THE BAY AREA AIR QUALITY Management District June 16 issued the 2008 Goods Movement Program call for grant applications to provide funding to retrofit or replace engines or purchase new equipment for large trucks, trains and harbor craft.
The Air Resources Board will allocate $140 million in bond funding over the next four years to projects that will reduce air pollutant emissions from goods movement in the Bay Area. More than $35 million in funding will be available this year.
Now through Aug. 15, public and private entities can apply for Goods Movement funds to retrofit or replace engines or purchase new equipment to reduce diesel emissions in advance of new regulatory requirements.
This program is the result of a partnership with the ARB to quickly reduce air pollution emissions and health risks from diesel emissions caused by moving goods from the ports along highways, railways and waterways throughout the Bay Area.
“Emissions from aging, heavy-duty engines are a major source of Bay Area air pollution,” said Air District Executive Officer Jack Broadbent. “The Goods Movement Program helps owners invest in cleaner freight-moving equipment to protect the air and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Website:
Bay Area Air Quality Management District
www.baaqmd.gov/goods.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Kalmar launches hybrid drive straddle carrier
KALMAR INDUSTRIES, part of Cargotec Corp., continues to enhance its range of eco-friendly products and strengthen its reputation as an industry pioneer with the introduction of the world’s first straddle carrier equipped with a hybrid drive system.
The company’s new Pro Future hybrid technology package is a modular option that can be fitted to its proven seventh-generation Kalmar ESC W straddle carrier for genuine fuel savings of up to 25%-30%.
Kalmar’s EDRIVE straddle carriers are currently used throughout the world’s container terminals. The new hybrid ESC W straddle carrier will significantly improve the machine’s cost per box efficiency by delivering more moves with less fuel.
Kalmar’s Pro Future hybrid technology package allows hoist motors to be used as generators when lowering containers. The energy produced can be stored until it’s needed. Similarly, when machines are braking or decelerating, energy can be produced from the electric drive system and stored.
“The cyclical operation of straddle carriers in container terminals is the foundation upon why hybrid technology lends such good results in a straddle carrier handling system,” said Ilkka Annala, vice president, straddle carrier product line.
Website:
Kalmar Industries
http://www.kalmarind.com/
Panama Canal, Port of New Orleans renew alliance
THE PANAMA CANAL Authority (ACP) and the Port of New Orleans, in an official ceremony June 17 in Panama, celebrated their alliance, first initiated in 2003, by renewing a Memorandum of Understanding.
Alberto Alemán Zubieta, ACP administrator/CEO, and Gary LaGrange, Port of New Orleans president and CEO, as well as members of the port’s Board of Commissioners, participated in the ceremony.
The Port of New Orleans recently adopted a 2020 growth Master Plan of $1.04 billion, partially driven by the Panama Canal’s expansion, to help spur investment, increase trade and promote the “All-Water-Route” (the route from Asia to the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts via the Panama Canal).
“Today’s renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Port of New Orleans underscores our strong economic and commercial bonds,” said Alemán Zubieta.
“The Panama Canal is a vital link that connects New Orleans to key trading partners in Asia and along the West Coast of South America,” said LaGrange.
The agreement is renewable on a three-year basis.
Websites:
Panama Canal Authority (ACP)
http://www.pancanal.com
Port of New Orleans
http://www.portno.com
Maersk Logistics awarded by Wal-Mart
MAERSK LOGISTICS was presented the 2008 Wal-Mart “Origin Cargo Manager of the Year” award during the Wal-Mart Import Summit held at the retailer’s headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., recently. The award was accepted by Chris Aherne, director, Maersk Logistics USA Inc.
Each year, Wal-Mart evaluates each provider of transportation services and rates them on areas such as operational planning and execution, communication, problem solving and customer service.
Based on these reviews, Wal-Mart then selects a single transportation provider as the Origin Cargo Manager of the Year. Maersk Logistics also won this award in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006/2007, and 2007.
“Maersk Logistics is honored to receive this prestigious award as Wal-Mart’s ‘Origin Cargo Manager of the Year,’” said Jeremy Haycock, president of Maersk Logistics Inc. “This award is a reflection of the dedication by our global colleagues and a validation of our commitment to Wal-Mart.”
Maersk Logistics is a leader in the international logistics market, providing customized solutions for integrated supply chain management, warehousing and distribution, and sea and airfreight transport.
The company is part of the A.P. Moller Group.
Website:
Maersk Logistics
http://www.maersklogistics.com
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Kalmar launches hybrid drive straddle carrier
KALMAR INDUSTRIES, part of Cargotec Corp., continues to enhance its range of eco-friendly products and strengthen its reputation as an industry pioneer with the introduction of the world’s first straddle carrier equipped with a hybrid drive system.
The company’s new Pro Future hybrid technology package is a modular option that can be fitted to its proven seventh-generation Kalmar ESC W straddle carrier for genuine fuel savings of up to 25%-30%.
Kalmar’s EDRIVE straddle carriers are currently used throughout the world’s container terminals. The new hybrid ESC W straddle carrier will significantly improve the machine’s cost per box efficiency by delivering more moves with less fuel.
Kalmar’s Pro Future hybrid technology package allows hoist motors to be used as generators when lowering containers. The energy produced can be stored until it’s needed. Similarly, when machines are braking or decelerating, energy can be produced from the electric drive system and stored.
“The cyclical operation of straddle carriers in container terminals is the foundation upon why hybrid technology lends such good results in a straddle carrier handling system,” said Ilkka Annala, vice president, straddle carrier product line.
