AAPA Seaports Advisory

February 16, 2023

Former Congressman to Teach Lobbying Bootcamp at Legislative Summit

Former Congressman Ryan Costello will teach AAPA’s first-ever lobbying bootcamp at this year's AAPA Legislative Summit: Strong Ports, Strong America, March 27-29 in Washington, D.C. Costello’s session, How to be an Effective Advocate for Your Port at the Federal Level, will give attendees a chance to brush up on their skills as compelling storytellers for ports. U.S. port member attendees will then put their bootcamp training to great use by spending the final summit day on Capitol Hill engaging in important, small-group discussions with targeted, key members of Congress and their staff.

Ryan Costello is a government relations executive and strategic advisor to companies, investment firms, and trade associations working to develop policy objectives and advocacy strategies on Capitol Hill. Costello’s policy expertise focuses on transportation, energy, technology, environment, tax, healthcare, and veteran’s affairs. Costello served as a U.S. Congressman (PA-6) from 2015-2019 and served on the Energy and Commerce, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Veteran’s Affairs Committees.

Building on the highly attended 2022 summit, attendees should expect a full house. Register soon to secure your seat. The early bird rate ends this Friday, February 17.

USDOT Announces NOFO for FY 2023 Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP)

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) released the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP). The NOFO announces the availability of $662 million for port infrastructure projects for FY 2023. Grant applications must be submitted via Grants.gov before midnight EDT on April 28.

Center for Advances in Port Management, Lamar University

U.S. Transportation Secretary Visits Port of Port Arthur

The Port of Port Arthur hosted U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg last week and celebrated new federal grant funds that will support its modernization and expansion projects. Port Director and CEO Larry Kelley provided Secretary Buttigieg a tour of the port, highlighting the projected vision for the $13.6 million RAISE grant. These funds will aid in expanding the size and capacity of the port and improve efficiency of freight movement. Kelley shared his appreciation for the federal partners at USDOT and Secretary Buttigieg for visiting the port. He also acknowledged the dedication of the port's employees, Board of Commissioners, and community leaders.

Ports of Indiana Names Jody Peacock as New CEO

Ports of Indiana has named Jody Peacock as the new chief executive officer for the statewide port authority which operates three ports on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan. The action was approved during the February 13 meeting of the Ports of Indiana Commission. Peacock has served in various leadership roles since 2001, and he most recently was senior vice president for business development. Peacock succeeds Vanta E. Coda II, who served as CEO from 2018 to 2022.

Cargo Statistics: Long Beach, Savannah

Softened consumer spending, increased prices driven by inflation, and a shift in trade routes contributed to a dip in shipments moving through the Port of Long Beach in January. Dockworkers and terminal operators moved 573,772 TEUs last month, down 28.4% from January 2022, which was the port’s busiest January on record. Imports decreased 32.3% to 263,394 TEUs and exports declined 14.2% to 105,623 TEUs. The Port of Savannah’s loaded container exports grew 21% in January. The nation’s busiest port for U.S. goods handled 110,305 TEUs of exports, an increase of 19,419 TEUs.

Clean Hydrogen Hubs: Corpus Christi

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstration has encouraged both the Port of Corpus Christi Horizons Clean Hydrogen Hub (HCH2) and Trans Permian H2Hub to submit full applications through the DOE Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Program. The Port of Corpus Christi and Trans Permian announced they are combining the two Hydrogen hubs into a single application, for which the Port of Corpus Christi will be the prime applicant.

Freight Study: Montreal

The Port of Montreal applauds the release of the Profile of the Logistics and Transportation Sector in Greater Montreal study, conducted by KPMG for CargoM. This new study is an update of the data published in 2012 and provides a comprehensive overview of the transportation and logistics sector.

Interpretive Center: Prince Rupert

The Prince Rupert Port Authority’s Port Interpretive Center, which also serves as the local visitor information center, is preparing for big changes. The space in Cow Bay’s Atlin Terminal is set to undergo a full revitalization with reimagined interior displays that better reflect the dynamic, diverse, and growing trade gateway and communities that it showcases.

Post-Panamax Cranes: Saint John

DP World and Port Saint John welcomed two additional post-Panamax cranes to the terminal, ultimately strengthening its position as an important part of the Atlantic Gateway. These cranes will enable increased throughput and provide more well-paying job opportunities and economic benefits for Saint John and the region as a whole. The modernization project means more career opportunities at the port and in the transportation, logistics, and warehousing sectors.

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Purchase Agreement: Fourchon

The Greater Lafourche Port Commission, Caillouet Land, LLC, and the Caillouet family announced they have entered into a purchase agreement which will result in the Port Commission purchasing over 850 acres of land including all Caillouet-owned industrial property in Port Fourchon. According to Executive Director Chett Chiasson, the $36.7 million purchase will bring an immediate $1.4 million annual net benefit when considering yearly rent savings and new rent collections.

Resilience Projects: Port Everglades

Port Everglades was awarded a $32 million grant last week to mitigate environmental threats from flooding and sea level rise and ensure continued access for marine vessels. This grant is part of more than $275 million for resilience projects issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The port will use the Resilient Florida Infrastructure Grant to replace bulkheads, which will assist in reducing the impacts of climate change to the port and neighboring residents.

Seafarers Center: Tampa

Tampa Port Ministries will celebrate the opening of a new center to serve seafarers visiting Port Tampa Bay. Seafarers are international maritime workers aboard cargo and cruise ships, who are sometimes at sea for months at a time. The new center, located in the port’s Cruise Terminal 3, will serve as a package and mail delivery hub, also allowing international maritime workers the ability to contact family and friends, utilizing free wifi.

State of the Port: Oakland

Port of Oakland Executive Director Danny Wan presented the State of the Port 2023 at a luncheon on February 14. In partnership with the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association and Women in Logistics, the speech was given to around 300 port stakeholders. Wan focused on modernizing infrastructure at Oakland International Airport and the Oakland Seaport. The port is also implementing green projects to reach zero emissions from port operations.