AAPA is hosting its Legislative Summit: Strong Ports, Strong America March 27-29, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Registration is now open and early-bird rates apply until midnight February 17. This event is the port industry’s foremost advocacy forum bringing in top federal government leaders to discuss critical policy issues.

The Legislative Summit is an opportunity to meet with port industry professionals to exchange ideas and discuss issues of national importance. Attendees will also have the chance to hear from government leaders and policymakers on the critical issues facing the industry, such as federal spending and long-term investment.

On the final day, AAPA will facilitate small group meetings with lawmakers and their staff on Capitol Hill for corporate member ports only. Attendees should opt-in for these events during the registration process. Reserve your spot today. Learn more about sponsorship opportunities and key agenda topics online.

AAPA has named Shawn Balcomb to its government relations team as Manager of Public Affairs. Balcomb, a talented communications professional with years of experience in federal and state government as well as on campaigns and in the private sector, began his new role January 23.

Balcomb has more than six years of experience in government and campaign communications at the state and federal levels. He has served former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie; then-Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp; a first-time congressional candidate (who was a U.S. Merchant Marine Academy graduate and experienced navigator) in a swing district; Rep. Jodey Arrington of Texas; and on public affairs campaigns for private sector clients at Plus Communications. Most recently, he was communications director for Rep. Maria Salazar of Florida, a champion of the Port of Miami, working on increased development and trade in Latin America, along with other coastal maritime priorities. Shawn is originally from New Jersey and graduated from the University of Georgia where he received a B.A. in communication studies.

AAPA port members are invited to nominate individuals for consideration as AAPA's 2023 Port Person of the Year, which recognizes individuals whose outstanding work has made a significant contribution to public ports and/or maritime commerce. The deadline for nominations is February 2, 2023. The formal criteria for eligibility and judging are available on AAPA’s website. Nominations should be submitted by email to Shannon McLeod. The award will be presented at the 2023 Legislative Summit: Strong Ports, Strong America, March 27-29, in Washington, D.C. Selection of those receiving the honor for 2023 will be made by the AAPA Board of Directors at its February meeting. AAPA’s Port Person of the Year is presented by DCLI.

AAPA will hold a virtual meeting of its Legislative Policy Council (LPC) on Tuesday, January 31, at 12:00 p.m. ET/9:00 a.m. PT. This virtual meeting will be held in lieu of the LPC meeting typically scheduled in conjunction with AAPA's Shifting Trade Seminar. A copy of pre-brief materials will be distributed to port members by their regional LPC representatives and will be made available following the meeting. Please note, LPC meetings are open to corporate (port) members only. Join the meeting on January 31, via  Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83788889527?pwd=cHVTbTVqNjdtbE5CU0ZwcUcrRTZiUT09;
Meeting ID: 837 8888 9527; Passcode: 226521.

Port Everglades, a global gateway for cruise vacations and trade, has launched a new three-pronged branding campaign to differentiate its strengths from those of Florida's natural wonder, Everglades National Park. Its new logo, a trident against a backdrop of waves, symbolizes Port Everglades' three main business sectors — cruise, cargo, and energy — and the port's three core values of strength, resilience, and sustainability. Watch a video of Port Everglades’ rebranding on YouTube.

The Port of Corpus Christi ended 2022 with record tonnage, mainly attributable to a 21% year-over-year (YOY) increase in refined products and 15% YOY increase in total crude oil. The Port of Corpus Christi achieved a new annual tonnage record of 187.9 million tons – a 12% increase over 2021 volumes.

 

The Port of Long Beach marked its second-busiest year on record by moving 9.13 million TEUs in 2022, allowing for a return to normal operations while once again serving as the nation’s leading export seaport. The port ended 2022 with 9,133,657 TEUs moved, down 2.7% from 2021, which remains the port’s most active year in its 112-year history.

 

The Alabama Port Authority reported record container shipping numbers for the 2022 calendar year, with 563,191 TEUs handled. These numbers reflect the ninth year the Port of Mobile posted double-digit growth since 2009. With 563,191 TEUs moved in 2022, total container volumes increased 11% over 2021. Intermodal rail volumes continued a 31-month record of triple-digit growth, ending the year at 142% over 2021.

The Port of San Diego will soon begin a project to make improvements to Cesar Chavez Park, located along the San Diego Bay waterfront in the Barrio Logan community of San Diego. The popular park includes picnic and playground areas, a public viewing pier, and a multipurpose recreational field for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Port Saint John will celebrate 35 years of welcoming cruise ships this coming season. With 86 vessel calls carrying almost 200,000 passengers total, this port city will be bustling with visitors throughout the six-month season, spanning from May 7 to November 7, 2023.

The Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) continues to move forward with its plans to pursue a public/private partnership (P3) arrangement with a private airport investor, operator, and terminal developer to modernize and upgrade the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix and the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas. VIPA issued a Request for Qualifications on December 29, 2022, and will host a P3 Airports Industry Forum and tours of its airports on February 1-2, 2023.

The Georgia Ports Authority has named Flavio Batista as its new vice president of sales and marketing. Batista (pictured, left) comes to GPA from the Wallenius Wilhelmsen Group, an ocean carrier focused on developing sustainable shipping and logistics solutions. In his new position, he will direct international marketing, business development, and the sales effort toward beneficial cargo owners.

The Port of Palm Beach announced the promotion of Michael Williams to chief financial officer (CFO). Williams (pictured, right) joined the port in November 2021 as the director of finance and has spearheaded numerous projects in his short time at the port. Williams has played an instrumental role in guiding the Port Infrastructure Development Project procurement process to ensure grant compliance. In addition, he works closely with the director of business development on port pricing.

At his annual State of the Port address, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka announced cargo volumes of nearly 10 million TEUs for 2022, the second highest in the port’s 115-year history. The achievement marks the 23rd consecutive year the Port of Los Angeles has been ranked the busiest container port in the nation. Seroka outlined priorities for 2023, pledging to focus on economic growth and job creation, improving the quality of life for surrounding Port communities, and furthering sustainable, zero-emission business operations.

In 2021, the USDOT considered INFRA grant applications for the first time with an emphasis on how they would address climate change, environmental justice and racial equity. These ports managed to crack the formula.

Director of Tenant Services & Operations, Long Beach, CA; Port of Long Beach