The new corridor begins at the sewage treatment plant at W 16th Street and Thompson Avenue, weaves around tenant Northwest Packing, and continues through the corridor between Northwest Packing and United Grain Corporation to Great Western Malting. Crews have installed storm lines, and are currently working to grade the surface in preparation for laying rock and asphalt. Curbs have been installed and the paving is expected to begin on November 27. The corridor will be equipped with lighting and striping upon completion to ensure safety and efficiency on the Terminal. The project is expected to be complete next month.


Foss Maritime vessels
earn CSA safety honors

WASHINGTON, DC — Sixty-one tugs and tank barges owned by Foss Maritime Company have been recognized by a maritime organization for their environmental safety records. The Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) announced the awards honoring the Seattle-based Foss' environmental achievements on November 13, in Washington, D.C. Altogether, the 61 Foss vessels recognized by CSA have gone a combined 543 years without an environmental incident. For a handful of Foss vessels, the awards marked 20 years of operation without an environmental accident. U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Joseph A. Servidio, assistant commandant for Prevention Policy, participated in the awards ceremony and congratulated the great work performed by the industry. A list of the vessels that received the 2012 Environmental Achievement Award is posted on CSA's website www.knowships.org. Click on Press Releases.


ATA truck tonnage index
down during month of October

ARLINGTON, VA — The American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index decreased 3.8 percent in October after falling 0.4 percent in September. (The 0.4 percent decrease in September was revised from a 0.1 percent gain ATA reported on October 23, 2012.) October’s drop was the third consecutive totaling 4.7 percent. As a result, the SA index equaled 113.7 (2000=100) in October, the lowest level since May 2011. Compared with October 2011, the SA index was off 2.1 percent, the first year-over-year decrease since November 2009. Year-to-date, compared with the same period last year, tonnage was up 2.9 percent. The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 123.7 in October, which was 7.7percent above the previous month. Trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy, representing 67 percent of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including manufactured and retail goods. Trucks hauled 9.2 billion tons of freight in 2011. Motor carriers collected $603.9 billion, or 80.9 percent of total revenue earned by all transport modes. ATA calculates the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership and has been doing so since the 1970s.


Inchcape Shipping Services
warns of general strike in Argentina

CHAFFORD HUNDRED, UK — Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) is advising of a 24 hour general strike in Argentina today. The strike will affect all transportation including ports, airports, trains and road transport. It is anticipated that all ships will remain at anchorage or berth, depending on conditions. Immigration, customs, health and agriculture staff will all be involved in the strike, as well as port administration employees. ISS Argentina has confirmed that as with previous strikes, main roads and highways will be blocked in Buenos Aires including key access routes to the city. Says Francisco Villagran, regional operations manager – Americas: “We have reported on a number of local and regional strikes during 2012 but this is the first strike affecting the whole country and its transport infrastructure. ISS Argentina will continue to monitor developments on behalf of ship owners and operators and will keep customers updated.”


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, November 19, 2012

Woodland Port Commission
Oks final budget for 2013

WOODLAND, WA — Port of Woodland Commissioners have approved the port’s final 2013 budget, with no tax increase and a projection of revenue growth. The port’s budget, for the fifth straight year, does not include an increase in the port’s portion of the property tax. In the 2013 budget, the port’s share of property taxes collected in the Woodland Port District will remain at a total of $200,000, which is the same amount as the 2012 budget. That equates to roughly 18.7 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, below the maximum 45 cents per $1,000 allowed to ports under state law. In 2013, the port’s total budget is $1,081,478.52, with the largest expenditures budgeted for debt repayment ($389,874.71), salaries and benefits and associated expenses, ($187,102.00), and building and property maintenance ($89,000). Of the total $1,081,478 revenue, nearly 82 percent comes from leases of port buildings and properties and the sale of sand. Taxes account for 18.5 percent of the port’s revenue. Port policy dictates that property tax proceeds may only be spent on environmental cleanups, capital investment and repayment of debt, all of which allow for a positive return on the public’s investments in the port. By comparison, the port’s 2012 budget was $1,066,647.44.


Draft Waterfront District master plan
released by City/Port of Bellingham

BELLINGHAM — Port and City of Bellingham officials have made public the latest draft Waterfront District master plan and have scheduled meetings of the Waterfront Advisory Group, in anticipation of submitting a draft plan into the formal review process by December 31, 2012. The Waterfront Advisory Group has been asked to review and comment on the proposed sub-area plan changes at meetings planned for Nov. 28 and Dec. 6. The meetings will be from 6-9 p.m. at the Harbor Center Conference Room, 1801 Roeder Avenue. The documents being reviewed by the Waterfront Advisory Group are posted on the city and port websites. The group’s comments and recommendations will be included in the package of planning and regulatory documents that will be submitted to the city’s Planning and Community Development Department by the end of the year. City planners will prepare the package of documents for the city’s legislative review process, which begins with the planning commission. During planning commission review, the proposal will be discussed and multiple work sessions and hearings held to seek public feedback. The planning commission makes recommendations to the city council, where further public feedback will be sought before a final plan is considered and adopted by the council. The final plan also will need approval by the Port of Bellingham Board of Commissioners. Other city advisory groups, such as the transportation commission and parks board, will be asked to review and comment on the proposal as well early in 2013.


Freight transport index
up during month of September

WASHINGTON, DC — The amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry rose 0.2 percent in September from August, rising after a one-month decline, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics' (BTS) Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI). The September 2012 index level (109.2) was 15.8 percent above the April 2009 low during the recession. BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the level of freight shipments in September measured by the Freight TSI (109.2) dropped 4.2 percent below the all-time high level of 114.0 in December 2011. BTS' TSI records began in 1990. The Freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in freight shipments by mode of transportation in tons and ton-miles, which are combined into one index. The index measures the output of the for-hire freight transportation industry and consists of data from for-hire trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight.


DOT eyes Sea-Tac Airport
for Delta flights to Haneda

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has proposed to allow Delta Air Lines to serve Tokyo’s downtown Haneda Airport from Seattle. Under a U.S.-Japan agreement, U.S. airlines may operate a total of four daily round-trip flights per day at Haneda Airport, where operations are limited. In 2010, DOT awarded Delta two of those flight opportunities, one for service from Detroit and the other from Los Angeles. On July 30, Delta asked for DOT’s approval to serve Haneda from Seattle, rather than Detroit. In response, three other airlines filed proposals to use the flight opportunity for a new daily flight of their own. American proposed service from Los Angeles, Hawaiian from Kona, Hawaii, and United Air Lines from San Francisco. The department instituted a proceeding to consider the competing proposals. In its show-cause order, the department tentatively concluded that it would be in the public interest to allow Delta to use the opportunity for service from Seattle. Delta’s proposal would provide the first nonstop service between Haneda and Seattle and provide a number of Western U.S. cities with their first one-stop connecting service to Haneda, DOT tentatively found. In addition to Delta’s current service from Detroit and Los Angeles, service to Haneda Airport is also provided by American Airlines from New York’s JFK Airport and Hawaiian Airlines from Honolulu. Objections to the show-cause order are due on Nov. 26. If objections are filed, answers to objections will be due Dec. 3. The show-cause order and other documents in the case are available on the Internet at www.regulations.gov, docket DOT-OST-2010-0018.


Local artists in spotlight
at Portland International Airport

PORTLAND — The Port of Portland reports Portland International Airport is now showcasing the works of 11 regional artists, featured in its printmaking exhibit, ‘Cut & Print’, now on display on Concourse A. The exhibit offers travelers a portal into Portland’s art culture and Northwest expression, including many recognizable Portland landmarks. Featuring large and small printmaking types in a variety of styles, this exhibit includes block prints, copper plate acid-etchings, screen prints, digital prints, and more. It relates to the history of Portland, as travelers are invited to discover how significant landmarks, such as bridges, monuments, neighborhoods and districts help shape the way of life and culture in Portland. Artwork for this exhibit was created by rising-local artists, including; April Black, Matt Carlson, Gene Flores, Marc Girouard, Beth Kerschen, Tara Murino-Brault, Roger Peet, Catherine Rondthaler, Whit Russell, Doug Shafer, and Steve and Bonnie Harmston. When these artists are not pursuing their passion in the studio, they support their communities in a variety of roles including graphic designers and illustrators, local musicians, college and high school art instructors and even baristas located at PDX. The exhibit is on display through February 20.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, November 16, 2012

Transpacific carriers push back
scheduled dry cargo rate increase

OAKLAND — Container lines serving the trade from Asia to the U.S. say they intend to implement a previously announced dry cargo general rate increase (GRI) on December 15, 2012 instead of December 1. The postponement reconciles varying effective dates adopted on a voluntary basis by individual carriers to avoid confusion in the market, and more closely aligns the scheduled increase with yearend cargo trends. Member carriers in the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA) are recommending a dry cargo general rate increase (GRI) of US$400 per 40-foot container (FEU) to the U.S. West Coast, and US$600 per FEU for all other destinations. TSA initially announced the GRI in October, explaining at the time that revenue improvement is critical amid flat or declining rate levels in many commodity segments. According to TSA, this is especially true as lines head into the winter season and begin laying a foundation for negotiation of compensatory 2013 -14 service contracts. TSA is a research and discussion forum of major container shipping lines serving the trade from Asia to ports and inland points in the U.S.


