ACTION PLAN / 2023-2027
COLUMBIA RIVER STEAMSHIP OPERATORS’ ASSOCIATION
PROUDLY SERVING OCEAN SHIPPING INTERESTS CALLING IN THE OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AREAS SINCE 1922
Cover Photo: Capt. Chuck Patching
PREPARED BY COLUMBIA RIVER STEAMSHIP OPERATORS’ ASSOCIATION CRSOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS RETREAT 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS ABOUT THE CRSOA…………………………………………………………... 4 ACTION PLAN “PLAN ON A PAGE” 2023-2027……………….… 9
ACTIONS AND STRATEGIES……………………………………………….. 10
FACILITATE TRADE PROVIDE BUSINESS LEADERSHIP EXERCISE PRINCIPALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP SERVE AS AN INDUSTRY FOCAL POINT PROMOTE OPERATING POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT ARE SAFE, RELIABLE, EFFICIENT, AND COST EFFECTIVE
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PRIORITIES……………………………………………………………..……….. 10
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CRSOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND TEAM
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Rob Rich, Chair Shaver Transportation
Caitlin Sause, Vice Chair Sause Bros.
Phil Brotherton, Secretary/Treasurer Transmarine Navigation
Ion Badea Norton Lilly International
Demetri Papachristopoulos North American Shipping Agencies
Barrett Bass Blue Water Shipping
Brien Flanagan Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt
David Boyajian Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt
LEGAL COUNSEL Darien Loiselle Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt
LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION Mark Landauer, State of Oregon MJL Consulting, LLC
Amber Carter, State of Washington Amber Carter Government Relations, LLC
ACCOUNTING & FINANCIAL Chann Noun, Controller Merchants Exchange
STAFF LEADERSHIP Kate Mickelson Executive Director
Tereza Vitkova Edwards Director of Member Services
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COLUMBIA RIVER FAST FACTS
The Columbia River trade corridor is the nation’s top wheat export gateway and second for corn and soybean exports and is the third largest grain export gateway in the world!
One Panamax grain ship is approximately 225-229 meters or the length of two football fields! The vessel can load ~65,000 metric tons in the Columbia River and carry 2.4 million bushels of wheat!
51 MILLION TONS
of foreign trade (2020)
$22 BILLION in cargo value
Over 65,000 acres or 100 square miles of land will need to be harvested to fill the vessel—over twice the land area of Salem and nearly six times the land area of Olympia!
Our active river system delivers vital goods and services to the world, contributes to our regional economy, and creates nearly 40,000 jobs.
ABOUT THE CRSOA ABOUT
The Columbia River Steamship Operators’ Association was established in 1922, includes members representing ship owners, operators, agents, towing, and bunkering, launch companies, seafarers’ centers as well as facilities and ports along the Columbia/Willamette/Snake River and Oregon Coast River Systems. The CRSOA represents over 50 members and associate members. We are funded by our members (businesses and organizations) who operate in our industry - the ocean going, deep draft commercial shipping industry. We represent their interests, participate in public relations and media outreach, education, regulatory issues, support of maritime projects, lobbying, but our main focus is collaboration between the many members and associate members we represent. The CRSOA is a not-forprofit organization, governed by our bylaws and directed by our Board of Directors, who are also our members. The CRSOA accomplishes its work though its Board of Directors, Committees, and Members. Issues impacting the safety, reliability, or cost-effectiveness of services provided to ships calling the Columbia River and its tributaries or Coos Bay are identified, evaluated, and assigned to staff or committee by the Board. Experts drawn from the maritime industry serve on the Board and Committees, providing the knowledge, skill, drive, and integrity that make the CRSOA effective. The Columbia River Steamship Operators’ Association, Inc., has been organized as a mutual benefit corporation under the Oregon Nonprofit Corporation Act.
HISTORY
Over a century ago, the CRSOA was founded as the Portland Steamship Operators’ Association (PSOA), and it served two main purposes: 1. Served as a social organization where community business leaders who owned, operated, or managed ships and tugs - and some even owned trucking lines and railroads - got together several times a month to share information, exchange ideas, and make decisions on how they could work together to build business in the region. 2. Served as an advocacy group that wrote letters supporting different causes, contributed to political groups and campaigns, and met with other Federal, State, and city leaders, and with other trade and transportation business executives to influence and further common goals on common issues.
