Summary for February 18 - February 22, 2008:
Monday, February 16, 2008President's Day<<<•>>>
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
POLB backs off employee-driver planINDEPENDENT contractor truck drivers, employee drivers, or a combination of both will be allowed to service the Port of Long Beach as long as a truck concession requirement is met, according to the latest Clean Air Plan proposed by staff for the POLB Commissioners meeting Feb 19. To obtain the truck concession, Licensed Motor Carriers would be required to register their drivers and trucks with the port and tag their vehicles with radio-frequency identification devices so that the port could monitor compliance. The LMCs would be required to meet clean truck, security, maintenance, and health insurance requirements. Only concession trucks would be allowed to work at the Port of Long Beach. “Port staff is recommending trucking concessions as the fastest and most effective way to meet our critical environmental objectives and provide the accountability we need for clean air, while giving the trucking industry the flexibility to meet its business challenges,” said Port Executive Director Richard Steinke. “It’s a huge undertaking and a complicated issue, but we have to send a signal out there that we need people to start making investments in clean technologies,” said Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster. Web site: Port of Long Beach K + N buys Elite AirfreightKUEHNE + Nagel, a leading logistics group, Feb 15 announced that it has acquired Elite Airfreight Inc. in Houston, TX, a market leader in the oil and gas logistics arena. Kuehne + Nagel established a division in Houston in 1977 specifically to provide logistics solutions for the oil & gas industry, the company said. “The acquisition of Elite multiplies our specialist team knowledge and experience significantly and strengthens our position in the industry. It fits well with our strategy to expand our services and presence in the global oil & gas industry,” said Rolf Altorfer, Kuehne + Nagel North America president and CEO. Both parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The Kuehne + Nagel Group is one of the world’s leading logistics companies. Its strong market position lies in the seafreight, airfreight, contract logistics, and overland businesses, with a clear focus on providing IT-based supply chain management services. Web site: Kuehne + Nagel Seattle names Steve Miller to Audit CommitteeAT ITS most recent meeting, the Port of Seattle Commission voted to name Steven G. Miller to the organization’s Audit Committee. Miller is a founding member of Miller and Miller PS, a firm that specializes in financial services for governments and not-for-profit clients. He has more than two decades of experience advising public agencies, including state agencies, cities, and counties. Miller also recently participated in the International City/County Management Association research project on local government performance measurement. “When the Port Commission decided to appoint a citizen member to our Audit Committee, we hoped we would find someone with exactly the expertise Steve offers,” said Commission President John Creighton. “The Port’s Audit Committee performs a crucial oversight function on behalf of the Commission, and we’re fortunate to have someone of his caliber willing to volunteer his time to assist us,” added Creighton. The Port of Seattle’s Audit Committee will meet regularly to review areas identified through internal audit functions. Meeting notices and agendas will be posted to the port’s Web site, according to the announcement. Web site: Port of Seattle http://www.portseattle.org<<•>>> Wednesday, February 20, 2008 POLB approves Clean Trucks planTHE LONG BEACH Board of Harbor Commissioners voted Feb 19 to approve the final elements of a landmark Clean Trucks Program that will “replace and modernize the entire port trucking fleet to slash truck-related air pollution by 80% within four years,” according to Long Beach port authorities. After more than five hours of public testimony, the commissioners voted unanimously to adopt a truck concession requirement that will “help identify ‘clean’ trucks, ensure reliable short-haul (drayage) service, and improve air quality, security, and safety,” the port said. Only “clean” concession trucks will be allowed to work at the Port of Long Beach, according to the announcement. “Today, the Port has taken a monumental step to improve air quality and protect the health of the entire community,” said Mario Cordero, president of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners. Environmental, public health, and labor organizations testified against the proposal. Some criticized the board for passing the plan without the support of the Port of Los Angeles Board of Commissioners. The commissioners also voted to revise the start date for the collection of the Clean Trucks cargo fee to Oct 1, 2008, to allow time for distribution of RFID tags and reader installation. Web