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Thank you!

The 2026 AAPA Legislative Summit, March 4–6 in Washington, DC, brings together U.S. Senators, Members of Congress, and federal agency leaders at a pivotal moment for maritime policy.

 

Confirmed speakers include Senators Mark Kelly and Sheldon Whitehouse; Congressmen Mike Ezell, Jake Auchincloss, and Pete Stauber; Congresswomen Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Val Hoyle; MARAD Administrator Stephen M. Carmel; Federal Maritime Commission Chair Laura DiBella; and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney S. Scott.

 

With Congress in session during Hill Day, attendees will have meaningful opportunities to engage directly with Members and staff on issues impacting port infrastructure, surface transportation reauthorization, WRDA 2026, maritime security, and supply chain policy.

 

 

View the full agenda and register here.

Construction is underway on PhilaPort’s new $20 million cruise terminal following a fast-tracked design effort delivered under STV’s longstanding architect/engineer task order with the port. The existing task order enabled rapid mobilization to support PhilaPort’s accelerated delivery schedule and early construction start. The 16-acre terminal, located adjacent to Philadelphia International Airport, was designed to meet federal security requirements while accommodating cruise operations and nearby energy infrastructure within an active port environment. The facility is scheduled to open in April 2026 and is designed to allow for a future Phase 2 expansion as cruise demand grows. STV is also providing construction monitoring services to support continuity from design through delivery as the project advances.

The Port of Grays Harbor marked its 115th year by hosting its 11th Annual Business Report at Satsop Business Park, drawing more than 150 attendees and reviewing the Port’s history, 2025 results, and 2026 outlook. In 2025, the Port recorded a record number of vessel calls at its four deep-water terminals with 151 total calls and handled 3.3 million metric tons of cargo, its third-best year by tonnage, including new records for soymeal and wood chip exports and auto imports. The Westport Marina ranked as the number one commercial seafood landing port in Washington and #10 nationally for both value and volume, exporting seafood to more than 85 countries. Updates were also shared across the Port’s seven lines of business, including tenant expansions at Satsop Business Park, completion of drainage and paving projects at Bowerman Airport, and 123 lease agreements across its industrial properties. Looking ahead to 2026, the Port highlighted the startup of AGP’s new export facility at Terminal 4B, construction of a $240 million wood pellet facility at Terminal 3 expected to create more than 55 jobs, and Phase 1A of the Marina Modernization Project in Westport.
 

The Port of Anacortes Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on February 19 to authorize planning for mitigation, demolition, and disposal of the Marine Supply and Hardware and BikeSpot buildings. The action also authorizes the Executive Director to pursue a partnership with the Anacortes Housing Authority to explore potential cost savings through simultaneous demolition of structures owned by both organizations. The decision supports the Housing Authority’s project to rehabilitate the neighboring Olson Building into an affordable workforce housing complex, which requires deconstruction of the two buildings to proceed. Multiple structural engineering assessments conducted since 2017 concluded the buildings are unsafe for continued use without significant capital investment and do not meet current building or seismic codes. The Port is conducting an environmental review under the State Environmental Policy Act and consulting with the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation as planning advances.

The Port of Vancouver USA has announced the recipients of its 2026 Community Fund, which will disburse $10,000 among four local programs aligned with the port’s mission of economic development, workforce training, and tourism. Each recipient will receive $2,500: Hudson’s Bay High School Construction Trades Program, Latinos Unidos y Floreciendo (LUYF), the Vancouver Arena Project and Vancouver Go-Fest, and Vancouver Ballet Folklorico’s Luminarias Dia de Muertos event. The fund, launched in 2020, received 24 applications requesting a total of $134,923 for 2026 consideration. The supported programs include workforce development initiatives, youth education projects, and tourism-focused community events. The Community Fund supports the port’s Strategic Plan to share resources with community partners to advance common goals.

The Port of Brownsville released a statement regarding public discussion of a potential high-tech shipyard project under development at the port. While specific details remain confidential due to non-disclosure agreements, the port confirmed that its leadership is spearheading the effort in coordination with regional partners as part of its long-term economic growth strategy. The project is described as highly competitive, with the port actively positioning the region to compete at the highest level. The port stated that projects of this scale align with its mission to attract investment, create jobs, and expand economic opportunity within the Brownsville Navigation District and the Rio Grande Valley. Additional information will be shared at an appropriate time through proper channels.

PortMiami and Ashdod Port hosted an Innovation Day on February 13, 2026, focused on smart ports, logistics, and supply chain innovation. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Consul General of Israel in Miami Zuri Siso, and Ashdod Port Company CEO Nissan Levy attended the event, which brought together startups, investors, and industry leaders for presentations, discussions, and networking. The program featured live pitch sessions from startups including Airwayz, Argu.ai, Azimut, Conbo.ai, DriveU.auto, Salvador Technologies, and Treedis, as well as a panel discussion on maritime cybersecurity, supply chain resilience, and smart port transitions. Attendees also explored a digital twin of future facility operations and connected with global maritime and investment leaders. Ashdod Port highlighted its Corporate Venture Capital arm, which has completed more than 110 technology proofs of concept, made nine investments, and implemented 16 solutions across port operations, security, logistics, and energy.

The Port of Everett has unveiled a new bronze-cast sculpture along the Central Marina esplanade at Waterfront Place, inspired by a well-known 1940s photograph of a young girl overlooking the Everett boat harbor. Created by Sultan-based artist Kevin Pettelle, the Port-commissioned piece reflects details from the original image and is located between Pacific Rim Plaza and Boxcar Park. Historic Everett identified the girl in the photograph as former Everett resident Kathy Reinell Bowen, whose family had longstanding ties to the local boating community. An interpretive panel near the sculpture highlights the evolution of boating and industry at the waterfront, including the Port of Everett Marina, which is the largest public marina on the West Coast with 2,300 slips and more than 5,000 lineal feet of guest moorage. The sculpture is part of the Port’s ongoing Waterfront Place development, a 65-acre mixed-use project that has facilitated more than $350 million in public/private investment to date.