More than 25 ports are already registered for the 2025 AAPA Port Leadership Summit—are you sending your rising stars? Fewer than 35 spots remain for this dynamic event, taking place May 19–22, in Milwaukee, WI. The multi-day summit gathers top port executives and industry experts to share strategies, best practices, and insights on effective leadership through keynotes, panels, and interactive workshops.

 

The Port of Galveston will begin its 200th anniversary celebrations on National Maritime Day, May 22, with a public event at Pier 21 from 9 a.m. to noon. Hosted by Galveston Wharves and presenting sponsor Wallenius Wilhelmsen, the event will include vessel tours, informational booths, and a ceremony honoring maritime industry workers. Additional anniversary events include Party on the Pier on October 17 and a Gala on October 18, with proceeds supporting maritime scholarships. A port history book featuring historical photos and stories will also be released in October. Established in 1825, the Port of Galveston is a major U.S. cargo port and the fourth busiest cruise port in the country.

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) is marking seven years of the YES+ program, which offers mentoring and career opportunities for recent high school graduates seeking a career in the port industry. Since its launch in 2018, 51 students have participated, with 43 continuing to work across various departments at GPA. The program has successfully established a talent pipeline for recruitment, benefiting both the students and the Authority. In addition to offering hands-on training, the program has received over 500 applications for 20 available slots in next year’s class, highlighting its popularity and demand.

The Port of New Orleans reported a record high of over 165,000 cruise passenger movements in March 2025, surpassing its previous record of 155,000 set in March 2023. This milestone follows a record-breaking 2024, during which Port NOLA handled more than 1.2 million cruise passenger movements. As the 6th largest U.S. cruise port and the only one offering both ocean and river cruises, Port NOLA continues to attract strong commitments from major cruise lines including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian. The port’s cruise activity generates more than 300,000 hotel room nights and over $125 million in annual local spending.

On April 3, 2025, the Port of Oakland held its annual Trucker Appreciation event to recognize the contributions of drayage truck drivers at the Oakland Seaport. Nearly 1,500 truckers participated in the event, which featured lunch from local food trucks and opportunities to engage with Port Maritime staff. Staff shared updates on capital improvement projects, provided information on zero emission goals, and gathered feedback from attendees. The event is part of the Port’s broader efforts to support and engage with the largest workforce at the Seaport.

The Port of Seattle's 2025 cruise season begins on April 12 with Norwegian Bliss marking the first sailing of the Seattle-to-Alaska season. This year, all three of Seattle’s cruise berths are shore power-enabled, allowing ships to shut off their engines while docked, positioning Seattle as a leader in shoreside decarbonization. The season will feature 298 sailings, with an expected 1.9 million passengers and nearly $900 million in economic impact. Additionally, Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth will debut its homeport season in Seattle, with Virgin Voyages and MSC Cruises scheduled for 2026. The Port continues its commitment to environmental sustainability and supports local economic growth through its cruise operations.

The Port of Vancouver USA has released its annual State of the Port video, highlighting key achievements from 2024. The video covers the port's strong financial performance, with a focus on nearly 20,000 jobs and $2.9 billion in regional economic benefits. Key developments include the Terminal 1 project, efficient grain handling, and successful environmental initiatives, such as the purple martin avian nesting program. Port leadership and tenant businesses, including Sigma DG, emphasize the importance of diversification and collaboration in driving the port's success.

The Port Authority's Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program has introduced three voluntary initiatives for commercial ships to reduce impacts on southern resident killer whales in critical habitats. These initiatives include ship slowdowns in Haro Strait, Boundary Pass, and Swiftsure Bank, with a focus on minimizing underwater noise. The program, which has reduced ship noise by up to 50% since 2017, will run from June to November 2025, and ships are encouraged to slow down to specific speeds when safe. Additionally, Transport Canada will offer pilotage reimbursements for participating vessels, supporting the sustainable management of whale habitats.

The Port of Québec is set to host 104 stopovers and 21 cruise lines during the 2025 season, marking a longer cruise season that runs year-round. Notable for its first winter cruise in January 2025, the port will welcome new ships, including Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady and Oceania Cruises' Allura. The season will also feature seven arrivals and departures from Holland America’s Zuiderdam starting in May. This growth in cruise activity supports the local economy and highlights the port’s sustainable and community-focused development, ensuring exceptional experiences for passengers while benefiting the region.

Chief Executive Officer; Longview, Washington; Port of Longview

 

Commercial Manager; Stockton, California; Port of Stockton

 

DIRECTOR-FINANCE; Long Beach, California; Port of Long Beach

Manager of Engineering; Long Beach, California; Port of Long Beach 

 

Chief Executive Officer; Miami, Florida; Port of Miami Crane Management, Inc.

 

Senior Engineer; Corpus Christi, Texas; Port of Corpus Christi Authority

 

Maritime Program Coordinator; Austin, Texas; Texas Dept. of Transportation