Pacific Ports - Volume 4, Issue 3, October 2023

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Volume 4 Issue 3

www.pacificports.org

October 2023

Port Updates

Largest port update on record for APP conferences

MARAD Town Hall

MARAD Town Hall highlights key issues

Best Practices

Taiwan Port’s sustainable development and offshore wind power business


Speed and Service We’re already known for our operational excellence and world-class customer service. Now the Port of Long Beach is expanding rail, electric and digital infrastructure to increase speed to market and weather changes in the supply chain.


transmountain.com

Westridge Marine Terminal expansion is nearing completion Berth one is now in operation.

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MINIMUM SIZES

sary icon should be used next to the The preferred minimum size is 1.25” wide for th Trans Mountain is entering a new operating era as the expansion at Westridge ogo whenever possible. horizontal format. However, if necessary, the a Marine Terminal (WMT) nears completion. In mid-July, the first ofminimum three berths size at is 0.85” wide. WMT’s upgraded state-of-the-art facilities was commissioned into service. The

maiden export vessel call represents a leap forward in Trans Mountain’s operations and was achieved through an unwavering commitment to collaboration, safety and teamwork.

CELEBRATING

CELEBRATING Upon completion, WMT will be a world-class facility with a modern three-berth

dock complex and industry-leading technology, including a dynamic mooring

Since 1953

YEARS STRONG

system with special dock fenders and a new vessel approach system. Each berth is Since 1953

YEARS STRONG

provided with two articulated marine loading arms and a third arm that is part of WMT’s improved marine vapour management system.

d LogoThese withupgrades Icon ensure efficient and safe vessel turnaround while also expanding

2.50” wide

loading capacity to meet global oil demand. For more information, visit transmountain.com/westridge-marine-terminal.

Since 1953

Social icon

Circle Only use blue and/or white. For more details check out our Brand Guidelines.

CELEBRATING

TransMtn

YEARS STRONG

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PACIFIC P RTS

October 2023

Volume 4 Issue 3

14 6 7

APP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S NOTE By Jane McIvor

8

PORT NEWS News briefs from APP Members

14 APP CONFERENCE

Port of Long Beach sets high bar for APP conferences

16 PORT UPDATES

Largest port update on record for APP conferences

CONTENTS

32 BEST PRACTICES

Taiwan Port’s sustainable development and offshore wind power business

35 BEST PRACTICES

Port of Long Beach sessions showcase best practices Educating youth and advancing a skilled workforce (Page 35) The Green Port of the Future (Page 39)

42 PROSPEROUS PORTS

Turbocharging growth through new markets tax credits By Ruben Duran, BBK Attorneys at Law

44 SHORT-SEA SHIPPING

Short-sea shipping moves goods efficiently and reduces emissions By Clear Seas Centre for Responsible Marine Shipping

48 NEW MEMBER PROFILE

APP welcomes IAMPE as newest reciprocal member

50 APP MEMBER ROSTER

26

26 PHOTOS

Memories of the 109th APP Annual Conference

28 MARAD TOWN HALL

MARAD Town Hall highlights key issues

On the cover: Long Beach Container Terminal with APP Conferene attendees (courtesy Port of Long Beach); Top: APP Annual Conference; Bottom right: Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific (courtesy Port of Long Beach). October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 5


Association of Pacific Ports 2023/24 Executive Committee

PACIFIC P RTS October 2023 Volume 4/Issue 3

Shao-Liang Chen, President, Taiwan International Ports Corporation, Ltd., Taiwan

OFFICERS Kim B. Puzey, First Vice President/Treasurer, Port of Umatilla, OR USA Conchita Taitano, Second Vice President, Port Authority of Guam, Guam USA Stephen Ribuffo, Third Vice President, Port of Alaska, AK Bobby Olvera Jr., Past President, Port of Long Beach, CA

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES Shu-Hui Cheng, Taiwan International Ports Corporation, Ltd., Taiwan Sean Clark, Port of Columbia County, OR USA Lorianna Kastrop, Port of Redwood City, CA USA Zoran Knezevic, Port Alberni Port Authority, BC Canada Thomas Maddison, Republic of the Marshalls Islands Port Authority, RMI Sara Young / Kevin Ware, Port of Skagit, WA USA

AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVE Falenaoti Loi-On Fruean, American Samoa Department of Port Administration Ian Marr, Port of Nanaimo, BC Canada Kimberlyn King-Hinds, Commonwealth Ports Authority, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands USA

STAFF Jane McIvor (jane@pacificports.org) Philippe Critot (philippe@pacificports.org) The APP has been committed to building partnerships, facilitating dialogue, and encouraging best practices for port governance and management throughout the Pacific since it was established in 1913 as the Pacific Coast Association of Port Authorities. Throughout our 100+-year history, our objectives have remained consistent. With a focus on collaboration, the APP strives to encourage and facilitate best practices and professional development through conferences, workshops annd strong communications. 6 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023

Publisher Association of Pacific Ports Executive Director & Editor Jane McIvor Contributors Jay Camerino Ruben Duran Sean Clark Dana Friez Sean Gamette Kerry Gerot Eric Gilmore Gus Hein Jane McIvor Bobby Olvera Jr. Suzanne Plezia Rory J. Respicio Steve Ribuffo Eleanor Torres Stanley Yang Advertising Phone: 323-578-2452 Philippe Critot (philippe@pacificports.org) Editorial & Association business Phone: 604-893-8800 Jane McIvor (jane@pacificports.org)

ASSOCIATION OF

PACIFIC PORTS Contents copyrighted 2023 Association of Pacific Ports 300 - 1275 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada V6H 1A6 Phone: 604-893-8800 / E-mail: jane@pacificports.org The opinions expressed by contributing writers are not necessarily those of the Publisher. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher. EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to the international nature of our membership, spelling within each article remains consistent to the country of origin.

ADVERTISERS American Samoa Department of Port Admin........................................12 APP 2024 Winter Conference.............................................................. 10 / 25 Innovative Manufacturing............................................................................11 Nanaimo Port Authority.................................................................................25 Port of Long Beach........................................................................................ IFC Taiwan International Ports Corporation.................................................. BC Taiwan International Ports Corporation / APP 110th Annual Conference..............................................................9 / 13 Trans Mountain / Westridge Marine Terminal.......................................... 3 Wiggins Lift Co. Inc........................................................................................ IBC


EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S NOTE

What we're all about

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his issue of Pacific Ports Magazine provides a perfect example of the objectives of the Association of Pacific Ports. The APP has three main goals: Networking and relationship-building; promoting increased efficiency through the sharing of best practices and innovations; and demonstrating leadership through good relations and collaboration. Our recent conference met all of these goals and are reflected in the pages to follow. Photos in the centre pages highlight the events that allowed members to build relationships — whether it was pointing out the sites during the Welcome Reception on board a harbor

cruise, or dancing to the TEUs during dinner at the Aquarium of the Pacific, attendees caught up with old friends, made new ones, and had a great time in the process. Sharing best practices was the cornerstone of the conference agenda. We saw the largest port update on record for the APP — a key part of the Conference that allowed attendees to hear of the activities of their peers. And we learned of innovations, best practices and new technologies that were equally insightful and valuable. Demonstrating leadership was evident throughout the entire event as well. Attendees were fully engaged,

eager to learn, and to share their own experiences. This level of participation indicated a recognition of the importance of the APP as a tool for collaboration. It was great to see attendees take advantage of the opportunities. The other aspect of leadership was that shown by the Port of Long Beach. Their hospitality, their assistance, and their engagement throughout the entire conference was nothing short of remarkable. A big thanks to the entire team, commissioners and staff alike. They truly made the conference a success! — Jane McIvor

APP PORT MEMBERS

October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 7


PORT NEWS

Shao-Liang Chen, Taiwan International Ports Corporation, elected as new president of APP

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he Association of Pacific Ports is pleased to welcome Shao-Liang Chen as our newly elected President. Representing Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC), Mr. Chen assumes the role following the tenure of Commissioner Bobby Olvera Jr. from the Port of Long Beach, California, hosts of the recent APP 109th Annual Conference. “It is an honor to lead the Association of Pacific Ports in the coming year,” said Mr. Chen, adding that he was glad about welcoming Association members to Kaohsiung, Taiwan for the APP’s 110th Annual Conference in 2024. As President of TIPC since 2019, Mr. Chen is responsible for the operation and management of seven international commercial ports, including APP Port Members Kaohsiung, Taichung, Keelung, and Hualien. He was Deputy DirectorGeneral for Hualien Harbor Bureau in 2011. In 2012, he took on the role of President of the Port of Taichung for TIPC and in 2015, was named Vice President of Business, TIPC. Before taking on the President’s role for TIPC, he was the Executive Vice President, TIPC and President, Port of Kaohsiung. TIPC is a national enterprise that was formed in 2012 when the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) divested itself of port operations of Taiwan’s four Harbor Bureaus (Keelung, Taichung, Kaohsiung, and Hualien) to allow for improvements in regional and global competitiveness. TIPC administers the four subsidiary organizations of Keelung, Taichung, Kaohsiung, and Hualien and manages all aspects of the business of these ports, their associated facilities, and their auxiliary ports. Mr. Chen remarked that TIPC will follow the vision of taking innovation as the core, going global and becoming a center of excellence for the global port group. With the three main business objectives of teamwork, innovation, and sustainable development, TIPC will continue to focus on the core business development of the port industry and emphasize the collaboration with the clients and local governments to actively create a favorable business environment. As Mr. Chen assumes the role of President of the APP, he is joined by both new and returning APP Port Members to the Executive Committee. Mr. Kim B. Puzey, Port of Umatilla, was elected to the position of First Vice President/Treasurer and new representative for the Port of Guam, Ms. Conchita Taitano has stepped into the Second Vice President role with Mr. Stephen Ribuffo, Port of Alaska taking on the Third Vice President position. 8 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023

