The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) submitted comments to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on proposed modifications to Section 301 policy actions related to China’s maritime and shipbuilding practices. AAPA commended the Trump Administration for reaching a one-year suspension of shipping fees and tariffs, including those on Chinese-built vessels, ship-to-shore cranes, and other cargo handling equipment.
The association emphasized that additional tariffs could hinder port development and equipment investments, warning that higher costs may lead ports to delay capital improvement plans. Instead, AAPA proposed releasing the U.S. Port Cargo Handling Equipment Demand Study, enacting a $10.9 billion Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill, and restructuring tariffs to exclude allied nations. The comments also addressed industry concerns about fees on vehicle carriers and Great Lakes shipping.
|
Recently, Deloitte published a report titled “ Refit to Rebuild: A blueprint to help boost US commercial shipbuilding competitiveness.” It offers insightful and forward-looking recommendations on how to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding and maritime industry, such as embracing digital engineering, strengthening public-private partnerships, and upgrading shipyard infrastructure. These strategies provide a model to advance innovation and resilience across America’s ports, and enhanced competitiveness for our nation’s maritime industry on the global stage.
|
The Albany Maritime Ministry announced its 2025 holiday season initiatives, including the annual Christmas at Sea campaign, an Advent Open House on December 7, and a Beer & Carols fundraiser on December 15. Since 1974, the ecumenical ministry has served thousands of seafarers visiting the Port of Albany and nearby ports by offering hospitality, spiritual care, and advocacy for seafarers’ rights. The Ministry operates from the Rev. William G. Hemple Seafarers Center in the Port’s Maritime Terminal and is led by Chaplains Rev. Kate Drefke and Rev. D. Lowell Chilton. This year’s Christmas at Sea campaign invites the public to donate small, gift-wrapped boxes for seafarers, with drop-off locations at Unity Lutheran Church and the Port of Albany Administration Building through year’s end.
More information on donations and volunteering is available at www.albanymm.us.
|
The Port of Everett will host its 18th annual Holiday on the Bay festival on Saturday, December 6, from noon to 6 p.m. at Waterfront Place, featuring a holiday market, family activities, Santa’s arrival by boat, a tree-lighting ceremony, and a lighted boat parade. The weekend continues with the Holiday on the Bay 5K on Sunday, December 7, offering a chip-timed race along the marina. Additional seasonal events include Holiday Hooves: 12 Days of Reindeer with live reindeer visits from November 29–30 and December 14–23, and Sip & Sleigh Winter Drink Bingo running through December 31. The Port is also collecting unwrapped toys for Marine Toys for Tots and non-perishable food donations for Volunteers of America Western Washington through December 7. Full event details and schedules are available at www.portofeverett.com/winter.
|
The Port of Galveston celebrated the opening of its fourth cruise terminal on November 7 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for MSC Seascape, the first ship to homeport at the new facility. The $156 million project converted a cargo warehouse into a 165,000-square-foot terminal featuring a $55 million parking garage and two custom boarding bridges. Funded through long-term agreements with MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), the terminal will also host Norwegian Viva beginning in December 2025. Port leaders expect to reach 445 sailings and nearly 2 million passengers in 2026. The Port of Galveston, now the fourth-largest cruise homeport in the U.S., projects the new terminal will generate additional jobs, tourism, and economic growth for the region.
|
The Port of Brownsville has begun demolition work on Cargo Dock 3, launching a $40 million reconstruction project to modernize the nearly 90-year-old facility at the port’s turning basin. Originally built in the 1940s, the dock will be upgraded to meet current safety and operational standards and accommodate larger vessels following the deepening of the Brownsville Ship Channel to 52 feet. The project is jointly funded by the Texas Department of Transportation’s Maritime Division and the Brownsville Navigation District, which secured an $11.5 million Maritime Infrastructure Program grant in 2023. Construction will include installation of 495 coated steel piles sourced from Turkey, new concrete decking, and pavement, with completion anticipated in 2027. Once finished, the new dock will enhance cargo-handling capacity, improve efficiency, and support the port’s continued growth as a leading gateway for trade and industry.
|
The Port of Nanaimo announced the arrival of the first shipment of Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada (ICTC) vehicles to the BC Vehicle Processing Centre (BCVPC), marking a new milestone in Canadian automotive imports. The shipment arrived at the Nanaimo Assembly Wharf, where vehicles will be processed and prepared for distribution to dealerships across Western Canada. Operated by SSA Marine, the BCVPC offers full-service inspection, modification, and distribution, supporting a more efficient and sustainable supply chain. Port President and CEO Ian Marr said the development highlights manufacturers’ confidence in the Port’s capabilities and its role in the Pacific Northwest logistics network. Since opening in 2019, the BCVPC has been recognized for improving supply chain efficiency, enhancing Canada’s trade resilience, and creating local jobs.
|
The Port of Palm Beach has signed a new long-term agreement with Ozinga Cement, Inc. to expand bulk cement operations and support South Florida’s infrastructure growth. Under the contract, Ozinga will assume operations at the Port’s eastern silo parcel by January 1, 2029, generating an estimated $19.6 million in revenue over 10 years. Cement imports through the Port have grown more than 650% in the past three years, from about 40,000 to over 300,000 short tons. Port officials expect the agreement to help balance import and export activity, with imports projected to reach 40% of total operations by 2031. Since beginning operations in 2023, Ozinga has handled 14 cement shipments totaling more than 385,000 short tons, generating over $2.2 million in port revenue.
|
Maritime Logistics Professional
Keith Wallis
Journal of Commerce
Lynnwood Times
Reuters
Shawn Donnan
Bloomberg
Nathan Diller
USA Today
But year-to-date volumes stay ahead of record pace
Stuart Chirls
Freightwaves
Stas Margaronis
AJOT
Somini Sengupta and Brad Plumer
New York Times
A Pacific drilling plan could inflame the president’s feud with California Gov. Gavin Newsom
Scott Patterson
Wall Street Journal
|
8
Dec 2025
|
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 pm ET
For more information or a link to attend, please contact AAPA staff liaison Shawn Balcomb at sbalcomb@aapa-ports.org.
|
|
| |
|
