The bipartisan bill aims to establish a sustainable funding mechanism for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) by utilizing existing user fees while improving transparency and oversight. AAPA President & CEO Cary Davis emphasized that inspection operations are a federal responsibility and called the legislation a step toward enabling ports to focus on moving cargo.
The legislation is co-sponsored by Reps. Buchanan, Brownley, and Carter and supported by 27 organizations across trade, transportation, and agriculture sectors. Leaders from the Port of Albany, Port of Vancouver USA, Port Everglades, Port Tampa Bay, Massport, and SeaPort Manatee also voiced their support, highlighting the bill’s potential to enhance port security, strengthen federal partnerships, and improve operational efficiency. The CBP SPACE Act was originally introduced in November 2023 during the 118th Congress.
Read an industry letter of support from 27 allied organizations here.
Read the full CBP SPACE Act legislation here.
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Now’s the time to secure your spot as a sponsor or exhibitor at the 114th AAPA Annual Convention & Expo, taking place October 6–8 in Québec City. With nearly 1,000 port professionals, supply chain leaders, and government officials expected to attend, this is the largest port-focused gathering in the Western Hemisphere—and a prime opportunity to connect with key decision-makers.
Sponsorship packages offer high-visibility benefits like speaking opportunities, branded experiences, exclusive networking access, and more. Exhibit booths are also available for companies looking to build business and brand recognition among a highly engaged audience.
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While President Trump has expressed a desire to increase tariffs on all non-USMCA Canadian imports from the current 25% to 35%, negotiations are still ongoing ahead of the August 1 deadline. Prime Minister Carney has acknowledged that any deal with Trump will likely include tariffs. At the same time, the Canadian government remains committed not only to investing in port infrastructure but also to streamlining the permitting process for large projects, aiming to strengthen supply chains and offset some of the trade and tariff-related frictions.
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The Port of Grays Harbor’s Westport Marina has received a new Spill Response Vessel funded by a Department of Ecology Spills Prevention, Preparedness and Response Grant awarded in fall 2024. Following a competitive bidding process, Silverback Marine of Tacoma, WA was selected to build the vessel, which features a flat deck design, central cabin, and upgraded 115 HP engine to enhance safety and maneuverability. Delivered in May 2025, the vessel has already supported Marina staff and seasonal hires during the busy summer months. The Marina’s operations team often acts as first responders to incidents like oil spills, and the new vessel is expected to significantly reduce response times and improve safety.
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The Port of Los Angeles handled 892,340 TEUs in June 2025, marking the busiest June in its 117-year history and an 8% increase over June 2024. The spike is attributed to importers accelerating shipments ahead of potential tariff increases. For fiscal year 2025, which ended June 30, the Port processed 10.5 million TEUs—its third year surpassing 10 million—with no vessel backups reported. June’s loaded imports rose 10% to 470,450 TEUs, exports increased 3% to 126,144 TEUs, and empty containers climbed 7% to 295,746 TEUs. Year-to-date, the Port has handled nearly 5 million TEUs, a 5% rise over the same period last year.
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On July 11, 2025, the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners unanimously elected Andreas Cluver as Board President. Jahmese Myres was elected First Vice President, and Barbara Leslie was elected Second Vice President. Cluver, who joined the Board in 2016, previously served as President from 2020 to 2022 and held other leadership roles. Two new members—Alvina Wong and Derrick Muhammad—were appointed to the Board by Mayor Barbara Lee, with Barbara Leslie reappointed to a new term. The seven-member Board serves without compensation and is confirmed by the Oakland City Council.
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The Port of San Francisco and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center announced encouraging early findings from the Living Seawall Pilot, which began in 2022. The project, designed to test how textured, marine-friendly seawall tiles can enhance biodiversity, has shown thriving communities of native oysters, seaweed, crabs, and other marine life. Over 270 small and 18 large tiles were installed at three Port sites and monitored for ecological growth. The pilot is part of the Port’s broader Waterfront Resilience Program, aimed at supporting shoreline protection and habitat restoration. Full results will be released in 2026 following laboratory analysis of the tiles now being transferred to SERC’s labs.
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Port of Corpus Christi customers moved 51.1 million tons of commodities in Q2 2025, setting a new second-quarter record. The first half of 2025 also marked the Port’s strongest on record, with 102.4 million tons moved—surpassing the previous first-half record of 99.5 million tons set in 2024. Crude oil shipments totaled 65.2 million tons, a 3.8% increase from the prior year, while LNG volumes rose 10.8% to 8.5 million tons. Growth was also seen in dry bulk, breakbulk, and other bulk liquids. These gains are supported by the Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project, which enhanced shipping efficiency through deeper and wider channels and is projected to save over $200 million annually in transportation costs.
