AAPA is pleased to welcome World Direct Shipping (WDS) as a new member. Founded in 2014, WDS provides direct ocean service between Seaport Manatee, Florida, and three ports in Mexico, offering an efficient alternative to cross-border trucking. The company owns and operates a fleet of specialized vessels and runs its own marine terminal at Seaport Manatee, employing approximately 100 skilled workers. Through its strategic partnership with CSX, WDS connects U.S. importers and exporters to key markets across the Eastern U.S., helping facilitate nearly 50% of containerized maritime trade between the U.S. and Mexico. We are excited to have WDS join our network of maritime industry leaders.

Port Freeport celebrated its 25th Annual Take-A-Child Fishing Tournament on May 10, 2025, coinciding with its Centennial year. Held at Freeport Municipal Park, the event welcomed approximately 327 young anglers and nearly 700 total attendees. Participants donated 659 pounds of canned goods to benefit the Brazoria County Dream Center, and children competed in two age categories for prizes including laptops and gift cards. A total of 794 fish were weighed in, and more than 200 door prizes were distributed. The next tournament is scheduled for May 9, 2026, continuing the Port’s tradition of community engagement and youth enrichment.

South Jersey Port Corporation recorded a 13.7% year-to-date increase in total cargo tonnage through the first quarter of 2025, reaching 1,001,017 short tons compared to 880,592 during the same period in 2024. In March alone, cargo volumes rose 19.5% year-over-year, with breakbulk cargo leading the surge at 224,746 short tons—a 29.6% increase. Notable gains included a 15.5% rise in steel imports, 73.7% in wood products, and 71.1% in cocoa beans. The port handled 24 ships in March 2025, up from 16 the previous year, with ship days increasing from 53 to 69. Camden’s Balzano and Broadway terminals were key contributors to the port’s strong performance.

The Port of Vancouver USA has broken ground on a new state-of-the-art soda ash export facility at Terminal 2, Berth 7, in partnership with Vancouver Bulk Terminal and Solvay. The facility will have the capacity to transload over 3 million tons of soda ash annually and is expected to begin operations in the second half of 2026. Soda ash from Solvay’s Green River, Wyoming operation — used in glass, lithium-ion batteries, pharmaceuticals, and other products — will be shipped globally through the terminal. The project includes expanded storage, upgraded rail access, and advanced cargo handling systems to improve export efficiency. The terminal aims to support North America’s growing soda ash industry and provide long-term economic benefits to the region.

Port Everglades and Everglades Company Terminal, Inc. (ECT), a subsidiary of Mediterranean Shipping Company, have finalized a new 10-year Marine Terminal Lease and Operating Agreement covering 39.18 acres in the Southport cargo area. The agreement, approved by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, extends through December 31, 2034, with two optional five-year renewals, and replaces MSC’s previous lease held since 2004. ECT’s operations are projected to generate over $161 million in annual business service revenue, support 425 direct jobs, and contribute $10.5 million in taxes in the first year based on 85,000 container moves. The deal also transfers infrastructure upgrades — including refrigerated container racks, an office building, and shore power-equipped inspection docks — to Port Everglades.

The Port Authority of Guam has executed a four-year, $10.5 million lease agreement with Black Construction Corporation, covering over 374,000 square feet of Port property. Approved unanimously by the Port Authority Board on April 30 and signed on May 1, the lease begins June 1, 2025, with an automatic one-year extension unless terminated with 90 days’ notice. Black Construction will pay $220,152.92 in total monthly rent and invest in infrastructure improvements, including road paving, resurfacing of the Hotel Wharf, and installation of security lighting and fencing. Additional upgrades include new warehouse and office construction, concrete slabs, and utility enhancements. The agreement includes environmental safeguards and supports Guam’s strategic readiness and long-term economic growth.

The Shapiro Administration has announced the extension of the Pennsylvania Intermodal Cargo Growth Incentive Program (PICGIP) through July 2027. The program provides up to $1 million annually to ocean carriers that move containerized cargo through Pennsylvania ports, offering $25 per new container for both new and qualifying existing carriers. Since its launch in 2015, over 3 million cargo units have moved through the state’s ports under the program, with $7 million awarded to nine carriers. In 2024, PhilaPort handled over 840,000 containers and PSA Penn Terminals handled 357,000. Additional incentives are available for carriers introducing new service lines from Southeast or Far East Asia, with increased caps of up to $500,000 per fiscal year.

The Port of Lake Charles has launched Kids Port, an interactive exhibit housed within the Children’s Museum of Southwest Louisiana at the new Port Wonder facility on the Lake Charles lakefront. The exhibit offers hands-on activities that introduce children to port operations, global trade, and maritime careers. Key features include simulations like “Port Watch” and role-playing experiences related to importing/exporting and port logistics. Kids Port is part of a $32 million public-private initiative that also includes the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Nature and Science Center. The exhibit supports the Port’s mission to promote community education and awareness of the maritime industry.

The Port Authority of the Cayman Islands has launched a five-year modernization effort to replace and upgrade aging cargo-handling equipment at Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. Funded in part by a government-approved rate adjustment effective January 2024, the Authority received $7 million for the current fiscal year, drawn from cruise passenger and cargo income. A total of $55 million has been projected for fleet and operations upgrades, with $22 million earmarked specifically for equipment replacements. The first major purchase — a Konecranes Gottwald Generation 6 mobile harbor crane for Grand Cayman — is expected to cost $5 million and be delivered by year-end. Plans are in place to acquire up to two additional cranes and secure further container-handling equipment in the coming years.

Ruth Liao

Bloomberg

 

Michael Angell

Journal of Commerce

 

Maritime Executive

 

Stas Margaronis

AJOT

 

Aidan Quigley

CQ Roll Call

 

Reuters

 

AJOT

 

Noël Fletcher

Transport Topics

 

Glenn Vaagen

Pacific Northwest Ag Network

 

Jake Spring

Washington Post

 

Derek Decloet

Bloomberg

 

Mike Schuler

gCaptain

 

Tampa Bay Times