Port Freight

AAPA: MAP-21 Passage is Forward Progress

America’s Ports, Freight System Recognized in MAP-21 Surface Transportation Bill Reauthorization.   With congressional passage today of MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century), the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) says elements in the two-year, $105 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill elevate the priority of freight movement in a way that constitutes major progress in recognizing the value of America’s seaports and freight network to the economy, jobs creation and business development.    The bill, which includes important language in support of maintaining federal navigation channels and creating a national freight plan, authorizes and funds transportation programs at current levels through the end of fiscal 2014. AAPA Executive Vice President Jean Godwin said the association and its member ports have fought “long and hard” for many of the provisions agreed to in this bill.    “For the first time, a surface transportation reauthorization includes consideration of the water transportation mode and elevates goods movement priorities that have traditionally been ignored in previous surface transportation bills,” said Ms. Godwin. “This legislation demonstrates meaningful progress toward creation of a national freight policy and highlights the critical importance of fully funding the costs of maintaining America’s federal navigation channels.”

AAPA to Testify at National Surface Transportation Commission Meeting

Stressing port industry concerns over the growing volume of freight moving over America’s already congested transportation system, American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) Executive Vice President and General Counsel Jean Godwin will go before the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission on March 19 to urge Commission members to recognize the importance of efficient port access when making recommendations to Congress to address future surface

AAPA and GPA to Host Conference

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), in coordination with the Georgia Ports Authority, will host the seminar Communicating the Importance of Infrastructure Investment, June 21-23, at the Hyatt Regency in Savannah, Ga. Targeting public and government relations professionals throughout the freight transportation industry, the conference will focus on effectively communicating with policymakers, and those who influence policy

Panama Ready To Step Out On Its Own

As heads of state gather in Panama for Dec. 14 ceremonies in advance of the transfer of the Panama Canal on the Dec. 31, the small Caribbean nation of 2.8 million prepares to step out of Washington's shadow. Since the U.S.S. Nashville guaranteed Panama's independence from Colombia in 1903, the U.S. has maintained a military garrison in Panama and kept administrative control of the canal it built across the isthmus. For decades, Panamanian nationalists rallied to the cry of "one flag

POLB Named Best in N. America

The Port of Long Beach earned “Best Seaport in North America” honors at the 2013 Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards in Beijing. The 2013 Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards recently hosted in Beijing by the Cargonews Asia shipping trade publication, witnessed the 16th win in the past 18 years for Long Beach. The award recognizes the best ports as judged by importers, exporters, and logistics and supply chain professionals.

AAPA Expresses Concern Over Stalled Contract

 The American Association of Port Authorities today sent a strong message to Congressional Senate, House and Committee leaders, urging them to "take swift action" to avert a rail strike on Dec. 6, which would lead to a discontinuation of freight rail service, potentially costing American businesses and consumers $2 billion a day.   "Railroads are a vital component of the freight transportation system and are critical to international trade and goods movement

SBS Worldwide Enhances Services

Global full service freight forwarder, SBS Worldwide launched a key ocean freight consolidation service through the US West Coast gateway for its customers in the north of the UK through its Manchester office, the first of a series of planned enhancements this year. Chairman, Steve Walker is certain that as the economic chill hardens, exporters and importers in one of the most important commercial, industrial and retail regions of the UK will welcome his company’s improved services

Index-Linked Container Contracts Take-Off

Half of all index-linked contracts filed with the US Federal Maritime Commission reference Drewry’s Container Freight Rate Insight pricing benchmarks.   Drewry Maritime Research’s container freight rate benchmarks are the index of choice in index-linked container contracts, according to the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). The agency also indicated that uptake of index-linked container contracts on US trades was fast growing

Allcargo switches to RTG operation with four Kalmar cranes in India

Allcargo switches to RTG operation with four Kalmar cranes in India. Cargotec has received an order for four all-electric, Kalmar E-One2 rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes from Allcargo Logistics in India. The RTGs are scheduled to start operations in April next year. The order has been booked in the second quarter of 2011. Rapid growth in container traffic moving through the Indian ports has prompted Allcargo Logistics to convert container handling at its container freight station in

U.S. DOT Chief LaHood Establishes Freight Advisory Committee

DOT Announces Proposal to Establish ‘National Freight Network’.   U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced the establishment of a National Freight Advisory Committee to provide recommendations aimed at improving the national freight transportation system. A strong freight transportation system is critical to the nation’s economy and essential for helping meet President Obama’s goal of doubling U.S. exports by 2015