site: Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners http://www.polb.comMontreal Port posts record 2007THE MONTREAL Port Authority’s consolidated traffic volumes, buoyed by a sharp increase in container traffic, reached a record high of 26mn tonnes in 2007, rising by 3.6% or 912,091 tonnes, according to results issued Feb 19 by port authorities. Volumes in the general cargo category — which includes containerized and non-containerized cargo — reached 12.7mn tonnes, posting an increase of 7.6% or 892,095 tonnes. Containerized cargo drove much of the increase in this sector, as traffic rose 9.4% by slightly more than 1mn tonnes — the equivalent of 1.3mn TEUs — attaining 12.4mn tonnes. Patrice M. Pelletier, president and CEO, commented, “[My team and I] anticipate that containers will be the cornerstone of an overall strategy that helps the port remain our clients’ preferred choice on the North American East Coast.” In 2007, the liquid bulk category — composed of petroleum, liquid asphalt, ethanol, and wines and various alcohols — continued to make gains as it registered its best performance since 1984. Overall traffic volumes in this category reached 7.9mn tonnes, rising by 1.7% or 134,290 tonnes. Dry bulk traffic was 5.5mn tonnes, a decrease of 2.1%. Web site: Montreal Port Authority http://www.port-montreal.comPeter Stone new CCO for Ports AmericaPorts America, the largest stevedoring and terminal operations company in North America, has appointed Peter Stone to the position of Chief Commercial Officer, the company announced Feb 19. Stone joins Ports America after having recently served as the senior vice president of Summit Global Logistics and president of Sea Masters Logistics, a subsidiary of that company. Stone has held key strategic planning and business development roles in the transportation industry and “has led a staff of more than 450 individuals in 14 countries for one of the largest container shipping companies in the world,” according to the announcement. He was also responsible for the profit and loss of 26 trade lanes with a total revenue budget of more than $5bn. “We look forward to Peter bringing his experience and expertise to Ports America,” said Doug Tilden, CEO. Ports America provides terminal operations and stevedoring services at ports throughout the US and in Mexico and South America. The company is headquartered in Iselin, NJ. Web site: Ports America http://www.portsamerica.com<<•>>>
Thursday, February 21, 2008
AMB leases 199,000 sq ft in SoCalAMB PROPERTY Corp., a global developer and owner of industrial real estate, Feb 20 announced that it has fully leased a 199,000 sq ft facility located in the Los Angeles South Bay submarket, equidistant from Los Angeles International Airport and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The facility, named AMB Clipper Distribution Center, was vacant when acquired and was brought to modern standards before leasing to USC Intermodal, a Southern California–based third party logistics supplier. “We anticipate even further demand for our port-related infill properties in Los Angeles with implementation of the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach’s Clean Trucks Program aimed at reducing emissions from trucks serving the ports,” commented Kim Snyder, AMB’s managing director, southwest region. “The benefit of our distribution facilities located adjacent to the ports will be emphasized, with reduced transportation time and costs,” added Snyder. “The rail-served AMB Clipper Distribution Center benefits from port-driven distribution and surface storage requirements in the most supply-constrained submarket of Los Angeles,” commented Gene Reilly, AMB’s president, the Americas. Web site: AMB Property Corp. http://www.amb.comNew CFO, director at POLATHE PORT of Los Angeles Feb 19 announced the appointment of Karl Pan to the position of chief financial officer. Pan, an experienced domestic and international finance expert and a former CFO for Los Angeles World Airports, will oversee developments of the port’s multi-billion-dollar annual budget as well as conduct audits to evaluate and improve operations at the agency. “Karl brings a world-class level of expertise to this position, and that’s exactly in line with our financial management needs as the leading container port in the western hemisphere,” said Molly Campbell, deputy executive director of finance and administration for the Port of Los Angeles. The port also announced that Ralph Hicks, a former top official with the San Diego Unified Port District who has broad experience in urban redevelopment projects, has been named to the newly created post of director of economic development for the port. Hicks will help shape a variety of crucial development projects at the port as well as community-oriented, waterfront redevelopment, including the San Pedro Waterfront Project, said the port. Web site: Port of Los Angeles http://www.portoflosangeles.orgHorizon joins EPA SmartWay PartnershipHORIZON Lines Inc., the nation’s leading domestic container