AAPA welcomes its newest member of the Board of Directors, Hydi Webb, Director and CEO of PortMiami, representing the U.S. South Atlantic region. Hydi brings her unique skills, experiences, and perspectives to the table. She is instrumental in steering the world’s leading cruise port and one of America’s fastest-growing container ports towards new horizons.

 

Under her leadership, PortMiami not only serves as a pivotal gateway for international trade and commerce but also bolsters the economy with a staggering impact of $43 billion and supports over 334,500 jobs.

 

AAPA and its governing board look forward to continuing to advance policies that strengthen the ability of ports to serve global customers and create economic and social value for their communities.

 

AAPA’s Port Professional Manager Program (PPM) graduates will provide an overview of their capstone, U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Grant Toolkit, during the Maritime Economic Development Committee (MEDC) meeting to be held tomorrow, February 2, at 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT.

 

The Toolkit provides ports with templates, supporting resources, and examples that will help them effectively prepare and complete a grant application package for PIDP, RAISE, and INFRA. The Toolkit features Microsoft Word templates that include sections based on each NOFO to assist ports in addressing the specific criteria, a user guide, examples of successful grant applications, boilerplate letters of support, letters of commitment, and letters of intent to Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA).

 

Anyone interested in attending should email Julie Barelas (jbarelas@aapa-ports.org) with your name and organization no later than 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT Friday, February 2.

The Transportation Research Board (TRB) will host a webinar on Monday, February 5, from 12:00-1:30 p.m. ET that will reflect on how stakeholders handled landside congestion and solutions that could be implemented in the future. Presenters will discuss recent experiences and the infrastructure and technological approaches implemented.

 

Pre-registration for the Container Port Landside Congestion Experiences and Solutions webinar is required.

 

Topics and presenters include:

CU Phosco Lighting (formerly Concrete Utilities) is the longest established and premier exterior lighting group in the United Kingdom. The company designs and manufactures exterior lighting luminaires, floodlights, lighting columns and masts, and can be seen on roads, at airports and ports, in shopping centers, and sports stadiums throughout the world.

The Port of Brunswick handled a record 775,565 units of autos and machinery in calendar year 2023, an increase of 15.6% over the previous year. On the container side, Georgia Ports Authority handled 422,300 TEUs in December, down 4% or nearly 18,500 TEUs compared to the same month in 2022. The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) had a strong finish to 2023 with December container volumes reaching 263,171 TEUs, for a total volume increase of 13.5% over December 2022. Full imports for the month increased 3.4%, and full exports increased 44.6% compared to 2022.

The Port of Long Beach is driving toward a zero-emissions future, with a keen focus on electric trucks and the stations where they can recharge their batteries. Several companies are partnering with the port to meet the accelerating demand for heavy-duty electric trucks by installing charging stations within the harbor area and beyond.

For the 15th consecutive year, the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore received a top U.S. Coast Guard security assessment for the six state-owned, public marine terminals that are managed by the Maryland Port Administration (MPA). “Nothing is more important than ensuring the thousands of individuals who work at Maryland’s Port of Baltimore do so in a safe and secure environment,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld.

The Port of Philadelphia (PhilaPort) is receiving $13 million in new infrastructure funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The funding will help enhance port operations, improve the flow of freight through the port, and prolong the lifespan of port equipment by building a new bridge to connect two critical terminals.

Port Saint John celebrated the completion of its West Side Modernization Project with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The $205 million project, funded equally by the Federal Government, Province of New Brunswick, and the port, has been completed on time, on budget, and with increased scope despite challenges arising during the COVID-19 pandemic and global supply chain disruptions.

SeacatLine is expanding service to Port Tampa Bay and is adding a second vessel to its Costa Rica – Tampa container service increasing its frequency to weekly. In addition to specializing in refrigerated and dry container shipping services, SeacatLine also accepts break-bulk and project cargoes.

The Port of Galveston is among the first U.S. ports to make liquefied natural gas (LNG) services available to ships, offering environmental benefits and a competitive advantage. The Carnival Jubilee, the first newly built ship to homeport in Galveston, was fueled with LNG for the first time at its Gulf Coast home port before sailing on December 30.

The Port of Corpus Christi has appointed Cindy Bertolami as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Bertolami succeeds Kent Britton, who was appointed Chief Executive Officer in September. She has more than 20 years of experience in financial leadership roles and has served as Interim CFO since September.

The Port of Bellingham released its annual Whatcom County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) progress report. The report highlights the accomplishments of community stakeholders and economic development partnerships across Whatcom County, aligned with the goals outlined in the 2022-2026 CEDS strategy.

The grand opening of the newly completed Wilmington Waterfront Promenade at the Port of Los Angeles is set for February 3. Los Angeles City, port, and community leaders will be on hand to celebrate the new $77.3 million “window to the waterfront” public park and recreation area, which will provide unprecedented access to the water’s edge for the Wilmington community.