Community Groups News

An international maritime charity based in Germany has unveiled a new ship to promote literacy, education and cross-cultural cooperation across Southeast Asia.The vessel, Doulos Hope, is the fifth in GBA Ships’ fleet, recently launched following a technical refit and outfitting. At 85.5 meters long and 14 meters wide, with a gross tonnage of 3,370 grt and a maximum speed of 13.5 knots, the vessel is the first of a planned fleet designed to reach new regions and operate in shallower waters…

The pilot channel connecting the Bahia Grande tidal basin and the Brownsville Ship Channel will be closed until the Fall for major enhancements to increase tidal exchange and restore the Bahia Grande as a major fish, wildlife and waterfowl nursery, the Port of Brownsville announced.Access to the narrow waterway, also known as the Carl “Joe” Gayman channel, will be closed to the public beginning May 1, 2021 through early November when the project is expected to be completed.The Bahia Grande is a 10…

Port of Dover, the cross-channel port in Kent, south-east England, was awarded the European Sea Ports Organization (ESPO) Award 2019 in recognition of its successful strategy to reach out to the local community and to directly communicate with the port citizens.Using social media as a new way of communicating and demonstrating a high level of transparency about operational achievements, future strategies and environmental challenges and performance is becoming increasingly important for European ports who can only function and further develop if they receive the license to operate from the local citizens.Chairman of the Jury, Dimitrios Theologitis…

Genscape Maritime’s Vessel Coverage of U.S. Inland Waterways offers new perspectives and a leg up on the competition. In today’s transportation markets, information is everything.It was back in 2016 that Genscape announced the complete integration of more than 400 terrestrial AIS antennas in North America, providing an impressive level of data accuracy and visibility into ship movements in the U.S. today, Genscape’s proprietary antenna network offers customers insights into ship movements, commodity flows, and other important data metrics in North America.Genscape’s private monitoring network covers every commercial port in the U.S., and over 90 percent of U.S. inland waterways, including extensive coverage of key regions such as the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, and the Gulf Coast.

The Port of New Orleans and project partner, the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB), were awarded a National Clean Diesel Funding grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.The EPA grant will provide 40% of total project cost, allowing NOPB to retrofit the engine of a conventional diesel locomotive to a cleaner engine with low emissions beyond current requirements. This will be the first locomotive of its kind in the New Orleans gateway.This eco-locomotive will meet ultra-low emitting standards (Tier 4) and result in immediate air quality benefits such as reducing ozone precursors, diesel particulate matter, as well as fuel consumption and corresponding greenhouse gas emissions. It will boast a sleek new paint scheme with green accents.

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…

It’s been a busy start to 2017 at Shoreham Port with imports and exports flowing steadily through, new recruits joining the team and a number of development projects under way. Recently, long-term plans at the Port have been in the spotlight. A framework for development for the Port over the next 20 years is set out in the Port’s Masterplan and in December the Masterplan underwent a ‘light touch review’ to bring the plans right up to date. The Masterplan includes details of how the Port plans to meet its objectives as an ‘Eco-Port’ and improve the sustainability of all the trading and business activity taking place there. Key objectives include maintaining EcoPort status and continuing to be an important location for renewable energy.

The American Great Lakes Ports Association in partnership with the Lake Carriers’ Association, Fednav Limited, and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, have jointly sponsored a new bi-national public affairs program called The Great Lakes Seaway Partnership. The Great Lakes Seaway Partnership, officially launched today with the unveiling of a new website, brings together leading U.S. and Canadian maritime organizations working to enhance public understanding of the benefits of commercial shipping in the Great Lakes Seaway region of North America. The organization will manage an education-focused communications program, sponsor research and work closely with media…

U.S. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality presented an Environmental Leadership Award to the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans at a ceremony held recently at DEQ’s headquarters in Baton Rouge, La. The award recognizes environmental achievement for voluntary pollution prevention efforts, community environmental outreach initiatives and environmental management systems that are above and beyond regulatory compliance. The port received its award March 25 for its Stormwater Management Program…

The Liberian Registry has used a $10,000 donation from Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) to procure medical supplies to help combat the spread of Ebola in Liberia. The supplies, comprising essential materials and medical equipment such as PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) suits, gloves, goggles and respirators, arrived in the Liberian capital, Monrovia, on November 5. They were shipped by air from the United States by TNT, which covered all shipment costs. Scott Bergeron, CEO of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry…

ExxonMobil and its employees and retirees in Northern Virginia raised more than $2.4 million for charitable organizations and local charities in the Northern Virginia area during the 2014 Employees’ Favorite Charities campaign. Employees and retirees contributed to nearly 600 charities that provide a wide range of local health and human services to residents in Fairfax, Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. capital region. “ExxonMobil has a long history of supporting community groups and educational organizations in Northern Virginia through financial contributions and thousands of hours volunteered by employees and retirees,” said Alan Kelly, president, ExxonMobil Fuels, Lubricants & Specialties Marketing Company.

The Joint Shipping Initiative - made up of Shell, BP, Maersk, Stena and Japanese shipping companies NYK, MOL and "K" Line - has announced it has given$1.5 million of additional funds to a United Nations Development Program (UNDP) project to improve the lives of Somalis and security for seafarers. The UNDP's "Alternative Livelihoods to Piracy in Puntland and Central Regions ofSomalia" project aims to reduce piracy off the coast of east Africa through local economic development, job creation, training, and business development grants on-shore in one of the world's poorest countries.

