BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS
FMC Upholds Decision
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued an order upholding the earlier decision of the administrative law judge (ALJ) in favor of the Board of Commissioners of Port of New Orleans in its dispute with a stevedoring company. The company had alleged that the board violated the Shipping Act of 1984 by unreasonably refusing to deal or negotiate with the company and by providing an unreasonable preference or advantage. The ALJ found that the board did not violate the law. The company filed exceptions to the decision. The Commission found that the company failed to provide any basis to warrant reversing the ALJ's initial finding. New Orleans Stevedoring Company v. Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans Source: HK Law
AAPA Names LaGrange Chairman
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has named Gary LaGrange, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Port of New Orleans, as Chairman of the AAPA Board for 2004-2005. The appointment was made today at AAPA's 93rd Annual Convention, held September 26-September 30 in Long Beach, California "Gary LaGrange is extremely well respected by his colleagues in the port industry," said AAPA President Kurt Nagle
Edmonds Reappointed as Chairman of Port or Houston Authority
James T. Edmonds, chairman of the Port of Houston Authority Commission, was reappointed to a second two-year term by a vote of the combined members of the Houston City Council and the Harris County Board of Commissioners. Edmonds, who joined the Port as a commissioner in October 1996 and was appointed chairman in June 2000, was recognized in the joint session for growing the Port's position as the Gulf of Mexico gateway,
Houston Pilots Association To Christen M/V Bayou City
The Houston Pilots Association will christen the pilot boat M/V Bayou City at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 12, at the Port of Houston Authority's Sam Houston Pavilion located at 7300 Clinton Drive. Annette Edmonds will officially christen the vessel during a ceremony that will be attended by more than 200 invited guests, including PHA Chairman Jim Edmonds, Vice Chairman Kase Lawal, Commissioner Steve Phelps, Commissioner Jim Fonteno, Commissioner Jimmy Burke, Commissioner Cheryl Thompson-Draper,
Kitchen Joins Stewart Enterprises, Inc. Board
William E. Rowe, Chairman and CEO of Stewart Enterprises, Inc. announced the election of Thomas M. Kitchen to the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Kitchen is an investment management consultant with Equitas Capital Advisors, LLC in New Orleans. During a 25-year career with Avondale Industries, Inc., the nation's fifth largest shipbuilder, he served as president, chief financial officer and board member. He currently serves on the board of Conrad Industries
Plan Ended for New Port of L.A. Shipyard
According to a report from www.dailybreeze.com, a proposal to build a $50m ship building and repair business at the Port of Los Angeles was sunk Thursday by the Board of Harbor Commissioners. The commission terminated its exclusive negotiations with Long Beach-based Gambol Industries, which has heavily campaigned to open a shipyard on the site of the shuttered Southwest Marine slips at Terminal Island. (Source: www.dailybreeze.com)
Doyle Joins FMC
On Tuesday, January 1, 2013, the United States Senate confirmed President Obama’s nomination of William P. Doyle, of Pennsylvania, to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner. Commissioner Doyle was sworn in on January 10, 2013. Today, a ceremonial swearing-in of Mr. Doyle took place at the Commission. Prior to his appointment, Commissioner Doyle served over 20 years in the maritime and transportation industry holding senior positions in executive leadership and operations
Canaveral Creates Seaport Police Department
Joseph Hellebrand, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, will serve as chief of the newly created Port Canaveral Police Department. The Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners established the department late last year as culmination of a four-year initiative to enhance public safety at the world’s second busiest cruise port and Central Florida’s outlet to the sea. “The formation of the Police Department is simply the next step in the evolution of public
Fitch Ratings Upgrades Port’s Bond Rating
Fitch Ratings, an international credit rating firm, recently announced it has upgraded the Canaveral Port Authority $61 million of outstanding debt from “A-“ to “A” and assigned the “A” rating to the Authority’s proposed refunding issue. The agency cited the Port’s strong financial operations from increased cruise activity as well as the Port’s modest capital program and strong management team as part of the basis for the upgrade
POLB Formalizes Its Energy Policy
The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners' energy policy aims to secure a more sustainable and resilient supply of power as demand grows. The Energy Policy declares that the Port will implement measures to increase efficiency, conservation, resiliency, and renewable energy in collaboration with port tenants, utilities, other city departments, industry stakeholders, labor unions, the Port of Los Angeles and others.
