Marine Link
Thursday, March 28, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Emma Griffith News

13 Feb 2018

Fitch: U.S. Port Growth Steady as NAFTA Decision Looms

@digidreamgrafix / Adobe Stock

U.S. ports are positioned for another solid year of growth, though the Trump administration's evolving stance on both domestic and international trade is a long-term development worth a close watch, according to Fitch Ratings in its latest sector briefing. This after a strong 2017 in which ports on both coasts saw overall growth through the year. "Moving to larger ships and implementing operational alliances have helped drive volume growth on both coasts in 2017," said Emma Griffith, Director.

15 Sep 2015

US Ports Pose Low Risk Despite Volume Swings

Stand-alone U.S. port ratings remain largely in the 'A' category despite volume fluctuations during economic downturns, according to a new Fitch Ratings report. 'Approximately 95% of port sector ratings currently have Stable Outlooks, demonstrating the relatively low credit risk and the resilience of port cash flows,' said Emma Griffith, Director in Fitch's Global Infrastructure Group. Fitch upgraded the rating on two ports during the past 12 months (Virginia Port Authority to 'A+' and Alabama State Port Authority to 'A-') as well as revised the Rating Outlook on one port to Positive (Hillsborough County Port District). Highest rated ports are typically those with a strong underlying market or franchise driving demand…

07 Jan 2014

Workshop to Cover Infrastructure Development Challenges

Kurt Nagle, AAPA's president and CEO

Sponsored by the American Association of Port Authorities and hosted by the Unified Port of San Diego, a workshop examining port-related economic development programs, analyzing solutions to development/funding challenges and quantifying results will be held Feb. 20-21, 2014 (Day 1, 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.; Day 2, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 noon) at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, 1 Park Boulevard, San Diego, Calif. Among the key topics on the minds of Western Hemisphere port development…

10 Apr 2013

Fitch: U.S. Ports Remain a Low Credit Risk

U.S. ports continue to maintain strong investment grade ratings, according to a new Fitch Ratings report. Out of Fitch's rated ports, 69% are rated 'A' or above. Fitch conducted a peer review of its rated U.S. port portfolio and assessed five key rating drivers as being strong, midrange or weak. "The assessments in most categories were predominantly strong or midrange, which is consistent with the generally strong credit characteristics and investment-grade rating levels seen for most port credits in the U.S.," said Emma Griffith, Director in Fitch's Global Infrastructure Group. The full report, titled "Peer Review of U.S. Ports: Attribute Assessments, Metrics, and Ratings," is available on the Fitch Ratings web site at www.fitchratings.com.