The 2026 AAPA Legislative Summit — From Harbors to the Hill — will take place March 4–6, 2026, at the JW Marriott in Washington, D.C., with Congress in session during Hill Day on March 4.
Don’t miss a keynote address from Stephen M. Carmel, Administrator of the Maritime Administration (MARAD), who will outline national maritime priorities and the federal direction shaping port operations, infrastructure investment, and workforce development. His remarks will set the stage for critical discussions between port leaders and federal policymakers throughout the Summit.
Register soon to secure early bird rates before they expire on January 16, and plan to join port executives and industry leaders in Washington, D.C., this March.
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AAPA’s Port & Terminal Management Training will take place February 10–13, 2026, hosted at the Port of Long Beach. The program features four immersive port tours offering participants firsthand exposure to real-world terminal operations, equipment, sustainability initiatives, and security infrastructure.
Scheduled tours include:
• Port of Long Beach harbor boat tour
• Port of Long Beach LEED® Gold–certified Maintenance Facility
• Port of Long Beach Joint Command and Control Center
• Pasha Omni Terminal at the Port of Los Angeles
This training is open to all port and industry professionals—not just PPM candidates.
Register now to secure your spot, and be sure to register by January 14 to book your hotel room at the AAPA group rate.
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Ahead of AAPA’s March 2026 Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C., we are soliciting nominations to recognize individuals whose contributions have significantly impacted public port authorities and maritime commerce across the Western Hemisphere with the Port Person of the Year. View previous winners and eligibility requirements here.
Please email the nominee’s name, headshot, and at least a one-paragraph long biography to gr@aapa-ports.org. Submissions are due Friday, January 30, 2026.
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Port of Long Beach incoming CEO Noel Hacegaba testified before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee in support of federal port funding tied to the reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). During the stakeholder hearing, Hacegaba outlined how WRDA-authorized investments in seaport infrastructure support economic growth, jobs, goods movement, and national security. He cited the 2022 WRDA reauthorization, which allowed preconstruction engineering and design for the Port of Long Beach Channel Deepening Project, with dredging projected to begin in 2028. Hacegaba also discussed the importance of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund in supporting dredging and marine infrastructure repairs at U.S. ports. His testimony referenced shared priorities with national and regional maritime trade associations.
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Port Freeport has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for the 36th consecutive year. The award recognizes Port Freeport’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024. According to the release, the certificate represents the highest standard in governmental accounting and reporting and is awarded based on rigorous criteria for accuracy, clarity, and full public disclosure. The GFOA’s independent review evaluates agencies on their ability to clearly communicate financial information and demonstrate accountability. The recognition coincides with Port Freeport’s centennial year in 2025.
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The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced a 33-year lease extension with Maher Terminals, securing operations at the port’s largest and busiest container terminal through September 2063. Approved by the Port Authority Board of Commissioners on December 18, 2025, the agreement extends the current lease, which was set to expire in 2030, and includes modified rental payments and additional consideration to the Port Authority. Under the agreement, Maher will assume responsibility for maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement of wharf and berth structures by 2030 and commit to expanding terminal capacity as demand grows. The lease also includes provisions supporting collaboration on security, innovation, sustainability, and performance standards, including a commitment by Maher to work toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its operations. Maher Terminals spans approximately 450 acres in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and handled about 35 percent of the Port of New York and New Jersey’s container traffic in 2024.
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The Port of South Louisiana announced that Julia Fisher‑Cormier has been selected as its next Executive Director following a national search and a unanimous vote by the Board of Commissioners. Fisher-Cormier returns to the Port after serving as Deputy Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development in Governor Jeff Landry’s administration. She previously served as Chief Commercial Officer at the Port of South Louisiana, where she oversaw initiatives tied to infrastructure, logistics, investment, and cargo growth. Her appointment follows a formal executive search process conducted by the Board of Commissioners. Fisher-Cormier will assume the role after the Commission’s selection announcement on December 18, 2025.
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The Port of Brownsville released findings from its 2024 Economic Impact Study, conducted by the Texas Comptroller’s Office, during a press briefing on December 17, 2025. The study found that trade through the Port of Brownsville contributed $11.9 billion to Texas’ gross domestic product and supported an estimated 101,073 jobs statewide in 2024. As the only deepwater seaport on the Texas–Mexico border, the port accounted for 5.3% of total trade value moving through Texas seaports and handled more than 28 million tons of cargo, with exports totaling $12.1 billion and imports totaling $10.6 billion. Mexico was the port’s primary trading partner, representing more than 92% of exports and 84% of imports, with petroleum cited as the leading export commodity. The study also noted that the port initiated $226.9 million in capital improvement projects in 2024, including the Brazos Island Harbor Channel Improvement Project to deepen the channel to 52 feet.
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The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority announced that Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Jeff Theobald will retire on June 30, 2026, concluding nearly a decade of leadership at the Port of Philadelphia. Since joining PhilaPort in 2016, Theobald oversaw significant growth, including more than doubling cargo volumes and securing more than 180 acres of land for port expansion. During his tenure, the port completed the Delaware River Deepening Project, expanded terminal capacity, invested in infrastructure improvements, and reached record cargo volumes through new shipping services and partnerships. PhilaPort also became financially self-sustaining for the first time in its history and completed nearly $1 billion in capital projects, including construction of nearly 500,000 square feet of new warehouse space. The PhilaPort Board of Directors plans to announce next steps for leadership transition in the coming months.
