Increase Port
House Vote to Increase Port Security Funding
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) welcomed the U.S. House of Representatives' approval to increase by 14 percent the funding for the Port Security Grant program in fiscal year 2007. By a vote of 389 to 9, the House version of the FY'07 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security would provide $200 million in Port Security Grant program funds, compared to $150 million recommended by the House for FY'06. While appreciative of House members for approving an increase in Port Security Grant funding for next year, Mr. Nagle said the annual funding need is still twice what the House voted to provide. He followed by saying that AAPA member seaports are “extremely disappointed” that the Senate-House conference committee last night decided to cut all $648 million for port security, including an additional $227 million for this year’s Port Security Grant program, out of the FY'06 emergency supplemental appropriations bill. He said port security was considered a top priority by both the Administration and Congress during consideration of the P&O/DP World transaction, but they missed an opportunity to make a real difference on the issue. Adoption of the new TWIC rules, once finalized, will create a standardized nationwide identification procedure for those needing unescorted access to secure areas of seaports and vessels. This includes truck drivers, longshore workers, port authority staff and contractors, and vessel and rail operators
VTS System Aims to Increase Port Security
The U.S. Coast Guard announced today that it has authorized Lockheed Martin to begin installation of three Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) systems to meet maritime safety and surveillance requirements in major U.S. ports, including New York harbor. Under the Ports and Waterways Safety System (PAWSS) contract, originally awarded by the Coast Guard in 1998, Lockheed Martin will install the VTS systems in New York Harbor, and in the Ports of Houston/Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas
DHS Publishes Port Security Proposal
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently published a detailed proposal of new rules aimed at preventing terrorist attacks on domestic ports. In late April, DHS implemented the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program, which included name-based background checks on nearly 400,000 port workers in the United States. The initial checks were followed by a 275-page proposal detailing the program designed to deter people who pose a security threat from entering U
WSS Japan to manage Harmony Cruise port calls
Harmony Cruise, Korea’s newest cruise operator, has chosen Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) to provide ships agency services at ports on its Japan itinerary. Harmony Cruise was launched in February 2012 by Seoul-based Polaris Shipping, offering a variety of three and four-day cruises in the South Korean, Chinese, Japanese and Russian markets. Its Japanese itinerary will include calls at Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe, Osaka, Hakata, Nagasaki and Kagoshima
AAPA's 'U.S. Port Person Of The Year' Award
Award to precede speech on grant opportunities for reducing diesel emissions. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) will be honored in Wilmington, Del., on Oct. 7 as the American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) “U.S. Port Person of the Year” at a special luncheon given by the Port of Wilmington Maritime Society. AAPA President and CEO Kurt Nagle will present the award in recognition of Sen. Carper’s many contributions toward improving the nation’s
Navy Teams with Army for Joint Humanitarian Exercise
Several units of the recently established Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) and Naval Beach Group 2 are participating in the combined DELMAR/Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) exercise on Fort Story, Virginia Beach, Va., in June. The exercise began June 5 and combines active-duty and reserve service members from various Navy and Army commands. The exercise is organized by U.S. Army Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC).
Panama Canal Authority Forms Alliance with Massachusetts Port Authority
With more than 60 percent of Panama Canal traffic originating from or traveling to the East Coast of the United States, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced a historic move to boost trade by striking a strategic alliance with the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport). The alliance will increase cooperation -- such as joint marketing -- between the Panama Canal and the Port of Boston; it will also seek to boost trade along the "All-Water Route
SLSDC Awards Cleveland-Cuyahoga Port Authority
The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority posted significant increases in international cargo during the 2010 navigation season, earning it the prestigious Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award from the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC), an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation. SLSDC Administrator Terry Johnson presented the award to Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority Board Chair Robert Smith at a ceremony in Cleveland.
