U.S. port services and equipment companies are invited to register for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S. Commercial Service Mexico Site Visit to the Port of Veracruz on October 10, 2018. The Port of Veracruz’s $5 billion (USD) Expansion Project will more than double the port’s infrastructure between 2015 and 2030. Phase II of the project, now underway, features $3 billion (USD) investment in new terminal concessions and breakwater construction. Best prospects include equipment for new container, fluid and grain terminals; cargo handling and movement systems; IT and lighting systems; engineering, design and construction, particularly for terminals, breakwater and foundation; oil and gas handling; and environmentally friendly products and services. Participants will meet with port officials and terminal operators and tour the port during this one-day site visit to the port from Mexico City. For details, contact Adrian Orta, Commercial Specialist for Infrastructure, Adrian.Orta@trade.gov, and Alicia Herrera, Commercial Specialist for Ports, Alicia.Herrera@trade.gov, at U.S. Commercial Service Mexico.  

The Duluth Seaway Port Authority board appointed Deb DeLuca as executive director. DeLuca has served as the port authority’s government and environmental affairs director since 2014. The Port of Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners has appointed Casey Hehr to lead the security division at the nation’s second-busiest seaport.

Port Houston saw the arrival of three new 270 foot-tall super post-Panamax cranes to the Bayport Container Terminal highlighting $100 million in investments. The Port of Virginia will be receiving a $456,000 grant from the federal government’s Marine Highway Program to enhance cargo operations at Richmond Marine Terminal (RMT) and support growing cargo volumes on the port’s regular barge service to that terminal.

The Ports of Indiana and Consolidated Grain and Barge Co. (CGB) announced the completion of a $32 million expansion at CGB’s soybean processing facility. The Port of Vancouver USA welcomed the M/V Orca Ace on her maiden voyage. The roll-on/roll-off ship discharged 2,300 Subaru vehicles to be processed at the port and shipped to buyers across the northern United States.

The Halifax Port Authority has been invited to join a digital global shipping platform developed by Maersk and IBM through a Collaboration Agreement. HPA will participate in a blockchain-focused global trade digitization solution known as TradeLens. The Port of San Diego received Esri’s Special Achievement in GIS Award for its innovative application of mapping, data analytics and thought leadership in the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

The Connecticut Port Authority has developed and delivered a five-year state maritime strategy to Gov. Dannel Malloy and the state Legislature. The plan sets out eight key goals as the CPA leads the mission to expand Connecticut’s economy and create jobs through strategic investment in the state’s three deepwater ports and small harbors. The Port of Los Angeles has put into place a Waterside Emergency Access Plan to facilitate quicker first responder waterside access to potential emergency situations at the port.  

Planner, Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Port Everglades