New Zealand Ramps Up IMO Representation
Rt Hon Sir Lockwood Smith appointed New Zealand's first Permanent Representative at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Sir Lockwood, New Zealand High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, recently presented his credentials to the IMO’s Secretary-General, Koji Sekimizu
UK Leasing Program to Stimulate Offshore Wind Investment
The Crown Commissioners announce a site leasing program to encourage investment in a range of offshore wind test & demonstration projects, including a leasing round for floating offshore wind technology. The Crown Commissioner's plans were announced at the RUK offshore wind conference and
Maiden Voyage Freighter Docks in San Diego
The Port of San Diego celebrated the inaugural visit of Grieg Star's 'Star Laguna' with a plaque exchange ceremony. The Star Laguna, one of the newest cargo ships visiting San Diego, called at Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, where it offloaded 10,000 tons of fertilizer and four yachts
POLB Appoint Al Moro Interim Executive Director
The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners appoint chief harbor engineer Al Moro as the Port of Long Beach’s interim executive director. Moro, who joined the Port in 1997 as a civil engineer, currently oversees all administrative and technical activities for the Port’s engineering
Port of LA: Huge Capital Investment Program Approved
The Harbor Commissioner's Fiscal 2013-14 Budget Includes $399.9-million capital expenditure to improve cargo flow and dfficiency. The Los Angeles Harbor Commission has adopted a 2013-14 fiscal year (FY) budget of approximately $1.1 billion for the Port of Los Angeles
Port of L.A Aims to Improve Energy Efficiency
Port of Los Angeles officials announced the development of its Energy Management Action Plan (E-MAP) initiative designed to improve energy efficiency at America’s busiest container port. Included in the plan will be the nation’s largest port energy assessment.
Panama Canal Boarding Facility Inspections
The Panama Canal Authority will hold its annual "Safe Boarding Week" from 8 to 12 July 2013. During the week it will highlight and encourage safe boarding practices on all vessels arriving in the waterway. Activities will involved inspections of boarding facilities by teams
Duluth Port Executive Director to Retire
Adolph Ojard, Executive Director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, plans to retire this year after serving in that leadership role for the past decade. A national search is underway for a new Executive Director. The board anticipates having that person hired by the end of summer/early fall
Canadian Tugboat Industry Conference Judged a Success
The 20th BC Tugboat Industry Conference was held May 23-25, 2013 in Victoria, BC. According to BC Shipping News, in addition to a retrospective of the industry – including presentations from Allan Fowlis (retired, Seaspan) who gave personal insights into the industry in its characters
US, Canada, EU, Sign Atlantic Ocean Research Accord
The recently signed "Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation" concerns research into the workings of the Atlantic Ocean and its interaction with the Arctic. The alliance will build on existing bilateral cooperation agreements and projects with the aim of developing and advancing
POLB Chief to Leave for Oakland
Christopher Lytle, Port of Long Beach Executive Director since November 2011, will resign to take the top post at the Port of Oakland. Lytle will remain at Long Beach until mid-July, and is expected to begin his new job in Oakland shortly thereafter
Baker, Lyman Hires Senior Consultant for TSMS
Baker, Lyman and Co., Inc. hired John Scarborough as senior consultant. He is an authorized agent for Germanischer Lloyd on the Corsair Towing Safety Management Systems (TSMS) Strategic Alliance for Subchapter M compliance software for the domestic towing industry.
Port Launches World Trade Partnership on National Maritime Day
Trade partners in Ventura County joined forces at the Port of Hueneme to kick off a program celebrating World Trade Month. The Port timely hosted this event on National Maritime Day. Participating were representatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S
TSA Expansion Update: WTSA Suspended
The Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (WTSA) recently filed an amendment with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). The following statement regarding the WTSA amendment was issued today by Commissioner William P. Doyle of the FMC.
Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell Arrives in Miami
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell, the fifth of the service's planned 58 Fast Response Cutters in the Sentinel Class and the first of its class to be named after a female Coast Guard heroine, arrived at her homeport Coast Guard Sector Miami, Fla., Sunday.