PURPOSE
Our purpose is to make the ports in the Columbia River region increasingly popular for commercial ships and shippers to come and do business.
MISSION
Our mission is to facilitate trade, provide business leadership, exercise principles of environmental stewardship, serve as an industry focal point, and promote operating policies and practices that are safe, reliable, efficient, and cost effective. This is accomplished by working closely with Federal, state, and city governments, with Federal and state legislators, with ports, pilots, and shippers, with agricultural and industrial organizations, and with trade associations, unions, and others to ensure that quality services are provided at competitive prices safely, securely, reliably, and efficiently.
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ACTION PLAN / 2023-2027
COLUMBIA RIVER STEAMSHIP OPERATORS’ ASSOCIATION
PROUDLY SERVING OCEAN SHIPPING INTERESTS CALLING IN THE OREGONA AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AREAS SINCE 1922
MISSION
To facilitate trade, provide business leadership, exercise principals of environmental stewardship, serve as an industry focal point, and promote operating policies and practices that are safe, reliable, efficient, and cost-effective.
STRATEGIC COMMITMENTS TO THE COLUMBIA RIVER MARITIME INDUSTRY
EDUCATION
ADVOCACY
PARTNERSHIPS
SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF COLUMBIA RIVER PORTS
ENGAGE OUR MARITIME PARTNERS AND STATE LEGISLATORS
CRSOA will work to promote the interests of Columbia River ports and their contribution to our regional economy to ensure healthy and successful ports. Channel deepening of the Columbia River was intended to increase vessel traffic while investments in training and navigational technology by the CRSOA, pilots, and the tug and towboat industry have increased the safety of vessel operations and movements. 1,371 ships called the Columbia River in 2022, well below the recent high of 2,283, recorded in 2000 (Merchants Exchange).
The state of Washington is the most tradedependent state in the nation, with one in every four jobs being port-related (Washington Public Ports Association). Oregon ports are a key component to our regional economy with one out of every six jobs being tied to ports (Oregon Public Ports Association).
The Columbia River has the capacity for growth. Not only is the river not being utilized to capacity, but the federal navigation channel’s designated purpose is commercial marine traffic and transportation (33 CFR §328.3(a)(1); 40 CFR §230.3(s)(1)).
WWW.CRSOA.NET
The CRSOA strives to ensure active engagement with our maritime partners and state legislators as well as strong promotion of our maritime industry. Through advocacy, public outreach, and educational programs we will continue to work to influence policy debates, educate our industry, and maintain effective working relationships. We have found success of our COBALT program for over 25 years and engage our partners through myriad programs and events. We will commit to providing opportunities and outreach materials that help tell the story of our world class river system.
PROMOTE AN EFFICIENT AND COST EFFECTIVE RIVER SYSTEM Our active river system delivers vital goods and services to the world, contributes to our regional economy, and creates jobs. The Columbia River trade corridor supports 51 million tons of foreign trade at a value of over $22 billion annually. We will strive to lower costs to operators and promote an efficient and cost effective river system by supporting projects and infrastructure that will help make the Columbia River ports increasingly popular for commercial ships and shippers to come and do business, a purpose we have maintained for decades. We will continue active participation on working committees and engage our maritime partners to collaborate on projects that promote channel deepening, stern buoys, anchorages, jetty completion and other ancillary waterfront infrastructure. We will expand the scope of the association to engage the industry and strengthen our voice.
FACILITATE TRADE LEGISLATIVE FOCUS: Work to facilitate trade in the Columbia, Willamette, Snake Rivers and Oregon Coast ports by influencing Federal, state, and local government decisions that have potential to impact commerce in our region.
PORT FOCUS: Work to support the Columbia River’s deep draft ports in efforts to coordinate with industry, be more cost effective, welcoming to new industry, supportive of industry goals and objectives, etc. PORT INFRASTRUCTURE FOCUS: Continue to support projects and activities that improve access, safety and efficiency of our river system, including stern buoys, anchorages, NOAA PORTS, LoadMAX, TV32, USACE survey review, pilotages meetings, etc. SAFETY FOCUS: Be a liaison and resource between industry and pilots regarding safe and sound movement of vessels. Be aware of accidents, injuries, and safe working conditions. Distribute information to membership regarding compliance with federal, state, and local safety rules and regulations and work alongside USCG and local industry partners to educate hazard mitigation. INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY ISSUES FOCUS: Inform industry in advance of international industry issues, including reduction of vessel air emissions, cyber security threats, etc.
