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Port Police News

11 Jul 2023

Two Nigerian Migrants Rescued from Ship's Rudder

(Photo: Las Palmas Port Police)

The Spanish coastguard rescued two Nigerian migrants who stowed away on the rudder of a ship that arrived in the Canary Islands from Togo, a coastguard spokesperson and the police said on Tuesday.After being rescued on Monday night in the port of Las Palmas, the migrants were taken to a hospital.

22 Apr 2022

ITF Inspectors Denied Access to P&O Ferries in Dover

© Elles Rijsdijk / Adobe Stock

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) said its inspectors have been blocked from investigating crew welfare issues on board P&O Ferries’ vessels in the Port of Dover.In March, P&O Ferries terminated about vessel 800 staff to hire cheaper agency workers in a move that has drawn backlash from politicians, workers and the general public.The ITF said Dover Port Police this week refused access to its inspectors dispatched to look into welfare issues raised by replacement crew members, citing failure to give advanced warning for the visit.“As an ITF Inspector in the U.K.

12 Oct 2020

Port Security: Autonomous ANTX

Graphic representation of the exercise; met-ocean data collection operations running concurrently with simulated threats, detection and mitigation assets. Image from ION.

Geophysical seismic surveys and port security may appear to have little in-common. However, it turns out that managing complex marine seismic operations, where 10km-long seismic streamers have to be deployed harmoniously alongside other offshore marine assets, isn’t that dissimilar to managing – and protecting – port facilities.It's an area that ION Geophysical, more known for seismic data acquisition technology, has recently been proving its expertise in, using its Marlin system for marine operations management.

15 May 2019

One Dead, One Hurt in Los Angeles Port Accident

File Image: Port of Los Angeles

An industrial accident on Wednesday, May 15 at a Port of Los Angeles container terminal tragically took the life of an International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) worker and seriously injured a second worker. The incident occurred at approximately 7:25 a.m. at Fenix Marine Services at Pier 300. According to initial reports, an equipment accident involving a top loader container handler caused the death of one worker and injured the other. The injured worker was transported to Harbor UCLA Medical Center. The names of those involved in the accident are not yet available.

11 Nov 2018

Port Police Regulation in Force in Antwerp

The modification of the Municipal Port Police Regulation, the Port Instructions and related forms come into force on the 12th of November 2018 said a press release from the Antwerp Port Authority.The port and the social context in which it operates are in a constant state of flux. It is therefore essential for the Police Regulation to take account of the changing situation and requirements.In modification 3 of the Port Police Regulation various articles were modified, and various new provisions were added.In 2014 the Port Instructions were drawn up to supplement the Municipal Police Regulation, to serve as a guide for how the latter should be applied. Some Port Instructions were modified, some new Instructions were added.

01 Nov 2018

Port of Los Angeles Issues Statement on Box Incident

The Port of Los Angeles (CREDIT: Port of Los Angeles)

The following information was released by the Port of Los Angeles:Because our facilitation of a safe and secure supply chain is top priority at the Port of Los Angeles, the incident involving an export-bound shipping container that exploded inside a marine terminal storage area here on October 30 is of paramount concern to the Los Angeles Harbor Department and Los Angeles Port Police. Preliminary analysis by the Los Angeles Port Police Hazardous Materials Unit, Los Angeles Police…

06 Jun 2018

IMO Supports Free-flow of Trade

Standardization and harmonization are essential in order to achieve efficient shipping and seamless transport, particularly when it comes to electronic data exchange. International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s Facilitation Committee, which is meeting (5-8 June) at IMO Headquarters, is set to approve a revised format of the IMO Compendium on Facilitation and Electronic Business, including a completely revised and updated standard IMO data model set. Data models define and format information which might be transferred between automated systems, such as for export, import and transit. The revised Compendium will include a completely revised data structure, including digitalization-friendly definitions of all the information elements that a ship is required to report.

29 Nov 2016

EU Counter Piracy Mission Extended

Photo: EU NAVFOR

The European Council has extended Operation Atalanta’s mandate to deter, disrupt and repress acts of piracy off the coast of Somalia through December 31, 2018. Operation Atalanta’s two-year mandate extension, enacted on November 25, 2016, comes amidst concerns within European Union Member States that whilst pirate attacks on merchant ships transiting the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean are currently suppressed, pirates still have the intent and capability to go out to sea and mount an attack.