EPA is announcing the availability of $4 million in grant funding to establish clean diesel projects aimed at reducing emissions from marine and inland water ports, many of which are in areas that face environmental justice challenges. “Ports are essential to the nation’s economy and transportation infrastructure, but they also are home to some of the nation’s toughest environmental challenges,” said Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. Most of the country’s busiest ports are located near large metropolitan areas and, as a result, people in nearby communities can be exposed to high levels of diesel emissions. Older diesel engines can emit large amounts of air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOX) and particulate matter (PM).

Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) welcomed the release of the independent review of its response to the grounding of the Rena, and the announcement of $2 million of government funding to help improve New Zealand’s maritime response capability.The report, by independent reviewer Simon Murdoch, was released today by Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee.MNZ Director Keith Manch said the organization was already implementing a number of the review recommendations and the funding package would help MNZ develop a wider strategic and operational response to maritime incidents.In the review report…

For Vigor Industrial, a privately-held shipbuilding and repair company headquartered in Portland, Oregon, the future looked bright and a bit ominous at the same time. Work was coming in, dock space was filling up, future orders were signed, and new properties purchased; in short, business was booming. But dark clouds crept in around the edges of this rosy picture. As recruiters set out to find new talent to meet the growing demand, they encountered a candidate pool without the necessary skills to pick up a welding torch and go to work.

At the recent Oregon Coast Economic Summit, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced plans to introduce the “Marine Debris Emergency Act,” a bill to help communities affected by marine debris emergencies. The bill would expedite the current grant award process made through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris program and give preference in these grants to communities facing severe debris events. “With debris from Japan’s tsunami washing up on Oregon beaches regularly, it’s clear we need an urgent response to extraordinary events like these,” Merkley said.

Flanked by environmental leaders and other community groups, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) announced new legislation to revitalize New York's waterfronts and bring American ports into the 21st century. The bill, the "Waterfront of Tomorrow Act," would take important steps to protect New York's coastal areas, while expanding economic opportunity and encouraging environmentally sustainable shipping. "Whether it is commerce, recreation, transportation, or our local environment, New Yorkers' lives are inextricably linked to the water that surrounds us," Velázquez said.

Vigor Industrial is a comprehensive marine services provider specializing in shipbuilding and ship repair. Three years ago, Vigor initiated an aggressive growth strategy that consolidated major shipyard facilities in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska under one umbrella, and more than doubled the size of its business, and leading a renaissance of the marine business on the U.S. West Coast. Over the next five years, Vigor has set its sights on an expansion plan that will double the current size of the company. In early 2012, Vigor Industrial acquired Alaska Ship & Drydock (ASD).

Events Linked to Earth Day. More than 100 groups of volunteers are expected to join in for the seventh annual "Canal Clean Sweep" on the weekend of April 20-22, 2012. Sponsoring partners for the "Canal Clean Sweep" are the New York State Canal Corporation, the non-profit Parks & Trails New York, and the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation. The events along the 524-mile-long Canal system help celebrate Earth Day, April 22, and prepare the canals for the 188th consecutive navigation season, scheduled to begin May 1, weather permitting. Brian U.

The Port of Houston Authority has won a first place 2011 Gulf Guardian Award for a far-reaching project to reduce emissions in the Gulf. The Port Authority and its partners, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Office of International Affairs, the Mexican government, including the State of Veracruz, SEMARNAT (Mexico's Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources) and PEMEX (Mexico's state-owned petroleum company), Maersk Line and Hamburg Süd, won the award in the Bi-National category. Established in 2000, the Gulf Guardian awards were developed by the EPA's Gulf of Mexico Program Partnership to recognize and honor the businesses, community groups, individuals and agencies that are taking positive steps to keep the Gulf healthy, beautiful and productive.

The Houston Pilots celebrated their 90th anniversary by inviting community and political leaders, maritime partners and friends to their new facility on Friday, April 1st. Deer Park Mayor Wayne Riddle welcomed the pilots to the neighborhood with a key to the city and presided over the ribbon cutting. During the ceremony, Father Patout gave a blessing to the pilots and their new building, and the United States Coast Guard honored Houston Pilot Captain Bob Webbon with a safety accommodation.

CASTINE, Maine -- Maine Maritime Academy students, officers, and crew will visit Mediterranean ports this spring as part of the college’s annual two-month training cruise to foreign and domestic ports-of-call. This year’s training cruise itinerary includes Norfolk, Va., May 6- 9; Valetta, Malta, May 25- 28; Civitavecchia, Italy, May 31- June 3; Cobh, Ireland, June 12- June 15; Portland, Maine, June 25-26. The ship will host a family day sail on the return leg from Portland to Castine. Under the command of Captain Leslie B.

Volunteer groups and individuals are invited to join the New York State Canal Corporation staff for the annual Canal Clean Sweep, scheduled for the weekend of April 15-17, 2011. The events along the 524-mile-long Canal system help celebrate Earth Day and to prepare the canals for the regular navigation season that is scheduled to begin on May 1, 2011. Brian U. Other partners for the "Canal Clean Sweep" include the private Parks and Trails New York and the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation. Last year more than 90 groups participated in the clean-up weekend. For more information on the Sixth Annual Canal Clean Sweep, or to help coordinate an event in your community, please contact Wally Elton of Parks and Trails New York at (518) 434-1583 or email canalsweep@ptny.org.