The 114th AAPA Annual Convention in Québec City was a landmark success — with 700+ attendees and representation from over 96 ports, the highest number of ports ever at an AAPA event.
It delivered outstanding opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and advancing port industry collaboration. Huge thanks to every port executive, professional, sponsor, exhibitor, and speaker for making it so meaningful.
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A big thank you from the AAPA staff! We couldn’t do it without your energy, participation, and leadership.
Congratulations to the 2025 graduates of AAPA’s Port Professional Manager (PPM®) program, honored during the Annual Convention in Québec City. This year also marked the 30th anniversary of the PPM program, celebrating three decades of developing leaders across ports and the supply chain.
2025 PPM Graduates:
- Erik Gerking, Chief of Planning & Development, Port of Everett
- Todd Krout, Director of Operations, Port of Vancouver USA
- Erik Neugaard, Lead Environmental Consultant
- Joseph Powell, MPE, Director of Security, Port Pascagoula
- Alisa Praskovich, PMP, CPE, Chief, Strategic Projects & Commission Relations, Port of Tacoma
AAPA is now accepting applications for the next PPM cohort. The program equips rising leaders with the knowledge and skills to advance their careers and strengthen their organizations.
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Liebherr has shipped four new mobile harbour cranes to Italy, emphasizing its commitment to energy-efficient port solutions. The deliveries include two electrically driven LHM 550 cranes for IPM Bari, an LHM 420 for La Nuova Meccanica Navale in Naples, and another electric LHM 420 for Interporto Rivers Venezia. These cranes will handle tasks ranging from ship repair and grain discharge to bulk and scrap operations. Each model offers advanced electric drive systems that enable locally emission-free operation when connected to shore power. Liebherr’s long-term partner, Mac Port, will continue providing nationwide service and support for these new additions.
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The Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) has announced that President and CEO Shaun Stevenson will retire effective December 31, 2025. Stevenson, who has served in the role since 2018 and been with PRPA since 1997, oversaw more than $3 billion in ongoing development projects at the gateway. Under his leadership, the Port of Prince Rupert became Canada’s third-largest port, anchoring over $60 billion in trade annually and supporting 7,500 jobs across northern British Columbia. The PRPA Board of Directors expressed gratitude for Stevenson’s contributions and will begin a comprehensive search for his successor to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
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Port Freeport marked its 100th anniversary with the arrival of two state-of-the-art Super Post-Panamax ship-to-shore gantry cranes on September 22, 2025. Transported fully assembled from Shanghai, the cranes stand over 300 feet tall, weigh more than 1,600 tons each, and can reach across 22 containers. Once installation and testing are complete this fall, they will expand the port’s capacity to service some of the world’s largest container vessels. The cranes were designed by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company and represent one of the most significant equipment upgrades in Port Freeport’s history. The port ranks sixth nationally in chemical exports and contributes $157.3 billion in economic output, supporting more than 266,000 jobs, according to a Texas A&M Transportation Institute study.
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Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero announced he will retire at the end of 2025, concluding an 8½-year tenure as chief executive and decades of public service in the maritime industry. Cordero previously served seven years on the Federal Maritime Commission, including four as chairman, and eight years on the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners. His leadership coincides with the Port’s “20 Years of Leading Green” celebration, marking two decades of environmental progress since the launch of the Green Port Policy he proposed in 2005. As CEO, Cordero led a staff of 600 and oversaw one of the world’s busiest trade gateways, contributing to 2.7 million U.S. jobs linked to Port operations. The Board of Harbor Commissioners will begin the process of selecting his successor in the coming months.
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The Port of New York and New Jersey handled 835,845 TEUs (455,904 containers) in August 2025, a 5.7% increase from August 2024 and the second-busiest August in its history. Year-to-date volume through August reached 6,047,395 TEUs, up 4.1% compared to the same period last year. Imports rose 5.1% to 416,009 TEUs, while exports increased 9.4% to 127,552 TEUs. Export empties grew 5.1% to 290,356 TEUs, and rail volume saw a 12.6% year-over-year increase with 64,266 containers moved. Auto volume also ticked up slightly in August, totaling 33,512 vehicles.
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The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) have signed a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) to advance the St. Bernard Transportation Corridor. The new roadway will directly connect the future Louisiana International Terminal in St. Bernard Parish to the interstate system, improving freight efficiency, local traffic flow, and hurricane evacuation routes. Under the agreement, DOTD will provide technical and design assistance while supporting Port NOLA’s efforts to secure a public-private partnership for the project’s development and operation. Port NOLA President and CEO Beth Branch emphasized the corridor’s role in enhancing regional safety, resilience, and competitiveness. The project is part of Port NOLA’s broader plan to position Louisiana as a leading international gateway for trade and investment.
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Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Lighthouse Awards, which honor outstanding port projects across multiple categories. This year’s winners span large and small ports, highlighting distinguished practices in areas from environmental stewardship to financial governance. The awards were presented during the Annual Convention in Québec City.
The 2025 Lighthouse Award winners include:
• Excellence in Administrative Practices & Economic Development Practices:
(Large Port) Port of Stockton, CA
• Excellence in Cruise Practices AND Excellence in Public Relations Campaign:
(Small Port) Detroit Wayne County Port Authority
• Excellence in Environmental Practices:
(Small Port) Port Pascagoula; (Large Port) Port of Everett
• Excellence in Studies, Plans, and/or Designs:
PortMiami
• Excellence in Financial Practices:
Port of Everett
• Excellence in Community/Educational Outreach
(Small Port) Port Pascagoula; (Large Port): Port of Baltimore
• Excellence in Public Relations Campaign:
(Large Port) Portos do Paraná
• Excellence in Print/Digital Media Communications:
(Small Port) Port of Cleveland; (Large Port) Port Corpus Christi
• Excellence in Security Practices & Technology Solutions:
(Large Port) Port Corpus Christi
• Maritime Innovator of the Year:
igus Inc.
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AAPA’s application portal for our esteemed Port Professional Manager (PPM) is open! The PPM program is designed for aspiring leaders and professionals in port and supply chain management and offers a unique opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills needed to achieve their professional goals.
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