Mary Anne News

U.S. Commercial Service previews September 20-22 export forum  The growing demand for marine technologies is generating new export possibilities for U.S. companies. To help American businesses pursue these opportunities, the Department of Commerce is hosting Discover Global Markets: The Blue Economy, in Providence, R.I., Sept. 20-22, 2022. International Trade Specialist Maryanne Burke leads the Marine Technology Team of the International Trade Administration (ITA). Maryanne is part of ITA’s U.S.

It was an unusually slow day on the docks back on April 21, 2021 when crewmembers onboard a Brusco tugboat sprang into action from the Port of Hueneme to assist a vessel in distress. A 17-year-old containership named the President Eisenhower was headed from Los Angeles to San Francisco when it suffered an engine room fire that disabled command of the vessel.A vessel named Teresa Brusco and her crew pushed the Eisenhower vessel away from shore while other tugboats and salvage companies came to assist. The vessel was disabled in the shipping lane while fully loaded and drifting to shore.

The safety of ships carrying bulk cargoes depends on proper implementation of International Maritime Organization (IMO)  rules - and training is crucial.A new IMO Model Course on Safe Handling and Transport of Solid Bulk Cargoes is expected to be validated by IMO's Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers when it meets this week (CCC 6, 9-13 September).The course will focus on the mandatory measures for handling and transport of solid bulk cargoes outlined in the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code, which is the industry rulebook on how to deal with such cargoes.IMO model courses are designed to facilitate access to knowledge and skills.

At its 91st annual convention last month, the International Propeller Club of the United States elected and installed its leaders for the coming year and beyond. Representatives of the Club’s more than 75 chapters from around the world elected Rear Admiral Joel Whitehead, US Coast Guard (retired) to a two-year term as International President. RADM Whitehead is a member of the Club’s Port of New Orleans chapter. Niels Aalund, a member of the Club’s Port of Houston and the Senior Vice President, Maritime Affairs, of the West Gulf Maritime Association, was elected First Vice President and Philippe de Gauw (Algeciras, Spain) was reelected as Second Vice President. Both will serve terms expiring in 2019.

The Northwest Seaport Alliance said it will reimburse up to $2 million to extend gate hours at its international container terminals during peak season. With a 3 to 5 percent increase in cargo volume forecasted during peak season, which will start in late August and continue through early November, the alliance proposes to help the marine terminal operators avoid congestion on surface streets in the port industrial area and keep import and export cargo flowing efficiently. This program will reimburse terminal operators for some of the costs to operate flexed gates from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

The growing worldwide demand for marine technologies, port construction and shipbuilding is generating new export opportunities for U.S. companies. As more firms look to boost their bottom line by maximizing their reach to the more than 95 percent of world consumers who live outside of the United States, many are taking advantage of numerous export resources along the way. At the same time, many other businesses have yet to export. International Trade Specialist Maryanne Burke leads the U.S. Commercial Service’s Marine Technology Team, and is based at the Boston U.S.

Mary Anne Rooney, Harbor Commissioner at California’s Port of Hueneme, has been named President of the Association of Pacific Ports (APP), a trade and information association promoting increased efficiency and effectiveness of Pacific ports. Rooney, who previously served as APP’s Second Vice President, was selected at the group’s 102nd Annual Conference held in August in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. As a result, the Port of Hueneme will host APP’s Annual Conference in 2016. “I am very honored to be selected by my peers and have the opportunity to leverage the port and industry needs of our region…

Today, Governor Brown signed AB 2395 Legislation. The bill was co-authored by Bonnie Lowenthal chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee and the Select Committee on Ports (D-Long Beach); Jeff Gorell, a member of the Select Committee on Ports (R-Camarillo); and Hannah Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara). By increasing the Oxnard Harbor District's borrowing authority from its current $1 million to $10 million, the legislation will help The District upgrade and modernize its facilities.

The Port of Hueneme announced that it will receive more than $400,000 in funds from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Fiscal Year 2014 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP). The funds will help protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism, enhance maritime domain awareness, improve port-wide maritime security risk management, and maintain or reestablish maritime security mitigation protocols that support port recovery and resiliency capabilities. "The Port of Hueneme is a connection to world markets, serving as a priority gateway for the Western United States, and it is critical to the economic health of Ventura County and Southern California," said Congresswoman Brownley.

The Port of Hueneme says that over 40 Port, industry and community partners welcomed Brusco Tug & Barge's newest 78-foot by 31-foot ship assist tug, the 'Simone Brusco' at the ceremony. The Simone Brusco is the third Robert Allan-designed ship assist tug built exclusively for The Port. The new vessel is a continuation of a line of ship assist tugs for the Longview, Washington-based Brusco Tug & Barge, named in honor of the late daughter of Bo and Teri Brusco, Simone. The Port explains that like her sister tugs, the Simone is outfitted with a forward electric Markey Render/Recover hawser winch as well as a 1,500 gpm fire pump and monitor. The Simone can not only pour water on a shipboard fire, but act as an auxiliary water source for shore-based emergencies as well.

The Port commissioned the Hamburg Sud’s M/V Cap Palmerston, carrying fresh fruit for Chiquita Brands of Charlotte, North Carolina during a ribbon cutting ceremony to introduce the Port of Hueneme’s recently installed Grid-Based Shore Power system. Community leaders were on hand to view this first vessel ‘plug in’. The initial test of ‘plugging in’ a vessel is critical to assessing the performance of this new and very high voltage shore power system. It is also vital to ensuring all trained units including ILWU and ship operators become comfortable with operating the gear.