Port of NY/NJ Shows Gains in 2001
Cargo volumes in the Port of New York and New Jersey grew by 5.6 percent in 2001, despite the economic downturn that saw cargo volumes in other North Atlantic ports decline during the year, Port Authority Port Commerce Director Richard M. Larrabee announced. Larrabee said the New York-New Jersey port outperformed all other North Atlantic ports combined, which reported cargo tonnage declines of 1.3 percent. He said that the New York-New Jersey port saw growth in virtually every sector -
CMA CGM, Maersk Line Upgrade Service
CMA CGM and Maersk Line announced the following improvements to their respective Brazilian Express Service (Brazex) and North Coast Express (NCX) connecting the East Coast of South America to Central America and Caribbean, effective the second half of September 2009: • Increased coverage in the Caribbean by extending the rotation up to Manzanillo, Panama and Pointe Lisas, in addition to the usual calls in Port of Spain (Trinidad), Cartagena (Colombia)
China Container Terminal Cargo Volumes Surge
Chongqing Container Terminal in Southwest China reports container volume up 29.7% to 166,000 teu in Q1 2013. Import and export container volume climbed 29.7 per cent to 166,000 TEU. Laden boxes amounted to 124,000 TEU, an increase of 33.3 per cent. Intermodal
Long Beach Container Volume Up in May
Container cargo rose by more than 17 percent in May 2013 at the Port of Long Beach, with some of the highest volumes in nearly 3 years. A total of 583,588 TEUs (or twenty-foot equivalent container units) were moved in May, up 17.2 percent from the same month last year. Imports increased 22
Yet More Consolidation Proposed in Russia
The prospect of Russia’s two largest container terminal operators joining forces has raised concerns over the dominant position that the combined enterprise would enjoy were the deal to be agreed. Global Ports Investments (GPI), one of the two largest players in the Russian container port
Port of Red Dog: Bulk Carriers' Call of the Wild
The UK P&I Club issue information for members whose vessels call at the remote Alaskan port on the Arctic Circle. Red Dog is a port established specifically to support the associated Lead and Zinc mine. It is a very remote location of Alaska and there are no services, including no provisions
Boatbuilding Booms as More Americans Take to the Water:
New data from The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) show 88 million Americans expected to take to U.S. waterways this summer. NMMA add that recreational boating in the U.S. has an annual economic value of $121-billion. The industry’s rising tide supports 964
What You Need to Know to Operate Offshore Brazil
Inside Syndarma and Abeam: Organizing Brazil’s Maritime and OSV Markets For companies interested in operating in Brazil, it is important to understand the country. MR’s Editor in Rio breaks it down Syndarma – National Syndicate of Maritime Navigation Companies
Maersk Hikes Rates on Two Trade Routes
Maersk Line has announced it will implement container General Rate Increases on its Transatlantic & Asia/US routes as follows: With effect from July 1, 2013, the Transatlantic trade between North Europe and North America will be increased by US$200 per dry container.
Northwest America Ports Release (Draft) 2013 Clean Air Strategy
The Port of Seattle, along with the Port of Tacoma and Port Metro Vancouver, implemented the first international ports clean air program in 2008, & now releases their DRAFT 2013 strategy. Agency partners include U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA)
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
New Ohio River Fireboat: Huntington Seeks Federal Grant
Council has approved a resolution that may lead to the Huntington Fire Department obtaining a marine firefighting & hazardous material vessel through a Port Security grant. Huntington has the nation’s largest inland port. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks
Recreational Boating: a $121-billion Economic Driver for U.S.
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), announced that recreational boating in the U.S. has an annual economic value of $121 billion. The industry’s rising tide supports 964,000 American jobs and 34,833 businesses, generates $40 billion in annual labor income and drives $83
Transas awarded new VTS contracts in Indonesia
Transas Marine Pacific and its local representative in Indonesia have been awarded new contracts from the Government Department of Sea Transportation to supply and install Vessel Traffic Management Systems for Samarinda and Banjarmasin ports
VTMS Indonesia Contract for Transas
Transas Marine Pacific & local representative win contracts to supply & install Vessel Traffic Management Systems (VTMS) for Samarinda and Banjarmasin ports. In addition to this, Transas will upgrade the current VTS system in the Semarang port with a fully redundant AIS Base Station
Retailers Remain Cautious on Merchandise Imports
Import volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 1.1% in June over the same month last year, reflecting modest growth expectations as retailers head toward the back-to-school and holiday seasons, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released
Great Lakes Stone Trade Up 5.8 Percent in May
Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.5 million tons in May, an increase of 5.8% compared to a year ago. Shipments were also in line with May’s total in recent years. Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 3 million tons, an increase of 11