Website:
Kalmar Industries
http://www.kalmarind.com/
Panama Canal, Port of New Orleans renew alliance
THE PANAMA CANAL Authority (ACP) and the Port of New Orleans, in an official ceremony June 17 in Panama, celebrated their alliance, first initiated in 2003, by renewing a Memorandum of Understanding.
Alberto Alemán Zubieta, ACP administrator/CEO, and Gary LaGrange, Port of New Orleans president and CEO, as well as members of the port’s Board of Commissioners, participated in the ceremony.
The Port of New Orleans recently adopted a 2020 growth Master Plan of $1.04 billion, partially driven by the Panama Canal’s expansion, to help spur investment, increase trade and promote the “All-Water-Route” (the route from Asia to the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts via the Panama Canal).
“Today’s renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Port of New Orleans underscores our strong economic and commercial bonds,” said Alemán Zubieta.
“The Panama Canal is a vital link that connects New Orleans to key trading partners in Asia and along the West Coast of South America,” said LaGrange.
The agreement is renewable on a three-year basis.
Websites:
Panama Canal Authority (ACP)
http://www.pancanal.com
Port of New Orleans
http://www.portno.com
Maersk Logistics awarded by Wal-Mart
MAERSK LOGISTICS was presented the 2008 Wal-Mart “Origin Cargo Manager of the Year” award during the Wal-Mart Import Summit held at the retailer’s headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., recently. The award was accepted by Chris Aherne, director, Maersk Logistics USA Inc.
Each year, Wal-Mart evaluates each provider of transportation services and rates them on areas such as operational planning and execution, communication, problem solving and customer service.
Based on these reviews, Wal-Mart then selects a single transportation provider as the Origin Cargo Manager of the Year. Maersk Logistics also won this award in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006/2007, and 2007.
“Maersk Logistics is honored to receive this prestigious award as Wal-Mart’s ‘Origin Cargo Manager of the Year,’” said Jeremy Haycock, president of Maersk Logistics Inc. “This award is a reflection of the dedication by our global colleagues and a validation of our commitment to Wal-Mart.”
Maersk Logistics is a leader in the international logistics market, providing customized solutions for integrated supply chain management, warehousing and distribution, and sea and airfreight transport.
The company is part of the A.P. Moller Group.
Website:
Maersk Logistics
http://www.maersklogistics.com
Friday, June 20, 2008
Top trucking official testifies to Congress
A TOP TRUCKING INDUSTRY official June 19 urged Congress to take a cautious approach to climate change initiatives.
Randy Mullett, Con-Way Inc. VP of government relations and public affairs, testifying on behalf of the American Trucking Associations, expressed concern over the impact that pending cap-and-trade legislation could have on the nation’s economy and the price of fuel for the trucking industry.
Mullet testified before the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Mullett also stated that “federal climate change policy must avoid encouraging a patchwork of local, state and regional climate change laws that could hinder the ability of the trucking industry to function in interstate commerce.”
Citing the nation’s 750,000 motor carriers who deliver goods across state lines, Mullet said the industry supports federal preemption of local, state and regional climate change laws.
“Our industry cannot absorb rapid increases in fuel costs,” Mullett said. “The trucking industry is extremely sensitive to how climate change legislation may further escalate fuel prices.”
Website:
American Trucking Associations
http://www.truckline.com/
COSCO adds Prince Rupert to CEN service
CHINA OCEAN SHIPPING Co. (COSCO) June 18 officially announced plans to bring a second shipping service into the Fairview Intermodal Terminal at British Columbia’s Port of Prince Rupert.
A COSCO ship on the CEN service will call on the port every Saturday beginning July 5. The new port rotation on the CEN service will be Dalian, Tianjin, Qingdao, Shanghai, Prince Rupert, Long Beach, Oakland, Yokohama and Shanghai.
Dave Bedwell, COSCO Canada executive VP, said, “The current ships used today on the service, which is called the PNWS service, all of those ships are 5,500-TEU vessels.
“The second service, which is called the CEN service and focuses on cargo from North China, those ships are going to be a combination of two 5,500-TEU ships, two 7,500-TEU ships and one 8,200-TEU ship.”
Barry Bartlett, spokesman for the Prince Rupert Port Authority, said that the second ship will put the terminal at approximately two-thirds capacity and … “demonstrates the satisfaction of the shipping lines and the shippers going through Prince Rupert and using the express trade corridor.”
Website:
China Ocean Shipping Co. (COSCO)
http://www.cosco.com/en/index.jsp
Foss Maritime wins big in safety awards
FOSS MARITIME Co.’s commitment to safety was underscored earlier this month when a top maritime organization recognized 18 of its vessels for outstanding safety records, according to a June 17 press release.
The Chamber of Shipping of America presented the Foss vessels with Jones F. Devlin Awards at the annual Safety Awards Luncheon in Houston, Texas.
Jones F. Devlin Awards are awarded to self-propelled merchant vessels that have operated for two full years or more without a crew member losing a full turn at watch because of an occupational injury.
Altogether, the winning Foss ships have achieved the equivalent total of 82 years without a lost-time injury.
“We are extremely proud of Foss’ safety achievement,” said Gary Faber, Foss president and COO. “Safety is the keystone of our company’s culture, and the Chamber of Shipping of America awards certainly recognize that.”
Founded in 1889, Seattle-based Foss Maritime offers a complete range of maritime services and project management to customers across the Pacific Rim, Europe, South America and around the globe.
Website:
Foss Maritime Co.
http://www.foss.com