This Independence Day, we celebrate the spirit of innovation, resilience, and unity that drives the American port and maritime industry — and recognize the vital role our U.S. members play in powering the national economy.

 

We also salute our international members across the Americas, whose collaboration helps keep trade flowing and communities connected.

 

Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected future.

From July 2–7, use promo code SEASTHE4TH at checkout to claim $75 off registration for the 114th Annual Convention & Expo in Québec City.

 

Join port leaders from across the Americas to explore cross-border collaboration, strengthen industry influence, and gain actionable strategies on funding, resilience, and more.

 

📅 Don’t miss this limited-time offer — register today!

🔗 bit.ly/114AnnualConvention

The Port of Everett and Schack Art Center have partnered to bring back Float Find, a free, family-friendly treasure hunt featuring 200 unique, locally blown glass floats hidden around Waterfront Place and Jetty Island from July 11 to August 29, 2025. Each Friday, 25 floats will be hidden—five shoreside with clues provided and 20 on Jetty Island without clues, accessible by ferry. Additionally, attendees at the Fresh Paint Arts Festival in downtown Everett on August 16-17 can win one of 50 glass floats by participating in festival activities. Local artists create the floats in Schack Art Center’s public hot shop, and local businesses are sponsoring the event and clue drops. Participants can exchange found clear floats for the real glass pieces at Hotel Indigo or keep floats found on Jetty Island after online check-in. 

Ag Processing Inc. (AGP), the Port of Grays Harbor’s largest customer, donated $50,000 to the Aberdeen Fire Department to support its equipment and training needs. This contribution accompanies AGP’s expansion of a new export facility at Terminal 4B, expected to create 80 full-time jobs by mid-2026. AGP emphasized its commitment to community safety as its presence grows in Aberdeen. Aberdeen Fire Chief Dave Golding expressed gratitude for the donation’s role in enhancing the department’s response capabilities. Port of Grays Harbor Executive Director Leonard Barnes praised AGP as a key partner and highlighted the importance of supporting local first responders.

The Port Houston Authority’s Community Relations Committee approved $500,000 in grants to 24 local organizations, marking the largest number of recipients and highest funding amount in the program’s history. Since 2020, the program has awarded over $2.1 million to support 95 initiatives benefiting communities in the greater Houston port region. In 2025, the program received 136 applications requesting more than $4.2 million. Port Commissioner Wendy Montoya Cloonan emphasized the program’s role in strengthening the region and supporting quality of life. The grants align with Port Houston’s strategic priorities of job creation and maritime economic growth.

Mike McCoshen was sworn in on June 16 as the new administrator of the U.S. Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS), succeeding Adam Tindall-Schlicht. McCoshen, a native of Superior, Wisconsin, brings over 45 years of experience in maritime logistics, including leadership roles at McCoshen Logistics Solutions and Hallett Dock Company in Duluth. He is the 12th GLS administrator and the third with ties to the Port of Duluth-Superior. The GLS oversees U.S. infrastructure and waters of the St. Lawrence Seaway and supports trade and economic activity in the region. Duluth Seaway Port Authority Executive Director Kevin Beardsley praised McCoshen’s expertise and long-standing commitment to Great Lakes cargo transportation.

The Port Authority of Guam has added five new 5.5-ton forklifts to its cargo operations fleet, funded in part by a U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) grant under the America’s Marine Highway Program. These forklifts, valued at $352,015, are part of a broader $8.48 million equipment modernization effort, with MARAD covering $5.7 million. The program supports the “Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Route” (M-GNM1), officially designated in 2021. The new forklifts complement previously received equipment, including container handlers, yard tractors, and mobile reefer generators, enhancing the Port’s cargo handling efficiency and safety. Port leadership credited strong teamwork and strategic funding partnerships for the ongoing modernization success.

The LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games announced that sailing competitions will be held at two Southern California venues: the Port of Los Angeles and Belmont Shore in Long Beach. The Port of Los Angeles will host six boat events, including Men’s and Women’s Dinghy, Skiff, Mixed Dinghy, and Mixed Multihull, while Belmont Shore will host four board events: Men’s and Women’s Windsurfing and Kite. This marks a return of Olympic sailing to the Port of Los Angeles, which previously hosted the event in 1932, and to Long Beach, which did so in 1984. Events will be staged consecutively, with Belmont Shore hosting first, followed by races at the Port, located about 10 miles apart. The full LA28 competition schedule is expected to be released later this summer.

