AAPA is excited to welcome Mark Kelly as the keynote speaker for the 2026 AAPA Legislative Summit, March 4–6 in Washington, D.C.

 

From commanding space missions as a NASA astronaut to helping shape bipartisan infrastructure and supply chain policy in the U.S. Senate, Senator Kelly brings a rare, real-world perspective on the issues ports care about most — investment, resilience, national security, and economic competitiveness.

With Congress in session during Hill Day, this timely keynote will offer practical insight into federal decision-making and how port leaders can effectively engage policymakers.

 

AAPA’s Port Investment Survey, conducted every five years, relies on direct input from ports and their partners to capture the industry’s infrastructure investment plans and needs. Your responses on recent capital investments, future project plans, and anticipated investments by tenants and private-sector partners are critical information, which AAPA uses (after aggregating and anonymizing) to advocate for increased and sustained federal investment in port infrastructure. Your participation is essential to ensuring this data reflects the full scale of port investment ahead of Congress’ next Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill.

 

Please complete the survey by February 17.
 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will issue all refunds electronically via Automated Clearing House (ACH), subject to limited exceptions, beginning February 6, 2026. In preparation, CBP strongly encourages the trade community to review their extensive resources related to the transition. The move comes ahead of a potential Supreme Court opinion in a case (Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump and Trump v. VOS Selections, Inc.) brought by importers challenging the President’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs.

The Duluth Seaway Port Authority reported total waterborne tonnage of 25.3 million short tons for the 2025 navigation season, a 14.6% decrease from 2024 and 16% below the five-season average following the Soo Locks’ seasonal closure on January 15, 2026. Bulk cargo volumes declined across major commodities, with iron ore falling from 19.4 million tons in 2024 to 16.5 million tons in 2025, driven largely by a 2.5 million-ton reduction in exports to Canada. Overall Canadian trade dropped 41% year-over-year, while overseas trade decreased 30% to its lowest level since before the St. Lawrence Seaway opened in 1959, and grain tonnage reached its lowest level since 1890. Breakbulk cargo was the only category to exceed 2024 volumes, supported by shipments through the Clure Public Marine Terminal. The 2025 season also marked a Seaway-era low for oceangoing arrivals, with 44 vessels calling at the port, nearly half of which handled heavy-lift and project cargo.

Port of Everett announced the hiring of Chris Bush as its new Commercial Strategy Officer at the Port of Everett Seaport, with his role beginning in January 2026. Bush is responsible for attracting and maintaining maritime business, maximizing the value of the Port’s eight shipping berths across approximately 125 acres, and growing net operating income through commercial strategy development, with the Seaport contributing 41% of the Port’s operating revenue. He brings more than 15 years of experience in port operations, most recently serving as Director of Future Operations for the U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command in Naples, Italy, along with prior roles at the U.S. Army’s Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, Westwood Shipping Lines (now Swire Shipping), and APM Terminals. The appointment aligns with upcoming leadership transitions at the Port, including Tim Ryker’s promotion to Chief of Seaport Operations ahead of the retirement of longtime COO Carl Wollebek. The Port noted the hire supports its focus on growth, customer service, and visitor experience across its business lines.

Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore reported record levels of cargo vessel visits and container activity in 2025 following its recovery after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. The Port handled 2,223 cargo vessel visits, surpassing the prior record of 2,137 set in 2023 and representing a 21% increase over 2024. At the Seagirt Marine Terminal, container volumes reached a new high of 1,113,309 TEUs, with 689 ship calls, nearly 100 more than the previous record year. Weekly container services increased from 12 in 2024 to 15 in 2025. The release also noted the upcoming completion of the CSX Howard Street Tunnel Project in 2026, which is expected to allow double-stacked container trains and increase annual container capacity by approximately 160,000 units.

Port Houston closed 2025 with 54,491,066 short tons of cargo handled across its public terminals, reflecting a 3% increase over the prior year and the most successful year in the Port’s history. Annual container volumes reached a record 4,303,345 TEUs, up 4% from 2024, with loaded exports increasing 7% and loaded imports rising 1%. Vessel activity along the Houston Ship Channel totaled 8,099 arrivals, a 4% decrease from 2024, while barge traffic reached 209,616 moves. Infrastructure improvements in 2025 included completion of Wharf 7 at Bayport Container Terminal, adding 1,000 feet of berth space and more than half a million TEU in capacity, along with the delivery of five new rubber-tired gantry cranes and full implementation of RTG-O technology. Operationally, the Port served approximately 2.5 million trucks and completed more than 3.3 million transactions during the year.

 

 

Mike Schuler

 

 

Brendan Murray

 

Keith Wallis

 

Stas Margaronis

 

David Uberti