Chris Magnus, commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), will address attendees of the AAPA Annual Convention & Expo, October 16-19 in Orlando, FL, during the Roundtable Discussion: Global Supply Chain. He will share insights on policies and inspector staffing as it impacts port operations. Commissioner Magnus will engage with fellow panelists including Bill Shea, president & CEO, Direct ChassisLink Inc. (DCLI); Bud Darr, executive vice president, Maritime Policy and Government Affairs, MSC Group; and Ed Alridge, president and CEO, CMA-CGM America. This executive-level conversation will be moderated by Louis E. Sola, commissioner, Federal Maritime Commission.

Commissioner Magnus oversees more than 60,000 employees and ensures the effective operations of CBP’s mission to protect national security while promoting economic prosperity. He directs CBP’s three core missions of counterterrorism, border security, and trade enforcement while facilitating trade and travel through ports of entry. Commissioner Magnus’ experience includes a remarkable 43-year career in public safety and law enforcement.

The AAPA Annual Convention & Expo will bring together government policymakers, port executives, and supply chain partners to discuss issues of global significance and discover solutions. Gain exclusive insights from experts and network with colleagues. For more information on the agenda and to register visit www.aapaorlando.org.

The Department of Energy (DOE) announced a $96 million Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the advancement of electric vehicle technology, including applications in off-road vehicles and marine vehicles. Ports could take advantage of this opportunity for electric and alternative-fueled cargo handling equipment and harbor craft. The deadline to submit a concept paper is August 25, 2022, and the deadline to apply is November 10, 2022.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) also announced three grant programs to which ferry services can apply for competitive grants for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY2022), all with application deadlines of September 6, 2022: the Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program ($49 million), the Passenger Ferry Grant Program ($36.5 million), and the Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program ($209 million).

The FTA has scheduled two webinars to educate applicants on the details of the grant programs. The first is on July 27 at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT, which you can join at this link. The second is on July 28 at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT and will focus specifically on the new ferry grant programs, including the electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program, which you can join at this link. Read the full FOA here.

The NOAA Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) program provides critical data to support port development through risk assessment and sensitive resource mapping for all coastal areas. ESI maps and datasets are a product of NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration and can be a critical resource for ports to better understand their natural and human-influenced environment. ESIs are a one-stop-shop that allow planners and responders to understand sensitive environments and support permitting, port development, risk assessment, help prepare for a potential spill, or evaluate the consequences after an incident.
 
ESI products display the sensitivity of shorelines to oil or chemical spills, as well as compiled information on biological resources, like plants and animal species, and relevant human-use resources such as parks and marinas. They are the leading industry standard for spill response and can support compliance activities associated with shipping and planning. The data is particularly relevant as sea level rise threatens coastal infrastructure around the country and communities seek to enhance the resiliency of their shorelines.

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) Board of Directors voted to approve the appointment of Joseph Morris as port director, overseeing all maritime business areas. Morris joined Massport in 2020 as deputy port director of operations and has served as acting port director since February 2022. As port director, Morris will lead all business planning and development, strategic initiatives, financial management, and the safety and security and day-to-day oversight of Massport’s Maritime Division.

“Joe brings global maritime experience to the role of port director. Since joining Massport, he has played a key role in the port’s pandemic recovery by increasing safety efforts, instilling fiscal discipline and preparing for the resumption of activity, including new services connecting the Port of Boston to South East Asia,” said Massport CEO Lisa Wieland. “I am confident in Joe’s ability to continue Maritime’s success and I am proud to have him on my leadership team.”

PhilaPort shared its vision for the port’s future anticipated capital need that identifies over $3.5 billion in capital investments needed to ensure continued growth and competitiveness among its neighboring East Coast ports. PhilaPort is one of the fastest growing container ports in the United States. Learn more in this video titled PhilaPort: Unveils a Vision for the Future.

NWSA commissioners voted to approve a 16-acre lease to BNSF Railway Company. The lease will allow BNSF to develop and operate a domestic intermodal facility at Lot M in the Tacoma Harbor. The new BNSF facility will increase cargo volumes moving to and from the NWSA and inland U.S. markets via rail.

Complex projects addressing challenges such as climate change, brownfield development and accommodating larger ships magnify the valuable role engineering consultants can play.

The Port of Corpus Christi achieved its best quarter and best half-year tonnage in its 100-year history, moving a record 46.4 million tons in the second quarter of 2022 and 90.1 million tons for the first six months of the year. The Georgia Ports Authority’s FY 2022 was another record-breaker, with container volumes growing 8% for a total of 5.76 million TEUs. The Port of Savannah ended the year with a record June, handling 494,107 TEUs in total cargo, up 10.6% or 47,300 TEUs compared to the same month last year.

Officials from the Port of San Diego and the City of Chula Vista gathered for a historic event July 27 to ceremonially break ground on the Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center – the catalyst project for the Chula Vista Bayfront. Wednesday’s event marked the start of a bayfront development phase totaling $1.35 billion of investment.

Sr. Environmental Specialist, Corpus Christi, TX; Port Corpus Christi Authority