It’s Infrastructure Week!  Events are set to take place all week in Washington, D.C. and around the U.S. to promote investment in our nation’s infrastructure.  Our national multimodal supply chain begins with ports. As a hub for ships, rail, barge and trucks, our nation’s ports are the best illustration of how a multimodal freight network works.  This week we highlight our waterway connections as we promote AAPA’s HMT Funding solution and look for ways to educate the nation about critical waterway connections to seaports. Stay connected on social media, Facebook, Twitter: @AAPA_Seaports, #TimetoBuild, #AmericaKeepitMoving

The approximately 60 registrants who participated in AAPA’s Capital Projects Seminar in Norfolk, VA, May 7-9, were treated to a full complement of panel discussions and interactive exercises on port capital project planning, development, funding and stakeholder engagement. Among the program highlights was a luncheon on the second day featuring two representatives from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Robert Mariner and Scott Davies, who discussed ways that U.S. ports can tap into the billions of dollars in new federal grant money available.

Port Freeport and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) celebrated the completion of their newly constructed offices. The Port of San Diego has formally agreed to coordinate with the U.S. Navy to prepare for potential impacts of sea level rise.

The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) invites the public to a big family party at its new cruise terminal, which has been renamed the Grand Quai du Port de Montréal. The Port of Nanaimo will see the return of the Royal Caribbean Line’s MV Explorer before it departs on her first two calls in 2018 to Central Vancouver Island.  

The Port of San Diego kicked off another season of its Waterfront Summer Shuttle service, which provides low-cost transportation along the waterfront with a $3 daily rate. The Port of Seattle Commission introduced new policies that aim to increase support for immigrant, refugee, and traditionally under-served communities. One is a motion establishing a pilot program around racial equity within the Port of Seattle, while the other establishes a ‘Welcoming Port Policy’ to immigrants and refugees who utilize port services and resources. 

The Port of Long Beach has moved 2.5 million TEUs four months into 2018, an amount more than 17 percent above last year’s record pace. The Port of Los Angeles processed 705,536 TEUs in April, a dip of 1.3 percent compared to last April’s record of 714,755 TEUs. The Port of Oakland’s total cargo volume is up 2.9 percent over the same period a year ago. The Port of Virginia is nearing the end of fiscal year 2018 and the total volume of TEUs, is 3.6 percent, or 83,000 units, ahead of where it was at this time last year.