AAPA and ARES Security will be holding a webinar on The Future of Seaport Security and Safety Technology on April 15 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. EDT. The ARES Security team is constantly evaluating a wide range of customer needs along with best-in-breed technologies to develop new, state-of-the-art solutions. This has put ARES Security at the front line of innovation, partnering and developing advanced solutions with cutting-edge technology and solution providers. 

In this webinar, ARES Security will showcase a variety of recent technological discoveries including AI, GhostRobotics, analytics and alternatives, automated design and detection, and much more that will be utilized for the future of seaport security and safety. As seaports continue to optimize their operations and move toward automation, ARES Security will highlight new advancements that will ensure seaport security and business continuity against a wide range of risks that jeopardize people, revenue and operations. Register here.

AAPA and the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives (IAMPE) are excited to present the two-part course Marine Terminal Management Training (MTMT). This course will be held in a hybrid manner, with a virtual training session April 19-22 and in-person training June 28-30. While Professional Port Management (PPM®) program students are required to complete this course, it is open to everyone. Register here.

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will share resources that support community-port collaboration to address diesel emissions in a webinar on April 9 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. EDT.  Webinar topics will include: EPA’s Community–Port Collaboration Toolkit and related training materials, lessons learned from successful community-port collaboration, funding available to support communities near port and rail facilities through EPA’s Equal Justice (EJ) Small Grants program, and EPA’s Ports Initiative program. Register here. 

With our members at the center, our aim and focus are clear, Essential. Resilient. United. For the past few months, AAPA has been making significant waves despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our commitment to serving you has never been stronger, and we appreciate your continued membership with us. Allow us to take this opportunity to share some quick highlights of just a few things AAPA has done lately. 

Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees has been appointed to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Port Authority Advisory Committee (PAAC). The nine-member board provides a forum for the exchange of information between TxDOT, representatives of the port industry in Texas and the Texas Transportation Commission, TxDOT’s governing body. The Port of New Orleans Board of Commissioners selected new officers with the election of William H. Langenstein, III as chairman, Charles H. Ponstein as vice chairman and Jack C. Jensen, Jr. as secretary-treasurer during its March board meeting. Langenstein joined the Board in February 2018 when he was appointed by Gov. John Bel Edwards.

Port Tampa Bay welcomes plans for a Celadon paper fiber manufacturing plant at the port. The plant will have significant economic and sustainability benefits generating up to 20,000 export containers per year (40,000 TEUs), creating approximately 100 jobs and a capital investment of $160 million during phase one of the project.

The Georgia Ports Authority board approved capital improvement projects that will increase the Port of Savannah’s container capacity by 20%. Among the projects, a terminal enhancement dubbed the Peak Capacity project will establish 2,100 new grounded container slots. The project will add 650,000 TEUs of annual container yard capacity in two phases, with the first opening in September.

At the Port of Long Beach, modernization of Fireboat Station No. 15 is nearing completion. “This moment has been a long time coming,” said Port Executive Director Mario Cordero, a harbor commissioner in 2010 when an independent study found that fire safety facilities and equipment at the port were in urgent need of modernization. “It’s an important milestone for the safety of the Long Beach community and this critical national economic engine.”

Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. launched a new expedited transpacific service that called The Northwest Seaport Alliance’s (NWSA) Husky Terminal recently. The ZIM Southeast Asia E-commerce Express (ZX2) focuses on transporting time-sensitive cargo, dedicating seven sprinter vessels to quickly move cargo across the Pacific.

The Port of New York and New Jersey reported total volume for February was 625,120 TEUs (347,635 lifts) versus 579,124 TEUs (326,370 lifts) in February 2020, which represents the highest total volume for any February at the port. Total cargo activity year-to-date rose to 1,346,404 TEUs. Imports at the port rose by 11.2 %, totaling 334,176 TEUs, compared to 300,445 TEUs in February 2020.

The Argentine Embassy in the United States and PhilaPort held a webinar to share advice to Argentine produce exporters who want to ship to one of their country’s largest trading partners. The panel, “PhilaPort as a Produce Gateway: Customs, Trade and Commercial Logistics with the United States East Coast,” also included perishables logistics experts from Philadelphia. Watch a recording of the live webinar here.

PortMiami and Carnival Cruise Lines are partnering together to launch a new shore power pilot program. Shore power allows ships to turn off their engines in port, resulting in reduced emissions. Pending the completion of the pilot program study and the necessary infrastructure work, Carnival Cruise Line will commit to utilizing shore power for up to four vessels at new Cruise Terminal F, starting in 2023.

Port of San Diego employees, Perla Goco, capital project manager, and Ani Mehra, an associate engineer, have been selected by the San Diego Business Journal as Women of Influence in Engineering. This prestigious designation recognizes progressive, cutting-edge women who advance the goals of their organization or company and lead high-level projects to fruition.

Manager, Business Development Ports & Harbors, Nationwide; ION Geophysical Corporation

SVP, Deputy General Counsel and Group General Counsel, Reston, VA; Major, Lindsey & Africa