Summary for August 27 - August 31, 2007:
Monday, August 27, 2007POLA loses three cargo linesTraPac terminal at the Port of Los Angeles in November will lose three customers that move about $40mn in cargo each year, according to reports Aug 24 by Los Angeles Times staff writer Ronald D. White. The three shipping lines, all based in Asia, plan to move their business to the neighboring Port of Long Beach because they can no longer wait for the long-planned expansion of TraPac in the West Basin section of the port, according to the LA Times report. The three companies — Sinotrans Container Lines of Shanghai, Norasia Lines of Hong Kong, and Wan Hai Lines of Taipei, Taiwan — are quoted in the LA Times report as saying they “have no choice but to leave TraPac” because they need to make their operations more efficient. The three lines’ business represents 12,000 cargo containers a month through the terminal, and the ports gain $75 in income from each container, according to the LA Times report. The TraPac terminal, with a 1,000-ft-long dock, is unable to handle the largest cargo ships. DHL opens new airport facilityDHL, a leading global express delivery and logistics company, Aug 27 announced the opening of a new facility at the Baltimore/Washington International Airport to better serve the growing needs of shipping customers. The new 18,663-sq-ft facility is in addition to the recent opening of a $1.6mn on-airport facility serving Baltimore and surrounding areas. Improved material handling equipment for aircraft container loading and unloading as well as a 25% larger facility now provide for a significantly more efficient operation, said DHL. “The new facility underscores DHL’s commitment to its US operation and our continual enhancements in order to provide the best possible experience for customers,” said John Cameron, executive vice president of operations. The facility employs approximately 30, including couriers, administrative staff, managers, sales, and security personnel, according to the news release. DHL has recently enhanced its presence in cities across the country through new facilities in New York City; Columbus, OH; Chicago, IL; Charlotte, NC; Salt Lake City, UT; Charleston, SC; White River Junction, VT; and Atlanta, GA. Roadway takes National Trucking winRoadway, a subsidiary of YRC Worldwide Inc., Aug 26 announced that Roadway driver Alphonso Lewis has been crowned National Grand Champion, the highest honor, at the 2007 National Truck Driving Championships held Aug 21-25 in Minneapolis, MN.“Alphonso’s sharp driving skills and knowledge of transportation and truck safety information topped those of the other 377 drivers from all across the United States who competed at the 70th Annual National Truck Driving Championships,” according to Roadway. Lewis is a freight handling professional/driver account specialist at the Roadway service center in Montgomery, AL. He has worked for Roadway for 17 years and has been in the industry for 21 accident- and injury-free years. Lewis also took home first place in the 4-Axle Class. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) sponsors the event, also known as the “Super Bowl of Safety,” where nearly 400 drivers compete against each other for national titles in eight different classes of vehicles for the National Grand Champion title. Headquartered in Akron, OH, Roadway is a leading transporter of industrial, commercial, and retail goods. <<<•>>> Tuesday, August 28, 2007 NASSCO builds for US Shipping PartnersGeneral Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, Aug 27 announced that it has begun construction of its first product carrier ship for US Shipping Partners. The San Diego shipyard is scheduled to lay the ship’s keel in December and deliver the ship in early 2009, said the announcement. NASSCO is building the ship from designs provided through its collaboration with DSEC of Korea, a subsidiary of Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, according to the announcement. “Start of construction of a lead ship is the most significant activity for a shipyard,” said Frederick J. Harris, president of General Dynamics NASSCO. “As the leading builder of ocean-going Jones Act ships in the nation today, we are ready to build this ship,” he added. In August 2006, NASSCO received a $1bn contract from US Shipping Partners to build nine ships. The 600-ft double-hulled ships each will displace 49,000 dead weight tonnes and have a cargo capacity of about 331,000 barrels. The ships are designed to carry petroleum and chemical products in Jones Act trade, according to the announcement. RFQ released by Panama Canal AuthorityThe Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Aug 28 announced it has released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the construction of the new set of locks to be built under the Panama Canal’s Expansion Program. The release of the RFQ is part one of a two-phase process to determine the firm that will ultimately design and build the new locks, said the announcement. During this first prequalification stage, the ACP will evaluate responses from prospective firms based on a combination of pass/fail criteria and capabilities, said the announcement. The four firms that meet the ACP’s needs with the highest number of points will move to the second and final round. The short-list-selection is expected to be announced by the end of November 2007, according to the announcement. “We expect firms from all around the globe to respond; this is the most important contract within the Expansion Program,” said ACP Executive Vice President of Engineering and Program Management Jorge L. Quijano. “We look forward to selecting, towards the end of next year, the consortium that submits the best proposal,” Quijano added. CALSTART honors James C. HanklaLong Beach Harbor Commissioner James C. Hankla has been named the 2007 Charles R. Imbrecht Blue Sky Innovation Award recipient