Avondale Shipyard for Sale
Local media quote Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) as announcing this week the Avondale Shipyard, just upriver from New Orleans, is being sold. The historic, 206-acre facility is on the market after a tumultuous last five years that have included layoffs and threats to close the shipyard. But members of the community hope the new owners will bring business back to the area. Only a skeleton staff remains at the sprawling West Bank facility that once employed more than 5,000 skilled workers. The company that shuttered the shipyard after 76 years may now be looking for a buyer. Jerry Bologna, executive director of the Jefferson Economic Development Commission (JEDCO), said HII is expected to have the property listed for sale in the next 30 to 60 days.
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…
Ports America Announce New EVP Business Development
Ports America CEO Michael Hassing announced the appointment of John Carver to the position of executive vice president of business development, effective May 1. Carver, domiciled in New Jersey, will report directly to President and CEO Michael Hassing and be responsible for expanding Ports America's business interests domestically and internationally, working closely with port authorities and government officials. An industry veteran of 20 years in maritime and logistics development…
CapEx or Capsize: International Port Analysis
The Colliers International report, "CapEx or Capsize," underscores the idea that cities need to spend the capital to upgrade their ports, or risk "capsizing" their economies. Report author, KC Conway, notes that America needs $3.6 trillion in funding for infrastructure by 2020 to remain competitive in light of the upcoming Panama Canal expansion. "This is 'make-it-or-break-it' time for North America's port cities," said KC Conway, chief economist for Colliers International in the U.S. "Changing trade patterns and evolving e-commerce trends will present great economic opportunities for the cities that that invest CapEx in their transportation infrastructure.
Can U.S. Measure Up to Panama Canal Expansion?
Panama Canal expansion will bring higher volumes, larger vessels, new trading patterns, trends analysed in a new report. As the completion of the Panama Canal expansion nears, a number of concerns have surfaced regarding the ability of U.S. ports to keep up with the more aggressive port infrastructure progress witnessed overseas. Colliers International released its 'North American Port Analysis Report', which highlights the rapid growth of intermodalism – the study of various transportation modes such as seaport/ship and rail as interconnected rather than isolated – and the need for significant investment in U.S. ports Post-Panamax, or post-Panama Canal expansion. • Intermodalism: In the past 55 years, intermodalism has advanced from the equivalent of the ice age to the space age.
