Gary Nelson, Executive Director of the Port of Grays Harbor, and Mark McAndrews, former Port Director of the Port of Pascagoula, have been selected by their peers and colleagues to receive the prestigious AAPA Achievement Award for Distinguished Service in recognition of their significant contributions to the port industry. The awards will be presented on March 19 at AAPA’s 2024 Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C.

Gary Nelson has served as Executive Director of the Port of Grays Harbor for 24 years, overseeing historic growth and diversification of the marine terminals, the completion of the Grays Harbor Navigation Channel Deepening Project, and the addition and expansion of the Port’s business portfolio to include the Satsop Business Park and Friends Landing. He will retire on March 31. Mr. Nelson served as Chair of AAPA’s Board of Directors from 2019 to 2020, taking on the challenges of the early COVID-19 pandemic. He has also chaired the Washington Public Ports Association Legislative Committee and served on the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association Executive Board.

Mark McAndrews’ 40-year maritime career included stevedoring, marine operations, and public port administration, finishing with 22 years as Port Director. Mr. McAndrews served as Chair of the AAPA’s Board of Directors from 2016 to 2017. He also served as chair of the Gulf Ports Association, Mississippi Ports Council, and on the executive committee of the Mississippi Coast Foreign Trade Zone, Board of Directors for the Mississippi Water Resources Association, Mississippi Ports Council, and Mississippi Intermodal Council. He is a U. S. Coast Guard licensed Merchant Marine Officer and retired as Captain in the Navy Reserve.

Both men have demonstrated dedication, vision, and integrity throughout their careers. Their contributions have had a profound and lasting impact on their respective ports and the broader maritime community.

Miami-Dade Innovation Authority (MDIA) is kicking off its third Public Innovation Challenge today, seeking cargo visibility solutions. AAPA is proud to be a partner of the initiative. The collaboration with PortMiami and Miami-Dade County will select at least three (3) early-to-growth stage technology start-ups and provide $100,000 in funding to each company to support testing of solutions at the Port so that they can be scaled to others globally. The deadline to submit proposals is April 26, 2024. Visit mdia.miami/port to submit proposals.

AAPA continues to closely track the latest developments in the Red Sea. While these security concerns are isolated to the opposite end of the world, our industry is global and intimately understands how these issues can compound and have major effects on our supply chain. Transportation costs are rising, as more ships either avoid the Red Sea or are forced to pay extra insurance or security surcharges.

The Port of Baltimore and its private terminals handled a record 52.3 million tons of foreign cargo, worth $80 billion, in 2023. The port’s new record illustrates the rebound from pandemic impacts and worldwide supply chain issues facing the international maritime shipping industry. Ports of Indiana shipped 12.6 million tons of cargo in 2023, the second-highest tonnage in its 63-year history. This is a 6% increase over 2022 and second only to 2018, when Indiana’s three ports handled 14.8 million tons of cargo. Port of Oakland January container volume continues to rise. Full imports increased 8.2%, with the Seaport handling 72,081 TEUs in January 2024, versus 66,637 TEUs in January 2023.

The Port of Vancouver USA announced the recipients of its 2024 Community Fund. The Community Fund will disburse $10,000 to local community projects and programs that share the port’s mission for tourism, job training, and economic development.

The Port of Montreal announced its 2024 cruise season, which will run from May 4 to October 28. The season will feature 40 ship operations, including 8 calls and 32 boardings/disembarkations, and about 50,000 passengers. In three months, Port Saint John will once again welcome cruise ships to the shores of the beautiful Bay of Fundy. Over 170,000 guests are slated to visit with 75 ship calls.

CMA CGM Group Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé announced the appointment of George Goldman as President and CEO of CMA CGM America, effective April 1. Goldman will take over from Peter Levesque who will be leaving the Group to pursue personal projects. Levesque will continue to provide support until April, ensuring a smooth transition.

The Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility project team will update the public on the status of the Port of Long Beach project during a virtual community meeting on March 6. The planned Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility is the centerpiece of the port’s rail capital improvement program and will shift more cargo to “on-dock rail,” which is cleaner, more efficient, and reduces truck traffic

Two Port Tampa Bay employees were recognized with honors during the Propeller Club’s annual Maritime Industry Night. Port Chief Operating Officer Brian Giuliani took home top honors and received the Maritime Person of the Year Award, and Client Engagement Manager Chirstyna Doege won the Leadership Award.

Opportunities are available to bid for projects and services at PortMiami. Interested parties should review the individual solicitations for complete details, requirements, and submission deadlines.

Carmaker INEOS has chosen the Port of Brunswick, Georgia, to deliver its new Grenadier off-road SUV to markets across the U.S. Southeast. Griff Lynch, president and CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority, said “Brunswick’s central location and superior connectivity, combined with the ease of doing business in Georgia, make it the perfect gateway for the U.S. launch of this exciting new vehicle.”

Chief Administrative & Financial Officer, Everett, WA; Port of Everett