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Bill Johnson News

28 Mar 2024

Insights: Cherrie Felder, VP, Channel Shipyard Companies

Cheryl “Cherrie” Felder is among the U.S. barging industry’s most well-known leaders, having built a reputation as a difference-maker and champion for the industry.

For Cheryl “Cherrie” Felder, the path to the maritime industry was both untraditional and seemingly meant to be. After studying African art, she began her career working in a museum in New Orleans before landing a role directing professional rodeo in the Big Easy.“It was a lot of fun, and I learned a whole lot,” Felder said. “But as you may imagine, New Orleans is not a rodeo town. After the third year, the board of directors decided, okay, that's it. No more rodeo.”And that’s when Felder’s doorway to the maritime industry swung open…

28 Jan 2015

US House Passes Bill to Pressure Regulators on LNG Exports

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on Wednesday to speed permits for exports of natural gas, a measure that even if passed by the Senate and signed into law by President Barack Obama, is not expected to help bring much new fuel to global markets. Lawmakers voted 277 to 133 to approve the bill, sponsored by Republican Bill Johnson of Ohio, that would force the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to decide within 30 days on applications to export liquefied natural gas, or LNG. But analysts said the measure would do little to expedite export permits as bureaucratic and economic forces prevent a rush into an industry that requires the construction of billions of dollars of new equipment for each project. "It isn't likely to be decisive in terms of the U.S.

04 Dec 2013

‘Cold-Treated’ Produce Approved for U.S. Import

APL said it has brought in the first cargo of Peruvian grapes here, clearing local pest control import requirements through cold treatment technology applied on the fruit during their transit from Paita to Miami. Consigned by Complejo Agroindustrial Beta, a producer of table grapes in Peru, some 1,600 boxes of Thomson seedless grapes arrived at the Port of Miami as part of a six-month long cold treatment pilot program aimed at assessing the feasibility of importing ‘cold-treated’ Peruvian fresh produce into Florida. Import protocols for fruit and vegetables vary across the U.S. states.

26 Nov 2013

New Perishables Trade Route from Peru to PortMiami

PortMiami is scheduled to receive its first shipment of cold-treated grapes from Peru on December 1, part of a new Cold Treatment Pilot Program that recently went into effect allowing cold treated products to be imported directly from Peru to the Port. Cold treatment is a process performed on fruits and vegetables that entails sustained refrigeration sufficient to kill pests associated with imported fruits and vegetables. In the past, Peruvian products such as table grapes and blueberries could only enter the U.S. via certain northeastern ports; however, under a new pilot program that allows cold treatment products to be imported directly to PortMiami has opened up a new trade route for cold treatment products bound directly for Florida and the southeastern U.S.

04 Sep 2013

The Competitiveness of Global Port-Cities: OECD Synthesis Report

A new OECD report, The Competitiveness of Global Port-Cities; Synthesis Report, outlines the role of ports in urban and national economies. The report, to be released in Rotterdam on 9, September 2013, provides policy recommendations to increase the positive economic impacts and mitigate negative impacts related to environment, land use and traffic congestion. OECD Deputy Secretary General Yves LETERME and Mr. -          Mrs. -          Mr. -          Mr. -          Mrs. -          Mrs. -          Mrs. -          Mr. -          Mr. -          Mr. -          Mr. -          Mr. Patrick DAHER (President Supervisory Board, Port of Marseille). The conference takes place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands (LantarenVenster, Otto Reuchlinweg 996, Rotterdam), on Monday 9 September, from 9:15 to 17:30.

24 Jun 2013

WRDA to the Wise

May 15, 2013 was a very good day for the nation’s barge and towing operators, as well as shippers of grain, coal, chemicals, petroleum products, aggregate materials, and agri-input products. It was also a good day for our nation’s economy and for its consumers. The Senate passed, by a vote of 83-14, a long-overdue Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), last reauthorized in 2007. Six years may not seem like a long time to await action on Capitol Hill. But since 57% of the locks and dams on the nation’s inland waterways system have exceeded their economic design life expectancy of 50 years…

10 Jun 2013

USDA Extends Hours at PortMiami

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced new extended hours of operations at PortMiami. The new hours are scheduled to begin on June 16, Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and beginning in January on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is a change from the current hours of operation, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday only, which at times have proven to slow the transport and delivery of goods arriving at PortMiami. The USDA realizes the importance of Miami as a perishables hub for the United States and the need for expansion as perishable volumes increase. “As the Perishables Gateway to the Americas, PortMiami needs to ensure the quick and efficient flow of time sensitive goods”, said PortMiami Director Bill Johnson.

27 May 2013

Maersk Transpacific 7 Service Arrives to Miami

Photo: Maersk

Maersk Line, the global containerized division of the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group, added Port Miami to its Transpacific 7 (TP7) Service. The first call for the TP7 Service started today at PortMiami with the arrival of the Maersk Kristina, a 6,700 TEU (twenty foot equivalent unit) cargo vessel. The service’s line up will include additional cargo vessels with a capacity of 8,700 TEUs. The South Florida Container Terminal Miami will handle the new service at their PortMiami cargo yard.

15 Feb 2012

ABS Recognized for 150 Years of Service

ABS celebrated its 150th anniversary in Washington, DC on 31 January and was recognized by Members of Congress for the classification society’s proud history and unwavering commitment to the American and international maritime community. “I ask my colleagues to join with me in congratulating ABS on its 150th anniversary and in recognizing ABS’ significant service to the American marine and offshore industries and our sea services,” stated Congressman Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, in remarks entered into the Congressional Record. Congressman LoBiondo was joined by Congressman Rick Larsen (D-WA)…

01 Nov 2011

ACP and Miami Renew MOU

Canal expansion will bolster the region’s growth and development. Another milestone agreement has been reached between the Panama Canal Authority and the Port of Miami - Administrator and CEO of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), Alberto Alemán Zubieta, and Port of Miami Director, Bill Johnson, have renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote trade opportunities and share best customer practices. Prior to signing the MOU renewal, Mr. Alemán and Mr. Johnson met with local dignitaries and members of the international trade and Panamanian-American business communities to discuss the port’s 50-foot Deep Dredge project and the expansion of the Panama Canal.

10 Nov 2009

Panama Canal CEO Briefs Miami Leadership

Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta briefed government and business leaders on the progress of the Panama Canal Expansion Program at an event in Miami, Fla. on Nov. 6. Alemán Zubieta confirmed expansion is moving ahead on-time, on-budget and will facilitate trade between the Port of Miami and the Panama Canal. “Expansion is moving ahead as planned and will build a new lane of traffic along the Canal through the construction of a new set of locks. Anticipated to be complete by 2014, the project will double the waterway’s capacity and allow more traffic and wider ships to transit,” said Alemán Zubieta.