Recognition & Ratings: Los Angeles, Metro Vancouver, Tampa Bay

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The Port of Los Angeles’ export education program Trade Connect has received two awards from NASBITE – the National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators. Port Metro Vancouver has received recognition for strong sustainability performance by placing fourth in Corporate Knights’ first Future 40 Responsible Corporate Leaders in Canada ranking. Fitch Ratings has reaffirmed Port Tampa Bay’s credit rating of A- and has provided the authority with a "Stable" outlook.

Port of Los Angeles ‘Trade Connect’ Program Earns More Awards

The Port of Los Angeles’ export education program Trade Connect has received two awards from NASBITE – the National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators.

The NASBITE "Program Excellence Award" recognizes specific programs developed by institutions that meet a particular identified need in the global business community. Trade Connect also received NASBITE’s "Advancing International Trade" award, which commends the dedication and service of those who are advancing international trade.

In May 2013, Trade Connect earned the President’s "E Star" Award for Export Service, the nation’s highest honor for promoting American export trade (Advisory, May 27, 2013). Later in 2013, the program also earned the City of Los Angeles Quality & Productivity Award, the city’s highest award for superior public services and programs.

Trade Connect was established in 2007 to provide new-to-export training for small and midsize business. The program conducts workshops and seminars that help educate regional companies about how to export made-in-America goods and services to international consumer markets. Topics include information on export opportunities and foreign markets, exporting costs and requirements, financing and insurance, documentation and logistics, among other subjects. To date, Trade Connect programs have drawn more than 17,000 attendees.

NASBITE International focuses on advancing the global business practice through professional development, education and training. It also promotes the exchange of information and resources among global business education and assistance professionals, and coordinates and administers the Certified Global Business Professional credential.

Port Metro Vancouver recognized for Sustainability Performance 

Port Metro Vancouver has received recognition for strong sustainability performance by placing fourth in Corporate Knights’ first Future 40 Responsible Corporate Leaders in Canada ranking. The ranking takes into account 12 indicators to rank top sustainability performers.

Port Metro Vancouver’s sustainability work ranges from shore power and the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy to its Container Truck Licensing System and EcoAction. Port Metro Vancouver says it was the second port globally (behind Rotterdam) to produce a sustainability report meeting the Global Reporting Initiative’s requirements for a B Application Level, and the first port globally to become a member of the International Integrated Reporting Council, Integrated Reporting Framework Pilot Project. The sustainability report provides an overview of Port Metro Vancouver’s business, including 22 indicators assured by a third party and covering sustainability practices throughout the Vancouver gateway.

Additionally, the Port Metro Vancouver EcoAction program was recently endorsed by Sir Richard Branson’s Carbon War Room. Last year, Aon Hewitt named Port Metro Vancouver to the Canadian Green 30 list (Advisory, May 20, 2013).

"It is fantastic to see recognition of our ongoing focus on sustainability in the way we manage the port," said Robin Silvester, the port’s president and CEO. "Balancing growing demand for trade with the need to protect our environment and maintain the quality of life of our neighbors is at the core of all we do. It’s a responsibility we take very seriously."

Fitch Reaffirms Port Tampa Bay’s ‘A’ Credit Rating and Stable Outlook 

Fitch Ratings has reaffirmed Port Tampa Bay’s credit rating of A- and provided the authority with a "Stable" outlook. Fitch’s action follows similar affirmations by Standard & Poor’s (S&P) and Moody’s of the port’s credit ratings.

Fitch and the other ratings agencies cite the port’s achievements in revenue generation, relatively low debt service levels, strong liquidity position, and the economic conditions in Hillsborough County as key factors in their analyses. Other pertinent factors cited as strengths include the port’s long-term lease revenues, diverse business mix and the state of Florida’s population growth.

Historically, the port relied on high-volume, low-value bulk cargoes, such as phosphate and petroleum, for the majority of its business. The port’s subsequent diversification throughout the last decade, including strong cruise activity and increased container operations, has enabled the port to expand its revenue mix. Additional strengths are the port’s increasing intermodal connectivity and the port agency’s taxing authority.

In recent years, the port authority has focused on expansion of container facilities, augmentation of bulk cargo berthing capacity and rehabilitation of petroleum docks.