Shao-Liang Chen, President of Taiwan International Ports Corporation and newly elected APP President. The full APP Executive Committee slate for the 2023/2024 year includes:

Officers President – Shao-Liang Chen (Taiwan) First Vice President/Treasurer — Kim B. Puzey (Umatilla) Second Vice President – Conchita Taitano (Guam) Third Vice President – Stephen Ribuffo (Alaska) Past President — Bobby Olvera Jr. / Sharon Weissman (Long Beach)

Regional Representatives Shu-Hui Cheng (Taiwan) Sean Clark (Columbia County, OR) Lorianna Kastrop (Redwood City, CA) Zoran Knezevic (Port Alberni, BC) Thomas Maddison (Marshall Islands) Sara Young / Kevin Ware (Skagit, WA)

At-Large Representatives Falenaoti Loi-On Fruean / Tumua Matuu (American Samoa) Ian Marr (Nanaimo, BC) Kimberlyn King-Hinds (Commonwealth Northern Mariana Islands)

Associate Member Sub-Committee Representatives Jeannie Beckett, The Beckett Group Joe Carrillo, SSA Marine


INDUSTRY BRIEFS

Hydrogen era dawns at San Pedro Bay Ports Complex The San Pedro Bay ports’ efforts to help seed a robust green hydrogen market to assist in the pursuit of zero-emissions operations got jump-started this week with an announcement from the U.S. Department of Energy that it will award a grant of up to $1.2 billion to a public-private partnership formed to lead California’s bid to create a hydrogen hub. The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, which together comprise the nation’s largest seaport complex, are project partners in the effort to advance the use of hydrogen fuel in goods movement via ARCHES funding. ARCHES funding will go to projects statewide. The two San Pedro Bay ports will find out in the coming months how much funding they will receive from ARCHES. These funds, to be matched by the ports and their tenants, will involve deployment of hydrogen fuel cell cargo-handling equipment and mobile hydrogen fueling trucks or stations in the ports’ terminals. Subsequent phases will add additional cargo-handling equipment and support the statewide deployment of 5,000 hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty trucks. More information about the DOE’s award can be found here. ARCHES – the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems – administered California’s grant application for a green hydrogen hub under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) program. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the H2Hubs program will be one of the largest investments in the history of the Department of Energy. “Investing federal dollars to establish a regional clean hydrogen hub is a home run for both our climate and economy,” said U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are providing crucial funding that will drive the nation towards reduced pollution and harmful greenhouse emissions. We will continue to fight for projects that will improve the quality of life for our communities, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to support our infrastructure and environmental goals.” “By establishing a Green Hydrogen Hub, we will now have the capacity to accelerate the production of renewable hydrogen that will clean our air, generate high-quality green jobs for our local communities, and help power California into the future,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. “I want to thank the Biden administration, the Department of Energy, and the broad coalition of labor, community, environmental groups, and business for delivering this

historic investment toward a clean energy future for our community.” “This investment will get us one step closer in providing a cleaner and healthier environment in our local communities and for the workers who move cargo,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bobby Olvera Jr. “By applying this funding in the heart of the nation’s busiest port complex, we’ll also accelerate the development of technology and infrastructure to support a national clean hydrogen network, which will dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change.” “Hydrogen will have a critical role as we leverage multiple technology options to achieve zero emissions,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “This funding ARCHES has secured is an important opportunity to accelerate the zero-emissions revolution happening at the San Pedro Bay ports complex. We’re enthusiastic about hydrogen fuel cells powering not only cargo-handling equipment and drayage trucks in the near term, but in the years ahead, tugs, locomotives and other vehicles used to move cargo. We are thankful to the Biden administration and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office for their commitment to a clean energy future.” The Port of Long Beach recently issued a request for information to gauge interest in developing hydrogen infrastructure in the harbor. Numerous proposals were received, covering a variety of potential project types. The information will be used to determine the next steps for advancing hydrogen infrastructure in the port area. Together, the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles created the landmark Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) — a sweeping, innovative and comprehensive strategy to tackle every source of port-related air pollution. Updated in 2017, the CAAP is a comprehensive strategy for accelerating progress toward a zero-emissions future while protecting and strengthening the ports’ competitive position in the global economy. Since 2005, port-related air pollution emissions at the Port of Long Beach have dropped 91% for diesel particulate matter, 63% for nitrogen oxides, and 97% for sulfur oxides. Targets for reducing greenhouse gases from port-related sources were introduced as part of the 2017 CAAP. The document calls for the ports to reduce GHGs 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The Clean Air Action Plan was originally approved in 2006. For more information, visit www.cleanairactionplan.org. October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 9


INDUSTRY BRIEFS

Port of Redwood City elects 2023-2024 Port commission officers

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t the Port of Redwood City’s Board meeting on September 27, 2023, three commissioners were elected to officer positions. Commissioners Lorianna Kastrop, Stan Maupin and Nancy C. Radcliffe will assume new leadership roles for this year’s Port Commission. The three officers will be responsible, along with the rest of the board, for supervising the Port area, regulating commerce needs and monitoring all public service and public utilities connected to the Port. The Port of Redwood City would like to thank Commissioner Garcia for his guidance and leadership as Chariperson over the past year. Lorianna Kastrop was elected as Chairperson of the commission. She has served on the board since 2008. In 2013, Kastrop was the first woman ever to serve as Chair, and was the second woman to be appointed to the commission. She is also the founder of the award-winning PortFest.

Stan Maupin was elected as Vice Chair of the commission. He has served on the board since 2022. Prior to his appointment, Maupin served for over 32 years in the fire service, including 17 in Redwood City until he retired as fire chief in 2020. Nancy C. Radcliffe was elected as Secretary of the commission. Radcliffe has served on the board since 2022, and comes to the Port after serving 20 years on the Redwood City Planning Commission. “Thank you to Commissioner Garcia for his leadership as chairperson in 2022-23. I am honored to lead the Commission alongside Commissioners Maupin and Radcliffe,” said Chair Kastrop. “The Board of Port Commissioners looks forward to supporting maritime operations, regional resiliency and continuing to create recreation opportunities for the public to enjoy our beautiful waterfront.”

Port of Redwood City Port Commission: Lorianna Kastrop (Chair), Stan Maupin (Vice Chair), Nancy C. Radcliffe (Secretary), Richard Claire, and Ralph Garcia.

Registration now open! APP’s Winter Conference

January 24 to 26, 2024 — Honolulu, Hawaii

As the half-way point for APP Members on both sides of the Pacific, Hawaii provides the perfect location for our Winter Conference. Our 2024 Conference will be held at the Turtle Bay Resort on Honolulu, Hawaii, providing an engaging agenda with plenty of networking opportunities — in one of the most beautiful spots on earth!

Watch for details: www.PacificPortsConference.com 10 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023


INDUSTRY BRIEFS

Port of Guam celebrates 48 years as autonomous agency The Jose D. Leon Guerrero Commercial Port of Guam is celebrating its 48th Anniversary and will hold a series of events throughout the week. This year’s celebration was kicked off with the “ADAHI I TANO” (TAKING CARE OF THE LAND) Cleanup Project of Route 11 from USO Beach to Family Beach on Saturday, October 14, 2023. The Port Week Opening Ceremony will take place tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. with a flag-raising ceremony followed by a parade of trucks, proclamation signing by Acting Governor Josh Tenorio, and resolution presentation by the Guam Legislature.

Port of Grays Harbor’s Kayla Dunlap elected to PNWA Executive Committee

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he Pacific Northwest Waterway Association (PNWA) has elected Kayla Dunlap, Director of Government and Public Affairs at the Port of Grays Harbor, to the PNWA Executive Committee at their annual meeting in Vancouver, WA. Ms. Dunlap spearheads the Port of Grays Harbor’s government affairs and communication efforts, ensuring local, state and federal officials and their staff understand the impacts policies and programs have on ports and rural communities. Locally, Kayla is recognized throughout the community for her public outreach efforts including the industry recognized Fourth Grade Port Tours program. Ms. Dunlap is recognized as a leader in State and Federal government relations particularly with the US Army Corps of Engineers. In addition, she works closely with the federal delegation, Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA), American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) and the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to advocate for adequate funding for the construction and maintenance of our Country’s critical transportation infrastructure. “It’s a true honor to serve on the PNWA’s Executive Committee,” stated Dunlap. “Ports of all sizes rely upon the PNWA to provide the leadership and guidance with federal authorities to ensure the timely maintenance, repair, and construction of the multi-modal infrastructure that serves all Pacific Northwest communities.”

“We have accomplished so much this past year toward improving and securing our facilities to better serve our community all the while remaining fiscally prudent and achieving low-risk auditee status for the fourth consecutive year and receiving positive credit ratings from Moody’s Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings,” said General Manager Rory J. Respicio. “Thanks to the hardworking employees of the Port, we have raised the bar and set higher standards because we’ve proven that we can do it. We are going make sure that our community continues to see the Port through the eyes of our Port co-workers so everyone can recognize all the hard work and sacrifices made to keep the Port Authority 100% operational.” Events for the 2023 Port Week include retiree resolutions for all retirees, a series of sports competitions, and an employee awards presentation. The entire opening ceremony can be viewed live on the Port’s Facebook page.

