Summary for April 14 - April 18, 2008:
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Monday, April 14, 2008
Tacoma port and city launch China projectTHE CITY OF TACOMA and the Port of Tacoma Apr 11 announced the launch of a joint 18-month project, funded by city and port, to build regional trade and investment with China. The Fuzhou Pilot Project is named after Fuzhou, a Chinese port city with a population of more than 6mn and the capital city of Fujian Province. Fuzhou and Tacoma have been Sister Cities since October 1994. “Our two regions have shared numerous exchanges to expand and strengthen trade and cultural ties,” said Port of Tacoma Commissioner Connie Bacon. “China is now Tacoma’s largest trading partner by both volume and by dollar value, and Fuzhou is a key gateway to this market. As we continue to strengthen our relationship, both the people of Fuzhou and Tacoma will benefit for generations to come,” added Bacon. Bacon emphasized that the pilot project is the result of the long-term vision of Yuan Rongxiang, chief executive of Fuzhou Municipality and chairman of the Fuzhou People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; Li Hong, director general of the Fuzhou Foreign Affairs Office; and former City of Tacoma Councilmember Bill Evans. Web site: City of Tacoma Port of Tacoma http://www.portoftacoma.com$10mn Sacramento channel deepening approvedTHE PORT OF SACRAMENTO Apr 10 announced that the California Transportation Commission has voted to provide $10mn from the Proposition 1B Trade Corridor Improvement Fund to deepen the port’s 43-mile ship channel from 30 ft to 35 ft. “We’re very pleased that the CTC understood the value of this much-needed project,” said Mike McGowan, chairman of the Sacramento–Yolo Port District Commission. “Deepening the channel will significantly improve the competitive position of the port as we continue to expand its role in the Sacramento region’s economy,” McGowan added. The deep-water ship channel runs from West Sacramento to the San Francisco Bay near Rio Vista. Deepening the channel by 5 ft will enable approximately 75% of the world’s shipping fleet to enter the port fully loaded, an increase from an estimated 30% currently, the port said. The channel-deepening project is estimated to cost up to $80mn. In addition to the $10mn approved today by the CTC, the port will provide $10mn and is seeking up to $60mn in federal funding through the US Army Corps of Engineers, the port said Web site: Port of Sacramento http://www.portofsacramento.comCrowley acquires Jensen MaritimeCROWLEY Maritime Corp. Apr 11 announced the acquisition of Seattle-based Jensen Maritime Consultants, a naval architecture and marine engineering firm with more than 45 years experience designing and engineering a variety of different commercial vessels. Jensen, which has 19 employees, will remain an independent company with their offices in Seattle and will continue to serve their current clientele while supporting Crowley, the company said. “Crowley’s investment in Jensen Maritime provides our technical services group with a key marine engineering, and naval architecture resource,” said Tom Crowley, chairman, president, and CEO. Jensen Maritime’s experience spans all aspects of boat and vessel design and engineering. The company has designed fishing boats, fireboats, patrol boats, ferries, and tugboats. Jensen also has extensive experience with vessel modifications, such as lengthening, deepening, and sponsoning. Onsite consulting services are provided anywhere in the world, and Jensen can also assist with project management, price negotiations, feasibility studies, surveys, reports, contract negotiations, and design regulatory agency representation. “Crowley has a superb reputation in the industry” said Jonathan Parrott, president of Jensen Maritime. “We feel it is a win-win situation for all of the parties involved.” Web site: Crowley Maritime Corp. Tuesday, April 15, 2008 Maersk, MISC Berhad in new agreementMAERSK LINE Apr 14 announced that it has entered a vessel-sharing agreement with MISC Berhad in the South East Asia–New Zealand trade, to take effect Jun 9. The service will deploy four 4,100-TEU vessels. Maersk Line will operate three of the vessels, and MISC Berhad will operate the fourth. Maersk Line said its service will provide its customers with a fixed weekly service with the following port rotation: Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia); Singapore, Brisbane (Australia); Auckland (New Zealand); Port Chalmers (New Zealand); and Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia). The company said the changes are a reflection of the “presently unsustainable trading conditions” in the South East Asia–New Zealand market. Web site: Maersk Line