by CALSTART, North America’s leading clean transportation technologies consortium, according to an Aug 28 press release.Hankla, who served as commission president from July 2006 to June 2007, is being recognized “for his and the Commission’s leadership in the creation and implementation of the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan in conjunction with the Port of Los Angeles,” said the announcement. The five-year CAAP is designed to cut harmful diesel particulates by 50% and smog-forming nitrogen oxides by 45% at the two ports. The Blue Sky Innovation Awards “honor outstanding contributions to clean air, energy efficiency, and clean transportation,” according to the announcement. CALSTART President and CEO John Boesel said Hankla and the Port of Long Beach are being recognized for infusing new, sustainable technology into the goods movement industry and providing an example for seaports around the world. The Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) was adopted in November 2006, according to the announcement. <<<•>>> Wednesday, August 29, 2007 YRC Worldwide begins early labor talksYRC Worldwide Inc. Aug 28 announced that its TMI member subsidiaries will commence contract discussions with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) for the new National Master Freight Agreement (NMFA) as soon as early September. The current contract expires Apr 1, 2008. “We are looking forward to the possibility of an early renewal to our contract, which will be in the best interest of our employees, our customers, and our shareholders,” said Bill Zollars, chairman, president, and CEO of YRC Worldwide. During contract talks, the Teamsters National Freight Industry Negotiating Committee (TNFINC) will represent the Teamsters Union, said the announcement. Transportation Management Inc. (TMI) will represent the YRC Worldwide subsidiaries, according to the announcement. TMI includes (among others) Yellow Transportation and Roadway, both YRC Worldwide subsidiaries. Mike Smid, president and CEO of YRC National Transportation, serves as chairman of TMI and will lead the negotiating team for TMI, according to the announcement. “Initiating negotiations in an expedited time frame is a good move for all parties,” said Smid. “I am encouraged we are getting an early start,” Smid added. Seattle Port backs strict standardsThe Seattle Port Commission Aug 28 announced it has passed a resolution endorsing the US government’s proposal for more stringent international air-emission rules for ocean-going vessels. “We are taking action locally to make sure our seaport operations are the cleanest possible, while supporting more stringent national and international regulatory standards,” said Commission President John Creighton. He noted conversions to cleaner fuels, engines, and operating practices by the Port of Seattle and its main customers, environmental restoration of polluted sites, and other initiatives but said some environmental improvements have to happen on an international basis, according to the announcement. The Port of Seattle joins a number of other industry partners in this effort, including the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, the World Shipping Council, and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. The Port is currently engaged with the ports of Tacoma and Vancouver, BC, to develop a common set of standards for air-emissions reductions in all three Northwest ports. “This effort is just part of our long-term strategy to become the cleanest port in America,” said CEO Tay Yoshitani. 20 nations in FA PANAMAX 2007Civil and military forces from 20 countries will participate in Fuerzas Aliadas (FA) PANAMAX 2007 in the waters off the coasts of Panama and in Honduras Aug 29 - Sep 7, according to a press release from the US Southern Command.The joint and multinational training exercise, co-sponsored with the government of Panama, will focus on ensuring the security of the Panama Canal from both the Caribbean and Pacific approaches to the canal, according to the announcement. This year, more than 30 vessels, a dozen aircraft, and 7,000 personnel will take part, said the announcement. Simulated ground forces will participate at Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras. “This training brings together international civil, naval, air, and ground security forces in a multinational environment,” said US Navy Admiral James Stavridis, commander, US Southern Command. Participating nations include Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Canada, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Netherlands, Panama, Peru, the United States, and Uruguay. El Salvador, Mexico, Paraguay, and the United Kingdom are scheduled to participate as observers, said the announcement. <<<•>>> Thursday, August 30, 2007 Crowley acquires “green” tank bargeCrowley Maritime Corp.’s petroleum services group Aug 29 announced that it recently welcomed the first tank barge with Green Passport certification into its articulated tug-barge (ATB) fleet. The 185,000-barrel 650-3 is among the first vessels in the US fleet to be issued the certification by Lloyd’s Register North America Inc., according to the announcement. In 2003, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) issued Guidelines on Ship Recycling to improve the standards of safety and reduce environmental pollution resulting from the scrapping of ships, said the announcement. The guidelines introduced the concept of the Green Passport, essentially an inventory of materials present in a ship’s structure, systems, and equipment that may be hazardous to health or the environment. “We enrolled the barge 650-3 in the Green Passport program to demonstrate Crowley’s core value of safety, specifically, the company’s commitment to safeguarding the environment and recognizing potential hazards,” said Capt. Victor Goldberg, vice president of operations for Crowley