October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 11


INDUSTRY BRIEFS

CSCMP presents 2023 Supply Chain Sustainability Award to Pasha Hawaii

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he Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) presented the 2023 Supply Chain Sustainability Award to Pasha Hawaii at the EDGE 2023 Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition in Kissimmee, Florida. The annual Supply Chain Sustainability Award honors an individual or team who exemplifies significant, positive, and genuine impact in advancing environmental, social and/or economic sustainability in the supply chain. On August 17, 2022, Pasha Hawaii entered into service the first of two new ‘Ohana Class container ships to operate on natural gas. Called MV George III, this 774-foot Jones Act vessel became the first Liquified Natural Gas (“LNG”) powered container ship to serve the Hawaii/Mainland trade lane. One year later, on July 12, 2023, Pasha Hawaii welcomed its second ‘Ohana Class natural gas-powered container ship to its fleet, called MV Janet Marie. In 2014, Pasha Hawaii’s executive leadership was challenged by the late George Pasha, III to assemble a team and construct a commercially viable vessel that would represent the environmental stewardship of the company. Led

PORT of PAGO PAGO PORT OPERATIONS

PORT OPERATIONS

• Naturally deep-water harbor. • Dock Space o Container Dock: 1,112ftx55ft, D35ft o Main Dock: 400ftx55ft, D35ft o Inter-Island Dock: 90ftx40ft, D25ft o Fuel Dock: 406ftx45ft, D40ft o Service Wharf: 300ftx75ft, D25ft • 4.5 acre Contai ner Yard • 40,000sqft Warehouse • Bulk Cargo: Fuel, LPNG • Harbor Tug Assist Service • Tug Iseul a, 3000hp • Tug Sailel e, 1500hp • Inter Island Ferry Services • Inner Harbor Anchorage for Yachts • Yacht/Pleasure Craft Marina Facilities • Dry Dock Facilities • USDA Meat Inspectors • Net Repair Yard • Tuna Cannery/Docks – Star Kist Tuna • Small Boat Harbors: Auasi, Aunuu, Faleasao, Ta’u, Ofu.

Dock Space • Container Dock: 1,112ftx55ft, D35ft • Main Dock: 400ftx55ft, D35ft • Inter-Island Dock: 90ftx40ft, D25ft • Fuel Dock: 406ftx45ft, D40ft • Service Wharf: AIRPORT OPERATIONS 300ftx75ft, D25ft •• Pago Airport 4.5Pago acreInternational Container Yard (PPG) – Tutuila Island 700-acre publicWarehouse airport • oo 40,000sqft Rwy 5/23: 10,000ft x 150ft

over

o o o

Rwy 8/26: 3,800ft x 100ft Elevation: 32 ft. / 9.8 m Distance From city: 6 miles SW of Pago Pago, AS Time Zone: UTC -11 Surface: Concrete/grooved ARFF Station Hot Fire Training Ground

AIRPORT OPERATIONS o o o o

Pago Pago International o 18 acre public airport Airport (PPG) – Tutuila o Dimensions: o Rwy8-26: 200 x 60 ft. / 610 x 18 m Island o Elevation: 9 ft. / 2.7 m o Distance From city: 1 mile SE of Ofu • 700-acre Village, AS public airport o Time Zone: UTC -11 Concrete/grooved • oo 6 Surface: miles SW of Pago Pago, AS ARFF Station

• Ofu Airport (Z08) - Manua Islands

Airport Manua •Ofu Fitiuta Airport(Z08) (FAQ) –- Manua Islands Islands o

34 acre public airport

o o o o

Time Zone: UTC -11 Surface: Concrete/grooved Weight bearing capacity: ARFF Station

“In the Global Market, American Samoa will become the hub of the Pacific Island region.”

“In the Global Market, American Samoa will become the hub of the Pacific Island region.”

Locted in South Pacific Ocean, in the heart of Polynesia, Pago Pago Harbor is one of the world's largest natural harbors, and it is also considered one of the best and deepest deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean or in Oceania as a whole. Pago Pago Harbor is over 400 feet (120 m) deep and two miles (3.2 km) long, with over 2,700 linear

Located in South Pacific Ocean, in the heart of Polynesia, Pago Pago Harbor is one of the world’s largest natural harbors, and it is also considered one of the best and deepest deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean or in Oceania as a whole.Pago Pago InternationalfeetAirport is capable of accomof dock space, and numerous anchorage sites for the over 1,000 ports calls consisting of modating any size of commercial aircraft. When combined, cruise, cargo, military, fishing, workboats, pleasure crafts throughout our seaports and airports makeyachts the and movement of cargo andthe year. Pago Pago International Airport is people to and from American Samoa because of any its stracapable easy of accommodating size of commercial aircraft. When combined, our tegic midpoint for several shipping and air routes between the seaports, and airports make the movement of cargo and peopleNew to and from American U.S. West Coast, Honolulu Hawaii, Australia, Zealand and Samoa easy because of its strategic midpoint other pacific nations. for several shipping and air routes between

Rwy 12/30: 3200 x 75 ft. / 975 x 23 m • oo 18-acre public airport Elevation: 110 ft. / 34 m city: .1 mile SE of • o 1 Distance mile Village, SEFrom of Ofu Fitiuta AS Village, AS

Fitiuta Airport (FAQ) – Manua Islands • 34-acre public airport • .1 mile SE of Fitiuta Village, AS

12 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023

the U.S West Coast, Honolulu Hawaii, Austrailia, New Zealand and other pacific

We are here to We are here to serve serve you!

Visit us at americansamoaport.as.gov

americansamoaport.as.gov

by current President and CEO George Pasha, IV and Senior Vice President, Fleet Operations Edward Washburn, Pasha signed a contract with Texas-based AmFELS for the vessel’s construction. Construction and design began in the fall 2018. Operating on LNG from day one, George III and Janet Marie are the most environmentally friendly and energyefficient container vessels to service the California/Hawaii trade lane. In addition to designing and building one of the world’s cleanest and most technologically advanced container vessels, Pasha Hawaii, in a joint venture with West Coast Clean Fuels, also designed and built LNG fueling infrastructure to serve Long Beach, California for the ships since none existed in California or Hawaii. The company’s vision was to build a ship, specifically designed and optimized for the California/Hawaii trade using a sustainable local fuel source. LNG was selected as the primary fuel as it is locally sourced in California, which minimizes transportation carbon footprint, and it is the most environmentally friendly sustainable fuel available for high horsepower applications required for ocean-going container vessels. Using LNG as the fuel source for the ‘Ohana Class vessels results in a reduction of SOx emissions by 99.9%, NOx emissions by 90%, Particulate Matter by 99%, and CO2 by 25%. Once the Pasha Hawaii team selected LNG as the primary fuel source, they committed to designing and building the fueling infrastructure for these ‘Ohana Class vessels as there were no means to bunker or fuel these ships with LNG in California or Hawaii. The design of this fueling process truly encompasses the minimization of environmental impact from “Well to Wake”. The LNG is locally sourced, transported from the source via LNG-powered trucks to the terminal, and then pumped into the vessel’s tanks using Pasha’s custom-designed LNG pump skid. This fueling process and supporting infrastructure provides the ability to not only service the company’s ‘Ohana Class vessels but also for future LNG-powered vessels for Pasha Hawaii and other ship owners. In addition to using LNG as the most environmentally friendly fuel source, the ‘Ohana Class vessels’ hull form, propeller, and rudder were designed from scratch and may be the most efficient hull form in commercial trade today. This, along with state-of-the-art equipment, from bridge navigation gear to emission reduction technologies throughout the vessel with the focus on energy efficiency and emission reductions, the ‘Ohana Class vessel has far exceeded the upcoming 2030 IMO emission regulations.


INDUSTRY BRIEFS

Ports of Kaohsiung and Busan sign historic Sister Port Agreement

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he Ports of Kaohsiung and Busan convened an official sister port signing ceremony at the headquarters of Busan Port Authority (BPA) this afternoon (August 29th, 2023). The Sister Port agreement was signed by TIPC Vice President & Port of Kaohsiung CEO Chin-jung Wang and BPA Vice President Ja-Rim Koo and witnessed by TIPC Chairman Hsien-yi Lee, BPA President Joon-Suk Kang, and Taipei Mission in Korea (Busan Office) Director Cheng-kai Kuo. This new relationship formally recognizes the decades of good relations fostered between the two countries’ largest commercial ports. TIPC Chairman Lee noted that the new sister port relationship between Kaohsiung and Busan marks a new milestone in bilateral friendship. Looking to the future, he expressed his expectation that ongoing exchanges and cooperation between the two ports will promote mutual development and prosperity. Port of Kaohsiung currently maintains sister port relationships with 17 ports in 12 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, China, and Poland. Today’s agreement with Busan establishes not only Port of Kaohsiung’s 18th sister port connection but also its first sister port relationship in South Korea. TIPC respectively signed memoranda of understanding with Busan International Cruise Institute (BICI) and the Busan Port Authority in 2018 and 2019, committing the signatories to share cruise-industry-related experience, strategies, resources, and customers, and creating a solid foundation for the development of a trans-Asia cruise travel sector. Notably, the port-fee discount incentives announced this year by TIPC have successfully enticed international cruise line business to Taiwan’s ports, propelling cruise ship calls at Port of Kaohsiung to all-time highs. Moreover, in addition to Resorts World One running regular home port operations at Port of Kaohsiung, Costa Serena will be launching home port operations between Port of Kaohsiung and Japan starting in late September. Also, TIPC-invested Tiaya International penned a letter of intent with BPA in March of this year, committing the parties to cooperate in exploring potential new investment opportunities in Southeast Asia. Current efforts are focused on container wharf and yard & warehouse logistics facility development opportunities at major ports in Indonesia.

Sister Port Signing Ceremony (left to right): BPA President Joon-Suk Kang, BPA Vice President Ja-Rim Koo, Port of Kaohsiung CEO Chin-jung Wang, TIPC Chairman Hsien-yi Lee, and Taipei Mission in Korea (Busan Office) Director Cheng-kai Kuo.

