Over the past month, AAPA staff have been settling into their spaces at the new headquarters in Washington, D.C. To celebrate and give members, partner organizations, and supporters of seaports in government the opportunity to check out the new space, AAPA hosted an Open House on July 21. Guests enjoyed food and beverages while networking and exploring the modern office. The new location offers easy access to Reagan National Airport and Capitol Hill for out-of-town visitors. AAPA is excited to be in its new space, and thanks U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter Defazio (D-OR), U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN), Congressional staff, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration staff, U.S. Committee on the Marine Transportation System staff, and its many industry partners who came out to celebrate!

Michael Lichte, Vice President, Milk Optimization and Customer Relations, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), will address attendees of AAPA's 110th Annual Convention on the importance of the global supply chain and DFA's reliance on ports in delivering milk solutions to the global marketplace. Lichte has worked with DFA for more than 17 years, previously serving in a variety of roles including economics, sales & marketing, supply chain, global business development and general management.

Networking salons facilitated by key leaders in the maritime industry and convention traditions will round out the event beginning with an opening address from AAPA's Chairman Mario Cordero, evening and closing ceremonies, presentation of this year's AAPA Lighthouse Awards, the 2021 Professional Port Manager program graduating class, and more.

 

Visit the Annual Convention website for the full slate of notable speakers and details on the much-anticipated business program during the convention’s four-day run at the JW Marriott Austin. The hotel expects to be fully booked, so register today for the AAPA Annual Convention to secure your hotel reservation. We hope to See You in Austin!

Sponsorship opportunities and exhibitor booths are moving quickly. Contact Mary Beth Long to become a sponsor or Direna Cousins for an exhibitor prospectus.

The Port of Corpus Christi ended June with a new record, moving nearly 80.5 million tons of cargo in the first six months of 2021. Total tonnage yielded a 4.7% increase over the same period in 2020, largely due to year-over-year increases of 72% in liquefied natural gas (LNG), 42% in agriculture, and 3.6% in crude oil exports. Cargo moving through the Port of Long Beach remained strong in June as dockworkers and terminal operators moved 724,297 TEUs, up 20.3% from the same month last year. Imports rose 18.8% to 357,101 TEUs, while exports saw a relatively flat decrease of 0.5% to 116,947 TEUs. The Port of Virginia set a new June cargo volume record having handled more than 281,000 TEUs, which is an increase of nearly 71,000 units year-over-year. June was the 10th consecutive month of record-breaking volumes for the port and helped push its total TEU volume to a record-breaking 3.2 million units for FY 2021.

The Port of Vancouver USA’s Board of Commissioners authorized Julianna Marler, CEO, to develop and implement the Climate Action Plan (CAP) based on initiatives presented in its Board of Commissioners meeting. The plan will provide direction for port staff to implement work that supports the effort to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions derived from port activities.

The Ports of Indiana released a new study that shows maritime and industrial operations at Indiana’s three ports contribute $8.2 billion per year, a 5% increase from the last report, support 51,000 jobs and generate more than $552 million state and local taxes. The economic impact study, completed every five years, is based on 2019 data measuring jobs, income, business revenue and economic output. The study was conducted by Martin Associates, a leading provider of economic and strategic assessments of the world’s transportation systems.

Port Freeport announced that Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Global Ratings affirmed its stable outlook and “A+” rating on the port’s outstanding senior-lien revenue bonds. Additionally, S&P assigned its “A+” rating to the port’s anticipated issuance of its series 2021 senior-lien revenue bonds to fund a portion of the Berth 8 expansion project at the Velasco Container Terminal.

The Galveston Wharves has completed a $2 million infrastructure improvement project at its West Port Cargo Complex to accommodate large roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) construction and farming equipment. In June, the port moved its major ro-ro tenant from Pier 10 to the complex, which will encompass 70 acres on the port’s west end when completed.

The Port of Everett hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the start of construction for the port’s $36 million Norton Terminal Development and Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) Interim Action Cleanup at the former Kimberly-Clark mill site. The port was joined by local, state and federal leaders, project partners and community members for the celebration including remarks by port officials, U.S. Senator Patty Murray’s Office and U.S. Congressman Rick Larsen.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is celebrating the opening of the Centennial Road overpass on Vancouver’s south shore. The opening of the new overpass, part of the South Shore Access Project marks an important project milestone and significant improvement in the movement of goods to and from the Port of Vancouver to support Canada’s growth in trade. Construction began in the summer of 2019.

The Port of Palm Beach presented Oscar Garcia with a certificate of recognition for his courageous actions during an emergency situation last month that resulted in a life saved. Oscar and Port Security Officer Dunstan Rainford safely rescued a woman who was clinging to a manatee fender in one of our slips.

Harbor Director, Channel Islands, Ventura, CA; Ventura County Harbor Department

Director of Engineering, St. Thomas or St. Croix, USVI; Virgin Islands Port Authority

Navigation Site Safety Health Officer, Portland, OR; Port of Portland

Professor, Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, Honolulu, HI