Aker delivers fourth tanker vesselAKER Philadelphia Shipyard Apr 11 announced that it has delivered its fourth Veteran Class MT46 tanker vessel to Aker American Shipping. It is the first vessel sold for profit to Aker American Shipping following the corporate reorganization that split the ship-owning and shipbuilding operations last December. The 600-ft long tanker is the first to be delivered in 2008 and the fourth in a series of 12 scheduled for completion by early 2011. It will be leased for charter in the US Jones Act market to OSG America and operated by Shell Oil Company for use in transporting petroleum products, the company said. Aker Philadelphia Shipyard President Dave Meehan commented, “Completion of this vessel is very significant, and not just because it is delivered on the very day we promised our investors three years ago. We have made the task of successfully building ships here in Philadelphia routine and expected.” Aker Philadelphia Shipyard is a leading US commercial shipyard constructing vessels for operation in the Jones Act market. Aker Philadelphia Shipyard
New security post at Port of HoustonTHE PORT OF HOUSTON Authority Apr 14 announced that William H. Crews, CPP, a veteran security professional who most recently served as chief of security at NASA’s flight research facility in California, has joined the port as the Port Security & Emergency Operations Manager, a new position. Crews is responsible for directing and monitoring the PHA’s security operations and programs, including meeting Coast Guard and other regulatory requirements as well as maintaining oversight of the port police department. A Certified Protection Professional (CPP), an internationally recognized board certification in security management, Crews brings nearly 20 years of professional experience to the position. “The complexities of port security have changed drastically since 9/11,” said Jimmy Jamison, PHA director of operations. “We wanted a professional with a broad résumé and the skill sets necessary for security leadership. Bill has an expertise in all of the vital areas needed, including technology.” The new name of the PHA’s Port Police department, Port Security & Emergency Operations, better describes its purpose in a post-9/11 world, said port authorities. Web site: Port of Houston Wednesday, April 16, 2008 Horizon chief outlines Marine Highway roadmapHORIZON LINES Chairman, President, and CEO Charles (Chuck) Raymond Apr 15 outlined a road map for developing a US Marine Highway that will ease congestion around gateway trade corridors and improve the overall efficiency of America’s transportation system. Raymond told attendees at North America’s Marine Highways Conference in Virginia Beach, VA, hosted by the US Maritime Administration, that Horizon Lines is working with maritime unions to design a viable labor model for a Coastwise Container Feeder Network. The feeder service will act as a safety valve, moving containers from congested gateways to smaller ports closer to their destination with better intermodal connections. “Gateway ports with deep water will serve the large containerships and the primary metropolitan consumer markets,” said Raymond. “Regional ports will provide the intermodal safety valve served by a network of smaller container vessels and ro/ro ships, offering fast connections and efficient service to local markets. Inland ports will develop efficient highway alternatives, supporting barge and ferry networks.” Raymond called for a national port plan that would prioritize federal funding of port projects, such as dredging and inland infrastructure construction, according to a port’s role in global supply chains. Web site: Horizon Lines http://www.horizon-lines.comCMA CGM wins bid for Europe’s biggest dry dockCMA CGM Apr 16 released a statement announcing that it has been selected by the Port of Marseilles Authority as the winning bidder for a project to develop Europe’s largest dry dock, located at the city’s north docks. The “ambitious and groundbreaking architectural project” is comprised of two main parts: First, an overhaul and development of ship repair operations of Dock 10 to satisfy increasing demand for dry dock capacity for large merchant vessels and ferries in the Mediterranean. Berths able to accommodate vessels over 350 meters long are rare, and the impressive size of dock 10 —465 meters long with 10 hectares of wharf area and a 17 meter draft — offers huge potential, said the company. Second, the creation of a Yacht Port area in L’Estaque equipped with nearly 130 slips that can accommodate yachts up to 100 meters long. This vast marina project includes a hotel resort, shopping amenities, and a yacht shipyard for the repair of pleasure craft. Very large vessels will be accommodated at existing facilities. Construction and overhaul work for the site