October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 13


:

APP CONFERENCE RECAP

Port of Long Beach sets high bar for APP conferences

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hoosing just one highlight of the APP’s 109th Annual Conference held in Long Beach, California, this past August, has proved impossible. As the Host Port, the Port of Long Beach went above and beyond expectations — from relevant content of sessions, to harbor and land tours, to great food and entertaining excursions — setting a high bar for future APP conferences. “It was a pleasure welcoming APP Members to our Port,” said APP President Bobby Olvera Jr., President of the Port of Long Beach Harbor Commission. “In keeping with the spirit of APP’s goals and mandate, our organizing committee developed the program to ensure attendees learned as much as possible about POLB’s best practices while providing networking opportunities.” While all aspects of the agenda received high marks in the APP exit survey, it was the two tours of Port of Long Beach operations — one by land and one by water — that proved 14 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023

most popular with attendees. Survey comments about the land tour, which included a stop at the Long Beach Container Terminal, one of the most technologically advanced facilities of its kind in the world, included “LBCT…it’s a magical place!” and “Very impressive!” Comments for the Welcome Reception harbor sunset tour by boat were much the same: “POLB is very impressive with all its features, activities, tenants…” Dinner at the Aquarium of the Pacific, featuring the POLB’s very own band, the TEUs, was equally enjoyed: “Five stars for the Port of Long Beach’s own band” and “The aquarium, dinner and entertainment were the highlights of the conference for me.” Another feature of the conference that ranked high on the exit survey was the venue. A last-minute switch from the Hotel Maya to the Port of Long Beach offices offered an unparalleled view of port lands, allowing attendees to gain one more glimpse and

perspective of the extensive operations overseen by POLB. One comment gave a good summary of feedback from all: “Wow. They did a great job!! The food was outstanding, the staff was helpful. The sound/audio operator(s) were topnotch. They even provided translators and headphones for everyone. Very impressive. Oh, and nice view too.” In addition to showcasing port operations with tours, attendees learned about best practices from POLB staff, including presentations on Educating Youth and Advancing a Skilled Workforce, Securing the Port of Tomorrow, POLB Environmental Initiatives, and The Green Port of the Future. Comments on each session noted how well organized the panels were, the knowledge of speakers, and the innovative methods of staff to achieve their goals. Another highlight of this Annual Conference was the passing of the presidency role from Port of Long Beach’s Bobby Olvera Jr. to Shao-Liang Chen,


APP CONFERENCE RECAP President of Taiwan International Ports Corporation. Mr. Chen, represented by Shu-Hui Cheng, TIPC’s Vice President of Business, relayed a message of inclusiveness and collaboration, and was eager to welcome APP Members to the 110th Annual Conference to be held in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, in 2024. The conference also provided an opportunity to feature the best practices and activity updates of all APP Port Members as well as some special guests. The APP was honored to welcome representatives from Mexican ports, including the Ports of Ensenada, Guaymas, Lázaro Cárdenas, and Manzanillo, as well as the Mexican Ministry of the Navy, represented by Captain Ana Laura López-Bautista, General Coordinator for Ports and Merchant Marine. In her presentation, Captain López gave a high-level overview of Mexico’s ports before outlining top priorities — enhancing infrastructure development, promoting coastal and short-sea shipping, advancing digital technologies, encouraging environmentally sustainable practices, and strengthening Mexican Nautical Schools and human capital development. She highlighted several projects that were addressing these issues and looked forward to working with the U.S. and other nations toward a prosperous and sustainable future. Presentations from representatives of the Taiwan Ports International Corporation (on sustainability and offshore wind), Fiji Ports Corporation (on digitization for small ports), and Port of Guam (describing recovery efforts following Typhoon Mawar) were complemented with presentations from FEMA, Kongsberg, MarineLabs, Wabtec and the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives. And, of course, no APP Conference would be complete without our roundtable port activity update.

A summary of key presentations, including the port activity update, are featured in this issue of Pacific Ports Magazine. PowerPoint and video presentations as well as more photos can be found at www.pacificports.org. A special thanks is due to all participants but especially the sponsors who made the conference possible: Port of Long Beach | Port of Stockton | The Pasha Group | Commonwealth Ports Authority | Port of Redwood City |

American Samoa Department of Port Administration | BBK Attorneys at Law | Kongsberg | Port of Nanaimo | Port of Hueneme | Momentum | MarineLabs | SSA Marine | Burns & McDonnell | Port of Umatilla | MCM Marine & Civil Maintenance | Port of Alaska | Port of Skagit | Port of Columbia County | Long Beach Container Terminal | Republic of the Marshall Islands Port Authority | GHD | HDR Inc. | Port of Grays Harbor | Islands Business.

ASSOCIATION OF

PACIFIC PORTS

APP's 109th Annual Conference Augsut 13 to 16, 2023 — Long Beach, California

Thanks to our Sponsors!

Media Sponsor

October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 15


:

PORT UPDATES

Largest port update on record for APP conferences

O

ne of the most anticipated sessions for all APP conferences is the Port Updates. In the past, this session has been incorporated into the annual general meeting (or board of directors meeting during our Winter Conference). This year however, we moved the updates to the first day of the Conference to allow members to consider the issues raised and discuss with their colleagues and peers over the following days of the conference. The new format was well received.

and 149 hectares of space. Phase 2 will be complete by July 2024 and, when fully operational, will have the capacity to move 6.5 million TEUs annually. She highlighted activities in the Ports of Keelung and Kaohsiung, including new cruise terminals in both. She deferred to the upcoming presentation by Mr. Stanley Yang, Senior Deputy Director, for additional information, especially on Taiwan’s strategy to develop wind power as a key energy source.

Taiwan International Ports Corporation

Nichlas Andrike, Operations Manager for RMI Ports, reported on their partnership with the World Bank regarding their maritime infrastructure project. The project includes new aids to navigation, infrastructure enhancements such as a new port control tower, paving of the stevedoring yard, and upgrading the dock, as well as modernizing through emerging technologies. He noted that, although enhancements were underway, the Port was faced with limited space.

Representing the four ports of Kaohsiung, Keelung, Hualien and Taichung, Yen Chun Chuang first noted that the TIPC was excited to be hosting APP members for the 110th Annual Conference at the Port of Kaohsiung in August 2024. She reported that the Port of Kaohsiung recently celebrated the completion of the first phase of Terminal 7, operated by Evergreen Line. The terminal has five deepwater berths

Port of Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico 16 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023

Republic of Marshall Islands Ports Authority

Puerto Lázaro Cárdenas Before introducing a short video, Manuel Arce, Engineering Manager for Puerto Lázaro Cárdenas, noted that the Port would be celebrating its 50th anniversary as port and and 30th as ASIPONA next year. He emphasized the three main priorities for the Port: logistics, development of infrastructure, and chain supply. The video presented by Mr. Arce provided an overview of the Port’s privileged geographic location for commercial trade with Asia and that it has been expanding its influence with over 100 ports in North, Central and South America and Europe. The video also highlighted features of Puerto Lázaro Cárdenas, including an eco-friendly and socially responsible Port with specialized infrastructure for containerized cargo, general cargo, bulk mineral, bulk agricultural, fluids and oil and, as a part of more recent projects, renovation of a specialized coal handling facility. The vehicles are a particular line of work for the port, more than 600,000 units were handled in 2022. Road connectivity and a wide railway network creating an effective link in the domestic logistics chain was highlighted, as was the Port’s connection to the most important logistic modes in production, distribution, and consumption centers in the country. The Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Agreement, allows Lázaro Cárdenas to become the Mexican port to connect the three countries related with the Free Trade Agreement, known as USMCA. The Port provides for efficient movement of vehicles through a modern tractor truck yard with a control system


INDUSTRY PORT UPDATES INSIGHT for entry and departure plus a state-of-the-art system that regulates vessel traffic so that each shipment arrives at the dock smoothly through their commercial navigation channels. In addition, the Port’s corporate business center — a core and strategic space for commercial and business partner networks — creates a highly competitive and inclusive port.

Puerto Ensenada Captain Manuel Gutiérrez, General Director for the Port of Ensenada, introduced a video that outlined current projects, including the modernization and relocation of their Maritime Traffic Control Center; construction of a linear park to optimize space in the port area and improve relations with the local community of El Sauzal; reorganization of mobility and transit, including the construction of a third lane to minimize traffic congestion and increase safety as well as increasing access to the port; a transportation regulation center that will provide controlled and efficient access to Ensenada Port through a system of reorganization and equipment for vehicle operation and control — this project will considerably reduce the problem of vehicles parking in inappropriate areas — the area includes a total of 88,874 square meters, expanding from the existing 27,924 square meters in two phases. Private investment projects that have been proposed include the construction, operation and management of a Tourist Marina dock covering 1.2 hectares with a capacity to dock boats up to 50 feet long for nautical tourism, yachts, sport and coastal fishing, recreational activities and tourist tours. Further, construction and operation of a tourist destination on 2.3 hectares is part of the project called “Space with Ferry Services”. This will include the development of a shopping center, restaurants and commercial areas plus tourist services — the land portion of this will cover 0.7 hectares and with 1.6 hectares of a dock with two areas that can accommodate ferries and mega yachts. In addition, design, operation and construction of a public parking lot and commercial area holds great potential to create new tourist attractions for visitors. Construction, operation and management of a tourist development includes a cruise terminal with commercial areas and tourist services covering over 14.3 ha, including two docks to receive cruise ships of up to 350 meters, thus consolidating the fifth docking position for this tourist sector in the Port of Ensenada.