Greig Star names Inchcape
new Port of Houston agent

CHAFFORD HUNDRED, UK — Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) repoprts it has been appointed as the new agent for the port of Houston by specialist transportation & logistic services company, Grieg Star Shipping. Houston is a major market for Grieg Star with two main trade lanes, North Europe to US East Coast and Gulf and Far East to US East Coast and Gulf, each requiring port calls for import and export activities. ISS already works with Grieg Star Shipping in the US at a number of ports including New Orleans, Baltimore, Beaumont, Corpus Christi and Philadelphia. ISS Houston will manage the new Grieg Star Shipping contact with the implementation of the traffic and documentation functions spearheaded by ISS Mobile in Alabama.


Intermodal up, carloads down
for weekly rail traffic count

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending October 27, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 287,104 carloads, down seven percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 253,186 trailers and containers, up 3.9 percent compared with the same week last year. Nine of the 20 carload commodity groups posted increases compared with the same week in 2011, with farm products excluding grain, up 72 percent; petroleum products, up 52.7 percent, and lumber and wood products, up 17.8 percent. The groups showing a decrease in weekly traffic included iron and steel scrap, down 32.8 percent; grain, down 19 percent, coal, down 15.2 percent.


Matson Navigation taps Park
as government relations veep

HONOLULU — Matson, Inc. has announced that Ku'uhaku Park has joined Matson Navigation Company, Inc. (Matson) as vice president, government and community relations, at the company's headquarters in Honolulu. Mr. Park will be responsible for directing Matson's government relations and community service activities in Hawaii. He also will lead the company's efforts in promoting and developing the Matson Foundation. Mr. Park was most recently the managing principal of Oni Malie, LLC, a Honolulu consulting firm offering government relations, business development and project management services. Prior to that, he held the position of manager, public affairs group, at Watanabe Ing, LLP. He also has been government and public affairs manager for the Hawaii division of Horizon Lines, Inc., as well marketing manager for Hawaii Family Dental Centers/Hawaii Bio-Waste Systems. Other experience includes serving as marketing director for Westcom Productions, a sports video company in Oregon.


Port association schedules
annual trade routes workshop

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The assumption that trade conditions and infrastructure will drive future transportation changes will be the overriding theme at the sixth annual American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) “Shifting International Trade Routes” workshop in Tampa, Fla., Jan. 24-25, 2013. The 1½-day program, which is being cosponsored by the U.S. Maritime Administration and hosted by the Tampa Port Authority, will address the range of issues related to dynamic, global and hemispheric trade. Among the topics for discussion are: timely economical trade outlooks; potential impacts of transshipment; the latest status of the Panama Canal expansion project; and perspectives from ocean carriers, rail, terminal operators and ports. More information about AAPA’s 2013 Shifting International Trade Routes workshop is available at www.aapa-ports.org (click on the “Programs & Events” tab). Founded in 1912, AAPA today represents more than 130 of the leading seaport authorities in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean and about 300 sustaining, associate and honorary members, firms and individuals with an interest in seaports.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, November 15, 2012

Port Metro Vancouver sees gains
in 2012 cruise passenger numbers

VANCOUVER, BC — Port Metro Vancouver reports it has concluded a successful 2012 Vancouver- Alaska cruise season. Between May and October 2012, Port Metro Vancouver’s two cruise terminals, at Canada Place and Ballantyne, welcomed 667,000 passengers on 28 different vessels with 191 cruise ship calls. More than 663,000 passengers passed through the port in 2011. For the upcoming 2013 cruise season, Port Metro Vancouver is anticipating an increase of more than 20 percent in cruise passengers in 2013, with more than 820,000 passengers expected to visit the port’s cruise terminals. The port is also looking forward to welcoming four new vessels that will be homeported in Vancouver next year: the DISNEY WONDER, the NORWEGIAN SUN, Oceania’s REGATTA, and the AMSTERDAM. Vancouver’s cruise industry is an important contributor to the region’s economy, generating more than $2 million in economic activity for every cruise ship call.


Port of Los Angeles releases
cargo numbers for October

LOS ANGELES — The Port of Los Angeles has released its October 2012 cargo volumes. Overall volumes increased .82 percent compared to October 2011. Imports decreased 1.07 percent, from 368,842 Twenty-Foot Equivalent (TEU) containers in October 2011 to 364,881 TEUs this October. Exports decreased 7.10 percent, from 193,547 TEUs in October 2011 to 179,810 TEUs in October 2012. Combined, total loaded imports and exports for October decreased 3.15 percent, from 562,390 TEUs last October to 544,692 TEUs in October 2012. Factoring in empties, which increased 15.66 percent year over year, overall October 2012 volumes (718,406) increased .82 percent compared to October 2011 (712,586 TEUs). For the first ten months of 2012, overall container volumes have increased 4.69 percent (6,906,578 TEUs) compared to the same period in 2011 (6,596,933 TEUs). Current and past data container counts for the Port of Los Angeles may be found at: http://www.portoflosangeles.org/maritime/stats.asp


Evergreen Line christens
new L-type container ship

JERSEY CITY — EVER LAWFUL, the seventh L-type containership of Evergreen Line, was christened by S.S. Lin, the Evergreen Group's first vice group chairman, at Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard. The ceremonial rope cutting for the new 8,452-TEU vessel was performed by Lai Chao-Yin, wife of Shiu Kuang-Si, the president of Mega International Commercial Bank, in a ceremony attended by dignitaries from Taiwan and abroad. EVER LAWFUL is owned by Evergreen Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd. The L-class containership is 334 meters in length, 45.8 meters wide, with 942 reefer plugs and a draft of 14.2 meters. The vessel can cruise at a speed up to 24.5 knots. EVER LAWFUL will join Evergreen Line's Far East - Europe routes after her delivery on November 20. For fleet rejuvenation, Evergreen Group commenced a new shipbuilding project in 2010 and ordered 20 L-type vessels from Samsung Heavy Industries. In 2011, Evergreen placed an order for another 10 vessels of the same specifications with Taiwan Shipbuilding Corp.


Crew of Crowley tug
earns AOTOS heroism nod

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Officers and crewmembers of the Crowley Maritime Corp.-managed M/V OCEAN TITAN were recently honored with a 2012 Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) Mariners’ Plaque for demonstrating heroism at sea during the United Seamen’s Service’s (USS) annual AOTOS awards ceremony in New York. The mariners were recognized for their December 2011 rescue of the seven-member crew of the M/V FLORECE, which sank about 250 miles southwest of Land's End in the Bay of Biscay, near the United Kingdom following a collision with the tanker M/V AFRODITE. Accepting the award on behalf of the ship's officers and crew was Capt. Christopher Hill, master on the OCEAN TITAN. The account of the incident provided by the USS said the collision caused the FLORECE to sink to the ocean floor within an hour, causing the crew of seven to take to lifeboats. Shortly thereafter, the crew of the OCEAN TITAN received the distress call and, upon arriving on scene, launched rescue operations. The crew faced gale-force winds and 12- to 14-foot seas, and had a full load of cargo. To ensure the crew’s safety, Capt. Hill decreased the vessel’s speed to prevent broaching as he approached, and then idled near the life raft. He used the engines and rudder to block the swell and minimize roll, moving close enough to pull the survivors on board from the raft using a heaving line. The OCEAN TITAN crew involved in the rescue included Capt. Hill, Chief Mate Thomas Lisante, Second Mate Daniel Landgrebe, Third Mate Zachary Gray, Chief Engineer John Vlahakis, First Assistant Engineer Sean Donovan, Bosun Magdy Balat, AB Hilario Rochez, AB James Luttrell, AB Miguel Angel Matos, QMED Electrician Michael Kelly, GUDE Stephon Thompson, Steward Lawrence Winfield and ACU Steven Holmes.