is expected to take two to three years. Once operational, the new facilities will generate 800 jobs, the company said. Web site: CMA CGM Deutsche Post sets CO2 target for 2020DEUTSCHE POST World Net aims to reduce its carbon footprint for every letter mailed, every container shipped, and every square meter of warehouse space used by 30% by the year 2020, the company announced Apr 14. With this target, the “No. 1 global logistics company is the first major company in its industry to set a quantifiable climate protection target,” the company said. “As the leading logistics provider and one of the world’s largest employers, we acknowledge our broader responsibility in the battle against climate change, caused by industries and humans,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Frank Appel. “Our GoGreen Program will help us be the obvious first choice for customers who seek climate friendly logistics solutions,” Appel added. The GoGreen Program’s underlying approach will be a three-pronged method of assessing, reducing, and offsetting carbon dioxide emissions, the company said. In order to measure the group’s carbon footprint on a regular basis and make achievements transparent, Deutsche Post World Net will set up a comprehensive carbon-accounting system. Web site: Deutsche Post World Net Thursday, April 17, 2008 Oakland closer to $456mil for transport projectsThe Port of Oakland moved a step closer to getting its rail improvement money. A plan to allocate a total of $456 million was adopted by the California Transportation Commission (CTC for the Trade Corridor Improvement Fund (TCIF) Program. The funding will go towards five Port of Oakland priority projects related to goods movement in Northern California, paramount of which includes substantial rail access improvements for the UP and BNSF railroads. The primary rail access improvement areas are: 7th Street Grade Separation and Roadway Improvement; Outer Harbor Intermodal Terminal; Martinez Subdivision; Donner Summit; and the Tehachapi Trade Corridor. Over the next several months, the port and the railroads said they will be working with the CTC and the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency to put into place Memoranda of Understanding for all of the rail projects. In addition, the Port of Oakland said it will be working with the state legislature to help ensure that they appropriate funding for these projects. The port said it will also be conducting outreach meetings with impacted communities and additional environmental analysis as the process moves forward. “This critical funding for improving rail will deliver jobs, economic vitality and environmental benefits for our region. It is fundamental that we move goods more sustainably and rail is key to that success,” said Port of Oakland Executive Director Omar Benjamin. Website: OOCL hoists the green flag at Long BeachOrient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has taken the Green Flag at the Port of Beach. For the second consecutive year, Hong Kong-based container shipping line received a compliance level of 100 percent for the Voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction Program through the Port of Long Beach’s Green Flag Incentive Program for 2007. The Green Flag program rewards ships and vessel operator voluntarily slowing ship speeds in the harbor in order to reduce air pollution. The program achieved its highest rates of compliance ever in 2007 with close to 90 percent. Under the Green Flag program, the port offers discounted dockage fees and environmental awards to vessel operators who achieve compliance rates of 90 percent or better and Green Flags to individual ships that have 100 percent compliance with the program for a year. OOCL donated its dockage rebate fees for 2006 – totaling US$140,000 – back to community projects and charities in Long Beach. “The 100 percent compliance with the Green Flag program is one of many initiatives in which OOCL voluntarily participates, in order to reduce air pollution,” said Philip Chow, chief executive officer of OOCL. Websites: Union Pacific’s first quarter earnings broadcastIn conjunction with Union Pacific Corporation's (NYSE: UNP) First Quarter 2008 Earnings Release, you are invited to listen to its presentation that will be broadcast live over the Internet or via teleconference on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time. What: Union Pacific Corporation's First Quarter 2008 Earnings Release When: Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. ET Where: www.up.com (under Investors) How: Live over the Internet - - Simply log on to the Web at the address above OR Dial-in telephone access Contact: Jennifer Hamann, Assistant Vice President - Investor Relations at 402/544-4227 If you are unable to participate during