Port of Umatilla General Manager Kim B. Puzey highlighted some of the unique features of the Port of Umatilla, including its position as the largest river terminal feeding wheat into the Port of Portland, and well as having the largest building in the State of Oregon — a 42-acre Walmart distribution

Kim B. Puzey, Port of Umatilla center serviced by cargo coming in from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. He mentioned that he would love to see more short sea shipping to alleviate air emissions from trucks. Additional activities included the import of diesel fuel to use in creating fertilizer that services the vast agricultural area surrounding the Port; river cruise lines that visit periodically and the increase in tourism to the area as a result; and the second largest concentration of data centers in North America that has resulted in a doubling of the taxable asset base of the Port in the last decade.

Port of Stockton Rhonda Nelson, Real Estate Director for the Port of Stockton, reported that maritime tonnage was approximately one percent ahead of numbers last year. An increase in dry and liquid bulk cargo was offset by a decrease in general cargo as a result of eased congestion in container gateways and lower container freight rates. This was also reflected in less demand for laydown yard space. For the 2023 year to date, vessel calls were about five percent over the same period last year. Regarding real estate, the Port’s seven million square feet industrial warehouse portfolio remains fully leased and, while it is anticipated that there might be some slight softening of that over the next 12 months, it hasn’t been seen yet. The Port is expecting to finalize two to three major distribution center development and expansion projects within the next year in addition to the construction expected to begin next year of a major soda ash export terminal which will add about five million metric tonnes per year of exports, essentially doubling the Port’s maritime volume. Nelson also reported that the Port was successful in obtaining grant awards this past year for two projects totalling about $56 million — both related to rail, their most important limitation October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 17


PORT UPDATES The eWolf and its shoreside charging station are the result of a partnership between Crowley, the Port, the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District, the California Air Resources Board, the U.S. EPA and MARAD. to growth at present. The first was for $9 million through MARAD’s Port Infrastructure Development Program in 2022 for a rail rehabilitation and upgrade project and, more recently, about $45.9 million for rail improvements for sustainable exports from the Port and Freight Infrastructure Program of the California State Transportation Agency. Additional funds (about $40 million) for that project will be sought through MARAD’S PIDP fund.

Reporting on behalf of the Port of San Diego, Commissioner Sandy Naranjo was pleased to advise that the Port celebrated the start of the construction of a shoreside charging station that will support the country’s first all-electric tugboat — the eWolf from Crowley Maritime. The etug is designed to operate at its full performance capability by running entirely on electricity and

will replace one that consumes more than 30,000 gallons of diesel per year. It is scheduled to arrive and deploy early in 2024. The charging station will be a 3,200 KWh lithium-ion battery storage system provided by Corvus Energy, a leading supplier of reliable energy solutions in the maritime sector. The station will also include a canopy solar system which will provide both renewable energy and shade for the batteries. The technology is designed to support other electric equipment and vehicle operations as needed. The eWolf and its shoreside charging station are the result of a partnership between Crowley, the Port, the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District, the California Air Resources Board, the U.S. EPA and MARAD. The Port of San Diego also celebrated the arrival of two all-electric, Gottwald Generation 6 Mobile Harbor Cranes from Konecranes in July. The cranes cost approximately $14 million

Sandy Naranjo, Port of San Diego

Lorianna Kastrop, Port of Redwood City

Port of San Diego

18 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023

with an additional $8.9 million spent on electrical infrastructure improvements to support the cranes. Funding included a $2.7 million grant from the San Diego Air Pollution Control District. “These cranes are the first of their kind in North America and will help the Port improve air quality and public health as well as increase business opportunities given the increased lift capacity of up to 400 metric tons,” Naranjo said, adding that both the tug and the cranes help the Port meet two major goals of their Maritime Clean Air Strategy — to have the most ambitious clean air strategy in the state and the country. Naranjo finished her report by noting that a National City Balanced Plan has been developed in partnership with Pasha, the Port, the City of National City, as well as the community. The Plan provides an opportunity to optimize commercial and recreational uses of the Port. It will be going to the Coastal Commission for approval and Naranjo invited other port representatives to share their experiences and advice.

Port of Redwood City Port of Redwood City Commissioner Lorianna Kastrop reported that the Port

Paula Miranda, Port of Newport


PORT UPDATES closed fiscal 2023 in June with recordbreaking revenue of over $10 million and 1.83 million metric tonnes. While not record-breaking cargo, it was record-breaking revenue. She added that this was good news for Redwood City as the Port shares a percentage of their gross profit every year. In other news for the Port, Kastrop noted that in May this year, they launched the first ever lighted drone show in the area and planned to bookend the summer with their Annual PortFest event in the fall. She invited conference attendees to view a video of the drone show at www.redwoodcityport.com/droneshow. Additional events hosted by the Port included fireworks over the July 4 weekend as well as an expanded live music concert series every Saturday afternoon. The public events have had the effect of elevating the Port’s profile and popularity throughout the region. Further news for the Port of Redwood City included initiating the California Environmental Quality Act process

Port of Redwood City Commissioner Lorianna Kastrop reported that the Port closed fiscal 2023 in June with record-breaking revenue... for the public ferry service proposed for transit between Redwood City, San Francisco, and Oakland. Kastrop also described current litigation being undertaken by the Port to address deficiencies found following the rebuilding of a public fishing pier. The cost of the pier, funded fully by the Port, was approximately $2 million. And in closing, she noted that the Port had been awarded, for the sixth consecutive year, a Department of Homeland Security grant for port security infrastructure to enhance their FEMA-designated staging area.

Port of Newport Paula Miranda began her report by noting that her title, General Manager, would soon be changed to Executive Director. She provided a

brief background on the Port, noting that their main business streams included being home to the largest commercial fishing fleet in the State of Oregon; a large recreational facility which includes a large marina as well as RV Parks; a focus on science and research given that Oregon State University and NOAA were both tenants; and a cargo dock. At present, the Port’s main challenge is replacing the commercial dock that is falling into disrepair. Because commercial fishing facilities fall through the cracks between MARAD and the USDA for funding, Miranda and her team have been working to address shortfalls. She was happy to report that, after a lot of work, seafood is now included as freight, and she is hopeful that funding in the range of $25 to $30 million

Building partnerships throughout the Pacific APP members share a common vision:

To provide an efficient, fluid, and cost-effective supply chain in a safe, environmentally sustainable and economically viable manner...

We can help.

With a focus on collaboration, the APP encourages and facilitates best practices and professional development through networking conferences, technical workshops and strong communications.

Visit www.pacificports.org to learn more about the benefits of membership. Contact: Jane McIvor jane@pacificports.org | 1+604-893-8800

ASSOCIATION OF

PACIFIC PORTS October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 19


PORT UPDATES

Sharon Weissman, Port of Long Beach

Sean Clark, Port of Columbia County

will be forthcoming. Another challenge Miranda highlighted was that of cargo and efforts to bring that business back to the Port. She has also been focused on plans for wave energy and investigating offshore wind. However, a conflict in use between commercial fisheries and offshore wind exists so she is monitoring developments closely. Miranda ended by reporting that she has been working with a couple of forestry companies to develop grant proposals for yard equipment.

Laguna de Cuyutlán. Projects that are planned or in progress also include increasing road infrastructure, such as expansion of lanes and paving of key highways going to and from the Port. Puerto Manzanillo is also undertaking an expansion of their container terminal. The project began this year and is scheduled to last until 2028 and will result in an additional 220 meters of dock and an expanded container yard that will add up to 350,000 TEUs capacity. The terminal for general cargo and mineral bulk will expand by 2,400 square metres and the Port will acquire 14 x-ray inspection portals for cargo trucks which will reduce cargo entry and exit times. Another exciting project for the Port of Manzillo is the expansion towards Puerto Laguna de Cuyutlán of more than 3,000 hectares for port and complementary activities. Areas adjacent to the Port will be developed as part of the Municipal Territorial Planning and Urban Development Program of Manzanillo. The expansion project will be done in three stages, starting with road connections, through to the construction of infrastructure and, finally, expansion of the north navigation channel. The project is expected to start in 2025 and take until 2050 to fully complete.

Port of Nanaimo Jeet Manhas, Director for the Port of Nanaimo, updated attendees on plans to expand Duke Point Terminal to an annual capacity of 300,000 TEUs. A Request for Proposal has also been issued to investigate further development to two million TEU capacity. Manhas described a strategy going back many years to diversify business at the Port that resulted in the development of a new Vehicle Processing Centre that recently welcomed Vinfast, a Vietnamese manufacturer of electric vehicles. He also highlighted a new transportation link between Nanaimo and Downtown Vancouver. Hullo, a company with two catamaran passenger ferries, is using Nanaimo’s cruise ship terminal for the 70-minute trip. Additional initiatives at the Port include a new partnership with Shift Environmental and the Snuneymuxw First Nation, to develop modern technology for a wide range of marine activities including air and water quality, and they have contracted Dillon Consulting to do a comprehensive study on sea level effects on infrastructure and future.

Puerto Manzanillo The Port of Manzanillo has been active in carrying out several initiatives as part of a 2030 Development Strategy and Vision, including the improvement of infrastructure (for example, the maintenance and rehabilitation of the Laguna Cuyutlán breakwaters); lane expansion for the Minatitlán Highway; and dredging of the Port of Manzanillo and 20 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023

Guillermo von Borstel, Port of Guaymas


PORT UPDATES Port of Long Beach Port of Long Beach Harbor Commissioner Sharon Weissman highlighted some key activities and figures. The Port of Long Beach (POLB) handles trade valued at $200 billion dollars annually and supports 2.6 million jobs across the United States, including 575,000 jobs in Southern California. In 2022, industry leaders named the POLB the best West Coast seaport in North America for the fourth year in a row. With 35 miles of waterfront, ten piers, 80 berths, and 72 gantry cranes, the POLB handled 9.1 million container units in 2022, the second busiest year in its history. Commissioner Weissman pointed out that the POLB has been the nation’s leading export port for two consecutive years, with 1.41 million TEUs of loaded exports in 2022 and 1.44 million TEUs in 2021. In 2022, POLB set monthly cargo records in six of the 12 months. She also mentioned that the POLB plans to invest an ambitious $2.2 billion in infrastructure projects over the next ten years. The Capital Improvement Program will modernize terminals, rail, waterways, roads, and other infrastructure to support the ongoing sustainable and responsible growth of operations while generating thousands of job opportunities. Commissioner Weissman deferred

Stephen Ribuffo, Port of Alaska

to presentations being given during the conference for more detailed information.