04 Jun 2016

Los Angeles Port Approves $1.17 bi Fiscal Budget

The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners has approved a $1.17 billion fiscal year (FY) 2016/17 annual budget for the Port of Los Angeles. As in years past, budget allocations closely align and support the four key objectives of the Port’s 2012-2017 Strategic Plan, which include: development of a world-class infrastructure that promotes growth; implementation of an efficient, secure and environmentally sustainable supply chain; improved financial performance of Port assets; and strengthened relationships with Port stakeholders. “Our Port Strategic Plan has been a great tool to keep us consistently focused and committed to our infrastructure and operational priorities,” said Ambassador Vilma Martinez, Harbor Commission President.

15 Mar 2016

Oil Spill in L.A. Harbor Still under Lens

The Coast Guard and California Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response are continuing their investigation of an oil spill that occurred on Sunday in the Los Angeles Harbor. A unified command has been established that includes the Coast Guard, California Fish and Wildlife, and the responsible party. Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach command center received a report at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, of an unknown quantity of oil in the vicinity of the 577-foot cargo ship, Istra Ace. The ship was reported to have been leaking heavy fuel in the Cerritos channel at Berth 198. Oil was also observed throughout portions of Cerritos Channel, where booming strategies have been employed.

24 Dec 2015

Antwerp set to Build Bunker Station

But now that the LNG Master Plan has come to an end the LNG story is not finished. Far from it: this was just the start, paving the way for promising new projects. Specifically, the port of Antwerp is getting ready to build an LNG bunker station for barges, with the concession agreement due to be signed at the beginning of 2016. The Rhine-Main-Danube LNG Master Plan was formally brought to a close on 16 December 2015 in Rotterdam. Together with 32 other partners from all over Europe the port of Antwerp had contributed towards the objective of making LNG a reality for barge transport, as a clean fuel. This objective fell into two parts: on the one hand to encourage barge operators to use LNG as their fuel…

01 May 2015

Feds Indict LA Port Police Chief

The chief of police for the port of Los Angeles was indicted on federal corruption charges involving a program to help citizens report criminal activity at the port, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a statement on Thursday. Ronald Boyd, 57, was named in a 16-count indictment that includes charges of wire fraud involving bribery and kickbacks. The indictment alleges that Boyd helped steer the contract for an app, Portwatch, to an unnamed company with which he had a business relationship. Boyd was placed on administrative leave until further notice following the indictment, Gene Seroka, executive director of the port, said in a written statement. "The city and Port of Los Angeles will fully cooperate in the investigation of this matter," Seroka said.

16 Apr 2015

Tanker Blast Kills Four at Belawan Port

An explosion occurred on a tanker belonging to state-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina on Monday evening while the ship was under repair at Belawan Port in North Sumatra, killing four workers. Three victims died on the spot, while the fourth worker died in a hospital succumbing to fatal injuries. Indonesia-flagged Palu Sipat, owned by the national oil company PT Pertamina, was docked at the port for repairs when it caught fire and exploded at 17:00 h local time. Belawan Port Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Aswin Sipayung said the tanker explosion took place as it was docked for repairs at Belawan Port on Monday afternoon. The cause of the explosion remains unknown, as investigators were not allowed to enter the explosion site due to safety concerns. "The ship is still full of gas.

24 Feb 2015

Kenya to Start Port Lamu Construction

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said that the construction of the proposed Lamu port is set to begin next month, with the promise of more jobs and expanded regional trade. The facility, which is part of the Lamu Port Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport corridor project, will provide an opportunity for exploitation of Kenya’s expansive maritime resources, he said. Kenya’s maritime domain extends over 230,000 square kilometres — the equivalent of about 31 of our 47 counties. This vast resource has hitherto lain untapped by Kenyans. Special attention must be paid to education and training, so that our skills match the infrastructure we are building, he added.

23 Sep 2014

Wilmington Wharf Fire: Port of LA Update

With the wharf fire in Wilmington now more than 90 percent contained, terminals at the Port of Los Angeles plan to resume full operations Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. informs the Port. Only the Pasha terminal at Berth 177, the location of the fire, will remain closed. Nearby Yusen Terminals International will reopen at 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning. “I’d like to thank the brave men and women from several agencies that are doing an extraordinary job keeping Harbor Area residents and workers safe while preventing further damage from this stubborn fire,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “The Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Port Police, the Long Beach Fire  and Police departments, U.S.