Railroad facts publication
available from rail association

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has released the 2012 Edition of Railroad Facts – the industry statistical reference book. The publication notes that in 2011, the rail industry continued to recover from the economic recession, improve performance, increase capital expenditures to $11.6 billion, and add employees. Railroad Facts contains more than 80 pages of facts and statistics for 2011, as well as historical data on critical aspects of railroad business, including: finance, operations, plant and equipment, employment and compensation, fuel consumption and costs. Railroad Facts contains a profile of each Class I railroad, Amtrak, the two major Canadian railroads, and the two largest Mexican railways. The publication also features a “Year in Review” and “Preview of 2012” as well as designated sections for advertisements. Copies of the publication are available for purchase by non-AAR members for $20.00 with discounts applied for purchases of two or more copies. The cost for AAR members is $5.00 per copy. Additional shipping and handling charges apply for each order. To purchase Railroad Facts, visit the AAR web site at www.aar.org, and go to Statistics & Publications – Publications – Online catalog. A digital version of Railroad Facts is also available.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Seattle port board gives preliminary nod
to 2013 budget/draft finance plan

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle Commission has given preliminary approval to its 2013 budget and draft plan of finance that includes a $225.5 million capital budget for projects to create near-term jobs, promote environmental initiatives and fund congestion relief projects to ease the movement of freight throughout the region. The action came during the first reading of the budget at yesterday’s commission public meeting. The commission may modify the budget prior to final approval at the November 27 commission public meeting. In addition to the capital projects, the budget includes $8.3 million for clean air, habitat restoration, and lower Duwamish clean-up initiatives. The budget includes forecasted revenues of $550.6 million, a 6.5 percent increase compared with 2012, driven in part by increased air traffic at Sea-Tac Airport, the effect of the Terminal 18 special revenue bond refunding and higher revenues from concessions and the new rental car facility at the airport. The port’s operating expenses are budgeted to be $328.9 million, a 6.2 percent increase from 2012 and net income before depreciation is forecasted to be $ 221.7 million, an increase of 7.1 percent compared with 2012. The port’s 2013 tax levy amount remains unchanged from 2012 at $73 million. Approximately $22 million of the levy will go to support the port’s environmental initiatives such as clean air, habitat restoration and cleanup of the lower Duwamish River. Other uses of the levy involve paying down debt, improving freight mobility and real estate capital improvements.


Final budget for 2013
approved by Port of Port Angeles

PORT ANGELES — The Port of Port Angeles Port Commission approved the 2013 Final Budget at its meeting on November 13, 2012. The 2013 Final Budget estimates gross receipts of $8,213,894, expenditures of $6,196,798 and capital expenditures of $1,931,550. The final budget can be viewed at: http://www.portofpa.com/about/documents/2013Budget.pdf, and paper copies are available at the Port Administrative Offices Building at 338 W. 1st Street, Port Angeles, WA.


Officials call on Foss Maritime
to provide Superstorm Sandy relief

SEATTLE — Even before Superstorm Sandy finished its deadly rampage on America’s East Coast, the federal government reached out to Foss Maritime Co. to provide disaster relief in devastated parts of New York and New Jersey. According to Foss, the call came because officials knew of the Seattle-based company’s successful work in earthquake-torn Haiti. The Defense Logistics Agency contacted John Tirpak, Foss’ vice president of Marine Transportation, as communities throughout New York and New Jersey struggled to cope with the tidal surge and high winds that Sandy brought in its wake. Within hours Foss had relief supplies headed to New York and New Jersey. The company mobilized 26 pumps, six generators and the personnel to operate the equipment from locations across the country, trucking them to Naval Air Station Lakehurst, NJ. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers marshaled the equipment for deployment from there. Foss employees are still on duty at NAS Lakehurst, working to clean flood damage or provide electricity in communities on the Jersey Shore and New York, where nearly two weeks after the storm some services are still out.


Export assistance programs
aid Washington state firms

OLYMPIA — Washington State reported strong Fiscal Year 2012 sales of $198.2 million from state export assistance, the Washington State Department of Agriculture and Department of Commerce announced. State programs at Commerce and WSDA provide small and medium-sized businesses with export training and counseling, facilitate international trade show and trade mission participation, and assist with trading partner and market introductions. Clients using WSDA export assistance saw sales grow to $120 million for fiscal year 2012, up more than $25 million from 2011. Businesses reported $78.2 million in Commerce-assisted sales for FY 2012, well above their Washington Export Initiative (WEI) 2012 target of $60 million. The combined agency figures represent 1,257 jobs. Since the WEI launch, 1,038 new-to-export companies have been assisted by Commerce, WSDA, and the Community Economic Revitalization Board’s export training programs. Today, over 8,400 Washington companies export, well on the way to meeting the WEI goal of 10,500 by 2015. Four percent of Washington companies are engaged in exporting today – four times the national average. For more information about the Washington Export Initiative and state
export assistance programs, visit www.exportwashington.com and http://agr.wa.gov/.


Report finds Maersk Line
leads industry in idled vessels

COPENHAGEN — A report by shipping analyst Alphaliner (Vol. 2012, Issue 46) reveals Maersk Line as the shipper with most vessels idled, currently 14 units with an aggregate capacity of 94,000 TEU. This development spearheads a recent surge in idling across the industry. “The idle containership fleet of above 500 TEU have swelled by 96,000 TEU in the last fortnight to reach 762,000 TEU or 4.7 percent of the current cellular fleet as at November 5,” states the newsletter. “24 units of above 5,000 TEU are currently idle,” says Alphaliner, “compared to only two such units in early September.” The share of idle fleet for shipping companies has increased to 35 percent, compared to only 15 percent in September, states the report. Erik Rabjerg Nielsen, Maersk Line’s Head of Scheduling and Deployment, explains that “the primary reason for the latest surge in idling is the removal of the AE9 service from the Far East to Europe, currently on hold until at least the end of November. 10 vessels have been pushed out from here.” This echoes comments made by A.P. Moller - Maersk Group CEO Niels Smedegard Andersen in connection with the third quarter financial results. “If you can’t fill your vessels, of couse it is better to reduce your capacity. At least you save the cost. It is much better than going out in rate decreases,” he said. “We have pulled quite a bit of market capacity out, so we definitely feel that we have done our share, having seen good results from it and now we expect others to behave responsibly as well.” In the toolbox for capacity management are several options for handling redundant vessels, Erik explains. “We can keep them om standby if we want to be able to deploy them again quickly. We can return leased vessels to their owners; we have done this for 71 vessels during the last few months. We can re-let them to other carriers who have needs for them. And finally we can idle vessels, realizing substantial cost savings on daily running expenses.”


NEWS BULLETIN
Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Port of Coos Bay taps Dunning
as Charleston harbormaster

COOS BAY — The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay has selected Michael “Mike” Dunning as Charleston harbormaster for the Charleston Marina Complex Operations. Mr. Dunning will oversee operations and management of the Charleston Marina and Launch Ramp, Charleston Marina Shipyard and Charleston Marina RV Park. For a first project, Mr. Dunning’s assignment will be to work with the marina staff and oversee replacement and expansion of B-Dock, which is the marina’s main dock for transient moorage. He’ll also assist with the port’s community outreach effort to review and update the Charleston Master Plan, which guides intermediate and long-term development and management of Port-owned properties and activities related to those properties. Mr. Dunning replaces Kathy Wall, who was promoted earlier this year to chief operating officer for the port. He and his family are relocating to Coos Bay from Charleston, S.C. His first day on the job is Nov. 13.


Team led by Carl Icahn
buys Greenbrier common stock

LAKE OSWEGO, OR — The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. has said that Carl C. Icahn and reporting persons affiliated with him have acquired 9.99 percent of the outstanding common stock of Greenbrier. In a conversation November 12, Mr. Icahn, who also owns a majority interest in American Railcar Industries, Inc. (ARII), contacted Greenbrier's president and chief executive officer, Bill Furman, to notify him of the investment and spoke about past discussions and investments with Greenbrier. He suggested the parties have further discussions possibly relating to strategic opportunities. Mr. Icahn added he believes that Greenbrier shares are undervalued. Greenbrier noted that no specific proposals or opportunities have been suggested, nor any specific times established for further conversations. Greenbrier, headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, is a supplier of transportation equipment and services to the railroad industry. Greenbrier builds new railroad freight cars in its three manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Mexico and marine barges at its U.S. facility. It also repairs and refurbishes freight cars and provides wheels and railcar parts at 39 locations across North America. Greenbrier builds new railroad freight cars and refurbishes freight cars for the European market through both its operations in Poland and various subcontractor facilities throughout Europe. Greenbrier owns approximately 11,000 railcars, and performs management services for approximately 219,000 railcars.