Port of Columbia County

diversify from the energy park with the addition of more industrial tenants.

Port of Alaska

Sean Clark, Executive Director, Port of Columbia County, described the unique situation of his Port having to interact with five communities. Challenges that come with this include varying building permits and zoning regulations. Having noted that, he did indicate that almost 50 percent of the Port’s revenue comes from the Westward Industrial Park that is situated closer to the classic county line. He referred to the Park as an “energy park” given the many businesses associated with power generation, including PGE Portland and General Electric as well as a bio-refinery that is currently transloading renewable diesel but noted that there is the prospect of Next Renewable Fuels building a renewable diesel manufacturing plant there, potentially one of the biggest in the world. If it gets built. Next will utilize the Port’s infrastructure, including the dock and water system, initiatives that past Port Commissioners and County Commissioners have invested in over years. With four or five other smaller industrial parks and the Scappoose Airport under his jurisdiction, Clark saw a number of opportunities to grow and

Steve Ribuffo, Director for the Port of Alaska in Anchorage, had previously participated in the MARAD Town Hall session so referred attendees to that for background information. For this port update session, he focused on the need to address aging infrastructure. A lack of effort over the past 60 years to address aging infrastructure has resulted in docks that have “probably got about 10 more years of useful life before we have to start either shutting them down or reducing the loads on them”. He noted that they embarked on the Port of Alaska Modernization Program, beginning in 2014 and so far, the program has led to the replacement of one marine terminal that is used jointly for petroleum and dry bulk cement. The cost of that facility was roughly $225 million, with the majority of funding being sourced through state and federal grants. Currently, the Port has a designer of record on board who is designing cargo docks, the next phase of their plan. Steps for this include stabilizing the land at the north end of the Port as well as relocating the Port’s office building. “We’re out of the starting blocks,” he said. “It’s a great time to be looking forward to and I’ll come back next year with

Alex Nanpei, Port of Pohnpei (FSC)

Joe Javellana, Port of Guam October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 21


PORT UPDATES photos of progress for attendees to compare the new infrastructure with the old.”

Puerto Guaymas Guillermo von Borstel, Marketing Manager, provided the report for the Port of Guaymas. Located in northwest Mexico, the Port is the only deep seaport in the State of Sonora, it has six docks and two private terminals. They are ranked fifth in commercial cargo in the Mexican port system and Number One in Mexico for bulk mineral exports as well as bulk agricultural exports. The main activity of the Port of Guaymas is mineral exports followed by agricultural cargo. Total cargo movement averages about eight million tons annually with the majority of that being minerals, agricultural containers, break bulk and fluids and, currently, the Port is moving some copper concentrate and coal. Von Borstel also reported that the Port was working with Ferromex, Union Pacific, and the Port of Tucson to move fertilizer. They also have a regular feeder service between the Ports of Guaymas, Mazatlán, and Manzanillo. Mr. von Borstel further reported that the Port is working on improvements and modernization initiatives that include dredging navigation areas, new yards for minerals and containers, and increasing capacity with a new warehouse. The next project he highlighted was a new container terminal project. They will start with two mobile cranes while construction continues through to the end of the year. He expected that within two to three years, they would be able to grow to the east side of the Port, potentially for containers, grains, minerals or energy.

Port of Guam Joe Javellana, Chief Planner at the Strategic Planning Division of the Port Authority of Guam – the division that oversees grant acquisitions and leveraging federal funds to support port initiatives – shared several updates with conference attendees. The first was the 2013 Master Plan update -a $50 million project funded by the Department of Defense and administered by USDOT’s Maritime Administration (MARAD). This program, considered to be Phase One of their port modernization, has now been completed. In addition to that, Javellana provided an update on the Port’s priority projects and grants initiatives, including the acquisition of gantry cranes, upgrades to the fuel piers, and rehabilitation projects for the wharfs as well as equipment acquisition that is very important to port operations. He thanked MARAD and the Marine Highway program, FEMA, and the US EPA. Most recently, the Port has been working with FEMA, collaborating on Typhoon Mawar recovery efforts. Phase Two is the Port’s 2023 Master Plan update that includes a Port Readiness Plan that places emphasis on 22 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023

Mike Carter, Port Alberni Port Authority making DoD a top tenant and top customer. This includes a partnership and support to the Pacific Deterrence Initiative as well as improvements and upgrades to Port IT initiatives that include upgrades to the terminal operating system, financial management system, and cyber security. Javellana noted that General Manager Rory Respicio had provided additional updates during the MARAD Town Hall including a port security sustainability study. Please see Page X for information on this and additional updates provided by Mr. Respicio.

Port Alberni Port Authority Mike Carter, Vice President of Operations for the Port Alberni Port Authority, started by noting that the Port Authority in in Port Alberni is one of 17 federal port authorities in Canada. As an export-only port, Carter reported that their main cargo — forest products — has not performed well in the last couple of years given the cyclical nature of the product. While he was hopeful its performance would come back to previous levels, the Port has been focused on diversification. In addition to five marinas and an RV campground that are generating activity related to commercial and recreational fishing, the Port has revitalized an old fish plant over the past two years. They now have several anchor tenants established, including food produced from farms, oyster processors and fish smoking facilities. These are all new companies or companies that are growing which are serving as an incubator to create a food hub with all the food is being processed locally now. Capitalizing on that activity, the Port has also revived their ice plant which had been dormant for about 10 years. Carter saw this as pivotal for the processing plant and commercial and First Nation


PORT UPDATES fisheries and reported that their success in revitalizing the plant has been a great addition to the over 100 water lot and warehouse/land leases the Port manages. In terms of environmental sustainability, Carter highlighted the work of the Coastal Restoration Society, which is cleaning up local waters, including old aquaculture sites. “We’re the healthiest we’ve been in years,” he said adding that a new terminal operator — the first they’ve ever had — is focused on lumber manufacturing. The San Group has also purchased sawmills in Port Alberni and are growing their local investment. Carter expects that there will be enough volume in the near future to resume shipping direct to Asia as was done in previous years. Wrapping up, Carter noted that Port Alberni is currently looking to obtain a new floating dry dock to build shipbuilding and repair for the area. And the Port continues to pursue their dream of the Port Alberni Transhipment Hub.

Port of Pohnpei Baron Mendiola, Seaport Manager for Pohnpei Port Authority, reported on a project funded by the World Bank to upgrade the Port to international standards. The $38.5 million grant is being used to construct and rehabilitate maritime infrastructure, including upgrades or repairs to drainage, terminal structures, berthing and apron facilities as well as strengthening safety and security. Alex Nanpei, Treasurer for Federated Shipping Company, the contractor for the Port Authority’s terminal operations, further reported that the grant has allowed them to acquire more equipment such as top lifters, chassis, and cranes. He noted that, while the grant had been secured during COVID-19, they had been unable to bring in specialized technicians to

Baron Mendiola, Seaport Manager for Pohnpei Port Authority, reported on a project funded by the World Bank to upgrade the Port to international standards. assemble the equipment. The project is now back on track.

Fiji Ports Corporation Vajira Piyasena, CEO of the Fiji Ports Corporation Pte Limited, provided a brief update on projects, including initiatives that would further enhance their vision of becoming the “Smart, Green Gateway for Trade in the Pacific region”. Alongside these initiatives, Fiji Ports was undertaking a major infrastructure rehabilitation program. Noting that the existing port infrastructure was originally built in the 1960s, Piyasena described a major infrastructure upgrade which would also address capacity issues by developing a new container storage yard. Another important project is the feasibility study initiated by the Fijian government and Fiji Ports as the implementing agency, to look at the relocation of Suva Port’s operations. He also highlighted collaborative efforts with the port community on multiple projects that were a part of an

overall 5-Year Strategic Plan 2019-2023 (extended by two years till 2025 due to the challenges encountered during the global corona virus pandemic). Piyasena further emphasized the Ports’ commitment towards digitalization, that is aligned to their overarching vision and 5-Year Strategic Plan.

Commonwealth Ports Authority McQueen Masaharu, Operations Supervisor for the Port of Saipan, Commonwealth Ports Authority (CPA), reported that the Port’s ongoing projects included paving and drainage of the seaplane ramp, improvements to Delta Dock and Berth 103 as well as the Industrial Drive roadway. They were also at the planning stage for Saipan Harbor navigational improvements and the extension of docks to allow for larger vessels, including cruise ships and liquid bulk vessels. Rosalina Lazaro, Tarriff Administrator, provided an update for CPA’s

Vessel Traffic Management at the Port of Suva, Fiji October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 23


PORT UPDATES The Port of Hueneme’s volume has grown an impressive 80 percent over the last decade stimulating economic prosperity for California and Ventura County. Tinian Port, including a marina improvement project that was in its final stages. The project including paving the entire area of the marina as well as a renovated parking lot, new public bathrooms, and improved lighting. Lazaro noted that a future project was restoration of the breakwater which had been built in the 10940s. The Department of Defense has set this as a priority project and CPA’s Board of Directors has agreed. In addition, multi-purpose warehouses and storage areas will also be built. Rianalyn Barcinas, Secretary/Tariff Technician for Rota Port, reported that they had completed perimeter fencing for the seaport, as well as their small boat commercial dock and the installation of a small vessel marina office. For future projects, Barcinas highlighted the small vessel marina fencing as well as their five-year plan that includes a park generator, small vessel marina ramp, installation of a new breakwater and a new seaport building and warehouse, and to repair and extend Berth 2 by 50 feet and build a RO-RO ramp.

