Gain exclusive insights on drone technology at the upcoming AAPA Port Security and Smart Ports Seminar & Expo. A panel discussion titled What’s New in Drone Technology – Prevention and Mitigation Capabilities with Steve McKenna, senior vice president and general counsel for Unmanned Systems and Solutions, LLC, will provide an overview of the logistics, technical and operations considerations in drone technology.

McKenna is an attorney, entrepreneur and former senior executive at Telmar Network Technologies—an international provider of electronics and telecom equipment repair, return, logistics, warehousing, R&D and spare parts management for Alcatel-Lucent, Nortel, Verizon, AT&T, Orange and many other OEMs and service providers.

AAPA Port Security and Smart Ports Seminar & Expo, July 12-14, 2022, in San Diego, Calif., will bring together port leaders, policymakers, security experts and technology specialists to discuss how new, innovative technology is transforming the way ports do business and creating solutions to mitigate the risk of emerging threats. Companies can also highlight their solutions through exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities. Register here.

The nomination process is underway for AAPA Board of Directors positions. In October, during the Annual Convention in Orlando, Fla., the association will formally install newly elected board members. Nominations are open for the following regions and delegation:

Any member port CEO, or equivalent position, is eligible to be nominated or self-nominated. Directors are nominated and elected exclusively by corporate members in their region. Following the annual convention, the new Board of Directors will elect one at-large director from among all U.S. corporate nominations submitted. Nominations should be submitted to their current delegation board member representative, and “At-Large B Seat” nominations should be sent to AAPA’s vice president of government relations and general counsel, and board secretary, Cary Davis at cdavis@aapa-ports.org.

In 2020, the association modernized its bylaws to update the terms and electoral process for board positions. For more about the election process, see pages 4-6 in the AAPA Bylaws. Join AAPA at the 2022 Annual Convention & Expo, Oct. 16-19, 2022, to celebrate the Board of Directors elections. Get a glimpse of the convention program and registration information at https://bit.ly/3qJSflh.

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a hearing yesterday, June 22, to advance a bill (S.4357) reauthorizing the Maritime Administration (MARAD) for Fiscal Year 2023. The bill makes several authorizations for Federal Government funding for the maritime industry, including $750 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), $15 million for the Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) Program, and $14.8 million for America’s Marine Highways Program grants. To fund these programs, Congressional Appropriations Committees must also separately pass bills. Likewise, the House of Representatives must propose and pass its own version of the reauthorization bill for it to become law. As always, AAPA will keep members apprised of all developments on MARAD reauthorization.

The Port of San Diego has been named Best Cruise Port in the World in the 10th Annual Global Traveler Leisure Lifestyle Awards. The award is part of the publication’s annual readers survey that honors the best in the world of leisure and lifestyle travel and recognizes goods and services, destinations, hotels, airlines and cruises. Ten cruise ports made the list this year.

As liquified natural gas (LNG) continues to gain traction as a commercial marine fuel, the maritime industry and global community will reap economic and environmental benefits. Fueling more ships with safe, clean-burning LNG improves air quality. The transition to LNG fuel will create a wide range of jobs, from ship building to bunkering.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an expansion of the container assistance program to include the Northwest Seaport Alliance’s (NWSA) Tacoma Harbor. The partnership will enhance access to a 16-acre “pop up” site at the West Hylebos near-dock storage to accept either dry agricultural or refrigerated containers for temporary storage at NWSA to reduce operational hurdles and costs.

The Port of Oakland said relief is coming to growers who ship farm goods from the port. USDA is teaming up with the port to provide financial aid to agricultural exporters. The intent is to ease the pain of a year-long supply chain disruption that’s impeding farm trade.

The Port of Redwood City is the newest Green Marine participant to take part in the largest voluntary environmental certification program for North America’s maritime industry. “Serving the Silicon Valley region, the Port of Redwood City is always seeking to advance our global economic vitality while ensuring the most sustainable operations,” said Kristine A. Zortman, the port’s executive director.

Maryland’s Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore has been added to an existing international container service with the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) that will include port visits between Asia and the Panama Canal as well as the U.S. and the Suez Canal. The MSC Santana  service will include port calls in Baltimore and Boston, as well as Da Chan Bay Port in China.

A new, direct, all-water container service with Asia will commence calling PhilaPort’s Packer Avenue Marine Terminal (PAMT) in August. Wan Hai Lines Ltd. has announced its AA9 (Asia America 9) service will depart Asia on July 8 destined for the Port of Philadelphia. This weekly service will call Haiphong, Vietnam; Shekou and Qingdao, China; and Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

In a presentation during the Board of Commissioners June meeting, Port of Palm Beach Director of Finance Michael Williams shared how port management continues to achieve operational efficiency. The port attributes its financial achievement in large part due to port management, including Port Executive Director Manuel Almira, who has dedicated the last 14 years to boosting the port's net operating revenue, while cutting down on unnecessary costs. 

In the latest installment of its Supply Chain Insight video series, Port of Long Beach Deputy Executive Director Dr. Noel Hacegaba speaks with Kenny Rocker, executive vice president of marketing and sales for Union Pacific Railroad, about rail and the supply chain. Watch the video on YouTube.

RightShip announced the Port of Québec has joined a growing list of organizations using its proprietary greenhouse gas (GHG) rating tool, to assess the emissions of ships entering its waters. The port now offers discounts on port fees to vessels, dependent on their GHG Rating and emission efficiency.

Deputy Chief of Police, Operations Group, Los Angeles, CA; Port of Los Angeles

Director of Operations, Redwood City, CA; Port of Redwood City