International Shipholding Corp.
eyes public offering of stock shares

MOBILE — International Shipholding Corporation (ISH) has announced that it intends, subject to market conditions, to offer and sell up to $40,000,000 of its common shares in an underwritten public offering. ISH further intends to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase additional shares of its common shares to cover over-allotments, if any. The actual amount of shares sold will depend on market conditions. ISH intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes including, but not limited to, using a portion of such net proceeds in connection with its pending acquisition of U.S. United Ocean Services, LLC (UOS). However, ISH currently expects to fund the UOS acquisition price and related transaction expenses through alternative financing sources. International Shipholding Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates a diversified fleet of U.S. and international flag vessels that provide worldwide and domestic maritime transportation services to commercial and governmental customers primarily under medium to long-term charters and contracts.


Schnitzer board sets dividend
for shareholders of record

PORTLAND — The Board of Directors of Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. declared a cash dividend of $0.1875 per common share, payable on December 13, 2012, to shareholders of record on November 29, 2012. Schnitzer has paid a dividend every quarter since going public in November 1993. Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. is one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of recycled ferrous metal products in the United States with 58 operating facilities located in 14 states, Puerto Rico and Western Canada. The business has seven deep water export facilities located on both the East and West Coasts and in Hawaii and Puerto Rico.


General Dynamics NASSCO
finishes float out of MLP ship

SAN DIEGO — General Dynamics NASSCO reports it has completed the float out operation for the first Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) ship, USNS MONTFORD POINT. According to General Dynamics NASSCO, construction of the USNS MONTFORD POINT is progressing ahead of schedule, with the ship currently at 91 percent complete. The ship will now undergo final outfitting and testing pier side before completing sea trials. USNS MONTFORD POINT is scheduled to be christened in March 2013 and delivered to the U.S. Navy in May 2013. Fabrication of the second MLP, the USNS JOHN GLENN, began in April 2012. Following a keel laying ceremony in December, this second MLP ship will be erected in the same building dock as the USNS MONTFORD POINT. The MLP is a new class and type of auxiliary support ship, as part of the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Prepositioning Force of the Future (MPF-F) program. The ship will serve as a transfer station or floating pier at sea, improving the U.S. military’s ability to deliver equipment and cargo from ship to shore when land bases do not exist.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, November 12, 2012

Bellingham Port Commission
taps Fix as executive director

BELLINGHAM — The Port of Bellingham’s Board of Commissioners has announced their selection of Rob Fix as executive director for the port. Mr. Fix had been serving as interim executive director since April of this year. The commission approved his selection unanimously and all spoke about the skills and experience Mr.Fix will bring to the position, noting his successes during his time as interim executive director. Mr. Fix has been an employee of the port since 2008 serving as chief financial officer and deputy director. During the past year, Mr. Fix also managed the port’s Real Estate Division. Prior to joining the port, Mr. Fix was a partner and chief financial officer for MTM Luxury Lodging & FST Asset Management. He also served as the CFO for Trillium. In addition to approving his selection, the commission also approved the compensation package for this position, which includes a $140,000-a-year salary, a $600-a-month car allowance, 10 percent-a-year deferred compensation and a four-month separation agreement. Mr. Fix will assume the role of executive director immediately.


Corps sets public meeting
to discuss Grays Harbor channel

SEATTLE — A public information meeting for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Grays Harbor Navigation Improvement Project begins at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 5, at the Port of Grays Harbor offices in Aberdeen, Wash. The meeting will focus on the status of the Corps’ General Investigation, a navigation study overview, data relating to the project’s environmental review and the future timeline. Army Corps officials will begin the meeting with a presentation. Following the presentation, attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions about specific items of interest in an open house setting. The Grays Harbor federal navigation deep draft channel is 250 feet wide at Cosmopolis, increasing to 1,000 feet over the Bar at the mouth of Grays Harbor. The currently maintained channel depth is -36 feet Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) from the South Reach to the Cow Point Reach, where Port of Grays Harbor Terminal 4 is located. The channel then decreases to -32 feet MLLW through Cosmopolis. The Corps is investigating the feasibility of dredging the channel from the South Reach upstream to Cow Point to its fully authorized depth of -38 feet MLLW. This project covers approximately 14.5 miles of the 27.5 mile channel. Deepening of the relevant portion of the Grays Harbor navigation channel to -38 feet MLLW was authorized by Congress in 1986, but a 1989 economic evaluation found that dredging only to -36 feet MLLW was economically justified at that time. The study will evaluate implementing the previously authorized -38-foot depth through a Limited Reevaluation Report and a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), building on the original 1982 EIS and its 1989 Supplement.


Washington ferry laid-up
following drive motor failure

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — The Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries Division reports a failure in one of the drive motors on the 188-car ferry, WALLA WALLA, has left parts of the ferry near the engine melted and charred, and the vessel is inoperable and out of service indefinitely. The incident happened while the vessel was in for routine, regularly scheduled maintenance work on Sunday, Nov. 4. This includes inspection of electrical drive motors, overhauling the boiler and pre-checks for U.S. Coast Guard annual inspections. The WALLA WALLA will be out of service for at least the next few months while crews work to repair the vessel. The drive motor that was damaged is one of four motors that turn the propellers. Immediately following the incident, the Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries Division started an internal investigation per standard protocol. Preliminary findings indicate that there was no explosion. Due to the severity of the damage, the investigation has been elevated to a third party contractor, Cadick Corporation. They will be assisted by WSDOT ferries division’s senior port engineers, safety systems managers, and electrical engineers. WSDOT has also reached out to the Department of Labor and Industries and the U.S. Coast Guard for assistance to ensure that all employee safety requirements were met. Detailed results of the investigation are expected within two to three weeks.


Crowley tug crew saves man
floating in San Francisco Bay

SAN FRANCISCO — The crew aboard Crowley Maritime Corporation’s tugboat GUARD recently performed a rescue of a man who was struggling to stay afloat in the waters outside of San Francisco Bay. The rescue took place during the early morning hours of Wednesday, October 31, while the tugboat was standing by outside the Golden Gate Bridge, waiting to escort a tanker into San Francisco Bay’s anchorage. Crowley’s Perry Overton, captain of the GUARD, noticed the man treading water a little more than a mile and a half from the bridge. Working quickly, the crew tossed the man a life ring and Crowley’s Chief Engineer Keith Madding donned a survival suit and entered the 55 degree waters to help the man climb the GUARD’s emergency ladder. Once aboard, the crew removed the hypothermic man’s wet clothing and wrapped him in warm blankets until the Coast Guard arrived and could perform other life-saving treatments. The GUARD’s crew has been nominated by the National Park Service for a Citizen’s Award for Bravery, which is an honor awarded by the secretary of the interior in Washington DC. In 2006, another Crowley crew aboard the GUARD was also recognized for responding to a remote house fire on Vashon Island, Wash.


CSX Corp. makes list
of top military job providers

JACKSONVILLE, FL — CSX Corp. reports it has been recognized as the number two military-friendly employer on G.I. Jobs’ 2013 Top 100 Military Friendly Employers ranking, leading the transportation industry for the third consecutive year. This recognition celebrates CSX’s ongoing commitment to support the U.S. military and its veterans – one in five CSX employees have served in the armed forces. In May, CSX was also honored as a Most Valuable Employer for Military by CivilianJobs.com. Since 2006, G.I Jobs has issued an annual ranking of businesses based on veteran recruiting practices. The publication examines more than 5,000 American businesses with more than $500 million in annual revenues. Out of these eligible members, only two percent make the annual ranking. G.I. Jobs ranks each company by weighted factors, including long-term commitments to hire veterans, specialized military recruiting programs and supportive policies for reserve member employment while off duty. CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, November 9, 2012

Boeing grants help support
Puget Sound-area veterans

SEATTLE — Boeing reports it has affirmed its commitment to veterans and military personnel in the Puget Sound region with five grants. The grants include:
· Catholic Community Services received $75,000 for its Opportunity for Achieving Sustainability in Self-sufficiency Project which connects homeless and at risk for homelessness veterans in Snohomish County with housing and case management resources.
· Hire America’s Heroes received $20,000 to launch a Military Manufacturing Careers Pipeline Project which will help military personnel transition to civilian careers in Washington, specifically in the manufacturing industry.
· United Way of King County received $100,000 to develop the Veterans Employment Partnership. Through this program, homeless and formerly-homeless veterans will receive support services such as housing, transportation and case management while participating in employment programs. In addition, the project will work with local businesses to educate them on the benefits of hiring veterans.
· United Way of Pierce County received $150,000 over two years for the Center for Military Families to identify service gaps and improve coordination between military service providers at Joint Base Lewis McChord and Pierce County community providers to better meet the needs of active duty and transitioning military families.
· YWCA of King and Snohomish Counties received $20,000 for a Veterans Welcome Center at YWCA Opportunity Place in Seattle which will provide local unemployed veterans with access to job search resources.
The grants were made possible through Boeing’s Global Corporate Citizenship (GCC) organization. GCC refers to the work that Boeing does in its diverse communities, both as a company and individuals. Last year, Boeing, its employees and retirees contributed $49 million to organizations in Northwest communities where employees and retirees live and work.


