AAPA data shows that total containers handled at the 10 largest U.S. ports by volume have declined 31 percent from the recent peak in May 2022, through February 2023. This is a result of a decline of imports by 35 percent, followed by decline in empty containers by 40 percent. Imports represent approximately 50 percent of the total containers handled by U.S. ports.

Consensus expectations call for continued large year-on-year and month-on-month declines in imported container volumes for the next several months, with a turnaround in the second half of the year. However, some macro trends indicate that this might not happen. This is the focus of this quarterly update.

The Propeller Club Port of Washington D.C. invites AAPA members to a free virtual presentation with Dr. Jerry Hendrix, naval expert, who will discuss his recent article in The Atlantic magazine on America’s naval dominance and its challenges. Naval Dominance: An Online Conversation with Jerry Hendrix will take place on Friday, May 12, from 12:00-1:00 p.m. ET/9:00-10:00 a.m. PT.
Advance registration is required. A Teams link will be provided following registration.

AAPA’s Cary Davis serves on the board of The Propeller Club Port of Washington, D.C., the flagship, international nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting all sectors and policy for the maritime industry. The D.C. chapter welcomes you to this and other similar events featuring national maritime thought leaders.

AAPA’s Environment Committee will be holding its next meeting virtually on May 17, from 3:00-4:00 p.m. ET/12:00-1:00 pm. PT. The meeting will include remarks from Faye Swift (EPA), presenting on the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant program; and Chip Millard and David Harris (FHWA), presenting on the Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities (RTEPF) grant program. AAPA members not already on the Environment Committee can reach out to Ian Gansler to join the meeting.

Overall cargo volumes through the Port of Vancouver decreased by 3% in 2022, following a rebound in the second half of the year led by Canadian resource exports. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s 2022 statistics, released May 1, show a total of 141.4 million metric tons (MMT) of goods moved through Port of Vancouver terminals in 2022, compared to 146.5 MMT in 2021.

The Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) has partnered with the Snow Valley Nordic Ski Club to support the construction of two multi-function shelters at the Onion Lake Ski Trails. Through a $27,000 contribution from PRPA’s Community Investment Fund, much-needed sizeable, all-season shelter areas were constructed for trail users.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) visited the Port of Hueneme to deliver a check in the amount of $375,000 in support of the Port of Hueneme’s Reducing Emissions, Supporting Health (PHRESH) Plan that will assess and address emissions, air quality requirements, and goals, as well as look at future growth scenarios, emission control strategies, community involvement, strategy funding, implementation, and monitoring.

Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Griff Lynch said GPA’s Network Georgia plan to develop rail hubs around the state is gaining momentum, with federal environmental approval for an inland terminal near Gainesville, Ga. “Moving more cargo by rail eases interstate traffic and reduces the carbon footprint of the state’s logistics industry by making the most efficient use of the Georgia’s logistics infrastructure,” Lynch said. 

The Port of Philadelphia continues to grow its portfolio of services. On April 26, PhilaPort welcomed the maiden call of a new ocean liner service to its Packer Avenue Marine Terminal. PhilaPort, along with terminal operator Holt Logistics, welcomed M/V EM SPETSES as part of ZIM Integrated Shipping Services’ “ZIM Colibri Xpress (ZCX)” service.

 

For the second year in a row, the Port of Vancouver USA will draw students from all over the United States for one of the nations’ premier maritime internship programs. The port will welcome its class of 2023 summer interns to Vancouver in mid-June. Nestled on the bank of the Columbia River in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, the Port of Vancouver USA is not just a global hub for trade and shipping – it’s becoming a destination for maritime academy students to learn about port operations.

May is Maritime Month at the Port of San Diego and to celebrate, the Port is offering free bus tours that will give guests a firsthand look at some of the goods arriving on U.S. shores, including automobiles and refrigerated cargo, as well as the important local shipbuilding and ship repair industry. There will also be food, entertainment, and more.

The Belledune Port Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Port of Rotterdam to work together on the movement of dry and liquid bulk commodities, and manufactured products, between Canada and The Netherlands, with a focus on green products and clean fuels, specifically hydrogen. The CEOs for both ports signed the MOU on May 10 at the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Bonnie Lowenthal has been reappointed to the Board of Harbor Commissioners for the Port of Long Beach. Lowenthal, a former City Councilmember, also served in the California State Assembly and on the Long Beach Board of Education. Lowenthal was first named to the Commission in July 2017 and has had terms as president, vice president and secretary.

 

Port Tampa Bay President & CEO Paul Anderson announced the hiring of Ryan Fierst as the port’s new Vice President of Legal Affairs. Fierst has more than 20 years of experience in law, public policy, and government. She has worked on Capitol Hill as a counsel for the U.S. House Judiciary Committee and served as a legislative director for two Congressmen representing the Central Florida region.

The Port of Québec introduced its new summer recreational tourism project: La Cale du Port de Québec. Bordered by the Saint Lawrence River, the Agora and the Café du Monde, La Cale will be a family-friendly place to relax and get together to enjoy summer to the fullest. Currently under construction, the site will open its doors in June, just in time for the summer season.

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) hosted over 1,000 middle and high school students and teachers from the Greater Boston area at its annual Aviation and Maritime STEM Expo on May 9 at Boston Logan International Airport. This year’s event included participation from 26 schools in the Greater Boston area.

The Port of Long Beach has released plans for an ambitious facility conceived to help California and the nation reach renewable energy targets in the coming decades. The floating offshore wind facility – known as Pier Wind – would support the manufacture and assembly of offshore wind turbines standing as tall as the Eiffel Tower.

Electronics Officer, U.S. Merchant Marine, Nationwide; American Radio Association