Time is running out to register for the 2025 AAPA Port Leadership Summit, taking place May 19–22 at Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel in Milwaukee, WI. This high-impact, small-format event is designed to equip current and future port leaders with the tools to lead confidently and effectively in a rapidly evolving industry.

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) has appointed Jill Valdes Horwood as its first Chief Climate and Resilience Officer and Emir Skokic as Chief Planning Officer. Horwood will lead efforts to advance Massport’s Net Zero goals and climate adaptation initiatives, building on the agency’s decade-long resiliency program. She previously led climate-focused roles at the Barr Foundation and Boston Harbor Now. Skokic, formerly a Principal at Boston Consulting Group, will oversee strategic planning across Massport’s aviation, maritime, and real estate operations. These appointments align with Massport’s broader environmental and infrastructure commitments, including a $500 million investment in Net Zero projects over the next five years.

Port Milwaukee will welcome the Viking Octantis as the first cruise ship of the 2025 season on Monday, April 28, marking the fourth consecutive year the vessel has opened the city's cruising season. The port anticipates 22 cruise vessel calls and 44 total itineraries between late April and mid-October, bringing an estimated 11,000 passengers to Milwaukee. The 2025 season includes the return of Victory Cruise Lines, which will call on Milwaukee with vessel Victory I for three turnaround visits. Construction of the new South Shore East cruise dock will begin this spring and is expected to be ready for the 2026 season, with projected passenger visits increasing to approximately 18,500. According to Cruise the Great Lakes, the region is expected to see 22,000 cruise passengers and over $230 million in economic impact in 2025.

South Jersey Ports (SJP) has expanded its green fleet with the purchase of nine electric and plug-in hybrid light-duty vehicles, making one-quarter of its light-duty fleet environmentally friendly. This initiative builds on SJP’s broader sustainability efforts, including a $6.6 million investment to replace 26 diesel forklifts with electric models and the acquisition of 10 electric cargo handlers, with 13 more on the way. The port also invested $1.1 million in an electric rail car mover as part of its Rail Integration Program, which enhances transportation efficiency and reduces emissions. An additional $6 million is being directed toward rail infrastructure upgrades at the Camden Marine Terminal, aiming to triple cargo throughput and further shift cargo transport from trucks to rail. These efforts align with SJP’s long-term goal of achieving a zero-carbon footprint while supporting economic growth and improving air quality in Camden.

The Port of Corpus Christi and its customers moved 51.3 million tons of commodities through the Corpus Christi Ship Channel in Q1 2025, marking the highest first-quarter volume in the Port's history. This milestone was driven primarily by a 10.5% year-over-year increase in crude oil shipments, totaling 33.4 million tons, and a 12.3% rise in LNG volumes, reaching 4.3 million tons. Overall tonnage increased 5% compared to the same period in 2024, with additional gains in dry bulk and break bulk commodities. The Port’s previous quarterly record was 54 million tons in Q4 2024. Completion of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project is expected in Q2 2025, enhancing channel depth and width to support continued growth.

The Anchorage Assembly has unanimously approved more than $807 million for cargo terminal upgrades at the Port of Alaska, with construction expected to begin in 2026. The project was awarded to Manson/Michels Joint Venture and is part of the broader port modernization initiative supporting military, cruise, and cargo operations. In addition to the construction approval, the Assembly authorized a $1.1 billion extension to enable the Municipality to enter contracts up to that amount. Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance described the approvals as a “historic move forward.”

Port Everglades has welcomed its first cargo ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the Crowley vessel Quetzal, marking a milestone in the port’s sustainability efforts. The Quetzal is one of four new LNG-powered Avance Class container ships planned by Crowley for trade routes connecting the U.S., Central America, and the Caribbean. The ship has a capacity of 1,400 TEUs and 300 refrigerated plugs for perishable cargo. This visit was also the Quetzal's first U.S. port call. While several LNG-fueled cruise ships already call at Port Everglades, this is the first LNG-powered cargo vessel to do so.

The Port of Galveston’s $156 million Cruise Terminal 16 remains on schedule for a November 2025 opening. The new 160,000-square-foot terminal, created by transforming two existing cargo buildings, will welcome MSC Cruises’ MSC Seascape for its inaugural sailing from Galveston and also serve ships from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. The terminal features a new passenger concourse with two custom-built boarding bridges, a seven-story parking garage with over 1,600 spaces, and a dedicated transportation area. Additional upgrades include new paved parking lots, a public plaza, roadway enhancements, and marine infrastructure to accommodate a 5,500-passenger vessel. Construction, led by Hensel Phelps, is on track for completion in September.

Angela Harris, Executive Director of the Port of Edmonds, has announced her resignation, effective June 9, 2025. Harris, who previously served five years as a Port Commissioner before becoming executive director in 2023, has accepted a private sector role in technology leading strategic planning and operations. In her resignation, she emphasized her admiration for the port staff and expressed hope for positive reflection and change within the commission. Deputy Executive Director Brandon Baker will serve as acting executive director during the transition. The Port Commission will announce further details regarding permanent leadership in the coming weeks.

Fidelis, a Houston-based energy infrastructure company, announced plans to build an $800 million carbon capture facility at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge. The project will be led by Fidelis’ portfolio company, AtmosClear BR, LLC, and includes a contract with Microsoft for the permanent removal of 6.75 million metric tons of carbon over 15 years. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with commercial operations expected to start in 2029. The facility is projected to create 75 permanent jobs and 600 construction jobs.

The Port of Hueneme has received an additional $4 million in Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding to complete its North Terminal Shoreside Power Project. This infrastructure will enable berthed vessels to plug into shore power and shut down diesel engines, reducing emissions and improving air quality. The project, originally supported by $11.9 million in grants, faced delays due to severe storms in late 2023. The new funds, approved by the Ventura County Transportation Commission, will support the installation of building systems and equipment to enhance safety and system durability. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer as the Port progresses toward its zero-emissions goal by 2030.

The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) reported a 19% year-to-date increase in total container volumes for Q1 2025, driven by a 26.6% rise in full international imports. In March alone, total volumes reached 309,993 TEUs, an 18.5% increase compared to March 2024. Full international imports rose 18.4% and exports increased 2.9%, marking 13 consecutive months of month-over-month import growth. The NWSA also announced a new intermodal product developed with BNSF Railway and Norfolk Southern, offering a six-day ship-to-Chicago transit — the fastest from any Pacific Northwest gateway. Meanwhile, breakbulk cargo decreased 36.1% and auto volumes dropped 18.1% year-to-date.

Chief Executive Officer; Longview, Washington; Port of Longview

 

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

Ilena Peng

Bloomberg

 

Felix Salmon

Axios

 

Maritime Executive

 

Siobhan Hughes and Meridith McGraw

Wall Street Journal

 

Erik Larson

Bloomberg

 

Laura Robb

Journal of Commerce

 

Malia Mendez

LA Times

 

Alaska Business

 

David Uberti

Wall Street Journal