US Fab nets contract
for split hull dump barge

PORTLAND — US Fab, a Vigor Industrial company, reports it has won the contract to build American Construction Co., Inc.’s newest vessel, a 242’ x 54’, 4,050 cubic yard, split hull dump barge. The barge was designed by The Glosten Associates of Seattle and features an advanced sealing mechanism to safeguard environmentally sensitive areas from potential leakage. Construction of the barge will take place in Vigor’s Swan Island shipyard in Portland, delivery is set for June 30, 2013. American Construction is a West Coast dredging and marine construction company headquartered in Tacoma. The firm’s history in the Puget Sound dates back to 1903. Vigor Industrial LLC has seven facilities in Oregon, Washington and Alaska.


Cherry Point terminal meeting
rescheduled to larger location

SEATTLE — To accommodate high public interest, the three agencies gathering public comment on the scope of an upcoming environmental impact statement (EIS) for a proposed bulk-cargo shipping terminal and rail spur improvements at Cherry Point, have rescheduled a public meeting originally set for next week in Seattle. The new location will have room for a larger number of participants. The Seattle meeting is now set for Dec. 13, 2012, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Washington State Convention Center, 800 Convention Place, Ballroom 6F. Pacific International Terminals, a subsidiary of SSA Marine Inc. (SSA), proposes to build and operate the Gateway Pacific Terminal between Ferndale and Blaine. The terminal would provide storage and handling of exported and imported dry bulk commodities, including coal, grain, iron ore, salts and alumina. BNSF Railway Inc. proposes to add rail facilities and install a second track along the six-mile Custer Spur. Whatcom County, the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) together are conducting the EIS process for the proposed terminal projects and will jointly produce one EIS. Whatcom County and Ecology must follow the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and the Corps must follow the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The official website, http://www.eisgatewaypacificwa.gov, provides additional details about the scoping process and meetings, the project proposals, and displays the comments received.


US rail freight traffic
up/down during week

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending October 20, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 288,791 carloads, down 4.4 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 253,883 trailers and containers, up 3.5 percent compared with the same week last year. Seven of the 20 carload commodity groups posted increases compared with the same week in 2011, with farm products excluding grain, up 87 percent; petroleum products, up 60.5 percent, and lumber and wood products, up 19.8 percent. The groups showing a decrease in weekly traffic included iron and steel scrap, down 25.5 percent; coal, down 13.9 percent, and waste and nonferrous scrap, down 13.2 percent.


Port of Everett holiday event
set for Saturday, December 1

EVERETT — The Port of Everett has scheduled Holiday on the Bay for 2-5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1. The traditional event includes a tree lighting, choir music, Santa Claus, and gingerbread cookie decorating for the children. The evening is capped with the lighted boat parade, an annual tradition for the area boating clubs. The day begins early with a Pancake breakfast, hosted by Fisherman's Market & Grill and benefiting Imagine Children's Museum. The breakfast is at the grill at 9 a.m. It's followed by a Children's Art Show from 11 a.m. -2 p.m. The port is hosting free kids gingerbread cookie decorating, complete with a movie showing of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." The decorating runs from 2-4 p.m. and is followed at 4 p.m. with the tree lighting ceremony. The Mariner High School Choir will provide the music. Santa will show up about the time the yacht clubs of Everett, Mukilteo and Dagmar's Landing, as well as the Milltown Sailing Association, gather at the marina for the annual lighted boat parade. Boaters from the area will light up their crafts in holiday splendor and travel from the Port of Everett to Mukilteo. The port festivities will be held downstairs in the Waterfront Center, with the tree lighting and ceremonies to occur at Fisherman's Tribute Plaza, west of the center. For more information, visit www.portofeverett.com. Families are encouraged to register for the cookie decorating fun at the port's website at http://www.portofeverett.com/home/index.asp?page=324.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, November 8, 2012

Matson delivers numbers
for third quarter/first nine months

HONOLULU — Matson, Inc. has reported net income of $19.1 million, or $0.45 per diluted share for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012. Net income for the third quarter ended September 30, 2011 was $8.7 million, or $0.21 per diluted share. Consolidated revenue for the third quarter 2012 was $401.4 million compared with $380.6 million reported for the third quarter 2011. Operating income was $34.2 million for the third quarter 2012, compared to $30.9 million for third quarter 2011. However, operating income was negatively impacted in the third quarter 2012 by expense of $0.3 million associated with the company's separation from A&B; and in the third quarter 2011 by expense of $6.1 million associated with the shutdown of the company's CLX2 service. Net of these expenses, operating income decreased $2.5 million in the third quarter 2012 from the prior year period. For the first nine months of 2012, Matson reported net income of $30.3 million, or $0.71 per diluted share. Net income for the first nine months of 2011 was $32.6 million, or $0.77 per diluted share. Consolidated revenue for the first nine months of 2012 was $1,161.7 million compared with $1,087.7 million reported for the first nine months of 2011. Operating income for the first nine months of 2012 was $72.8 million compared with $66.8 million in the first nine months of 2011. Operating income was negatively impacted in the first nine months of 2012 by expenses of $8.6 million associated with the company's separation from A&B and $0.5 million related to the shutdown of the company's CLX2 service. In the first nine months of 2011, operating income was negatively impacted by $6.1 million of expenses associated with the shutdown of the company's CLX2 service. Net of these expenses, operating income increased $9.0 million in the first nine months of 2012 from the prior year period.


Spirit expands service menu
from Portland International Airport

PORTLAND — Spirit Airlines reports it has begun daily nonstop service from San Diego to two new markets: Portland and Los Cabos, Mexico. Portland travelers have the opportunity to connect to Spirit’s new daily nonstop service between San Diego and Los Cabos. In addition to San Diego, Spirit’s service from Portland includes daily nonstop service to Dallas/Fort Worth and Las Vegas.


Foreign trade totals
released for September

WASHINGTON, DC — The International Trade Administration (ITA) reports the U.S. Commerce Department’s Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis have released the balance of foreign trade for September 2012. The trade deficit narrowed 5.1 percent from August to September, to $41.5 billion. Exports rose 3.1 percent, to $187.0 billion, and imports increased 1.5 percent, to $228.5 billion. Goods exports increased by $5.4 billion to a record high $134.0 billion. Services exports rose by $0.3 billion to $53.0 billion, also a record high.


Boeing begins work
on salmon resting area

SEATTLE — Northwest salmon are closer to getting a resting area for their annual migration down the industrial Duwamish Waterway now that Boeing has begun the initial rough grading that will start the construction for a new wildlife habitat. Approximately 2.3 acres (0.9 hectares) of uplands at the north end of Plant 2 in Seattle now is being transformed into a fish and wildlife habitat. The habitat will offer a resting place for juvenile salmon, where they adapt to living in salt water before continuing their migration to the Pacific Ocean. Next year, Boeing plans to transform more than 3,000 additional feet, or more than half a mile, of former World War II-era industrial waterfront into a natural shoreline. The two projects combined will provide a total of 5 acres (1.95 hectares) of fish and wildlife habitat as well as a restored shoreline. The current work at the north end of Boeing's Plant 2 facility will include excavating 20,000 cubic yards (more than 15,000 cubic meters) of soil. Some trees will need to be removed and protective fencing will be put in place. Next year, the remaining soil and in-water work will begin creating the final grades, followed by planting vegetation. Both portions of the habitat-restoration project are expected to be completed prior to the 2014 fish migration in the Duwamish Waterway.