Port staff received news that the Port of Hueneme was among the awardees to receive funds through the EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA). The funds will be used to complete an enhanced phase II to the Port’s existing Shore Power Project that will allow additional vessels to simultaneously connect to the Port’s Shore Power system. Following passage of AB 32 by the state assembly, programs were put in place to allow ships at berth in California ports to turn off their more polluting marine engines dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Port of Hueneme conducted its first operational and safety vessel test of its recently installed Grid-Based Shore Power system. Port crews were on hand to view this first vessel ‘plug in’ by Hamburg Sud’s M/V Cap Pasley, carrying fresh fruit for Chiquita Brands of Charlotte, North Carolina. The initial test of ‘plugging in’ a vessel is critical to the assessing performance of this new and very high voltage shore power system. It is also vital to ensuring all trained units including ILWU and ship operators become comfortable with operating the gear. The process tests the vessel’s ability to synchronize with and connect to the Port’s grid-based system.

The Port’s most historic cargo year (fiscal 2013) yielded a significant economic stimulus, reporting 778 new trade related jobs, $5 million in additional taxes and an additional $90 million in Maritime related economic activity as the Port of Hueneme continues to grow as an economic engine for Ventura County and the region. This announcement comes from a just released 'Economic Impact report for fiscal year 2013' performed by Martin Associates Economic Consulting firm. With over 20 years…

Trade partners in Ventura County joined forces at the Port of Hueneme to kick off a program celebrating World Trade Month. The Port timely hosted this event on National Maritime Day. Participating were representatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service, the District Export Council of Southern California, the Economic Development Collaborative of Ventura County and the Small Business Development Center the announce a robust partnership under the World Trade Center of Oxnard. The launch of this partnership promises to build strategic networks with the business community and economic development teams to create new avenues for businesses to tap international markets.

California Central Coast Chapter Board Member Mary Anne Rooney has been invited to join a Leadership Mission to Taipei from September 7-14, 2013. Ms. Rooney also serves as vice President of the Board of Port Commissioners for the Port of Hueneme. Leadership Missions give participants the opportunity to meet with senior government officials as well as discuss global political and economic issues. The invitation was extended by Dr. Lori Murray, President and CEO of the World Affairs Councils of America in Washington, D.C. and The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office. “These leadership missions provide access to senior officials and allow a two way dialog into a depth untouched by most mediums,” said Ms. Rooney.

Former Calhoon M.E.B.A. Engineering School Instructor passes away at the age of 81. It is with great sadness that the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (M.E.B.A.) announces the death of long-time friend and colleague, Thomas “Tom” Francis Cannon. Cannon passed away peacefully on January 7, 2012 in Salerno, Italy. He was 81 years old. “Tom was an engineer’s engineer. He excelled at everything he put his mind to, and inspired those around him to achieve their best,” said M.E.B.A. President Mike Jewell. “He was an excellent engineer, a motivating teacher, and a personal friend.

Ross E. Roeder Shipmate Fund Improves Morale and Welfare for Active Duty Coast Guard Members. The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced the launch of the Ross E. Roeder Shipmate Fund. Established to benefit the morale, education and wellness of Coast Guard units and their families in Northern Michigan, the fund also thanks and honors the Foundation’s retiring board chairman, Ross E. Roeder. Chairman of the Board for the Coast Guard Foundation since 2005, Mr. Roeder retired at the end of 2011. "On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the staff of the Coast Guard Foundation…

The Port of Hueneme Board of Commissioners voted in officers for 2014 at their first meeting of the year held January 13, 2014. Senior Commission member and former five-time President Jess Herrera nominated Commissioner Mary Anne Rooney to take the helm as president. Rooney’s nomination received unanimous Board support and for the first time in the Port’s 77 year history a woman takes the office of Board President. Commissioner Herrera was named Vice President and Commissioner Manuel Lopez was voted Secretary.

Port of Hueneme Board President Mary Anne Rooney reported to the World Affairs Council (WAC) of the Central Coast on the national leadership mission to Taiwan ROC she attended with 9 other WAC representatives representing New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Washington, DC. “It was an honor and privilege to represent the United States on this leadership mission and I developed valuable insights about Taiwan,” Rooney said. The…

Port Officials and Global Auto Processing Services (GAPS) executed a fifth modification of its 2007 contract extending their agreement for an additional five years through January 31, 2019. The Port welcomed GAPS for the first time in March 2007. Port CEO and Executive Director Kristin Decas noted at the announcement, “In addition to GM and U.S. manufactured Honda exports, GAPS partners with logistics provider Glovis USA, (the logistical arm of Hyundai/Kia), to handle the Hyundai and Kia family of Korean manufactured automobiles. We greatly value this partnership and look forward to many more years as partners”.

The Port of Hueneme’s most historic cargo year, 2013, yielded a significant economic stimulus, reporting 778 new trade related jobs, $5 million in additional taxes and an additional $90 million in Maritime related economic activity as the Port of Hueneme continues to grow as an economic engine for Ventura County and the region. Highlights of the study show that more than 315 of these newly created jobs remain local. This announcement comes from a just released Economic Impact report for fiscal year 2013 performed by Martin Associates Economic Consulting firm.