Prpa News

Canada's  Prince Rupert Port Authority announced an initiative to support salmon enhancement in the Skeena River watershed.The Skeena River Salmon Enhancement Program dedicates $1 million from PRPA’s Community Investment Fund specifically to partner with local organizations on projects that increase salmon stock productivity and the maintenance and rehabilitation of critical habitat in the Skeena River watershed.The fund will also seek to support innovative pilot projects that will achieve these objectives and support the health, resilience and sustainability of Skeena River salmon during this International Year of the Salmon.The program is focused on working with regional partners such as First Nations…

Thirty-six hours after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, the port of San Juan was back up and running, scanning the incoming relief cargo as it arrived. Now, nearly a year after the historic storm, San Juan remains one of the most secure and efficient ports in the world, scanning and adjudicating cargo shipments at an unprecedented speed, with wait times similar to pausing at a stop light. It was the first and only port in the Western Hemisphere to scan near-100 percent of incoming containerized cargo (bulk, un-containerized cargo is not scanned).

The first of a new class of “Neo-Panamax” shipping vessels called the Port of Philadelphia to begin a new phase of transport along the Delaware River. The MSC Sofia Celeste, an 8,800 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) vessel operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company, docked at the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal in South Philadelphia for the first time, making it the largest ship to ever call the Port of Philadelphia. “This new service comes as a direct result of the opening of the Panama Canal Expansion,” said David Whene, President of Greenwich Terminals LLC, operator of the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal. The MSC Sofia Celeste was completed in 2014 and has an on-board capacity of 8…

A state-of-the-art containership designed by the Schulte Group to meet the most stringent international environmental standards is already outperforming in terms of design and performance and attracting positive attention in the industry. The 5,400 TEU Carl Schulte, along with its two sister vessels, Christa Schulte and Clemens Schulte, has many environmental features as standard. Her owner Bernhard Schulte, together with her manager Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM), succeeded…

Crowley Puerto Rico Services announced an additional $21 million construction contract for improvements and upgrades at its Isla Grande port terminal in San Juan. The contract was awarded to Del Valle Group, S.P. of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, and includes expanding the terminal’s capacity for handling refrigerated containers; paving 15 acres to accommodate container stacking; installing a new electrical substation to provide power for three new ship-to-shore gantry cranes; constructing…

Crowley Puerto Rico Services, Inc. has broken ground on a $48.5-million construction project for a new pier at its Isla Grande Terminal in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the company announced. The project includes the development of a new 900-foot-long, 114-foot-wide concrete pier and all associated dredging needed to accommodate Crowley’s two new liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered, Commitment Class ships, which are scheduled for delivery in 2017. Crowley’s terminal expansion also includes the installation of three new ship-to-shore container gantry cranes…

Puerto Rico Ports Authority issues RFP for Marina District. The Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA), a public corporation and government instrumentality of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, has issued a request for proposal (RFP) for the leasing, design, construction, operation and financing of the rehabilitation, improvement and operation of the Isla Grande Dry Dock ("IGDD") in the City of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the design, construction, financing, and development of a superyacht marina complex. The PRPA is seeking comprehensive proposals from highly qualified developers and operators of luxury marinas and vessel maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities.

Crowley Puerto Rico Services, Inc. announced today that it has executed a $48.5 million construction contract for a new pier at its Isla Grande Terminal in San Juan, Puerto Rico, further solidifying its commitment to the region, the company announced today. In conjunction with the investment, the company and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA) have also concluded a 30-year lease extension for the Isla Grande property. The construction contract was awarded to L.P.C.& D. Inc.…

Canada’s two largest west coast ports are now both offering financial incentives to shipowners based on the ‘A to G’ Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) rating, which benchmarks the energy efficiency of the international shipping fleet. Port Metro Vancouver’s ‘Eco-Action’ Program and Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA)’s ‘Green Wave’ Program will reward the most efficient vessels that enter the ports. PRPA’s Green Wave Program has already received 19 vessel entries during its first two weeks, with 11 of these vessels using the A-G rating.

The Honourable Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today announced that the Government of Canada will invest $2.5m in the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s (PRPA’s) Fairview Terminal project to provide shore power capacity to container ships through an electric cable management system. Prince Rupert will be the first Canadian port to offer shore power for container ships. “This project will promote greener freight transportation alternatives for Canadians and significantly improve local air quality,” said Minister Day. The project is expected to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions by up to 4…

Less than three months after seeking proposals from interested parties to design, operate and maintain a major new marine terminal in South Philadelphia, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced on July 23 the shortlist of teams that will continue in the solicitation process developing a public-private partnership that is expected to bring millions of dollars of investment to the region. One of the teams selected was a consortium comprising Delaware River Stevedores (DRS) and Hyundai Merchant Marine America (HMMA). DRS is a joint venture between Carrix Inc., and Ports America Group, the two largest independent terminal operating companies in the United States. DRS has vast stevedoring experience at several major U.S. ports, including the Port of Philadelphia.

