The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has submitted official comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation in response to a Request for Information regarding the upcoming federal surface transportation reauthorization (STR).

 

AAPA President and CEO Cary Davis emphasized the importance of long-term infrastructure investments to strengthen the American maritime industry. The association is calling for $10.9 billion over five years in advanced appropriations for the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), which historically has leveraged significant non-federal matching funds. Additional priorities include equitable funding for ports, increased formula funding for infrastructure, adjustments to Build America, Buy America (BABA) regulations, and permitting reform. These recommendations have also been shared with Congress in advance of legislative development.

 

We are proud to announce the finalists for the 2025 AAPA Lighthouse Awards, recognizing excellence across the port industry.

 

This year, honorees will be recognized with Awards of Excellence for top projects, with Awards of Distinction also presented in most categories to highlight outstanding runners-up.

 

We look forward to celebrating the achievements of all recipients and announcing the winners during the AAPA Annual Convention in Quebec City, October 6–8.

 

Congratulations to all!

 

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) reported a 2% year-over-year increase in container volumes for the first half of 2025, moving 263,961 TEUs compared to 258,758 in the same period last year. Key drivers of this growth include rising Latin American trade and improved schedule reliability, which has reached 83%. Imports of organic chemicals from Mexico rose 70%, and copper imports from Asia increased fivefold. On the export side, plastic resin exports grew 30%, with notable increases in shipments to Vietnam (+155%), Turkey (+40%), and Brazil (+35%). Port NOLA also highlighted progress on the Louisiana International Terminal, a major infrastructure project aimed at accommodating larger vessels and expanding global connectivity.

The North Carolina State Ports Authority reported solid financial results for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Highlights include record intermodal volume and strong general cargo performance. Executive Director Brian Clark credited the results to the Ports’ diversified business model and the team's efforts amid fluctuating global trade conditions. The Authority expressed its intention to build on this success in Fiscal Year 2026 to further support North Carolina’s economy.

A new regional economic impact report found that the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), Port of Tacoma, and Port of Seattle supported over 265,000 jobs in 2023 and generated $17.7 billion in wages and benefits and nearly $55 billion in business output. The analysis, which evaluates all lines of business for the first time—including marine cargo, aviation, cruise, real estate, and commercial fishing—highlights the broad economic footprint of these organizations. NWSA operations alone supported 52,100 jobs and $14 billion in business output, while Port of Tacoma activities contributed to more than 41,000 jobs and $10.8 billion in output. The Port of Seattle’s business lines, including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and cruise, supported over 205,000 jobs and nearly $39 billion in output. The report was prepared by Community Attributes, Inc. and captures both direct and indirect economic impacts across Washington state.

Ports of Indiana has appointed Dexter Salenda to the newly established role of Foreign Trade and Economic Development Director. The position was created to grow the organization’s Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) program and expand services supporting Indiana businesses facing international trade and tariff challenges. Salenda brings nearly 15 years of experience in logistics and FTZ operations, with previous roles at DHL Global Forwarding, DB Schenker, and INzone. In his most recent position at DHL, he led business development in temperature-sensitive supply chains for life sciences and chemical sectors. All three Ports of Indiana locations are designated FTZs, and Salenda’s focus will include promoting FTZ benefits and expanding containerized cargo business across the state.

The Port of Québec will host its fourth Family Maritime Festival on Saturday, September 6, from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Estuaire sector near the Oasis. This free, public event offers entertainment for all ages—including bouncy castles, face painting, ice cream, and interactive booths—while highlighting the port’s daily operations and community role. Attendees can also enter to win unique experiences, such as a harbor tour, ship simulator session, or tugboat visit, courtesy of port partners. The event aims to strengthen connections between residents and maritime professionals by showcasing the people and expertise behind port activities. The Port of Québec acknowledges the support of several partners contributing to the festival, including Davie, Glencore, Ocean Group, and Valero.

S&P Global has affirmed the Georgia Ports Authority’s (GPA) AA/Stable credit rating on its revenue bonds as of August 8, 2025, aligning with the Aa2 rating issued by Moody’s in September 2024. The rating reflects GPA’s strong market position as a major import/export hub in the Southeast, robust financial metrics, and experienced management team. GPA has invested $3.2 billion in infrastructure over the past decade and plans to invest an additional $4.5 billion in the next ten years to expand cargo handling capabilities. The authority also announced a $6 million commitment to support local workforce housing near the Port of Savannah. Georgia’s ports support more than 609,000 jobs statewide and contribute significantly to the state’s economy.

Port Milwaukee has received the Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award from the U.S. Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation for the 16th time. The award recognizes a 70% increase in international tonnage in 2024, totaling over 324,000 metric tons of freight moved through the Seaway. Key cargoes included dry bulk materials like salt, cement, and aggregates, along with liquid bulk, steel, agricultural products, and oversized project cargo. The Port’s growth was supported by expanded agricultural infrastructure and strong collaboration among staff and terminal operators. The award was presented during a ceremony on August 15.

The Port of San Diego has published the sixth edition of its Blue Economy Incubator (BEI) Highlights Report, detailing program achievements since its 2016 launch. The incubator has leveraged $5.8 million in research and development funds and secured $2.35 million to support sustainable aquaculture and blue tech pilot projects. As of July 2025, the Port has approved 11 pilot project agreements, with six completed, including recent ventures like MarineLabs and HyperKelp. The program has gained 132 million media impressions and been featured in 25 speaking engagements globally. Notable achievements include weekly seaweed production by Sunken Seaweed and the expected annual production of 20 million oysters by San Diego Bay Aquaculture.

Michael Angell

Journal of Commerce

 

Gavin Bade and Kim Mackrael

Wall Street Journal

 

Noi Mahoney

Freightwaves

 

AJOT

 

Maritime Executive  

 

Mark Szakonyi

Journal of Commerce

 

Lucia Kassai and Christopher Charleston

Bloomberg

 

Transport Topics

 

Maritime Executive