Crystal Cruises earns 19th
Conde Nast 'Best' honor

TOKYO — Condé Nast Traveler magazine (U.S.) readers have named Crystal Cruises the “Best Cruise Line” (mid-size) for 2012, a record 19th time that the company has received this honor. Crystal’s score of 94.2 was the highest of any small, large, or mid-size ship line. The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards honor the best hotels, airlines, cruise lines, cities, rental car companies, and islands from around the world. A record 46,476 readers voted this year, ranking their personal experiences with cruise lines’ activities/facilities, staterooms, crew/service, design/ship layout, food/dining, itineraries/schedule, and shore excursions. The latest award joins several other Crystal honors in its size category from the Condé Nast community this year, including the U.K. Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice for Best Cruise Line and Best Service. Crystal Cruises, a wholly owned subsidiary company of NYK Line, was founded in 1988 and offers a range of luxury cruises on its two ships, CRYSTAL SYMPHONY and CRYSTAL SERENITY.


NEWS BULLETIN
Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Alaska Airlines expanding
with new Pacific Northwest flights

SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines is launching three new routes linking the West Coast and the Hawaiian Islands, with new seasonal service between Portland and Kauai beginning Nov 5; between Bellingham, Wash., and Maui beginning Nov. 8; and between Anchorage, Alaska, and Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii beginning Nov. 10. Overall, Alaska Airlines offers 27 flights a day to Hawaii’s four major islands from Anchorage and seven West Coast cities. Portland-Kauai: Portland residents will see four flights a week between the Rose City and the Garden Isle of Kauai starting Nov. 5 through April 7, 2013. The new seasonal service is in addition to the airline’s existing flights between Portland International Airport and Honolulu, Maui and Kona. Bellingham-Maui: Northwest residents from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Seattle will have more options to escape the rain with new seasonal, four-times weekly service to Maui from Nov. 8 through April 14, 2013. Alaska Airlines currently flies from Bellingham to Honolulu, Las Vegas and Seattle. Anchorage-Kona: Alaska residents will have access to some of Hawaii’s best snorkeling and the Kilauea volcano on the Big Island. Nonstop seasonal service to Kona begins Nov. 10 and ends April 7, 2013. The new service complements the airline’s yearround daily service between Anchorage and Honolulu and seasonal service to Maui, which begins Nov. 4 and ends April 14, 2013.


Agencies respond to spill
at Port Angeles Tesoro terminal

PORT ANGELES — The Coast Guard, Washington Department of Ecology, Marine Spill Response Corp. and Global Diving & Salvage are responding to a fuel oil spill in Port Angeles, today. The Coast Guard received a report of the incident, which took place at the Tesoro Port Angeles terminal at 3:20 a.m. It was reported the spill occurred after a fuel drum was overfilled during fueling operations aboard a barge at the dock. The area was pre-boomed and the fuel oil is reported to be contained within the boom. A Coast Guard 25-foot response boat crew from Station Port Angeles is on scene to maintain a safety zone around the barge and Incident Management personnel from Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound are enroute along with DOE personnel.


Port of Camas-Washougal buying
Columbia River waterfront property

WASHOUGAL, WA — The Port of Camas-Washougal has announced it will be acquiring a parcel of waterfront property along the Columbia River at the former Hambleton Lumber site in Washougal. The purchase agreement specifies the sale of approximately 13.25 acres from Killian Pacific, at the former Hambleton Lumber Company site, located adjacent to the existing port recreational boating marina. The closing date of the sale is effective Nov. 16, 2012. A portion of the land purchase includes the entire waterfront area to create a public trail along the waterfront. The property is designated commercial. In all, the property sale to Killian Pacific totals approximately 26.5 acres, with the Port of Camas-Washougal purchasing approximately one-half of this parcel from Killian Pacific including rights to tideland leases and associated uplands area. The port's strategic plan, formally adopted in 2012 after extensive public input, outlines the port's mission and its intent to maintain public access to the waterfront in any future development.


Seattle District Corps personnel
cross country to aid Sandy recovery

SEATTLE — Seven U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, employees have headed east to assist in the federal government’s Sandy response and recovery efforts. Two military officers deployed Monday to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N. J., to support operations there. Four civilian employees also deployed Monday to New Jersey from the Infrastructure Assessment Team. Another civilian deployed Tuesday to assist with safety assessments. Under a federal emergency response, the Corps serves as the lead agency to respond with public works and engineering support and to coordinate long-term infrastructure recovery. When disasters occur, Corps teams and other resources are mobilized from across the country to assist local Corps districts and offices in their response missions. More than 650 Corps employees are currently supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Sandy response. The Corps’ priority mission is de-watering New York City, but Corps Sandy missions also include providing emergency power and water throughout the disaster area. Additional Corps teams for infrastructure assessment, temporary roofing, commodities distribution and temporary housing are on alert to assist at FEMA’s request.


Boeing nets first conversion order
for 767-300ER planes to freighters

SEATTLE — Boeing and Guggenheim Aviation Partners have announced an agreement for Boeing to convert three 767-300ER passenger airplanes to freighters. The Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF) will be delivered to Guggenheim Aviation Partners in 2013. Boeing will manage and engineer the project with the actual conversion taking place at ST Aerospace's subsidiary, ST Aviation Services Company (SASCO) in Paya Lebar, Singapore. The conversions mark the first time that a 767 with Blended Winglets from Aviation Partners Boeing will be converted to a freighter. The 767-300BCF is the only 767 conversion that is compatible with performance-improving Blended Winglets. The 767-300BCF with Blended Winglets has cargo capability of up to 52 tonnes at a range of approximately 3300 nautical miles (6115 kilometers) at 412,000 pounds (187,000 kilograms) maximum takeoff weight. The Blended Winglets provide about 5.5 percent fuel savings on a 3000 nautical mile mission. There are 24 pallet positions on the freighter’s main deck.


NEWS BULLETIN
Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Hugh Ackroyd maritime photographer
passes away in Portland at age 99

PORTLAND — Hugh Ackroyd, longtime maritime photographer and good friend of the Pacific Northwest maritime community, died Sunday at the age of 99. Mr. Ackroyd, owner of Portland-based Ackroyd Photography, was well known for his aerial photos of maritime and transportation-related subjects. He was honored with the Propeller Club of the Columbia River and Portland Shipping Club's Old Salt award in 1990. His nomination read: Hugh is considered the dean of the port photo press corps. His work and advice are sought by industry, government, journalists and other photographers. Many of his photographs appeared in the Daily Shipping News newspaper in the Historic Photo section. Mr. Ackroyd was quick to let us know of any breaking news and to offer constructive criticism when needed. On one occasion he informed our makeup department that we had run his photo of the damaged keel of the EXXON VALDEZ upside down. Ladders don't normally go up into thin air, he said. Mr. Ackroyd is survived by his son, Richard Ackroyd and a grandson. Burial will be held at Skyline Cemetery at 3 p.m. on November 17, with a celebration of Mr. Ackroyd's life to follow at the Dockside Restaurant.


Port of Vancouver, USA
plans to build security building

VANCOUVER, USA — The Port of Vancouver, USA reports a new 3,600 square foot security building is being designed at the port’s Terminal 3 after construction of new grain silos at United Grain Corporation forced the demolition of the previous security building in 2010. With the expansion of the port’s operations and sheer acreage, the new port security headquarters will be designed as a state-of-the-art facility. Included in the upgraded security building will be expanded and centralized video surveillance that will cover the port’s new rail entrance, Terminal 5 and other areas where new rail service and maritime operations will take place. The port has teamed with KPFF consulting engineers and BBL Architects to design and build the office space, which is on schedule to begin construction in June 2013 and be completed by 2014.


Diana Containerships buying
APL GARNET from NOL

ATHENS — Diana Containerships Inc., a global shipping company specializing in owning and operating containerships, has announced that it has signed, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, a Memorandum of Agreement with Neptune Orient Lines Ltd. for the purchase of a 1995-built Panamax container vessel of approximately 4,750 TEU capacity, the m/v APL GARNET, for a purchase price of US$30 million. The vessel is expected to be delivered to the company from the sellers around the November 19, 2012. The vessel is to be chartered to NOL Liner (Pte.) Ltd. (or a guaranteed nominee or other entity of the NOL Group, subject to the company's approval), for a period of 34 months at a rate of US$27,000 per day, with 30 days more or less at the charterer's option. The time-charter party is to commence simultaneously upon delivery of the vessel to the company, and is expected to generate approximately US$26.7 million of revenues for the minimum agreed period of the charter. The vessel is anticipated to be purchased using the company's existing cash. Diana Containerships Inc.'s fleet currently consists of nine Panamax container vessels, excluding the vessel not yet delivered.