Petroleum Services. “The Green Passport ensures that the vessel will carry a history of the materials that were used in its construction and subsequent operations throughout its working life,” continued Capt. Goldberg. CMA CGM expands eco-container fleetCMA CGM Aug 24 confirmed it has increased its eco-container fleet by 30,000 TEUs. CMA CGM was the first shipping group to purchase containers with bamboo floors, called bamboo eco-containers, as part of its commitment to environmental protection, according to the announcement. In 2005, the eco-container fleet for CMA CGM totaled 400 TEUs. One year later, as a result of positive customer response and the strong technical performance of these containers, CMA CGM increased its fleet by 7,000 TEUs to total 37,000 TEUs, according to the announcement. “Expanding our eco-container fleet has a dual objective,” said Alexis Michel, senior VP of container logistics and a member of the company’s environment committee. “First, we want to make use of modern eco-design ideas and limit the use of tropical wood, because this resource is disappearing. We also want to improve the technical performance of our own containers to ensure that we provide customers with the service they expect,” Michel added. These efforts have already allowed savings of almost 10,000 cu meters of tropical wood, according to the announcement. UPS names Ackerman DirectorF. Duane Ackerman, the former chairman and CEO of BellSouth, has been named to the Board of Directors of UPS, according to a company announcement Aug 29.Ackerman, 65, will serve on the board until the next UPS annual shareowners’ meeting in May 2008, at which time he is expected to stand for election to a regular one-year term, according to the announcement. A native of Plant City, FL, Ackerman spent more than 40 years in the telecommunications industry before retiring in March following BellSouth’s merger with AT&T, said the announcement. Ackerman began his career in 1964, and in 1992 he was named president and chief executive officer of BellSouth Telecommunications, BellSouth’s local telephone service unit and largest subsidiary, according to the announcement. He was promoted to vice chairman and chief operating officer of the parent company in 1995 and then to the position of president and CEO of BellSouth in Jan 1997. A year later, he also became chairman, according to the announcement. UPS, the world’s largest package delivery company, celebrates its 100th birthday this year. <<<•>>> Friday, August 31, 2007 OSG to build four LR1 tankersOverseas Shipholding Group Inc. Aug 30 announced that it will build four 73,500 dwt coated Panamax product carriers, or LR1 tankers, at the SPP Plant and Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., based in Tong Yang, South Korea. The vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2010 and 2011, according to the announcement. OSG is enhancing its fleet of larger-size product carriers in order to better service its customer base, the company said. Larger-size product carriers are “more economical for customers, are a more flexible vessel, and augment the company’s diverse fleet of crude oil tankers, medium- and long-range product carriers, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels,” according to the announcement. The new vessels bring OSG’s total fleet to 147 vessels, of which 107 are operating and an additional 40 vessels are slated for delivery between 2007 and 2011, according to the announcement. Overseas Shipholding Group Inc. is one of the largest publicly traded tanker companies in the world and a market leader in global energy transportation services for crude oil and petroleum products, according to the company Web site. VPA to issue RFPThe BC Vancouver Port Authority (VPA) Aug 27 announced it will be issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to a short list of qualified companies willing to partner with VPA on its future Terminal 2 project as part of its Roberts Bank container expansion. Short-listed candidates are APM Terminals North America Inc./SNC-Lavalin Inc., DP World Investments FZE, Hutchison Ports Development Ltd., and PSA Americas Pte Ltd, according to the announcement. The first step in the multi-year planning process for this project, a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI), was issued in June 2007. Qualified companies willing to partner with the VPA to undertake planning, environmental approval, financing, construction, and operations for Terminal 2 were invited to make submissions. “VPA is very pleased with the high caliber of companies that have expressed interest in the Terminal 2 project,” said Gordon Houston, Vancouver Port Authority president and CEO. “Short-listed candidates are four of the top terminal operators in the world.” The process of reviewing proposals and selecting a partner is expected to take approximately eight months, according to the announcement. POLB gets four new gantry cranesFour new gantry cranes arrived this week at the Port of Long Beach, announced the port, with the first due for unloading Aug 31 at Pier J.The massive cranes stand 300 ft at their tallest — about the height of a 15-story building – and have arms that reach 170 ft across containerships. The cranes, imported from Shanghai, China, by SSA Marine, are better able to handle the new generation of cargo ships, which can float about 150 ft above water, said the port. The second crane is scheduled for installation Sep 1 at Pier J, said the port. The other two are destined for Pier A in the inner harbor, said the port, and are tentatively scheduled to make the trip to Pier A the morning of Sep 3, which will require a temporary closure of the Gerald Desmond Bridge for about two hours in the early morning. The cranes will be used to load and unload containerships. There are more than 70 gantry cranes in operation at the Port of Long Beach, according to the announcement. <<<•>>> |