We’re proud to welcome our newest AAPA members! Your involvement strengthens our shared mission to advance the maritime industry and foster collaboration throughout the Americas. We look forward to working with you!

 

Servius offers full intelligence cycle solutions that are designed to mitigate, monitor, and thwart evolving and multifaceted threats. By providing a cohesive, integrated approach, we aim to enhance the security of the United States — from its people and critical infrastructure to its strategic interests. Combining decades of experience, stoic patriotism, and a desire for ongoing service, Servius Operators engage with the core tenants of Experience, Intelligence, and Empathy.

 

Created by CMA CGM, ZEBOX is a global co-innovation catalyst dedicated to the maritime, logistics, and media sectors. We support large companies in tackling today’s and tomorrow’s major challenges through co-innovation. To do so, we empower leading corporations by connecting them with high-potential startups from around the world.

Since July 1, 2024, the Panama Maritime Authority’s General Directorate of Seafarers (DGGM) has issued 7,521 national waters licenses and provided 10,206 training sessions across fishing and tourist areas in Panama. The licenses include sailor, 2nd class boat operator, and 2nd class fishing skipper categories, with training covering survival, maritime safety, first aid, fire prevention, nautical terminology, and biosafety protocols. The program improves maritime service access in historically underserved areas and continues through June with visits planned in Colón and Veraguas provinces. The initiative receives support from community organizations and the National Aeronaval Service’s Vigilant Fishermen program, fostering connections between the AMP and island communities.

The Port of New York and New Jersey was the nation’s busiest cargo gateway in May 2025, handling 774,698 TEUs (425,876 containers). Year-to-date cargo volume from January through May reached 3,729,611 TEUs, marking a 6.5% increase over the same period in 2024. Despite a 2% decline in monthly TEU volume compared to May 2024, the port showed strong performance, supported by diversified supply chains. Import volumes rose 5.3% year-to-date, while exports increased 3.8% over the same period. Rail cargo saw significant growth, with a 22.3% increase in May and a 10.2% year-to-date rise, highlighting the port's role in efficient intermodal transport. 

Port of Albany CEO Richard J. Hendrick has joined the Board of Directors of Seafarers International House NYC, an organization serving mariners and seafarers in the New York region. Hendrick has led significant growth and environmental leadership at the Port since 2004 and holds several other industry and community board positions. Chief Financial Officer Christine Stuto was appointed to the Board of Trustees for the Foundation of St. Catherine’s Center for Children and represents the Port on the North Atlantic Ports Association board. Both leaders contribute to regional economic development, with the Port of Albany supporting over 1,400 local jobs and generating an annual economic impact of more than $428 million.

The St. Bernard Port, Harbor and Terminal District held a dedication ceremony on May 14 to mark the completion of the Chalmette Slip Rehabilitation Project, restoring full operations to the historic deepwater facility for the first time in 40 years. Originally built in 1907, the Chalmette Slip is a key cargo hub along the Mississippi River, and the rehabilitation of sections A and F culminates more than 20 years of planning. The project was a collaboration between St. Bernard Port, Volkert, Inc., Boh Bros Construction, and Associated Terminals, the slip’s exclusive operator. State and federal support, including $15 million from Louisiana’s Port Priority Program and federal funding secured with the help of Majority Leader Steve Scalise, were instrumental in the project’s success. The restored slip enhances the region’s cargo-handling capabilities and supports the economic growth of Louisiana and the broader Gulf South. 

Chief Executive Officer; Longview, Texas; Port of Longview

 

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

 

Chief Financial Officer; Duluth, Minnesota; Duluth Seaway Port Authority

 

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

 

Director of Engineering & Facilities; Stockton, California; Port of Stockton

 

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

 

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

 

Chief Financial Officer; Pascagoula, Mississippi; Port Pascagoula

 

Risk Manager; Stockton, California; Port of Stockton