The first container ship to reach the Port of Baltimore via the newly expanded Panama Canal, Evergreen’s 8,400 TEU Ever Lambent, arrived July 19 at Seagirt Marine Terminal. The Port of Boston received its largest container ship ever with the July 17 docking of COSCOCS’s 8,500-TEU capacity Xin Mei Zhou at Conley Terminal.

At its July board meeting, the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) approved a spending package of $19.7 million to construct the Appalachian Regional Port in Chatsworth (GA). Located some 300 miles from Savannah, it will be the GPA’s second inland terminal and part of the "Network Georgia" initiative to create inland terminals throughout the state. North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory joined officials from the NC Department of Transportation and CSX Corporation on July 19 to announce the debut of an intermodal rail service between the Port of Wilmington and CSX’s intermodal terminal in Charlotte.

The Port of Oakland has extended its power purchase agreement with East Bay Municipal Utilities District for five years. The port purchases renewable energy from an EBMUD biogas facility on behalf of its airport and seaport tenants. Port Everglades was the last port of call for the Lady Luck before the 324-foot tanker was submerged off Pompano Beach (FL) to become the area's newest artificial reef. A underwater casino will offer diver photo opportunities that feature a rotating gallery display of locally produced underwater artwork. The California Energy Commission this month awarded the San Diego Port Tenants Association  a $5.9 million grant to fund the development of 10 all-electric freight vehicles outfitted with zero-emission technologies for operation at the Port of San Diego.

Port Tampa Bay on July 22 officially commissioned two new, post-Panamax gantry cranes. With an outreach of 174 feet/53 meters, the new cranes can service container ships of up to 9,000 TEUs capacity, or twice the size of the largest vessel that can be accommodated by the port’s three older ship-to-shore gantry cranes.

U.S. Great Lakes ports have been busy, but the 2016 shipping season has been slower than anticipated, according to the Great Lakes Seaway Partnership. The Northwest Seaport Alliance reports import container volume this year set a June record, up 4.0 percent from a year. The Alliance, which manages maritime cargo operations at the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, anticipates a modest boost this summer and fall as retailers prepare for the back-to-school and holiday shopping seasons.

Julia Tomoko Nagano, former director of communications for the Port of Los Angeles, passed away July 19 at the age of 68.