Foss Maritime adds two
executives as directors

SEATTLE — Foss Maritime Co. has announced two additions to its team of directors. Hap Richards has been promoted to director of New Construction while Jon Hie has been named director of Shipyard Operations. Mr. Richards will have responsibility for new strategies for all Foss vessel construction projects. Mr. Hie will have responsibility for the operations of Foss' shipyards, oversee commercial vessel repair and maintenance work and support Foss' fleet engineering requirements. Prior to joining Foss in 2003, Mr. Richards had oversight over new construction projects at Whidbey Island-based Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, where he served on the company's board of directors. He has had positions of increasing responsibility, including foreman, yard superintendent, project manager and production manager. He has worked at both of Foss' shipyards at Rainer, Ore., and in Seattle, where he has been production manager at the company's Ballard facility since 2006. Mr. Hie comes to Foss from Hawaii, where he was a Kirby Corporation division manager. A 1990 graduate of the California Maritime Academy, Mr. Hie has a degree in marine engineering. He has been employed both on-shore and ship-board in a variety of positions on the East Coast, the Gulf Coast and the Caribbean. The appointment of Mr. Richards and Mr. Hie as directors comes as Foss embarks on a significant expansion of its tug and barge fleet, already the nation's largest. The company has announced it will start work in 2013 on the first of three new Arctic-class deep-sea tugs built for customer service in the oil and gas industry, while continuing to serve the maintenance and repair needs of commercial and recreational vessels at its Seattle and Rainier yards.


CKYH - the Green Alliance
plans Asia/Med service cuts

TOKYO — CKYH - the Green Alliance (COSCO, “K” Line, Yang Ming and Hanjin Shipping) has announced plans to implement winter service adjustments on its Asia – Mediterranean trade in order to cope with seasonal market demand. The CKYH members plan to cancel a total of seven voyages on their current Asia-Mediterranean service loops from November, 2012 through the middle of January, 2013. The alliance reports it will continue to provide weekly service covering a majority of ports connecting the Far East and Mediterranean regions.


NEWS BULLETIN
Monday, November 5, 2012

Dredging project begins today
at Grays Harbor navigation channel

SEATTLE — A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractor is scheduled to begin the annual dredging of the federal navigation channel in Grays Harbor today. Removal of about 770,0 cubic yards of material will begin in the inner harbor near Aberdeen, Wash., extending to the middle of the harbor. The Corps’ Seattle District awarded a $4.25 million dredging contract to American Construction Company Inc., from Tacoma. The project is expected to be completed by Feb. 15. While dredged material is often used beneficially in other projects, no restoration projects are currently ongoing. The material from this project will be disposed of following Environmental Protection Agency procedures at approved offshore sites.


Bennu Glass expanding
Port of Kalama operations

KALAMA — Wine bottle manufacturer, Bennu Glass LLC, has leased an additional 20,000 square feet of warehouse space at the Kalama River Industrial Park for storage and distribution of wine bottles. The company acquired the assets at the Port of Kalama location previously owned by Cameron Family Glass Packaging and began wine bottle production at its facility earlier this year. The Port of Kalama is located in Southwest Washington on the Columbia River and immediately off of Interstate Highway 5.


Trade between NAFTA partners
climbs during month of August

WASHINGTON, DC — Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners, Canada and Mexico, was 2.6 percent higher in August 2012 than in August 2011, totaling $82.5 billion, unadjusted for inflation, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Adjusted for inflation and exchange rates, the August 2012 total was $60.5 billion in 2004 dollars, up 5.2 percent from August 2011. BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the August 2012 value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico rose 52.0 percent from August 2009, shortly after the end of the last recession. The value of U.S. surface transportation trade with Canada and Mexico in August increased by 76.5 percent compared to August 2002, a period of 10 years. Imports in August were up 63.2 percent since August 2002, while exports were up 94.2 percent. Surface transportation includes freight movements by truck, rail, pipeline, mail, other modes of transport, and goods moving into Foreign Trade Zones. In August, 87.2 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico moved via land, 8.9 percent moved by vessel, and 3.9 percent moved by air.


BNSF taps Steve Bobb
as chief marketing officer

FORT WORTH — BNSF Railway has announced that Steve Bobb has been named executive vice president and chief marketing officer, with responsibility for BNSF's sales, marketing, customer service, economic development, and business unit activities. He succeeds John Lanigan who has decided to retire effective Jan. 15, 2013. Mr. Bobb has served as group vice president, Coal Business Group, since April 2006. Previously, he was general manager of BNSF's Texas Division. Mr. Bobb was appointed vice president, Business Unit Operations and Support, in March 2004. Before that, he was group vice president, Agricultural Products. Mr. Bobb began his career in the railroad industry in 1987 with Burlington Northern in information systems. Mr. Lanigan started with BNSF as executive vice president and chief marketing officer in January 2003. Prior to joining BNSF, he served as president and CEO of Logistics.com, Inc. He previously spent more than 16 years with Schneider National, Inc., holding a number of positions including president, Transportation Sector, and chief operating officer. Prior to starting his transportation career, Mr. Lanigan served in the U.S. Coast Guard and he retired from the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve with more than 20 years of active duty and reserve service.


Trucking association predicts
growing shortage of drivers

ARLINGTON, VA — The American Trucking Associations has released an analysis of the shortage of truck drivers, concluding that the current shortage is acute and limited primarily to the truckload sector of the industry; but that long-term trends could cause the shortage to explode in the next decade. In the paper, ATA said that while private fleets and less-than-truckload carriers may have some difficulty hiring drivers, the bulk of the shortage was confined to long-haul, over-the-road truckload carriers. In addition to industry growth, retirements and drivers voluntarily changing careers, ATA believes certain government regulations – chiefly the yet-to-be-implemented hours-of-service changes and the federal government’s driver and carrier oversight program: Compliance, Safety, Accountability – will exacerbate the driver shortage, while the industry’s transition to electronic logging is unlikely to have a significant impact. American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry.


NEWS BULLETIN
Friday, November 2, 2012

Port association elects
new officers for 2012-13

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Armando Duarte-Peláez, a longtime board member of Colombia’s Sociedad Portuaria de Santa Marta, was formally installed on Oct. 25 as the American Association of Port Authorities' (AAPA) chairman of the board for 2012-13. Sr. Duarte accepted his new chairmanship duties at a membership meeting in Mobile, Ala., during which the entire slate of 2012-13 officers was inducted as part of AAPA's 101st Annual Convention. Installed as AAPA’s U.S. delegation chair for 2012-13 was Adolph N. Ojard, executive director for the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, in Duluth, Minn. Tay Yoshitani, the Port of Seattle’s executive director, assumed the role of chair-elect, while Port of San Diego Executive Director Wayne Darbeau became the delegation’s new vice chairman. Mr. Ojard will also chair AAPA’s U.S. Legislative Policy Council. Representing AAPA's Canadian delegation, Gaétan Boivin, president and CEO of the Trois-Rivières Port Authority (PQ), was installed as chairman; and Bernie Dumas, president and CEO of the Nanaimo Port Authority (BC), became the delegation’s new chair-elect. Leading AAPA's Latin American delegation as President is Alejandro Couttolenc, gerente de comercialización for Administración Portuaria Integral de Veracruz, México. The delegation’s Vice Chair is Rodolfo Sabonge, vice president of market research & analysis for the Panama Canal Authority, in Panama. For the Caribbean delegation, Orlando Forbes, port director for the Freeport Harbour Company (Bahamas), will serve as the 2012-13 chairman.


Cargill exec stepping down
as chief financial officer

MINNEAPOLIS — Cargill has announced that Sergio Rial, its chief financial officer, will resign his post with the company effective at the end of November in order to return to his native Brazil for personal reasons. Cargill President and Chief Operating Officer David MacLennan will serve as interim chief financial officer until the Cargill Board of Directors elects a successor. Mr. MacLennan joined Cargill in 1991 and has held management positions within the financial, risk management, energy and animal protein businesses. He previously served as Cargill’s chief financial officer from 2008 to 2011. While in the interim role, Mr. MacLennan will continue as the company’s president and chief operating officer. Mr. Rial served as a leader of Cargill’s group of food businesses since 2004 and of Cargill’s financial services businesses since 2009. He became a senior vice president and member of the Cargill Leadership Team in 2009. He also served as the company’s regional director for Latin America and as executive chairman of CarVal Investors, an independently managed Cargill subsidiary. He was elected to the Cargill Board of Directors in 2010 and elected chief financial officer in 2011.