Port of Brookings Harbor Travis Webster, Port Manager for the Port of Brookings Harbor was pleased to report that they have received $2.4 million from FEMA to remove 38,000 cubic yards of sediment deposited during a storm in 2019. Currently, the Port is purchasing its own eight-inch electric dredge and other equipment to complete the work. The Port is also constructing its own sediment pond with dewatering and upland sediment storage area and will be working with local concrete plants and construction companies to explore other uses for the material and areas for disposal. 24 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023

Webster further reported that the Port is in the final process of submitting Phase Two funding to the EPA for a proposed Wastewater Treatment Plant. They have submitted for a DEQ (Division of Environmental Quality) discharge permit which is now under review. “We hope to have an RFP for a plant manufacturer and contractor out early 2024,” he said.

Port of Hueneme The Port of Hueneme’s volume has grown an impressive 80 percent over the last decade stimulating economic prosperity for California and Ventura County. Today, the Port moves over $15.8 billion worth of goods, generating over $2.8 billion in economic impact, creating approximately 25,000 traderelated jobs, and contributing more than $236 million in direct and related state and local taxes which fund vital community services. This success goes hand in hand with the Port’s important environmental and community work. As an early adopter of zero-emission technologies, the Port of Hueneme has emerged as a leader for environmental justice and progress, especially when it comes to public health and the environment. Since 2008, the Port has achieved an 85 percent reduction in PM. In 2012, the Port completed a comprehensive Environmental Framework that set ambitious goals in air quality, water quality, marine resources, soil and sediment, energy, and climate change. In 2014, a shore-side power system was installed to enable ships to plug in and be zero emission at berth. Through its partnership with Tesla, the Port installed five battery packs to purchase and store power at off-peak hours, when it’s cheapest and cleanest, for daytime

use. The Port recently completed the installation of new electrical infrastructure to power hybrid electric mobile cranes, zero-emission trucks, and zeroemission yard tractors. These advancements helped Hueneme become the first port in California to be Green Marine certified in 2018, and just this past year, achieve its highest scores yet. Each and every day, the Port is pushing aggressively into new fields of heavy-duty industrial decarbonization in pursuit of a future of zero-emission operations. In November of 2021, the Board of Harbor Commissioners unanimously voted to pass a resolution committing the Port of Hueneme to this zero-emission future. The path forward has been strategic and is being informed through a blueprint project known as SPARC (Sustainable Power Advancement & Resiliency for our Community), funded in part by the California Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program. The Port is grateful to the Governor and the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), who served as the lead agency for the allocation of $1.5 billion in Port & Freight Infrastructure Program (PFIP) funds approved in the Governor’s 2023-2024 budget. The Port of Hueneme is receiving a $79.8 million for it’s strategic PACED (Port Action, Climate, and Environment Development) project which is coupled with an additional $25 million in federal, state, and local grants. PACED removes dilapidated obsolete buildings, installs zero-emission plugin units for containers, and builds hydrogen fuel cell technology infrastructure. Further, the project brings efficiency and safety improvements with deepening of berths that will also allow for renourishment of local beaches with clean dredged sediment. Of utmost importance, the funding supports shoreside power and emission control systems that make vessels


PORT UPDATES Port of Skagit

Port of Skagit's Regional Airport apron rehabilitation project zero emission while in port including roll-on/roll-off ships, and also provides for port-wide crane electrification and the procurement of zeroemission cargo handling equipment. Components awarded further protect our ocean with the ability to procure an electric sweeper to prevent debris from going into the Port’s stormwater systems. When it comes to the

community of Hueneme, the Port is all hands-on deck with over $300,000 in locally based sponsorships. It just hosted its 10th annual Banana Festival, drawing a crowd of over 12,000 to the waterfront. The Port of Hueneme is proud to report its continued tradition of creating civic enrichment by prospering new jobs and investing in the community and the environment.

The Port of Skagit is busy with several projects and plans which are already underway. This past summer at Skagit Regional Airport, an apron rehabilitation project created a lot of noise, but also a lot of improvements to the airfield. This project, which includes phased work over two summer construction seasons, is a necessary step in the maintenance, progress, and growth of Skagit Regional Airport, and it represents an incredible investment in the Port’s community by the FAA, which is funding 90 percent of the $10.5-million project cost. Watershed Business Park planning continues to move forward. The 125 acres of light industrial developable property was purchased by the Port of Skagit in 2018 with the intent to provide expansion space for their growing value-added agricultural sector. Utility infrastructure work began this fall, and preliminary draft concept drawings for Development Area 1 are complete.

Meet us half-way! APP’s Winter Conference

January 24 to 26, 2024 — Honolulu, Hawaii

As the half-way point for APP Members on both sides of the Pacific, Hawaii provides the perfect location for our Winter Conference. Our 2024 Conference will be held at the Turtle Bay Resort on Honolulu, Hawaii, providing an engaging agenda with plenty of networking opportunities — in one of the most beautiful spots on earth!

Watch for details: www.PacificPortsConference.com October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 25


MEMORIES — APP 109TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

26 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023


MEMORIES — APP 109TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Thanks to the Port of Long Beach, and Mike Kastrop for photos! More photos at pacificports.org October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 27


MARAD TOWN HALL

MARAD Town Hall highlights key issues

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us Hein, Gateway Director, Mid-Pacific Region, U.S. Maritime Administration, was joined by Bobby Olvera Jr., President, Port of Long Beach Harbor Commission, Steve Ribuffo, Director, Port of Alaska, Rory J. Respicio, General Manager, Port of Guam, and Sean Clark, Executive Director, Port of Columbia County for this year’s MARAD Town Hall, a key session of APP Annual Conferences that discusses pressing issues, opportunities and challenges for ports around the Pacific Ocean. “The U.S. Maritime Administration has both an economic and a national security mission,” said Hein in his opening remarks. “We are laser-focused on improving and modernizing the nation’s very large maritime network and we do it all with a staff that has fewer employees than the Port of Los Angeles. While we have a lot of ground to cover, we’re accomplishing our mission through historic investments in infrastructure and technology even with ongoing challenges, including an adequate number of military sea-lift capable ships, tankers to supply our

“We are laser-focused on improving and modernizing the nation’s very large maritime network and ... through historic investments in infrastructure and technology...” forces in the Pacific, mariner shortages, worker safety, long-term funding of our port infrastructure development grant programs and our Marine Highway program, and of course, the loan programs to facilitate the new shipbuilding.” He further noted that this Town Hall session was useful in identifying the issues and perspectives of ports not only for his benefit but for those in the audience as well. He then invited panelists to start by giving a brief highlight of the issues of importance to their port. Representing the Port of Long Beach, Bobby Olvera Jr. raised the issue of an increasingly complex and dynamic supply chain. “With ondemand requirements, and requirements for environmental and social justice, much of what we do in the ports has changed,” he said, adding that while the true concept and premise of a port still remains, ports are a hub

for people that sometimes never see the ocean. “That’s important to remember because this huge supply chain is not always a burden — it can be a blessing for our constituents who depend on our work for their own livelihood.” For the Port of Alaska, Steve Ribuffo highlighted the fact that Alaska is like an island when it comes to logistics. “Ninety percent of the freight that comes into the state comes in by water. Half of that crosses our docks in Anchorage, and half of that keeps going to destinations along the road and rail systems that connect to us. Alaska is not connected to the rest of the U.S. — we have one road that goes through a foreign country, so we need to behave like we live on an island.” He also noted that his port is one of 18 commercial strategic seaports that have a responsibility to the U.S. Army, Alaska, and the Department of Defense in the case of an emergency. “There isn’t one single disaster

The MARAD Town Hall with Gus Hein, Gateway Director, Mid-Pacific Region, U.S. Maritime Administration, has become a tradition for APP Conferences, highlighting key issues that are discussed over the following days. 28 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023


MARAD TOWN HALL response and recovery plan that is provided by the State or the Feds,” he said. “When a crisis happens, they’re going to have an issue with which is the priority. So, when we talk about the issues and respond to questions, this is the context I have.” Sean Clark with the Port of Columbia County started by saying that he was mainly at the conference to learn. “I’ve been in my role for a little less than two years and everybody has been so helpful, including my former boss, Paula Miranda from the Port of Newport, who still takes my calls and answers questions. That’s really one of the great things about this industry, the help that is offered — not just from my peers in the port industry, but the agencies with which we interface, and I really appreciate that.” Clark went on to highlight a key issue for his port, notably, a good number of retirements in a very short time which left a gap in their corporate knowledge. To address this, Clark has been working to improve access to information by digitizing much of the Port’s records. Rory Respicio with the Port Authority of Guam spoke of geopolitical issues and the importance of partnerships with federal agencies such as MARAD, the Department of Defense, and FEMA. “We’re currently implementing our Modernization Plan which includes upgrades to our financial management system and our terminal operating system along with a $50 million MARAD expansion project which has been very successful,” he said, “and we’re also updating our Master Plan to reflect the Port’s support of the Pacific Deterrence Initiative. If you go through our 400page plan, almost every page refers to geopolitical issues.” Respicio added that the Port’s readiness is a critical part of the military’s readiness. Picking up on comments about the importance of an efficient supply

