AAPA is pleased to announce the 2022 Lighthouse Awards Program recipients. Each year, this program recognizes ports and their projects that embody best practices and capture lessons learned. This year ports earned a total of 36 awards, and three ports received special awards: the 2022 Overall Lighthouse Awards of Excellence granted to Maryland Port Administration (Category 1), Port of Stockton (Category 2), and Port Everglades (Category 3) for their exemplary work.

The full list of ports and their winning entries can be viewed on the Lighthouse Awards webpage. AAPA extends its sincere thanks to all ports for their entries in the 2022 awards competition. Recipients of the Overall Awards of Excellence will receive their awards during the Lighthouse Awards presentation ceremony at the AAPA Annual Convention and Expo, Oct. 16-19, in Orlando, Fla.

On Monday, October 17, AAPA is holding one of its three annual Legislative Policy Council (LPC) meetings. Please join AAPA's LPC to discuss the industry’s most pressing legislative issues, including "Buy American" regulations, grant programs, MARAD reauthorization, and a host of other hot topics. In the second half of the LPC meeting, AAPA has the honor of hosting Federal Maritime Commissioner Carl Bentzel, who will discuss the Maritime Transport Data Initiative (MTDI). There will be opportunity for small group and one-on-one meetings with the commissioner.

AAPA is excited to see members in-person at AAPA's 111th Annual Convention and Expo at Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando in the South China Sea Room and virtually at this link on Monday, October 17, at 8:00 a.m.–9:15 a.m. ET/5:00 a.m.–6:15 a.m. PT.

As a bonus for in-person, corporate participants, AAPA is hosting Coffee with Commissioner Carl Bentzel following the Legislative Policy Council (LPC) meeting. This will take place in the South China Sea Room from 9:45 a.m.–11:00 a.m. ET (6:45 a.m.-8:00 a.m. PT, for those in other time zones marking their calendars now). AAPA hopes to see you there!

Join AAPA and new member PortXchange on November 1 from 11:00 a.m.–noon ET/8:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m. PT for a webinar on Building Resilient Port Infrastructure. Since the beginning of the pandemic, ports have experienced increased trade frictions in the global transport system, complex supply chain issues, changes in consumer demand and lack of investment in digital infrastructure in port communities.

This webinar will explore how ports can overcome disruption and build resilient port infrastructure through digitization. Learn about the recent developments at Port Houston and how it addressed some of these challenges by collaborating with PortXchange. Key webinar topics include:

On October 6, the New York Maritime Security Conference 2022 kicked off for a day of in-depth discussions, highlighting the maritime industry’s role in national security and its challenges. AAPA President and CEO Chris Connor participated as moderator of a dynamic panel of maritime industry professionals in a discussion on National Security Issues Affecting the Nation’s Ports. Panelists included Beth Rooney, Port Department Director, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; Captain Zeita Merchant, Commander, Sector New York, United States Coast Guard; and Edward T. Fox, Assistant Port Director, Port of New York/Newark, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

A slate of federal officials, military leaders and maritime transportation professionals addressed the attendees including Federal Maritime Commissioner Carl Bentzel. Commissioner Bentzel presented a keynote on the Ocean Shipping Reform Act taking affect this year, and what it means for the maritime industry. Visit nymaritimesecurityconference.org/ to learn more about the conference, panel topics, and speakers.

As one of North America’s largest and fastest growing private railroad and transportation management companies, OmniTRAX's core capabilities range from providing transportation and supply chain management services to railroad and port companies, to providing intermodal and industrial switching operations to railroads, ports and a diverse group of industrial companies. Through its affiliation with The Broe Group and its portfolio of managed companies, OmniTRAX also has the unique capability of offering specialized industrial development and real estate solutions, both on and off the rail network managed by OmniTRAX.

Port of San Diego Commissioner Rafael Castellanos has been named one of the Top 50 Latino Leaders of Influence 2022 by the San Diego Business Journal and the San Diego County Imperial Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Commissioner Castellanos has served on the Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners since 2013 as an appointee of the San Diego City Council. He served as Chairman in 2018 and is slated to serve as Chairman again in 2023. Commissioner Castellanos is a partner with the law firm Solomon Minton Cardinal Doyle & Smith LLP, specializing in commercial real estate and business transactional law.

The Port of Everett gathered alongside tribal leaders and its many community and project partners to celebrate the unveiling last month of the new 353-acre Blue Heron Slough estuary — a project more than 30 years in the making. Watch a video showcasing the restoration work, with snippets from the unveiling event.

Emissions from port-related sources increased in 2021 compared to the previous year, according to the Port of Los Angeles’ latest Inventory of Air Emissions. The 2021 results were significantly impacted by a series of supply chain disruptions, particularly cargo vessels anchored outside the port complex. Over the past year, private and public stakeholders have been successful in reducing congestion and ships at anchor, which will improve 2022 emissions.

Motus Energy LLC has completed the first phase of the company’s expansion project at its T1 and T2 terminals located in the Port of Brownsville, Texas. The company also executed multiple contracts with leading customers in the region, including independent and major energy corporations, in support of the expansion, which allows increased movement of commodities between the United States, Mexico and other international markets.

To advance its zero-emissions goals, the Port of Long Beach has joined the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES), a public-private partnership formed to help capture newly available federal funding to assist in developing a robust renewable hydrogen market in California. The partnership was celebrated during a launch event at the Port Administration Building last week.

CMA CGM announced the launch of its new AMERICAS XL service, offering a direct connection between the U.S. East Coast and West Coast South America. AMERICAS XL’s rotation will be: Port Everglades – Philadelphia – New York – Kingston – Buenaventura – Callao – San Antonio – Guayaquil – Cartagena – Port Everglades.

The Belledune Port Authority is announcing the completion and adoption of a new development plan to foster investment, enable green energy production and bring sustainable industry solutions to New Brunswick and the world. The Master Development Plan 2022-2052 lays out a 30-year roadmap to transition the BPA away from declining traditional industries and toward a more dynamic future while supporting a green and clean economic transition for New Brunswick.

The Galveston Wharves is hosting an open house on October 26 to share information about traffic planning, port improvements, long-range plans and more. The public meeting will be held from 4 p.m.–6 p.m. at Cruise Terminal 28. Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees said, “This open house will be a great opportunity for us to have one-on-one conversations with Galvestonians, our business partners and elected officials about the many exciting developments at the port.”

The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) managing members adopted a lease for Terminal 10 in Seattle with Ray-Mont Logistics Lease. Terminal 10 is a 13.19-acre site on the west side of Harbor Island in Seattle, of which 8.1 acres will be utilized as a containerized transloading facility focused on agricultural products.

Senior Manager, Maritime Planning, Seattle, WA; Port of Seattle

Chief Administrative Officer, Reserve, LA; Port of South Louisiana

Homeland Security and Emergency Management Position, College Station, TX; Texas A&M University / The Bush School of Government & Public Service

Assistant Professor in Supply Chain and Operations Management (International Trade and Logistics) – Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, Hong Kong, China; Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Assistant Professor in Supply Chain and Operations Management – Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, Hong Kong, China; Hong Kong Polytechnic University