For a limited time, AAPA is offering a $75 registration discount for the 2026 Legislative Summit, taking place March 4–6 in Washington, DC.

 

Use promo code PRESDAY at checkout to receive $75 off your registration.*

 

The discounted room block at the JW Marriott Washington, DC has also been extended through Tuesday, February 17. Book by that date to secure the special rate and stay within walking distance of Hill Day meetings and Summit programming.

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.
 

At its annual State of the Port event, the Port Authority highlighted preparations at the Port of New York and New Jersey to accommodate projected long-term cargo growth. In 2025, the port ranked as the nation’s second-busiest for loaded container volumes, with total volumes exceeding master plan forecasts by more than 4 percent and standing approximately 16 percent above 2019 levels. Long-range projections indicate cargo volumes could double or triple by 2050 compared to 2019. Current initiatives include redesigning the northern entrance to the Newark–Elizabeth terminal complex, expanding rail capacity, rehabilitating wharves, and advancing plans to deepen and widen navigation channels to 55 feet. The Port Authority is also working with terminal operators and supply chain partners to improve operational efficiency and expand capacity during a period of anticipated steady or slightly lower volumes in 2026.

The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) joined the Port of Benton, Port of Pasco, and Port of Walla Walla in signing an interlocal agreement on February 5, 2026, to collaborate on development of an Inland Logistics Hub in the Tri-Cities region of southeastern Washington. The agreement establishes a framework for joint planning, coordinated marketing, land-use and transportation alignment, and pursuit of funding opportunities to enhance international trade and cargo movement. The envisioned hub will leverage industrial-zoned land, access to Class I railroads and major highways, and connections to the Columbia-Snake River system, while supporting intermodal transfer, distribution, warehousing, and barge facilities. The effort builds on the existing Tri-Cities Intermodal rail service launched in 2024. The partnership aims to strengthen Washington state’s supply chain infrastructure and support economic development across the region.

Port of Oakland Executive Director Kristi McKenney delivered her first annual State of the Port address on February 6, 2026, at a sold-out event in Jack London Square attended by more than 275 business, community, and elected partners. She reported that maritime operations remained steady year-over-year, supported by a 50/50 import-export cargo mix, and outlined upcoming projects, including new cranes at TraPac Terminal and progress on the Turning Basins Widening Project. The Port is advancing decarbonization efforts, supported by a $322 million Clean Ports federal grant received in 2024. At Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK), passenger volumes continue to recover, terminal upgrades are underway, and a Guest Pass program has issued more than 1,400 passes in its first 50 days. The Port also highlighted waterfront development projects, new tenants, and ongoing investments across its operations over the next five years.

The St. Bernard Port, Harbor and Terminal District reported handling more than 6.6 million short tons of cargo in 2025, contributing to over 80.5 million tons moved over the past decade. Metallic ores and minerals accounted for more than 32 percent of total cargo activity, while grain- and feed-related shipments represented approximately 15 percent of overall tonnage. The port recorded nearly 300 vessel calls during the year, with Chalmette Dock 2, Sections C through F, serving as the most active location. A $38 million reconstruction of the 119-year-old Chalmette Slip was completed in 2025, restoring a key access channel between the Mississippi River and local industrial facilities. An economic impact study conducted with the University of New Orleans Transportation Institute identified 2,267 jobs and $183.2 million in economic output associated with the port.

The Georgia Ports Authority has appointed Kevin Price as President, reporting to CEO Griff Lynch, effective July 1, 2026, with a transition plan for Price to assume the role of President and CEO in mid-2027. Price currently serves as President of Gateway Terminals in Savannah and has more than 30 years of experience in leadership roles, including most recently as Chief Operating Officer of Virginia International Terminals. Georgia Ports stated that Price and Lynch will work together to ensure a seamless transition over the next 18 months. The Georgia Ports Authority operates the ports of Savannah and Brunswick and has a self-financed $4.5 billion investment plan over the next ten years, including the addition of new berths to support future growth.

Sheila Ballesteros McLean has joined SeaPort Manatee as chief financial officer, bringing 27 years of public-sector finance experience with Manatee County. Since 2022, she has served as chief financial officer and director of financial management for the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners, and began her career in 1999 as an accountant in the finance department of the Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court. McLean holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Sarasota and a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from the University of Puerto Rico. SeaPort Manatee features 10 deep-draft berths and handles containerized, breakbulk, bulk, and project cargos. The port generates $7.3 billion in annual economic impacts and supports more than 42,000 direct and indirect jobs without local property tax support.

Enstructure has appointed Greg Baribault as President of Enstructure Northeast, effective February 10, 2026. In this role, Baribault will oversee operations and commercial activities at the company’s New Haven, New London, and Montville terminals, which provide dry bulk, liquid bulk, and breakbulk services to major markets in the Northeast and Canada. Baribault is a graduate of Maine Maritime Academy with more than a decade of experience in the maritime and logistics industry. He succeeds Jim Dillman, who continues to serve as President of Enstructure Gulf Coast. Enstructure owns and operates a network of port infrastructure assets across the East Coast, Gulf Coast, and Inland River System of the United States.

A new economic impact report prepared by Bryant University and authored by economist Dr. Edi Tebaldi finds that Quonset Business Park generates $7 billion in annual economic output, delivers $2.2 billion in household income, and accounts for 8.4% of Rhode Island’s Gross Domestic Product. The report states that Quonset supports 15,309 on-site jobs and an additional 14,146 indirect and induced jobs, representing 5.8% of all jobs statewide. Average annual wages at Quonset are $78,076, which is 20% higher than the statewide average, and the Business Park accounts for 25% of Rhode Island’s manufacturing workforce. In 2025, activity at Quonset generated $191.5 million in state and local tax revenue, including $14 million for North Kingstown. Since 2005, the Business Park has attracted more than $2.5 billion in inflation-adjusted private investment and operates as a self-sustaining entity supported by tenant revenues.

Gavin Bade and Olivia Beavers

 

Peter Eavis

 

Heesu Lee

 

Michael Angell

 

Stuart Chirls

 

Mike Schuler