On March 25, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released its 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. Ports were assigned a B, an increase from the B- received in 2021 and the highest graded category in the 2025 report. The improved grade was largely credited to the increased federal resources from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) supporting more than 1,000 projects to date. Despite renewed investment, ports are projected to have a $38 billion gap in future needs from 2024 to 2033. Workforce and environmental issues posed additional challenges in the sector moving forward as well.
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Now’s your chance to elevate your organization's profile and earn industry-wide recognition for the impactful work your team is doing. AAPA’s premier awards program shines a light on excellence across the port industry — and this year’s expanded categories make it easier than ever to showcase your achievements.
✨ New in 2025: Maritime Innovator of the Year
Exclusively for AAPA Industry Solution Provider (ISP) Members, this new award honors breakthrough technologies, products, or services making measurable improvements in port operations, safety, or sustainability.
🏆 Port Awards – 10 Categories for Port Members
From Environment and Infrastructure to Public Affairs and Legal, the Lighthouse Awards celebrate excellence across every area of port operations — with separate tracks for large and small ports.
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The Duluth Seaway Port Authority has appointed Kevin Beardsley as its new executive director, effective June 3, 2025, following the retirement of Deb DeLuca. Beardsley has served as the Port Authority’s chief financial officer since 2014 and brings more than 30 years of experience in finance, including managing over $35 million in capital projects. His leadership contributed to significant upgrades at the Clure Public Marine Terminal and four consecutive years of increased general cargo tonnage, including a 39-year high in 2022. Beardsley also played a key role in the renovation of the historic Seaway Building, which now houses the Port Authority. One of his first responsibilities will be initiating the search for his CFO successor.
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On May 28, Port Muskogee signed a Railroad Facilities Operating Agreement with OmniTRAX, naming the company the exclusive operator of the Port Muskogee Railroad (PMR). This partnership aims to enhance rail service, support industrial growth, and expand multimodal access in the region. OmniTRAX will manage operations on port-owned tracks and bring national expertise, scalable service, and connections to Class I railroads. Muskogee is strategically positioned with access to rail, road, river, and runway, and has more than 1,000 acres of industrial land and over $4.1 billion in recent capital project announcements. The PMR becomes the 30th railroad in the OmniTRAX network and its fifth U.S. port partnership.
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The Georgia Ports Authority has introduced the GPA Trucker mobile app to streamline operations for drivers at the Port of Savannah, which handles 14,000–16,000 gate moves daily. The app helps truckers save time and reduce paperwork by providing digital container tickets, gate hour notifications, and route guidance, with login options using facial recognition or fingerprint ID. It enhances the PIN-based container transaction process by offering a digital ticket that can be saved or shared. The app also alerts users if a container’s pickup window has expired or been reassigned, and future updates will include navigation features. Available for free on Apple AppStore and Google Play, the app is part of GPA’s broader effort to boost supply chain efficiency and improve the trucking experience.
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The Port of Oakland has approved a 10-year agreement with the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) to purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) generated by EBMUD’s wastewater treatment plant in West Oakland. Beginning July 1, 2025, the Port will acquire RECs at a fixed price of $36 each, representing one megawatt-hour of renewable electricity per certificate. The agreement is expected to provide between 11,300 and 17,700 megawatt-hours of clean energy annually, meeting 10% to 15% of the Port’s total energy needs. The Port operates a public utility system serving over 300 connections and has partnered with EBMUD since 2012. This initiative supports the Port’s efforts to reduce emissions and advance sustainability across its aviation, maritime, and commercial real estate operations.
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Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor has broken ground on a $10 million, 84,000-square-foot warehouse — the first new warehouse at the port in 25 years. The facility, located next to Berth 2, includes a 1.65-acre laydown yard and occupies four acres of previously undeveloped land. It is part of a $77 million multimodal expansion and is expected to open in early 2026. The new warehouse will expand the port’s current 640,000 square feet of storage and aims to increase supply chain flexibility and export capacity for local businesses. The port, which handles 3 million tons of cargo annually, is also developing an international container terminal slated for 2026.
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The Port of Galveston reported significant growth in roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) cargo volumes, with tonnage rising from 22,828 tons in January 2025 to 85,244 tons in March 2025. In 2024, ro-ro cargo contributed 445,000 tons to the port’s total of 3.4 million tons. The port handles ro-ro imports such as vehicles and heavy equipment from the European Union, England, and Mexico. To meet growing demand, the port is investing $77.5 million to expand its West Port Cargo Complex, with completion expected in April 2026. Long-term partnerships with carriers including Wallenius Wilhelmsen, ARC, K-Line, and NYK continue to support Galveston’s role as a key Gulf Coast gateway.
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In April 2025, the Port of Monroe successfully managed a complex project cargo shipment arriving from Antwerp, Belgium aboard Spliethoff’s M/V Hudsongracht. The operation included offloading heavy-lift and breakbulk pieces, which were staged and transloaded for final delivery to a Midwest destination. The effort involved coordination between the Port, DRM Terminal Management, and multiple logistics partners. The port has secured $30 million in infrastructure funding for future improvements, including Michigan’s first maritime cargo inspection facility, a new RoRo dock extension, and resilience upgrades funded by federal and state programs. These developments support the port’s long-term goal of becoming Michigan’s leading intermodal marine terminal.
