Has your port implemented an innovative new program with substantial positive impact? AAPA encourages ports to submit nominations for their accomplishments in the AAPA Lighthouse Awards program. AAPA's mission is to recognize ports' leadership in advancing and inspiring the port industry. The AAPA Lighthouse Awards acknowledge excellence in four disciplines: Communications, Environmental Improvement, Information Technology, and Facilities Engineering.

Submit your project entries today! Access the application submission portals online.

 

A few things to remember when applying:

Allowable projects are those that were completed up to 24 months prior to the June 1 entry deadline. Previously entered submissions and any projects older than 24 months are not eligible for judging in the 2021 competition.

Join AAPA and Industrial Defender for a webinar titled How to Navigate Operational Technology (OT) Cybersecurity in Port Environments on June 15 at 1:00 p.m. EDT. Increasing digitalization and connectivity in ports has exposed critical safety and operational systems to new cyber threats. With systems such as cranes, video cameras, and physical access controls now being connected to the organization’s network infrastructure, or even to the cloud, they are more vulnerable than ever. The potential impacts of a disruption from a cyberattack at a port could affect not only the supply chain, but also the safety and security of people on the property.

Learn more about the current cyber risk landscape facing port security teams and what to do about it. The webinar will address:

• Complexities of connected OT systems and their cybersecurity needs,
• Importance of asset management and threat detection in heterogeneous maritime environments,
• Emerging cybersecurity compliance standards for ports and risk management considerations, and
• OT cybersecurity recommendations for port environments.

Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka met with the membership of International Longshore and Warehouse Union Locals 13, 63 and 94 to thank the dockworkers, clerks, and foremen for their unwavering commitment to processing the nation’s essential cargo throughout the challenges of the pandemic.

On May 16, the Port of Brownsville will commemorate its 85th anniversary. The Brownsville Navigation District began operations in 1936 and in the early years, agricultural exports brought citrus fruits from local groves and shipped Texas cotton across the ocean seas. Today the port has established itself as a dynamic center for intermodal transportation and industrial development. 

Northwest Seaport Alliance Co-Chairs Commissioners Fred Felleman and Dick Marzano issued a statement in response to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Modernization of Coast Guard Base Seattle and intent to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement regarding the proposed expansion. “As a public agency, we are committed to helping the USCG address the broad interests of the working waterfront in response to the proposed activities in proximity to Terminals 30 and 46 throughout the course of this review. These considerations should include possible impacts on existing maritime operations, the environment, tribal treaty rights, the public, and adjacent communities.”

Galveston Wharves announced that Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Prima would set sail from the Port of Galveston in fall 2022. This is the brand’s first new class of ships in nearly 10 years and the first-ever to sail from Galveston. The ship’s visit to Galveston, the only cruise port in Texas, is part of a larger effort to debut its newest ship in a number of major markets.

Port Tampa Bay will be hosting its 9th annual Hurricane Preparedness Exercise on May 19. The virtual meeting is open to the public. This year, there will be a presentation by the National Weather Service who will educate attendees on services and products that are available during the approach of a storm, what they are and how they can be used.

North Carolina Ports continues to expand its role as a global supply chain gateway by announcing that Sealand, a Maersk Company, is adding a weekly Port of Wilmington call to its NAE service. This provides North Carolina importers and exporters with a direct service between Wilmington, N.C., and key Central American and Caribbean ports.

The Port of Harlingen received a U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration (MARAD), Marine Highway Project Designation for the creation of a container-on-barge service. Port of Harlingen Board Chair Alan Johnson said, “This designation allows us access to funding to establish this service and expand the capabilities at our port that open up many new opportunities not only for us, but for Harlingen and the region to bring in industry looking for container on barge transport.”

 

Plaquemines Port and APM Terminals have announced an agreement to work together to discuss the future design of the Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District (PPHTD), including the consideration of APM Terminals as the future terminal operator. The facility is in the early stages of development as a deep water, multi-modal, state-of-the-art container terminal in Plaquemines Parish, La. 

Port Saint John announced Port Days, a maritime and transportation industry conference with more than 60 years of history, will be held virtually this year on June 8. Community and business members interested in attending can view the full agenda and pre-register online. The conference is free to register.

 

PortMiami’s Shore Power Pilot Program has been allocated $2 million in federal funding through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant program. The pilot program is in partnership with Carnival Cruise Line at the new Cruise Terminal F.

Miami-Dade County (MDC) will receive bids for the North Cruise Boulevard Extension Phase III - Contract/Project No. 2017-035.03R until 2:00 p.m. EDT on June 7, 2021. MDC will hold a mandatory pre-bid conference at 10:00 a.m. EDT on May 17 at the PortMiami, Cruise Terminal E. Interested parties should read the Invitation to Bid in its entirety.

Terminal Manager, South Boston, MA; Massachusetts Port Authority

Managing Director, Commercial Operations, Long Beach, CA; Port of Long Beach

 

Chief of Business Development, Everett, WA; Port of Everett

 

Deputy Port Director, Brownsville, TX; Port of Brownsville