Los Angeles Port sets Highest Western Hemisphere record
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.
Kemp Joins PMSA as Vice President
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.
John McLaurin to Receive 2013 Connie Award
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.
California Environmental Regulations Outpacing U.S. Regulations
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…