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The Georgia Ports Authority reported that the Port of Savannah is the nation’s busiest port for cotton shipments, handling 37 percent of U.S. cotton exports in fiscal year 2025. Increased demand is being driven by manufacturing growth in the Indian subcontinent and the Mediterranean. The Port offers nine direct weekly container services to the Indian subcontinent and eight weekly container services to the Mediterranean. Georgia Ports Authority officials cited Savannah’s supply chain connectivity, affordability, and transit timing as key factors supporting U.S. cotton exports in global markets.
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The Port of Long Beach has named Mark Erickson as Director of its Program Management Division, effective December 1, 2025. The division oversees Port infrastructure improvements, including waterways, terminals, railroads, bridges, roadways, and utilities, and is responsible for delivering $3.2 billion in capital improvements. Erickson most recently served as Assistant Director of Program Management and previously held roles as Senior Program Manager and Deputy Chief Harbor Engineer after joining the Port in 2015. His work at the Port has included a leadership role on the $1.8 billion Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility project. Prior to joining the Port of Long Beach, Erickson worked at the Port of Oakland on multiple infrastructure projects.
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The Northwest Seaport Alliance announced the recipients of financial awards from the first measurement period of its Voyage Consistency & On-Time Arrival Award Program, which recognizes schedule reliability among international ocean carriers. The first 13-week period concluded in November 2025 and saw 100% participation from carriers calling the gateway, with three services meeting eligibility requirements. The Gemini Cooperation (Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk) placed first with zero void sailings and an average arrival eight hours ahead of schedule, earning $166,667, followed by Premier Alliance (HMM, ONE, Yang Ming) with $100,000 and Westwood Service (Swire Shipping) with $66,667. In total, more than $330,000 was awarded for performance at the Seattle and Tacoma harbors. The second measurement period of the program is underway and will conclude at the end of May 2026.
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The Port of Los Angeles processed 782,249 TEUs in November 2025, a 12% decrease compared to elevated cargo levels in November 2024. With one month remaining in the year, total cargo volume reached 9,447,731 TEUs, representing a 1% increase over 2024. At a media briefing, Port Executive Director Gene Seroka stated that the Port is expected to finish 2025 with more than 10 million TEUs, placing it among the top three cargo years in its history. November volumes included 406,421 loaded import TEUs, 113,706 loaded export TEUs, and 262,122 empty container units, all of which declined compared to last year. The briefing also included remarks from Constance Hunter, Chief Economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit, who discussed tariffs, economic impacts, and the trade outlook for 2026.
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The San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative has awarded Renee Yarmy, Maritime Sustainability Manager at the Port of San Diego, its 2025 Climate Leader Award. The award recognizes Yarmy’s leadership in advancing climate resilience and sustainable solutions across the San Diego region. Yarmy oversees the Port’s electrification, decarbonization, and clean freight initiatives, supporting the goals of the Port’s Maritime Clean Air Strategy. Under her leadership, the Port has launched sustainability efforts including development of a renewable microgrid at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, electrification of cargo-handling equipment and operational infrastructure, and deployment of data tools to track port-wide emissions reductions.
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Trump Energy Push Eases Environmental Rules for Deepwater Ports
Zach Williams
Soft volumes to keep West Coast ports congestion-free in early 2026
Bill Mongelluzzo
Port of Virginia nears completion of dredging project; preps to inaugurate new ULCV berth at NIT
Orsted to File Additional Legal Challenge to Trump’s Offshore Wind Halt
European energy companies have invested billions of dollars in U.S. renewable offshore projects
Adam Whittaker
Connecticut and Rhode Island File Suit in Support of Revolution Wind
Unions Split as Freight Rail Merger Reaches Critical Juncture
Zach Williams
Regulatory uncertainty weighs heavy on green fuel investment as 2026 dawns
Greg Knowler
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14
Jan 2026
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Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM ET
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15
Jan 2026
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Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Time: 1:00-2:30 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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10
Feb 2026
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Dates: February 10-13, 2026
Location: Port of Long Beach
This four-day immersive program combines applied learning with daily guided tours of diverse port facilities. Participants will work in teams during the program to solve operational challenges and share insights. Interactive sessions will focus on terminal planning and development, cargo handling technologies, workforce management, and financial strategies, equipping attendees with practical tools to enhance operational effectiveness.
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4
Mar 2026
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Dates: March 4-6, 2026
Location: Washington, DC
The 2026 AAPA Legislative Summit is the premier port industry government affairs and advocacy forum held annually in Washington, D.C. The Summit brings together senior port executives from around the nation with federal government leadership to discuss issues important to one of our most critical national industries. AAPA plans and manages one-on-one meetings with congressional leadership for port executives during Capitol Hill Day as part of this essential event on the annual ports and congressional calendar.
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9
Mar 2026
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Date: Monday, March 9, 2026
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.
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