the live teleconference, the call will be archived on Union Pacific's Web site at http://www.up.com. To access the replay, click on Investors. An MP3 downloadable audio file also will be available at the same location. (Minimum requirements to listen to broadcast: Windows Media Player software, which is downloadable free from http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/default.mspx, and at least a 28.8 Kbps connection to the Internet.) Friday, April 18, 2008 U.S. Southeast urged to develop inland hubsPort, trade and maritime industry folks met in Charleston [April 8-9] for the 2008 Port Productivity Conference, where one of the conference's key themes surely struck a chord with officials from the Port of Charleston. One of the panelists, Jim Newsome, vice president of steamship line Hapag Lloyd, said that if there's one area where the supply chain can be improved, it's on the inland side of the equation. His comments weren't directed at the Holy City, but they certainly would have rung a bell here. Charleston's cargo business has suffered in recent years as the rival Port of Savannah has climbed the East Coast rankings for cargo volume, thanks in large part to a network of distribution centers developed outside the port's gates. Another panelist, Carl Warren, director of business development for CSX Intermodal, a unit of railroad giant CSX Corp. , said nowhere will meeting those challenges be more important than the Southeast. Recent and planned port expansions in Charleston, Savannah and Jacksonville, Fla., will require an even greater need for distribution hubs, Warren said. That need may work to Charleston's advantage, as at least three high-profile and large-scale distribution centers are under development nearby. United Arab Emirates-based Jafza International has acquired 1,322 acres near Santee in Orangeburg County where it plans to build a massive warehouse and transportation hub. Also, Hillwood, a development company run by Ross Perot Jr. , son of the former presidential candidate, plans to transform more than 760 acres along Interstate 26 near Summerville into what likely will be the largest industrial park ever built in the Charleston region. And New York-based Rockefeller Group is looking to develop about 400 acres along Interstate 26 in nearby Jedburg. -Story courtesy of The Post and Courier, Charleston, SC Horizon Lines heads list of Puerto Rico trade pricing investigationCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Federal agents on Thursday searched the offices of shipping and logistics giant Horizon Lines Inc. as part of an investigation of pricing practices of ocean carriers operating in Puerto Rico, the company said. Authorities took computers and boxes from the Charlotte-based company's headquarters. Horizon said the agents had search warrants and a grand jury subpoena related to the investigation. The company said it is cooperating with government officials and that the federal probe involves the U.S. Justice Department's antitrust division. The company declined to elaborate. Horizon Lines does not expect the government inquiry to impact service to customer, the company said in a news release. FBI spokeswoman Amy Thorenson said the agency could neither confirm nor deny an investigation. The investigation comes two weeks after Chief Financial Officer M. Mark Urbania resigned. He was replaced by Michael Avara, 49, the company's vice president of investor relations and treasurer. Avara also took on the role of senior vice president. The company had said Urbania, who has been with the company for four years, left to pursue opportunities in private equity. Horizon Lines is the nation's leading domestic ocean shipping and integrated logistics company comprised of two primary operating subsidiaries. Horizon Lines LLC operates a fleet of 21 U.S.-flag container ships and five port terminals linking the continental U.S. with Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, Micronesia and Puerto Rico. The company offers customized logistics solutions to shippers from a suite of transportation and distribution management services designed by Aero Logistics, information technology developed by Horizon Services Group, and intermodal trucking and warehousing services provided by Sea-Logix. -Courtesy of AP APMT selected as preferred bidder for Vancouver terminal JVIt looks like APM Terminals is heading to British Columbia. The Terminal operations arm of the Danish concern, A.P. Moeller – Maersk Group, was named by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority as “preferred bidder,” along with SNC-Lavalin, an engineering firm, to develop and operate a new three-berth complex on Rogers Bank. The Terminal 2 Project has no schedule as yet as it will reportedly take up to six months for negotiations. |