PROVIDE BUSINESS LEADERSHIP BUSINESS LEADERSHIP FOCUS: Provide business leadership opportunities to our membership and communicate CRSOA membership benefits and opportunities to General and Associate Members. Develop a Recruitment Plan for CRSOA Board Members. PARTNERSHIP FOCUS: Maintain existing relationships with Federal, state, and local agencies, associations and industry groups, pilot associations, etc. MEMBERSHIP FOCUS: Continue to successfully plan Industry Luncheons and member events. Seek opportunities to bring disinterested members up to a level of dedicated involvement, Foster relationships with existing members and work with them to grow associate membership base. PROFESSIONAL GROWTH FOCUS: Maintain CRSOA Job Board and identify career development needs of membership. Continue to provide meaningful networking events, educational opportunities, etc.
EXERCISE PRINCIPALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP FOCUS: Act as environmental stewards and represent our membership through awareness, understanding, reporting, and a transfer of knowledge ENVIROMENTAL PARTICIPATION AND COLLABORATION FOCUS: Participate on active working committees critical to maritime operations such as ballast water, oil spill prevention, emergency and natural disaster planning, etc. Advance involvement, participation, and collaboration between industry and government leaders
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SERVE AS AN INDUSTRY FOCAL POINT INDUSTRY FOCAL POINT FOCUS: Serve as an industry focal point and utilize innovative and creative outreach methods to increase knowledge and awareness and to build collaboration and cooperation within our maritime community, encourage agent member and industry participation in CRSOA events. OUTREACH FOCUS: Advance active communication with members through website and outreach materials such as The Watchstander and social media. Maintain communication with media outlets and seek opportunities to promote maritime commerce. BRANDING FOCUS: Consider rebranding and modernizing the association’s name.
Photo: Tony Roberts
PROMOTE OPERATING POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT ARE SAFE, RELIABLE, EFFICIENT, AND COST EFFECTIVE BEST OPERATING PRACTICES FOCUS: Work with industry groups and regional leaders to promote operating policies that are safe, reliable, efficient, and cost effective. SAFETY FOCUS: Continue active participation on the Lower Columbia Region Harbor Safety Committee. PILOT FOCUS: Stay actively engaged with the Columbia River Bar Pilots and the Columbia River Pilots and foster strong relationships with the Oregon Board of Maritime Pilots. MEMBER VALUE FOCUS: Continue high value operation of the CRSOA including a long term financial plan that includes a potential member rate increase.
Proudly serving ocean shipping interests calling in the Oregon and Southwest Washington areas since 1922
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PRIORITIES / 2023-2027 COLUMBIA RIVER STEAMSHIP OPERATORS’ ASSOCIATION
PROUDLY SERVING OCEAN SHIPPING INTERESTS CALLING IN THE OREGONA AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON AREAS SINCE 1922
MISSION
To facilitate trade, provide business leadership, exercise principals of environmental stewardship, serve as an industry focal point, and promote operating policies and practices that are safe, reliable, efficient, and cost-effective.
PRIORITY 1
PRIORITY 2
PRIORITY 3
PRIORITY 4
PRIORITY 5
Work to advance progress on important maritime infrastructure projects like stern buoys and anchorages.
Continue to foster strong working relationships with the Oregon Board of Maritime Pilots, and all three pilot organizations. Work to achieve successful outcome for Coos Bay pilot rate negotiations.
Support increased committee engagement, including Ports AdHoc Committee and semiannual meetings of the Operations Committee.
Continue to engage membership through interesting, informative, and enjoyable social and networking events and outreach.
Look to the next century of the CRSOA. Consider rebranding and modernization of the association’s name and logo.
Photo: Capt. Tim Harris
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200 SW MARKET STREET, SUITE 190 PORTLAND, OREGON 97201 WWW.CRSOA.NET
Photo: Tony Roberts