AAPA and its entire hemispheric membership will celebrate Western Hemisphere Ports Day on Thursday, April 5. On this third annual celebration, the association will recognize the industry’s role in creating jobs and propelling the economy in nations they serve across the Americas. You can find a social media toolkit on the AAPA website. We encourage you to participate by posting about how ports play a role in your life, your community and your economy.

One of AAPA's two annual membership meetings, the Spring Conference was held in Washington, DC, and featured general sessions as well as committee and board meetings. Sessions focused on current trends in the maritime industry of relevance to all Western Hemisphere ports and U.S. policy issues.

The Georgia Ports Authority has broken ground on its $126.7 million Mason Mega Rail Terminal. Supply chain experts gathered for annual ‘Pulse of the Ports’ at the  Port of Long Beach. The Port of Vancouver USA and its partners opened a new light-industrial building that has unparalleled access to transportation and is close to Vancouver’s distinctive downtown.

The amount of cargo handled at Port Houston was up 7 percent through the first two months of 2018. JAXPORT’s container volumes grew 25 percent during the month of February, compared to the same period last year.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb and Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger concluded the Canada economic development mission in Quebec advancing international partnerships in logistics and business. The City of North Port and the International Trade Hub at Port Manatee are teaming with Chile’s trade commissioner in efforts to expand commercial links. Containerized cargo volume moving through the Port of Oakland is expected to increase 2 percent annually for the next five years because of a $700 million injection of capital from outside investors.

A new class of post-Panamax (PPX) shipping vessel made its first visit to Port Canaveral, marking the second time this year a vehicle carrier megaship of this size has called on the port.