carrier and integrated logistics company, Feb 20 announced that it has joined the SmartWay Transport Partnership and has earned the highest fuel efficiency and environmental performance rating from the US Environmental Protection Agency. The SmartWay program is a collaboration between the EPA and the freight industry designed to increase energy efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. The partnership currently has more than 450 members. The SmartWay Transport Partnership aims to achieve fuel savings of up to 150mn bbl of fuel per year. “We have worked for several years to reduce pollution and improve energy efficiency in our operations,” said John V. Keenan, president, Horizon Lines LLC. “We are proud to earn the highest performance ranking by EPA for our efforts and look forward to making a difference in the future.” The SmartWay program brings major freight shippers, trucking companies, railroads, logistics companies, and trade/professional associations together to pursue mutually beneficial efficiencies that result in emissions reductions and other environmental improvements, as well as cost savings to the companies Web site: Horizon Lines Inc. SmartWay Transport Partnership http://www.epa.gov/smartway<<<•>>> Friday, February 22, 2008 Yara to invest $21mn in StocktonNORWEGIAN fertilizer group Yara International Feb 20 announced it will invest $21mn in a new storage facility for dry bulk fertilizer at the Port of Stockton. “This is the first major investment in an import dry bulk facility by any company in [the] Western US for 30 years, and a sign of Yara’s future commitment to both the region and the USA,” said Thorleif Enger, president and CEO of Yara International ASA. Construction of the facility, which will have a storage capacity of 80,000 tonnes, will begin as soon as all permits are in place, Yara said. Completion is scheduled for 1Q 2009. “There are few ports on the West Coast that can efficiently handle dry bulk fertilizers,” Pete Valesares, Yara North America president, said in a statement. “Stockton is ideal as a centrally located inland port in one of the most important agricultural areas in North America.” With sea, rail, and truck access, the facility will generate projected cost savings of $2mn per year, Yara said, “thanks to lower ocean freight and bagging costs, plus improved operational efficiency.” Web site: Yara International
Cal Maritime offers two-day int’l law courseTHE CALIFORNIA Maritime Academy’s Division of Extended Learning is offering a two-day intensive seminar on International Maritime Law Mar 29-30 in Seattle. For the first time in its three-decade run, the “extremely popular, highly regarded” seminar will take place in Seattle, said the announcement. The course will be taught by Keith Forrest Graham, a California Maritime Academy faculty member with extensive practical and formal legal experience in international and maritime law Drawing on contemporary topics and historical examples, this seminar provides “valuable, substantive knowledge examining ocean-based legal issues providing useful direction for mariners, officers, and managers afloat and ashore, and leaders in the maritime industry,” according to the announcement. The for-credit course will address the sources of international maritime law; the state-centric system; legal aspects of the Law of the Sea Treaty; piracy and maritime terrorism; the new ISPS Code; international jurisdiction over persons and vessels; the law of war; and the law of war at sea. Space is limited to 30 students. Tuition is $350 and includes a luncheon. To enroll and for more information contact Cal Maritime’s Extended Learning Dept., (707) 654-1157, or xl@csum.edu. Web site: California Maritime Academy
Wal-Mart joins CRTWAL-MART Stores has joined the Coalition for Responsible Transportation, the group announced Feb 19. The CRT was created “to allow private sector companies to address goods movement–related environmental issues by implementing innovative solutions to alleviate diesel-related emissions and promoting sustainable business practices in communities surrounding our nation’s ports,” the group said. Wal-Mart has joined “a select group of retailers,” said the CRT, including The Home Depot, JC Penney, Lowe’s, Nike, and Target, as well as leading members of the ocean carrier, logistics, and trucking communities. In August 2007, CRT released an innovative template that provides port users the ability to convert existing diesel truck fleets to low emission, “green” truck fleets. This voluntary program is based on a “lease to buy” model that puts drivers in new, clean trucks through private sector financial support. CRT’s efforts to bring clean truck technology to the nation’s ports have been recognized and endorsed by leading trade associations across the country, including the National Retail Federation, the Retail Industry Leaders Association, the Waterfront Coalition, and the American Trucking Association’s Intermodal Motor Carriers Conference. Web site: Coalition for Responsible Transportation |