15 Sep 2014

Portsmouth Marine Terminal Reopens Today

The Port of Virginia marks an important milestone Monday 14th September as Portsmouth Marine Terminal (PMT), closed for nearly three years, reopens to cargo operations. At 8 a.m. on Monday, the terminal will begin receiving trucks carrying containers for export. “Sustained growth in our container business necessitates PMT’s return to service and is a sign of health for The Port of Virginia,” said John F. Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority (VPA). The first vessel call is scheduled for early October and from that point forward the 30-acre operation will process between 75,000 and 100,000 containers annually. The operation will be “wheeled,” or containers-onchassis; there will be no stacked containers except for those units in the empty yard.

19 Jul 2014

Port of Antwerp to Set Up LNG Bunkering

It would be possible for barges to fill up with LNG at a permanent bunkering station in the port of Antwerp by the beginning of 2016. Truck-to-ship bunkering is already possible, but by setting up a bunkering station the port of Antwerp aims to make LNG permanently available. In comparison with the diesel fuel currently used by European barges, LNG is much cleaner and environment-friendly. Barges powered by LNG emit hardly any particulates, and NOx emissions are drastically reduced. Truck-to-ship bunkering has already been possible in the port of Antwerp since 2012: a truck collects LNG at the LNG import terminal in Zeebrugge and takes it to Antwerp. The truck then parks on the quay from where the LNG can be delivered to the barge.

26 Feb 2014

Positive Trends Mark Start to Port Authority Year

Notable accomplishments in revenue generation, cargo throughput, professional performance and international recognition highlighted today's monthly meeting of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority (PHA). Executive Director Roger Guenther, in his first meeting since being named to the post, characterized January's numbers as "a very exciting start to the new year" with operating revenue of more than $20 million. Guenther cited across-the-board increases in all major areas of cargo as the driver behind a 3-million-ton month for January, which was 15 percent higher than the year before. A contributor to that January figure was 400…

23 May 2013

Budget Battles Bumping Backlogs?

Bollinger-built Margaret Norvell on builder’s trials off Grand Isle Louisiana.

Patrol And Combat Builders Fret About Budget Cuts But See Bright Spots. So far; so good. U.S. companies building patrol and combat craft aren’t happy about federal, state and city budget cuts but say they do see positive, demand-side factors. Much of their overseas business depends on the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program. The FMS, which transfers defense equipment and services to other nations, is retrenching now, however. Here at home, states and municipalities have fewer funds, grants and matching grants to pay for patrol vessels, builders say.

18 Jul 2013

GPA Prepares for Disasters

Mobile HQ can operate from any location in emergency situations. In the case of a hurricane or any other natural or man-made disaster Georgia Ports Authority’s new Mobile Command Center ensures that data is safe and port operations can continue. The Georgia Ports Authority recently unveiled a new Mobile Command Center (MCC). The MCC is a deployable unit from which the GPA can manage its entire operation. In the case of a hurricane or any other natural or man-made disaster the new unit ensures that data is safe and port operations can continue.

05 Oct 2011

AAM Wins LA Port Police Deal

All American Marine won a contract by the Port of Los Angeles Harbor Department for a new dive and patrol catamaran. The 65’ x 24’ aluminum catamaran will be used by the LA Port Police dive team and will feature Teknicraft Design’s signature hull shape and hydrofoil technology. One of the key functions of this multipurpose vessel is the ability to conduct oceanographic surveys within the port. By monitoring the seafloor, the LA Port Police can help ensure that America’s largest seaport remains safe and operational. Lt.

07 Oct 2011

APL Holds Full-scale Anti-terror Exercise

APL and law enforcement officials including the FBI successfully tested anti-terrorism capabilities at the shipping line’s Seattle, Washington marine terminal. It was the seventh full-scale security exercise conducted by the global container carrier in the past six years. The day-long drill involved 200 people with representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, port police and fire department. All helped evaluate APL’s collaboration with the public sector in combating threats to the supply chain. APL invited competing terminal operators as observers. “The cooperation we received from law enforcement was outstanding and the exercise was useful in showing us what works and what needs to be improved on…

20 Jan 2012

Build And Repair Work Accelerates

134-feet multi-mission, survey catamaran for Lafayette, Louisiana-based, C&C Technologies.

All U.S. Coasts enjoying upswing in business. For many U.S. builders, last year closed on a happier note than 2010 – when the BP spill, offshore drilling ban and weak U.S. and global economies hurt business. In 2011, new orders for vessels for the oil industry and for the U.S. and foreign governments promised to keep a number of builders busy in 2012. A need to comply with new federal regulations created work, and repair activity grew. The upshot is that coastal economies are getting a needed boost. But some companies find themselves with more customers than they can immediately handle.