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The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) reported a 15.9% year-to-date increase in total container volumes through April 2025, driven by a 21.7% rise in full international imports and a 2.5% gain in domestic volumes. Full international exports declined slightly by 0.5%, while total container volume for April reached 277,828 TEUs, up 7.4% compared to April 2024. The port welcomed the 6,014 TEU vessel Phoebe — equipped with dual-fuel technology — on its maiden call at Washington United Terminals. Meanwhile, breakbulk cargo declined 40.2% year-to-date, and auto volumes fell 17.1%, attributed to reduced sales in those sectors. Alaska and Hawaii volumes grew by 1.5% and 7.9%, respectively.
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The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority will issue a request for qualifications in July 2025 to select a construction partner for the landmass and wharf components of the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project. The new marine container terminal is expected to enable over $100 billion in annual trade and generate more than 35,000 jobs, including over 18,000 during construction and 17,000 long-term positions once operational. The procurement will follow a progressive design-build model, beginning with three shortlisted candidates moving into a design and early works agreement phase. Major construction, including land reclamation, is set to begin in 2028, with terminal operations expected to commence in the mid-2030s. The project has received approvals from federal and provincial governments, and 27 Indigenous groups have given consent for it to proceed.
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PortMiami has been awarded Best Cruise Port by Global Traveler magazine for the third year in a row as part of the 13th Annual Leisure Lifestyle Awards. The award was announced during a ceremony held on May 22, at the InterContinental Miami and is featured in the magazine’s May issue. The recognition follows a reader survey conducted between September 2024 and January 2025. In Fiscal Year 2024, PortMiami set a new record with 8.2 million cruise passengers, a 12.79% increase from the previous year, and achieved its busiest day on March 30, 2025, with 72,008 passengers. PortMiami also hosted 10 cruise ships in one day for the first time on February 8, 2025.
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The Port of Redwood City hosted its 2025 drone show on May 10, drawing community members for an evening of music, local food, and a nautical-themed drone display. The event featured a performance by Super Diamond and continued the tradition of celebrating the waterfront with engaging programming supported by event sponsors. The Port also announced the return of its Rock the Dock summer concert series, running Saturdays from May 24 through June 14, with performances by local bands including Cocktail Monkeys, Pride and Joy SF, Fishcake & Unchained, and The Houserockers. Additionally, the Port awarded $22,200 in funding to 11 local organizations through its 2025 Port Sponsorship Program, supporting events focused on economic growth, environmental stewardship, youth and education, and community benefit. Sponsored organizations include the Marine Science Institute, Sequoia YMCA, and Redwood City Library Foundation.
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At its May 2025 meeting, the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority announced $131 million in funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers FY25 workplan, including $33 million for the Houston Ship Channel Expansion (Project 11) and $98 million for operations and maintenance dredging. The USACE also approved the Assumption of Maintenance for Segment 1B of the channel, following Segment 1C's approval in 2022, which is projected to save Port Houston nearly $380 million over 50 years. Dredging for Segment 1C is expected to conclude by early Q3 2025, with Galveston Bay beneficial use features scheduled for completion in Q4. Additionally, Port Houston commissioned 20 clean diesel yard tractors to replace older units and is working with partners to improve air draft markings on the I-610 bridge. The Port also celebrated maritime education program graduates and the upcoming grand opening of the Maritime Museum’s new location near its headquarters.
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Olin Corporation has chosen the Port of Montreal as its logistics hub for importing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) into Ontario and Quebec. The port's intermodal connectivity and proximity to key markets made it a strategic choice for Olin's supply chain needs. To meet the specialized requirements for transshipment and warehousing of PVC, the Port facilitated connections with logistics providers, leading to a partnership with Proactive Supply Chain Group in the Greater Toronto Area. Together, they developed a customized, secure transshipment solution to support Olin’s operations. The collaboration ensures a seamless supply chain from the Port of Montreal to Olin’s target markets in Eastern Canada.
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The Port of Albany has received a 2025 Safety Initiative Grant from the Public Employer Risk Management Association, Inc. (PERMA), selected from among more than two dozen applicants. The funding will support the purchase of Coast Guard-approved inflatable work vests designed to improve mobility, visibility, and flotation for the Operations & Facilities team. Earlier this year, the Port also received PERMA support for a laptop and 55” screen to enhance group health and safety training sessions. PERMA is a member-owned, not-for-profit organization serving over 800 public entities across New York. The Port of Albany contributes more than $428 million annually to the regional economy and supports approximately 1,400 local jobs.
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Order Leaves in Place Section 232 Levies That Trump Instituted, Including on Automobiles, Parts, and Steel and Aluminum
Lindsay Whitehurst and Josh Boak
Associated Press
Declining shipments take a toll on dockworkers, truckers and Big Nick’s Pizza
Paul Berger
Wall Street Journal
Reuters
Laura Robb
Journal of Commerce
Stephen Lee
Bloomberg
Tim Jay
Global Trade Magazine
Charlotte Goldstone
The Loadstar
Mike Schuler
gCaptain
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3
Jun 2025
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Time: 2:00-3:00 pm ET
For more information or a link to attend, please contact AAPA staff liaison, Melodie George at mgeorge@aapa-ports.org.
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10
Jun 2025
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Time: 2:00-3:00 pm ET
For more information or a link to attend, please contact AAPA staff liaison, Holden Haley at hhaley@aapa-ports.org.
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11
Jun 2025
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Time: 2:00-3:00 pm ET
For more information or a link to register, please contact AAPA staff liaison, Cary Davis at cdavis@aapa-ports.org.
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13
Jun 2025
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Time: 2:00-3:00 pm ET
For more information or a link to register, please contact AAPA staff liaison, Shannon McLeod at smcleod@aapa-ports.org.
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