Moffatt & Nichol announced that the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA) has selected the firm to perform a strategic assessment of the Port’s facilities by identifying, evaluating and prioritizing the Port’s capital improvement needs. Work on the study will be performed by Moffatt & Nichol’s Baltimore and New York offices. The objective of this study is to perform a condition inspection of the facilities owned by the PRPA to determine whether these facilities need to be rehabilitated, reconstructed or replaced over the next 10 years. The study will establish a program of phased capital improvements geared to meet both system preservation and market driven needs.

Winston & Strawn has won a victory before the US Court of Appeals - DC Circuit for its client the Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA). The ruling on Wednesday ends three separate cases involving more than $100 million in damages and establishes that the PRPA is an Arm of the State immune from suit in federal courts under the doctrine of sovereign immunity. The victory was a collaborative effort by Winston & Strawn’s Maritime and Appellate practice groups. Larry Kiern, a partner in the Maritime Group, represented PRPA in the proceedings before the Federal Maritime Commission and the DC Circuit along with associates Bryant Gardner and Gerald Morrissey. Gene Schaerr, chair of the firm’s nationwide appellate and critical motions practice, argued the PRPA appeal.

Governor Edward G. Rendell hailed the signing of a historic agreement that will officially begin a five-year, $379 million project to deepen the ’s shipping channel, calling it a major milestone in ongoing efforts to expand commerce and enhance economic development in the region. The partnership agreement between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA) represents a significant step forward in a 15-year effort to deepen the river’s shipping channel. The agreement was signed by Assistant Secretary of the Army John Paul Woodley Jr. and PRPA Chairman John H. Estey. “I consider this to be the most important project in the history of the ,” said Governor Rendell.

Construction is progressing for the new Subchapter “K” passenger ferry vessels, M/V Isleño at Blount Boats, Inc. (BBI), Warren RI and M/V Caribeña at VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VTHMI), Pascagoula, MS. Bristol Harbor Marine Design (BHMD) is serving as a liaison for the Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA), providing construction oversight for the vessels servicing the Fajardo-Vieques-Culebra Ferry Line. On July 15th, 2003, BBI signed a contract with the PRPA to construct a 155-ft. cargo/passenger ferry similar to a previous design by the yard. The construction of this vessel will be similar to the M/V Cayo Norte, built by Blount Marine in 1995. Four (4) MTU DD12V2000 engines coupled to 2.9:1 Twin Disc 5202 gears will provide 3220 BHP.

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued an Order directing parties in three ongoing disputes involving the Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA) to file additional briefs specifically addressing whether or not PRPA is an arm of the government of the Puerto Rico and entitled to sovereign immunity for purposes of actions brought before the FMC by third parties. Source: HK Law

The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania has granted a request for an expedited hearing requested by major maritime interests in the Delaware River area in a lawsuit questioning the jurisdiction of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority. The hearing, scheduled presently for October 3, 2007, is based on a complaint filed by the International Longshoremen's Association District Council of Philadelphia and Wilmington (DE), the Philadelphia Marine Trade Association (PMTA) and the Maritime Stakeholders Group (MSG). The three organizations, which collectively represent more than 300 maritime-related entities, claim that the PRPA is overstepping its jurisdiction by preparing to convey maritime land to a non-maritime related use.

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) released the order of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) denying the petition of Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA) for a stay pending its appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The issue involves the claim by PRPA that it is an arm of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and, thus, entitled to sovereign immunity. The Commission ruled against PRPA on that issue. The PRPA has appealed to the federal appellate court and sought a stay of the FMC enforcement action pending a decision from the court. The ALJ has now denied the petition for a stay, but has authorized PRPA to immediately appeal that denial to the Commission. Source: HK Law

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a notice stating that it has determined to hear oral argument in three pending proceedings involving the Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA). The issue on which oral argument has been set is whether the PRPA is an arm of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Oral argument will be heard on October 18. Source: HK Law

Maher Terminals announced that it will exercise its order acknowledgement to ZPMC of Shanghai, China, for three new ultra-post-panamax container cranes for the Prince Rupert container terminal. This follows the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s (PRPA) announcement that it has selected the first major construction contractor in converting the Fairview Terminal at the Port of Prince Rupert into a modern marine container transfer facility. Maher Terminals of Canada Corp, the Canadian operating arm of Maher Terminals, Inc., will manage and operate the container terminal at the Port of Prince Rupert. Maher Terminal’s crane order acknowledgement…

VT Halter Marine Inc., a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems Inc., announced today that it was selected by the Puerto Rico Port Authority (PRPA) to design and build a $2.8 million sea-going passenger ferry. The 95-ft., all-aluminum vessel, with a 24-ft. beam, and five foot, six-inch draft will be U.S. Coast Guard classed sub-chapter “K” and U.S. flagged. The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration will provide financial aid to the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority. Construction will take place at VT Halter Marine’s Pascagoula Operation located in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Delivery of the ferry is expected to be in the second quarter of 2004. The inter-island transportation ferry will operate and service the Fajardo-Vieques-Culebra Ferry Line.