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This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Inflation Reduction Act (H.R.5376), the budget reconciliation bill that includes $3 billion over five years to establish a new grant program to install electrified equipment and reduce emission at ports, as well as funding for ports seeking to purchase alternative-fueled cargo-handling equipment, shore power systems, microgrids for energy resiliency, electric grid infrastructure, and more. Of the $3 billion in funding, $750 million will be reserved for ports in non-attainment areas. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will administer the grant program. The Inflation Reduction Act contains other provisions ports can utilize, including availability of tax credits for clean energy production, including offshore wind and hydrogen energy; $60 million allocation to the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant program, intended specifically for goods movement; $2.6 billion toward the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the protection of marine habitats and resilience for coastal communities from extreme storms; and $1 billion provided for the replacement of ‘class 6 or 7’ heavy-duty vehicles with zero-emission alternatives. In addition to a letter to Congressional Leadership, AAPA has engaged with Congress in several ways urging them to include port electrification in the next reconciliation package. AAPA encourages members to reach out to their representatives and senators to thank them for passing this historic bill and forwarding the efforts toward American supply chain resiliency. The full text of the Inflation Reduction Act is available here and the port electrification section is on page 677.
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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced it has enhanced the renewal process for the TWIC program to help support critical transportation workers. Starting August 11, 2022, TSA enabled the ability for current TWIC holders to renew their credentials online, which eliminates the need to go to an enrollment center and makes the five-year renewal process more convenient. Jointly administered by TSA and the U.S. Coast Guard, TWIC is required by the Maritime Transportation Security Act for mariners and workers who need access to secure areas of the nation’s maritime facilities and vessels.
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Port and maritime industry professionals pursuing port automation, digitalization solutions, and global opportunities are encouraged to attend the U.S. Department of Commerce’s networking forum Discover Global Markets: The Blue Economy, September 20-22, 2022, in Providence, RI. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo will deliver keynote remarks, including the latest information on the Department’s priorities to the U.S. business community. Industry leaders such as Orsted North America and Teledyne Marine, along with U.S. commercial diplomats and buyers from more than 20 countries, will provide market insights through a mix of panel discussions, pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings and networking opportunities. For full event details visit https://itamatch.com/event/dgmblueeconomy.
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The Port of Long Beach on Wednesday welcomed Pasha Hawaii’s MV George III, the first container ship powered by liquefied natural gas to refuel on the West Coast. The ship’s LNG-powered engines are dramatically cleaner than those of a traditional cargo ship. Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero commented, “Reducing ship emissions will have a significant and positive impact on the region’s air quality. We thank Pasha Hawaii for leading the way in green shipping at the Green Port.”
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Being committed to environmental stewardship ranks among the five pillars the Port of Hueneme has included in its Strategic Plan. This month, the port earned a certification from Green Marine – the leading international environmental certification program for the maritime transportation industry. Giles Pettifor, environmental manager for the Port of Hueneme, said, “Each time we have completed the certification, Green Marine sets the bar higher and higher, so by the port being able to achieve an almost perfect score this time is a huge achievement.”
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The Harbor Police Department (HPD) of the Port of New Orleans has named Cedric Turner to serve as captain of the specialized law enforcement agency. Turner has served in law enforcement for 26 years and 20 of those working up the ranks in HPD. As captain, Turner will be responsible for running the day-to-day operations of HPD’s Patrol Division. The Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) announced that after 30 years of service, Joe Rektor, vice president of finance and corporate services, is retiring from PRPA and Agnes Piotrowski is joining the organization as vice president, finance to take his place.
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Limestone imports continued to lead the way for the Port of Green Bay, which saw total cargo shipments of 222,842 tons in July. Port tonnage has reached 834,828 tons this season through July, about 5% ahead of the year-to-date total from last year. The Port of Los Angeles processed an estimated 935,345 TEUs in July, outpacing the previous record set in 2019 by 2.5%. The port has set monthly records in five of seven months in 2022. The Alabama Port Authority recorded its busiest month ever for containerized cargo, breaking 50,000 TEUs for the first time since container port operations began in 2008. July’s figures reflect a growth rate of 184.7% for intermodal cargo and 35.8% for dry and refrigerated cargo, in a year-over-year comparison. Reduced vessel calls, resulting from vessel delays at other ports and ongoing service suspensions, continued to negatively impact the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) volumes in July. Total container volume for the month decreased 15.9% to 260,572 TEUs, with full imports declining 30.4% and full exports declining 16.8% year-over-year.
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Weather-related disruptions and delays, combined with infrastructure damage caused by sea level rise and extreme storms, are expected to impose significant costs on the marine transportation system. Are we taking them into account in our financial planning?
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Deputy Secretary of Transportation Polly Trottenberg visited the Port of Gulfport earlier this month as part of a tour that included southern cities such as Gulfport and New Orleans. Jon Nass, CEO and executive director of the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport, provided an overview of the port facilities and infrastructure, giving a firsthand look at one link of the supply chain in action.
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The Port of Corpus Christi Commission approved a lease agreement with Buckeye Partners, L.P., that will establish the first solar farm in the 100-year history of the port. The agreement provides Buckeye with a two-year development term to evaluate the feasibility of constructing the solar farm project on 136.69 acres of port-owned property.
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The Port of Everett Commission has authorized the strategic property acquisition of the former Mukilteo ferry terminal holding lanes to preserve the property for the future redevelopment of the Mukilteo waterfront. The port is purchasing the property to ensure the site’s optimal development potential strikes a balance with the community’s desires for the future of the waterfront.
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There are only four months until The XXX Latin American Congress of Ports, AAPA’s Latin American Delegation, kicks off one of the most important port industry conferences in the region, hosted by the Port of Santos located in the Brazilian city of Santos. From November 28-30, AAPA Latino 2022 will convene to discuss the major issues that impact the industry. The high-level business program and world-class experts will address current and contingent issues for the region’s maritime sector and its upcoming challenges in terms of post-pandemic recovery, digital transformation and investments in infrastructure.
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