AAPA's inaugural POWERS + Smart Ports Summit & Expo concluded this week in Tampa, FL, bringing together 300 attendees for four days of programming focused on the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the port industry.
The event featured nearly 30 hours of content delivered by 75+ speakers spanning topics including port electrification, cybersecurity, sustainable maritime fuels, climate resilience, AI and digital innovation, and federal policy, including a keynote from NTSB Vice Chairman Michael Graham and a conversation on the Administration's Maritime Action Plan with MARAD Chief Counsel Elizabeth O'Connor.
The summit also marked a milestone for AAPA, as members had their first opportunity to meet new President and CEO Sang Yi.
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) establishing a process for fixed-site facilities, including ports, to request restrictions on unmanned aircraft operations near critical infrastructure.
Under the proposal, eligible facilities could apply for an "Unmanned Aircraft Flight Restriction" (UAFR), creating defined airspace restrictions for drone operations, with a more restrictive "Special UAFR" framework available for certain national and high security facilities.
Ports and maritime infrastructure could potentially qualify under eligible sectors including Transportation Systems, Government Services and Facilities, and the Defense Industrial Base.
AAPA is reviewing the proposal and considering submitting comments on port eligibility and maritime operational considerations. Members are encouraged to email Holden Haley with feedback, operational concerns, or examples of drone-related incidents ahead of the public comment deadline of July 6th.
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The Maritime Administration (MARAD) has posted a request for information (RFI) seeking feedback on the viability of small modular reactor (SMR) technology in the maritime transportation sector, with a focus on propulsion for commercial shipping vessels but also accepting input on other uses such as port power.
AAPA is soliciting member feedback on questions including potential port uses for SMRs, regulatory and economic barriers to adoption, insurability and liability considerations, and workforce development needs, ahead of drafting industry comments.
Members are encouraged to email Ian Ganslerwith feedback, and ports and interested organizations may also submit their own comments directly here ahead of the August 5, 2026, deadline.
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The Port of Hueneme held a graduation ceremony at Oxnard College honoring 30 students from the Oxnard Union High School District who completed the Spring 2026 Global Trade & Logistics (GTL) class. The award-winning program, offered in partnership with the district, introduces local juniors and seniors to careers in maritime, supply chain management, and related fields through 12 sessions covering imports and exports, cargo systems, safety and security, and industry career pathways. GTL is part of the Port's broader S.P.E.E.D. initiative, which aims to build educational and career pipelines for area students and families. Following each program cycle, one standout student is selected to join the Port as an intern. Former GTL participants have gone on to secure internships, pursue higher education in logistics, and obtain employment in the regional workforce and maritime industry.
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Port Houston has announced the launch of Anchored in Action, a Community-Investment Plan designed to guide investment and partnerships in port-adjacent neighborhoods along the Houston Ship Channel. Developed following a 2025 listening tour in which more than 10,000 residents participated through meetings, surveys, and direct outreach, the plan identifies more than 500 potential programs and projects across 14 communities along the Houston Ship Channel and Galveston Bay. Community priorities identified through the process include safer street crossings near schools, expanded green space, job training linked to port careers, and improvements to shared community spaces, while industry partners emphasized volunteer opportunities, STEM efforts, and workforce development. Port Houston is committing $1 million to Anchored in Action in 2026 and is inviting industry, philanthropy, and public partners to collaborate on turning community-led priorities into lasting impact.
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South Jersey Ports welcomed local and regional leaders, stakeholders, clients, and tenants to an open house designed to deepen community partnerships and highlight the organization's strategic direction under new CEO Dave Mayer, who assumed the role on March 1, 2026. Mayer outlined four key priorities for the port: sustainability and green initiatives, including equipment electrification and development of an energy master plan; increased community engagement, including a new on-site truck driver training program for Camden residents; efficiency and modernization through rail improvements supported by a newly awarded grant; and growth of the steel business, which the port is working to transition into a year-round product line. Over the past year, South Jersey Ports has added 60,000 square feet of storage capacity, deployed electric cargo-handling equipment, and advanced rail infrastructure improvements.
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The Port of Long Beach, The Wonderful Company, and Lincoln Transportation Services have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a Green Truck Corridor connecting the Port of Long Beach to California's Central Valley, described as the world's first port-powered zero-emissions truck corridor. The corridor will link the Port of Long Beach to the Wonderful Logistics Center, a 2,000-acre master-planned logistics facility in Shafter, Kern County, approximately 150 miles away, through which more than 300,000 TEUs of imports and exports flow between the San Pedro Bay ports complex and the southern Central Valley each year. Lincoln Transportation Services will serve as the corridor's inaugural lead truck ambassador, with 300 Tesla Semi electric trucks on order and the first 50 to 70 expected to arrive in June.
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The Port of Los Angeles and Battleship IOWA will host LA Fleet Week® for its 10th year over Memorial Day Weekend, May 22-25, 2026, as a free public event. Programming will include free tours of active-duty U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Naval vessels from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, an expo of more than 90 military and first responder exhibits, aircraft flyovers, culinary and talent competitions, and food and beverage vendors, with free trolley and shuttle services available throughout the event. This year's event will feature special programming honoring the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Two free welcome parties are also planned: a downtown San Pedro event on May 21 from 5-9 p.m. and a Wilmington Welcome Reception on May 22 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the historic Banning Museum.
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The Brownsville Navigation District has awarded $1,000 scholarships to 32 graduating high school seniors through its 2026 Port of Brownsville Scholarship Program, with each scholarship payable upon enrollment in a college, university, or technical institution. Recipients were selected through a competitive process evaluating academic performance, extracurricular involvement, community engagement, work experience, and a personal essay, and represent 16 public and private high schools across the navigation district. Established in 2020 by the BND Board of Commissioners, the program has awarded $224,000 to 224 students to date.
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The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) will install a 45-foot soccer ball at Piers Park II in East Boston from June 12-18, in an attempt to break the current Guinness World Records title for World's Largest Soccer Ball, which stands at 38 feet, 11.8 inches and was set in Doha, Qatar in 2013. The installation, visible from multiple points along Boston Harbor, is part of community engagement efforts surrounding FIFA World Cup matches scheduled at Boston Stadium in Foxborough in June and July. Massport will also host a community celebration at Piers Park II on Saturday, June 13, from noon to 4 p.m., featuring family activities, games, and entertainment. The soccer ball showcase and community event are presented by Massport in partnership with HNTB.
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Missed AAPA’s 2026 Lighthouse Awards Application Webinar? A recording is now available for members preparing submissions for this year’s program. The session walks through eligibility requirements, the application and payment process, the Submittable submission platform, and details on both the Maritime Innovator of the Year Award and the new Beacon of Excellence Award.
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“Helping aspiring professionals pursue their dreams is deeply rewarding — and this scholarship is one way we’re investing in the next generation of maritime leaders.”
- Joseph Morris, Foundation for Seaports of the Americas, Board Chair and Port Everglades CEO and Port Director
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28
Sep 2026
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Dates: September 28–30, 2026
Location: New Orleans, LA
The 2026 AAPA Annual Convention & Expo will bring together port leaders and industry stakeholders from across the maritime and supply chain sectors to discuss key issues shaping the future of ports. The event features executive-level programming, networking opportunities, and an exhibit hall highlighting solutions for the global port industry.
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