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We’re proud to welcome our newest AAPA member! Your involvement strengthens our shared mission to advance the maritime industry and foster collaboration throughout the Americas. We look forward to working with you!
Pole Star Defense is a leading US based maritime intelligence & technology company that sits in the center of the maritime domain, delivering Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Global Maritime Weather & Risk Routing, and Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) solutions to both commercial and government sectors.
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The Port of Cleveland’s board of directors has approved a $4 million construction contract with Mark Haynes Construction, Inc. to extend the life of its current dredge sediment repository through 2029. The facility, located north of Burke Lakefront Airport, is the only site permitted to receive the 250,000 cubic yards of sediment dredged annually from the Cleveland Harbor and Cuyahoga River. The Port plans to repay the project costs over time through tipping fees from contractors working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This extension allows continued operations while the Cleveland Harbor Eastern Embayment Resilience Strategy (CHEERS) awaits permitting and development.
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The Port Authority of Guam has officially launched the Warehouse I Building Maintenance Project with a groundbreaking ceremony. The $4.8 million initiative, awarded to BME & Sons, Inc., includes structural repairs, mitigation of salt and water intrusion, a protective silicone roof coating, and replacement of electrical and fire protection systems. Originally built in 1967–1968, the 54,000-square-foot facility is vital to Port operations and houses employees and tenants. The ceremony also featured the swearing-in of board members Conchita S.N. Taitano and Mark B.C. Mendiola, and a blessing of new yard equipment acquired through a U.S. Department of Transportation grant. The project is scheduled for completion by December 8, 2026.
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The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has initiated the search for qualified teams to design and build the landmass and wharf components of the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project, a major new marine container terminal at the Port of Vancouver. The project will add over $100 billion in trade capacity and contribute $3 billion annually to Canada’s GDP, with construction planned to start in 2028 and operations expected by the mid-2030s. The contract includes environmental measures such as a fish passage to support juvenile salmon and habitat enhancement projects in collaboration with First Nations. The procurement process involves a competitive, design-build approach with key deadlines for submissions in September 2025 and a shortlist announcement this fall. The project has received approval from federal and provincial governments, with continued collaboration planned with First Nations and regulators.
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The Port Task Force (FTP) held a meeting with major shipping companies in Panama to coordinate efforts aimed at optimizing logistics and strengthening security at the country’s ports. The initiative focuses on improving cargo traceability, incident response, and streamlining container flow through collaboration between public and private sectors. Key priorities identified include reducing wait times, enhancing safety standards, and combating crimes like drug trafficking. The FTP, which includes the Panama Maritime Authority, National Customs Authority, and other agencies, plans to expand coordination to include additional government entities involved in port logistics. This meeting marks the first formal engagement with shipping companies under the FTP’s action plan.
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House bill would ensure adequate CBP funding
Stuart Chirls
Freightwaves
Kellie Lunney
Bloomberg
Stas Margaronis
AJOT
Mike Schuler
gCaptain
Maritime Executive
Reuters
David LaRoss
Inside Trade
Keith Wallis
Journal of Commerce
Beijing pushes for state-owned Cosco to become shareholder of two Panama Canal ports, dozens of others in BlackRock deal
Costas Paris and Jack Pitcher
Wall Street Journal
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30
Jul 2025
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Time: 1:30-2:30 pm ET
For more information or a link to attend, please contact AAPA staff liaison Liz Mancini at lmancini@aapa-ports.org.
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8
Aug 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 Shannon McLeod at smcleod@aapa-ports.org.
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12
Aug 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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13
Aug 2025
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Time: 11:00 am-12:00 pm ET
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20
Aug 2025
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Time: 1:00-2:00 pm ET For more information or a link to register, please contact Liz Mancini at lmancini@aapa-ports.org.
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10
Sep 2025
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Time: 1:00-2:00 pm ET
For more information or a link to register, please contact Liz Mancini at lmancini@aapa-ports.org.
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17
Sep 2025
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Time: 1:00-2:00 pm ET
For more information or a link to register, please contact Liz Mancini at lmancini@aapa-ports.org.
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2
Oct 2025
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Time: 1:00-2:00 pm ET
For more information or a link to register, please contact Liz Mancini at lmancini@aapa-ports.org.
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28
Oct 2025
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Time: 1:00-2:00 pm ET
For more information or a link to register, please contact Liz Mancini at lmancini@aapa-ports.org.
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6
Nov 2025
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Time: 1:00-2:00 pm ET
For more information or a link to register, please contact Liz Mancini at lmancini@aapa-ports.org.
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19
Nov 2025
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Time: 1:00-2:00 pm ET
For more information or a link to register, please contact Liz Mancini at lmancini@aapa-ports.org.
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