AAPA recently joined leading maritime organizations in signing a joint letter to Congress urging continued federal funding for NOAA’s Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS) and the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). These programs provide essential real-time data that support safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible navigation across U.S. waterways.

 

The letter emphasizes the growing importance of PORTS and IOOS as vessel sizes increase and maritime traffic continues to rise. AAPA stands with its industry partners in calling for full support of these critical navigation safety systems.

 

We’re thrilled to announce that Erik Varela, Executive Director of the Illinois International Port District (Port of Chicago), has joined the AAPA Board of Directors as the new representative for the U.S. Great Lakes region.

 

📅 Submissions close June 20, 2025, at midnight ET

 

The Port of Edmonds has signed a 50-year ground lease agreement with Mike and Ryan Appleby of 1010 Development for the waterfront property at 300 Admiral Way. The Applebys acquired the Landing building from longtime owners Catspaw LLC, who chose not to renew their lease set to expire in 2029. 1010 Development plans to maintain the current building footprint while exploring the future development of a boutique hotel featuring amenities such as a restaurant, spa, social club, and café. The proposal underwent a comprehensive public review, including 11 commission meetings, and received unanimous approval from the Port Commission. In the meantime, the Landing will continue operating as a retail and office space, with Arnie’s Restaurant remaining as a key tenant and Snoqualmie Gourmet Ice Cream set to open later this year.

Governor Jeff Landry has reiterated his strong backing for the Louisiana International Terminal (LIT), a major infrastructure project led by the Port of New Orleans in partnership with Terminal Investment Limited (TiL) and Ports America. The terminal, located in St. Bernard Parish, is set to begin construction by the end of 2025 and is designed to expand port capacity, improve multimodal connectivity, and enhance access to inland markets. The project is expected to create thousands of construction and permanent jobs and is considered one of the largest federal investments in a U.S. container terminal. Governor Landry met with leadership from TiL and Ports America to discuss the project’s progress and expressed confidence in its long-term economic impact.

On Saturday, July 12, the Port of Long Beach will host free “Green Port Celebration Tours” to mark the 20th anniversary of its Green Port Policy. The event will feature five narrated, 90-minute harbor cruises starting at 10 a.m. and departing every two hours from Dock 3 near the Aquarium of the Pacific. Tours will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis and will showcase the Port’s environmental achievements over the past two decades. In addition to the cruises, the event will include educational booths, games, photo opportunities, and family-friendly activities. Port officials highlighted the event as a way to engage the community and celebrate ongoing environmental progress.

The Duluth Seaway Port Authority and its Rice’s Point terminal operations earned a 3.25 average score in the 2024 Green Marine Performance Report, ranking second among U.S. Great Lakes ports and seventh overall in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System. Green Marine evaluates environmental performance across nine categories and introduced stricter criteria this year, including mandatory aquatic ecosystem assessments and heightened greenhouse gas targets. The Port Authority has been part of Green Marine since its inception in 2007 and advanced its efforts in 2024 with a climate action plan aiming for net-zero operating emissions by 2050. Current initiatives include energy efficiency upgrades, adoption of zero-emission equipment, and increased use of renewable energy at the Clure Public Marine Terminal.

The Port of San Diego is finalizing design for the first phase of Harbor Park improvements on the Chula Vista Bayfront, with construction expected to begin in fall 2025 and complete by summer 2026. The project will expand the existing 12-acre Bayside Park into a 25-acre Harbor Park, incorporating 13 additional acres created through the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center development. Approved improvements include new landscaping, playgrounds, circulation pathways, pedestrian lighting, and park furnishings. BN Builders has been contracted for progressive design-build services for the Upland Improvements phase. The Harbor Park expansion is part of the broader Chula Vista Bayfront redevelopment, which also includes Sweetwater Park, the Gaylord Pacific Resort, and other public amenities.

On June 13, 2025, officials from the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) visited the Port Authority of Guam to discuss vital infrastructure initiatives, including the acquisition of ship-to-shore gantry cranes and updates on the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program. Peter Simons and Gus Hein of MARAD met with Port General Manager Rory J. Respicio and staff to review funding proposals under the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) and to assess progress on critical repairs to Wharves F2–F6. The discussions highlighted the strategic importance of modernizing port equipment to maintain cargo throughput and military readiness. The Port also continues to seek funding support through the Department of Defense and Congressional efforts. Respicio underscored MARAD’s essential role in bolstering Guam’s infrastructure and its capacity as a commercial and defense logistics hub in the Western Pacific.

On June 12, 2025, the Port of Cleveland’s Board of Directors approved $92 million in financing for three major development initiatives supporting housing, hospitality, and economic revitalization. The projects include $35 million in inducement bonds for the 136-unit affordable Watterson Lake Apartments in Cleveland’s Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood; $32 million in taxable lease revenue bonds for a 136-room AC Marriott hotel at the Valor Acres redevelopment site in Brecksville; and up to $25 million in taxable bonds for Bridgeworks, a mixed-use development featuring 219 apartments near the Detroit-Superior Bridge. These projects exemplify the Port’s strategic use of innovative financing tools to spur community development, attract private investment, and enhance regional growth.

In response to rising purple martin numbers, the port has expanded its conservation habitat by adding a new tower with eight more nesting gourds in 2025, bringing the total to 40. The program, launched in 2011 at the Columbia River Wetland Mitigation Bank, has seen strong success, with over 60 chicks fledged in recent years. Purple martins, North America's largest swallow, migrate annually from South America to the Pacific Northwest. The port’s efforts have contributed to the species' stabilization in Washington, where they are now considered low but stable in number. The initiative also fosters public awareness through youth education programs and reflects the port’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

We’re excited to welcome the newest member of the AAPA community, Huisman North America Services, LLC. 

 

Chief Revenue Officer; New Orleans, Louisiana; Port of New Orleans

 

Enterprise Safety Director; Seal Beach, California; The Pasha Group

 

SENIOR MARITIME PROJECTS ADMINISTRATOR; Oakland, California; Port of Oakland

 

Assistant Professor of History (two positions); Kings Point, New York; United States Merchant Marine Academy

 

President and Chief Executive Officer; Cleveland, Ohio; Port of Cleveland

 

Manager of Environmental Permitting; Corpus Christi, Texas; Port of Corpus Christi Authority

 

Chief Operating Officer; Houston, Texas; Port Houston

 

GIS Industry Solutions Manager - Ports; Redlands, California; ESRI, Inc

 

Deputy Executive Director of Commercial Development; California; Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)

 

Chief Financial Officer; Pascagoula, Mississippi; Port Pascagoula

 

Risk Manager; Stockton, California; Port of Stockton

Kim Mackrael, Vipal Monga and Natalie Andrews

Wall Street Journal

 

Brendan Murray

Bloomberg

 

AJOT

 

Maritime Logistics Professional

 

Mike Schuler

gCaptain

 

Jon Chesto

The Boston Globe

 

AJOT

 

Eugene Mulero

Transport Topics

 

Stuart Chirls

Freightwaves