Pacific Merchant Shipping Association News

The Port of Los Angeles has recognized the achievements of more than two dozen shipping lines and carriers for participating in the Port’s Vessel Speed Reduction Program (VSRP), an air quality and annual incentive program for vessel operators who reduce their speed as they approach or depart the port.The voluntary program is one of many sustainability efforts currently underway at the Port to reduce emissions and decarbonize operations.Emission reductions are achieved under the…

Union Pacific Corp container shipments from U.S. West Coast seaports to one of the railroad's major hubs in Chicago will restart early next week after a seven-day suspension, Chief Executive Lance Fritz told Reuters on Thursday.The railroad on Sunday night paused cargo shipments from the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland and Tacoma to its Global IV facility in Chicago in a bid to clear "significant congestion.""We're starting to see containers clear, so I anticipate in the seven-day period ...

U.S. carrier Matson announced it promoted three executives to the company's senior leadership team, effective immediately.Branton "Bal" Dreyfus, Vice President, Alaska, has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Alaska in recognition of Matson's growing scope of operations, continuing investment in and long-term commitment to serving Alaska. Dreyfus will continue to report directly to Matt Cox, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.Capt. John "Jack" Sullivan, Vice President, Vessel Operations and Engineering…

California Dreamin': In CA, offshore wind has unlimited potentialWhen it comes to States promoting renewable, non-fossil electricity generation, California surely leads the list, from utility-scale regional grids to individual rooftop solar panels.In fact, a December 2018 update from the California Energy Commission (CEC) estimates the state may already have exceeded an initial renewable generation goal of 33% by 2020. CEC estimates that in 2018 that generation number was already 34%.

The Domino Theory was the Cold War concept that if communism obtained a foothold in a region – say Vietnam in Southeast Asia – other countries would soon fall like a perfectly aligned row of dominoes to communism (e.g., Cambodia and Laos). Whether one supports the theory or not, it has at least one strong point: it was a simple story to tell. It feels like California has adopted its own version of the Domino Theory: if California pushes the regulatory envelope for zero emissions, other states and countries will certainly adopt similar strategies.

Plucked from the headlines, the top stories of 2017 were compelling, and each provided impact to the domestic waterfront and in particular – the workboat sector. Follow along as Marine News recaps the highlights, drama and significant events that shaped the past 12 months. When Elaine Chao was sworn in to be the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, the Washington veteran brought a welcome burst of competence to the position. Her wide-ranging experience across the maritime sector and prior service at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, and the Federal Maritime Commission uniquely positions her to understand the critical role that the waterfront plays in the intermodal equation. Soon after taking her chair, she was joined by another familiar face at Marad. Rear Adm.

Cargo volumes at the Port of Los Angeles reached 8,856,782 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units in 2016, marking the busiest year ever for a Western Hemisphere Port. The previous record was set in 2006, when the Port of Los Angeles handled 8,469,853 TEUs. “The Port of L.A. is America’s Port  — and we’re breaking records because we understand the importance of innovating and collaborating to move our economy forward,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. The Port finished the year strong, with December volumes of 796,536 TEUs, a 27 percent increase compared to the same period last year. It was the Port’s busiest December and fourth quarter in its 110-year history. Overall in 2016, cargo increased 8.5 percent compared to 2015.

Maritime environmental and logistics industry expert Thomas A. Jelenić joins Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA) as Vice President, the trade association announced today. Jelenić will work in PMSA’s Long Beach office as of June 13, 2016. Jelenić brings two decades of maritime industry experience to his new role, including more than 14 years in environmental and planning positions at the Port of Long Beach, the nation’s second busiest seaport, and senior management roles in private consulting and logistics development.

The Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA) announced the hire of Carl Kemp as a Vice President based in the organization’s Long Beach office. Kemp brings more than 20 years of experience in government and public affairs. Most recently, he served as Senior Advisor for Legislative and Public Affairs at the Federal Maritime Commission, where he reported directly to Chairman Mario Cordero. Previously, he had his own government affairs practice and PMSA was among his clients.

MOL (America) Inc. welcomed Ronnie Armstrong to the position of vice president, area operations. He leads MOL (America) Inc.’s vessel and equipment management, intermodal services, contract management, and cost control and planning groups for the United States and Canada and has functional accountability for operations in Mexico and the Caribbean. He reports to Richard Craig, President & CEO, MOL (America) Inc. Armstrong joins MOL (America) Inc. after 20 years in the container shipping industry, including experience serving as a head of intermodal operations along with responsibility for West Coast terminals. Armstrong earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of North Texas and has served on the board of directors for the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA)…

The Pacific Merchant Shipping Association hosted The Future of Marine Fuels: Emission Control Area and Liquefied Natural Gas Conference in San Pedro, California on December 4, 2014. Representing the U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise (LGC NCOE) were Lt. Cmdr. Anthony Hillenbrand and Scott LaBurn. As a speaker and panelist, Hillenbrand addressed more than 50 industry, state and local agency representatives with comments focused on services provided by the LCG NCOE and the status of national policies regulating LNG fueled vessels and LNG bunkering processes. The LGC NCOE is one of six NCOEs nationwide focusing on providing consultation and technical services to the marine industry and Coast Guard on matters related to liquefied gas carriers…

With more berths for ships to plug into shore-side electric power, or Alternative Maritime Power (AMP), than any other port in the world, the Port of Los Angeles said it is fully ready for its terminal operators and ocean carriers to meet California’s new clean air requirements. “The Port developed and invested heavily in AMP ahead of the regulations to bring the tremendous environmental benefits of shore-side power to our region,” said Gary Lee Moore, Interim Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles. Effective January 1, 2014, a new California regulation has set shore-side power plug in requirements for container and refrigerated ship fleets, as well as cruise ships.