Homeland Security halts Jones Act
to allow tankers to call Northeast ports

WASHINGTON, DC — As a result of impacts caused by Hurricane Sandy, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has issued a temporary, blanket waiver of the Jones Act to immediately allow additional oil tankers coming from the Gulf of Mexico to enter Northeastern ports, to provide additional fuel resources to the region. Secretary Napolitano's action immediately allows additional ships, that would otherwise be barred, to begin shipping petroleum products from the Gulf of Mexico to Northeastern ports, increasing the access to fuel in the storm damaged region. The waiver is operative through November 13. The administration is continuing to monitor the situation and is prepared to take additional actions as necessary to ensure that the energy needs of the region affected by Hurricane Sandy are met.


US rail freight traffic
rolls to up/down week

WASHINGTON, DC — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has reported mixed weekly rail traffic for the week ending October 13, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 285,089 carloads, down 6.1 percent compared with the same week last year. Intermodal volume for the week totaled 250,826 trailers and containers, up 2.6 percent compared with the same week last year. Twelve of the 20 carload commodity groups posted increases compared with the same week in 2011, with farm products excluding grain, up 55.1 percent; petroleum products, up 526 percent, and lumber and wood products, up 16.6 percent. The groups showing a decrease in weekly traffic included metallic ores, down 26.8 percent; iron and steel scrap, down 21 percent, and coal, down 16.9 percent.


Cheese shop opens doors
at Sea-Tac International Airport

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle welcomes the opening today of Beecher’s Handmade Cheese at the C concourse of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Founded by Tacoma-native Kurt Beecher Dammeier, Beecher’s Cheese joins the array of local specialty stores, along with nationally recognized brands, offered at Sea-Tac. Best known for its location in Pike Place Market, Beecher’s Handmade Cheese serves artisan, small-batch cheeses, tomato soup, fresh Panini sandwiches, “Oprah’s Best” macaroni and cheese with gourmet coffee from Seattle’s own Café Vita. In addition, retail products such as bulk cheese, signature crackers, cheese housewares and cookbooks by Kurt Dammeier and other well-known Seattle chefs are for sale. For the Sea-Tac location, a breakfast menu is available and will soon expand offerings to include fresh fruits, pasta and green salads. Beecher’s Handmade Cheese is located on concourse C, across from the Alaska Air Group/Horizon gates and adjacent to the Massage Bar and butter LONDON.


NEWS BULLETIN
Thursday, November 1, 2012

Port of Bellingham publishes
draft strategic budget for 2013

BELLINGHAM — The Port of Bellingham reports completing the $38.5 million Bellingham International Airport terminal expansion and launching the in-water work for the Whatcom Waterway cleanup will be the largest capital projects for the port in 2013. The port recently released its draft 2013 Strategic Budget for community review before two public hearings and a port commission vote on the document that guides spending decisions for this independent countywide government. The draft budget was developed by staff in consultation with port commissioners who must approve the final document. The draft budget can be reviewed online and through digital copies on cds available at the Port Administrative offices at 1801 Roeder Ave. The public hearings on the document will be at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6 and Nov. 20 at the ommission meetings, Harbor Center Conference Room, 1801 Roeder Ave. The draft budget proposes adding no new staff in 2013 and keeping the property tax rate flat. Owners of a $275,000 home would pay $82 in 2013, the same amount they paid in 2012. Since 2007 port commissioners have reduced property tax rates from $94 for a $275,000 home in 2007, down to $82 in 2012. The 2013 budget forecasts $22.7 million being generated by passenger and aviation fees at the airport, various real estate leases, boat moorage, and marine terminals operations. In 2013, the port budget anticipates a 5.1 percent increase in operating revenue and a 2.8 percent increase in operating expenses. During 2013 the Port also hopes to secure a developer for the first phase of the Bellingham Waterfront District redevelopment project, as well as a developer for a hotel on the port’s Airport property.


Greenbrier Companies releases
fiscal year/fourth quarter numbers

LAKE OSWEGO — The Greenbrier Companies has reported results for its fiscal fourth quarter and fiscal year ended August 31, 2012. Full year revenue reached $1.81 billion, a 45 percent increase over last year and a new record for the company. Record net earnings attributable to Greenbrier (net earnings) for the year of $58.7 million was a nine-fold increase over prior year. Net earnings for the fourth quarter were $7.4 million, or $.26 per diluted share, on revenue of $443.5 million. New railcar deliveries for 2012 were a record 15,000 units, compared to 9,400 units in 2011, and 2,500 units in 2010. During the fourth quarter, the company received orders for 2,900 new railcars. New railcar manufacturing backlog as of August 31, 2012 was 10,700 units with an estimated value of $1.20 billion (an average unit sale price of $112,000), compared to 11,500 units with an estimated value of $1.14 billion (an average unit sale price of $99,000) as of May 31, 2012. Based on current production plans, approximately 7,300 units in August 31, 2012 backlog are scheduled for delivery in fiscal 2013. The balance are scheduled for delivery in fiscal 2014. Marine backlog totaled $25 million as of August 31, 2012; additionally the company was awarded a letter of intent for 15 barges valued at $60 million subject to significant permitting and other conditions. Operating cash flow was positive $116.1 million for 2012, compared to negative $34.3 million in 2011.


Jensen Maritime Consultants
hires new naval architect

NEW ORLEANS — Jensen Maritime Consultants has announced the hiring of its third naval architect, Jianjun Qi, in the company’s new office in the New Orleans business district, reporting to Jensen General Manager Sergio Fifi. Mr. Qi brings to Jensen a decade of naval architecture, marine engineering and shipyard expertise. Before joining Jensen he worked as a naval architect at Incat Crowther, of Morgan City, La., a diversified naval architecture group, and served as a senior naval architect for Derecktor Shipyard in Bridgeford, Conn. Jensen, which is headquartered in Seattle and also has an East Coast office in Jacksonville, Fla., announced the establishment of a third office in New Orleans this past summer. The company plans to hire up to ten employees for a variety of positions in the new office.


Port of Portland schedules
Hillsboro Airport public meeting

PORTLAND — The Port of Portland reports the Hillsboro Airport Roundtable Exchange (formerly known as the Hillsboro Airport Issues Roundtable) meets from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 7, at the City of Hillsboro Civic Center, 150 E. Main Street. The public is invited and public comment is welcome. Jason Schwartz and Chris Blair, from the port’s noise management department, will present information and take questions about the Fly Friendly program at Hillsboro Airport; the committee will also review and discuss the recent Hillsboro Airport Community Forum and Air Fair events. The Hillsboro Airport Roundtable Exchange is a 22-member advisory group to the port formed to enhance and facilitate communication among people interested in Hillsboro Airport. Committee members represent the airport’s diverse stakeholders such as nearby residents, neighboring businesses, airport tenants and users, and local jurisdictions. The full meeting agenda is available at www.portofportland.com/hair_agenda.aspx. Free parking is available, and the site is accessible by the TriMet MAX Blue Line at the Hatfield Government Center Station.


Crowley Ocean Class tug
performs salvage work in Cuba

HOUSTON — The first of four Crowley Maritime Corporation ocean class tugboats, OCEAN WAVE, completed its inaugural project earlier this month by removing a grounded containership from the northern coast of Cuba. The job is additionally significant because it utilized many of Crowley’s capabilities, equipment and established relationships with Cuban entities and government to complete the job quickly despite many challenges. The project’s success hinged on a coordinated and timely response from Antilliana De Salvemento, the Cuban salvage company which subcontracted TITAN Salvage, Crowley’s Pompano, Fla.-based emergency response, marine salvage and wreck removal company, and Houston-based T&T Marine Salvage, to assist with the removal of the stricken containership. The containership was en route from Santiago de Cuba to Havana, Cuba, when it came ashore after losing power during Tropical Storm Isaac in late August. Following the grounding, TITAN’s salvage master was on scene in less than 24 hours, Crowley’s government services team worked with U.S. and Cuban authorities to complete all necessary Customs documentation in advance, and the solutions team readied the OCEAN WAVE for the 48-hour transit from Orange, Texas, to the site of the project in Cuba. The stricken vessel, towed by the OCEAN WAVE, was successfully removed from the coastline and delivered to port in Havana, Cuba, in early October.