John McLaurin, President of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA), a West Coast maritime trade association representing ocean carriers and marine terminal operators on a variety of local, state and federal issues, has been selected to receive the 2013 Connie Award to be presented on the West Coast by the Containerization and Intermodal Institute. The industry-wide dinner event honoring Mr. McLaurin will be held on Thursday, September 26, at the Renaissance Hotel in Long Beach, Calif.

Horizon Lines, Inc. has announced that William A. Hamlin has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. In his new role, Mr. Hamlin will continue to report to Sam Woodward, President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Hamlin joined Horizon Lines in March 2011 as Senior Vice President of Operations. His responsibilities include ocean transportation services, inland transportation, terminals, equipment management, maintenance, network management, labor relations, security, safety and environmental.

Come Jan. 1, 2014, the maritime industry in California faces a looming reality: ships must link up to port alternative maritime power (AMP). “Compliance is not optional,” said T.L. Garrett, vice president of Pacific Merchant Shipping Association. Garrett’s group represents the majority of international shipping lines and terminal operators doing business on the West Coast; most of them will be impacted by state rules to go into effect next year mandating the use of shore power for container, reefer and cruise ships.

The Court did not provide an explanation of why it decided not to take this particular case. No further legal action is being considered. All ocean-going vessels calling at California’s ports are required to comply with these regulations when the vessel comes within 24 miles of the Californian coast. See the article in WN 27/2012 for the most recent advisory issued by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regarding these regulations. In July 2011 INTERTANKO joined an industry coalition in filing an amicus curiae brief in support of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association’s (PMSA) petition Supreme Court review of the 9th Circuit’s decision upholding the constitutionality of the California vessel fuel sulphur restrictions.

The Port of Los Angeles has become the first seaport in North America and the Pacific Rim to adopt an international clean air program that rewards ocean carriers for bringing their newest and cleanest vessels to the Port. The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners having formally approved an Environmental Ship Index (ESI) program to take effect July 1. The ESI is a web-based tool developed by the World Ports Climate Initiative (WPCI), a project of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH). The ESI program, already underway at several major European ports, offers immediate and significant clean air benefits by rewarding vessel operators for voluntary engine…

The operation of vessels in international commerce has never been more complicated than it is today, particularly from the standpoint of regulatory compliance. A vessel operator must be cognizant of international, national, state and local regulatory requirements. In an ideal world, the regulations of subjects such as navigation safety, crew licensure or pollution would be uniform so that an operator could understand the law and more easily comply. In cases where the requirements of one jurisdiction differ from those of another, it would certainly be helpful to know where the line of demarcation between one jurisdiction and another could be firmly drawn. The regulation of air pollution emitted from large oceangoing vessels has been the subject of an international treaty for many years.

The historic cruise liner Queen Mary, berthed in Long Beach, will be the site of a marine environment protection conference on February 23rd exploring issues and changes occurring on the West Coast and impacting shipping throughout the world. Hosted by NAMEPA (North American Marine Environment Protection Association), the event will feature presentations on greening the waste stream, marine mammals, emissions, and oil spill response. The conference, entitled “The Winds of Change on the West Coast” is part of NAMEPA’s Environmental Intelligence in Shipping Series, and will be held aboard the Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Highway in Long Beach, beginning at 0800hrs on February 23rd with coffee and registration. Invited to set the stage for the event is Richard D.

The State of California is proving to be an environmental minefield for ports and ship operators as various environment groups step up pressure for more legislation and regulation, and with a stranded woodchip carrier now leaking oil on an Oregon beach, other West Coast states are now studying Califronia's concerns. In January, the Stanford Environmental Law Clinic forwarded a notice of intent to sue the Port of Oakland and the USACE if a full review of the port's proposed 50 ft dredging project was not conducted under a set timetable. Written on behalf of the Center for Marine Conservation and San Francisco BayKeeper - two local environmental…

The management ballast water discharges began with the enactment of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (NANPCA) as an effort to prevent the introduction of additional invasive species into the Great Lakes. Since then, NANPCA was amended by the National Invasive Species Act of 1996 and the issue has progressed over the intervening years to a much larger campaign to regulate all vessel discharges into U.S. waters. Ballast water management has been the subject of litigation, regulation, and legislation at the state and federal level.

Founding Chairman of NAMEPA (North American Marine Environment Protection Association Clay Maitland unveiled plans to debut NAMEPA’s 2010 Seminar Series in San Francisco on March 9 at the Marines Memorial Club. The title of the seminar is “Environmental Intelligence in Shipping”. The seminar will kick off at 0800 with coffee and registration and end with a luncheon featuring an address by VADM Jody Breckenridge, USCG Commander Pacific Area. “The purpose of NAMEPA’s Seminar Series is to bring together stakeholders in the marine community to discuss concerns and actions that address marine environment protection” stated Mr. Maitland. Kevin Krick, Director of Environmental Affairs Global for APL Ltd. will lead the proceedings with an overview of industry best practices.

U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen announced that the Coast Guard has begun a comprehensive review of its response to the Cosco Busan oil spill in San Francisco Bay after the ship allided with the San Francisco Bay Bridge Nov. At the direction of the Commandant, the Coast Guard's Chief of Staff chartered an incident specific preparedness review (ISPR) that includes membership of federal, local, state, and industry stakeholders. The review will examine the implementation and effectiveness of the interagency area contingency plan - which guides how San Francisco Bay-area stakeholders respond to an oil or hazardous material spill -- and its integration with other applicable contingency plans at the federal, state, and local levels.