This year’s MARAD Town Hall panel: Bobby Olvera Jr. (California), Steve Ribuffo (Alaska), Sean Clark (Oregon), and Rory Respicio (Guam). chain, Hein asked the panelists to comment on recovery from the pandemic and the congestion that it brought. Olvera reported that congestion had now eased considerably for the entire San Pedro Bay Complex. The experience of the Port of Long Beach however, raised an issue that many ports had been advocating for a long time — 24/7 operations. “We learned a lot about where there were challenges in the system,” said Olvera. “And we learned that solutions involved much more than just the Port. There is the land transportation, the terminal operators, the union workers, the community, the shipping lines, the warehousing sector, the availability of containers, the manufacturers, importers and exporters, the agricultural sector, etc. Difficult decisions were made that might not have been the best for all, but the industry came together and thrived. And through every step, we learned, and we’re better prepared for the future.” In contrast, Ribuffo said that Alaska’s experience with the supply chain during the pandemic was quite different. “We didn’t see that same congestion or interruption in the supply chain. In fact, 2020 through 2022 were our biggest volume years ever. We

had some concern about congestion on the other end, which, for our supply chain model is the Port of Tacoma, but because the container carriers that come to Anchorage are Jones Act carriers, they don’t need to anchor before coming to the dock.” Clark also reported that the Port of Columbia County’s supply chain was not significantly impacted by the pandemic and maintenance staff were able to continue working out in the field, but he did point out that office administration operations were restricted given social distancing rules. Respicio referred back to comments made by Mario Cordero, CEO for the Port of Long Beach, during his opening remarks of the conference. “The pandemic changed the community’s perspective about the importance of ports throughout the world,” he said. “At the Port Authority of Guam, we didn’t have any supply chain backups or congestion. In fact, we did better during the first year of COVID than we had the year before. What we did experience however was a lot of fear and uncertainty during those first few months.” Respicio went on to describe how the Port addressed this by having health professionals on site to talk to employees, and then opened up that service to October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 29


MARAD TOWN HALL “For the first time ever, port staff were seen as first responders and just as important as healthcare professionals... if they didn’t come to work ... there wouldn’t be groceries on the shelves...” all of their industry partners. “For the first time ever, port staff were seen as first responders and just as important as healthcare professionals. All of our staff understood that if they didn’t come to work to process the containers, there wouldn’t be groceries on the shelves or the delivery of critical supplies.”

Information sharing Hein next raised the issue of data sharing and whether that would have assisted with easing congestion, especially for the Port of Long Beach. Olvera pointed to the Port’s development of the Supply Chain Information Highway project and how that was addressing a lot of issues that have existed for many years, not just during the pandemic. “There is a lot of proprietary information that people are hesitant to share,” he said, “but what we did see during the pandemic was this process of learning how to plan better — knowing how to discharge cargo in a more systematic and efficient way — and recognizing that certain information has to be shared with the yards, for trucker appointments, notifying the warehouses and so on down the supply chain.” Respicio agreed. “It’s very clear that in our industry, we have to share information. One section of our Master Plan focuses on IT, and we commissioned a study that will eventually build the port community portal where the Port, carriers and Customs can log on to this central repository of timely information. It will help with advanced screening for Customs and to pre-clear vessels as well allow carriers to submit a digitized Bill of Lading to avoid congestion caused by bureaucracy.” 30 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023

Workforce development Hein then turned the discussion to workforce development and asked the panel “how do we find that balance when it comes to retaining jobs, utilizing technology, and developing a highly skilled workforce?” Respicio kicked off the discussion by noting that “we have a very strong relationship with other port users and industry partners, and we’re getting to a point where we can start sharing labor,” he said, pointing out that labor projections for the military buildup indicated the need for temporary services. “We’re expecting about $15 billion worth of military construction on Guam between now and 2029. We can increase our workforce, but it wouldn’t be sustainable following the buildup.” With a relatively small staff of 19, Clark said it was important for everyone at the Port of Columbia County to “be nimble and wear a lot of different hats.” He struggled with getting the right training for the right staff members but reported that, within the last two years, a Portland Community College campus had been located in Columbia County, and there was also the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center nearby. “This should help my staff develop the skills they need but also allow the County to prepare for other potential jobs that could be coming to the area.” With the Port of Alaska being essentially a “landlord” port, Ribuffo said that the responsibility for workforce development lay with port tenants. Anecdotally, he did see the workforce (longshore and trucking) getting younger. “There are 23 staff at the

Port of Alaska, 13 of which are engineers who run our maintenance under the larger umbrella of the Municipality of Anchorage. They do a great job in terms of keeping up with training and recruiting that extends through all city departments. We’re lucky that we have no problem filling vacancies because the Port is considered one of the ‘cool’ jobs.” Given the size of the Port of Long Beach, Olvera noted that they have been very active in developing programs to recruit, train, and upskill workers. Programs range from a San Pedro Bay Complex joint training center — the Goods Movement Workforce Center — to engaging high schools and local community colleges. “We feel it’s key to engage kids at a young age to show them the opportunities that are available.”

Environmental sustainability Before turning to the audience to field questions, Hein raised one more issue — that of environmental sustainability. “I remember when the Port of Long Beach started the Clean Air Action Plan and then the Green Port Policy and it’s really now become a focus for every port, as it should be,” Hein said. “Could you give us your thoughts on how ports will be able to achieve zero and near-zero emissions?” Panel members had varying responses about the speed at which they were moving toward zero emissions. For example, as a smaller port, Clark indicated that the Port of Columbia County was still at the investigative stage about what would be best for their small fleet of vehicles; Respicio referenced a number of projects that were being considered such as installing a micro grid, a water catchment system, and a biosolids program; and Ribuffo cited the challenge of a statewide dated power system and


MARAD TOWN HALL considerations of battery storage as well as potential renewable energy strategies advocated by the state governor. Each panelist indicated that there was much to learn about the options that would be feasible for their own ports and operations. For the Port of Long Beach, Olvera confirmed that a number of major changes had already taken place over the past 20 years. “It’s got to be a long-term commitment,” he said. “And some of the technology that makes sense when you have 13 major terminals, 15,000 stevedores and 100 trucking companies is just not feasible for smaller ports. It becomes a matter of spending money in the right places and being able to make an impactful change that lasts.” He added that the key was having a strategic plan to lay out the steps, giving yourself the time to consider options and ensuring that the technology was available rather than simply a concept still being developed. “At the end of the day, nobody’s going to have a completely green facility overnight. Even if you only have one dock or one truck, it’s still going to take time. The

commitment to that process I think is the most important thing.”

Business development Before ending the session, Greg Borossay from the Port of San Diego asked the panel to describe their business development plans and where they felt the opportunities were to expand beyond their existing operations. Respicio said that the military was their main customer right now, but that the Port of Guam was looking at diversifying their revenue stream so that after the military buildup, there could be the potential for transshipment opportunities, or developing a cruise ship industry. “We’re undertaking a major rehabilitation of one of our wharves to be multi use, and we have 600 acres of available property at the Port to do warehousing, transshipment, etc.,” he said, adding that the potential for manufacturing solar panel components on the island has been raised. Like Respicio, Clark also indicated that his Port recently started a strategic business planning process that considered the next 10 to 20 years. Again, diversification of revenue was a

goal. And Ribuffo added similar comments: “There’s not a whole lot left in the Alaska marketplace where we don’t already have a toehold but there may be some new opportunities in exporting natural resources given some recent discoveries.” Echoing Ribuffo’s comments about handling almost every kind of cargo, Olvera felt that the Port of Long Beach would be looking at how they can better serve the supply chain with existing port tenants and perhaps attracting cargo – for example, agri-products — from the Midwest. “Strategically, it’s about taking care of the customers and the tenants we have and driving further inland to facilitate a smoother supply chain.” In thanking the panel members, Hein felt that the session had been very useful in highlighting some of the issues for ports but that there was so much more that could have been discussed. “We could go on for hours,” he said but felt that the topics raised were ones that would filter through the remaining days of the conference and he encouraged attendees to engage with each other to expand on what had been covered in this session.

Hien and the MARAD Town Hall panel are thanked and presented with gifts by Emcee Lorianna Kastrop (Port of Redwood City). October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 31


BEST PRACTICES

Taiwan Port’s sustainable development and offshore wind power business

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he Association of Pacific Ports was pleased to welcome Mr. Stanley Yang, Senior Deputy Director of Planning and Development, Taiwan International Ports Corporation, Ltd., to provide insights into the sustainable development of Taiwan’s ports as well as the country’s offshore wind development business.

Background Mr. Yang gave APP conference attendees a basic primer to provide context for his presentation. He noted that the country is only three times larger than the City of Los Angeles and has a population of 23 million. Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) is a state-owned company that falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications. TIPC was established in 2012 when the governance of the four harbor bureaus — Keelung, Taichung, Kaohsiung, and Hualien — was transferred to a new entity, the Maritime and Port Bureau (MOTC MPB). This new structure

To do their part, about two years ago, the TIPC established the Sustainable Development Committees and Task Forces. Through this process, the TIPC has set the goals of 50 percent carbon neutrality by 2030... allowed for a clear delineation of roles and responsibilities — MOTC MPB was the government arm that regulated the industry, while TIPC retained responsibility for management and operations. In addition to the four abovementioned ports, TIPC has seven subsidiaries and affiliates to operate port-related business such as tug services and logistics. Additional businesses include waterfront recreation and offshore wind power as well as one overseas affiliate in Indonesia — the Formosa Logistics. It is mainly engaged in trucking and container yard logistics services. Pertaining to offshore wind, TIPC operates the Taiwan International Wind Power Training Corporation and Heavy Machinery Corporation.

Mr. Stanley Yang, Senior Deputy Director of Planning and Development, TIPC 32 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023

In total, there are nine ports in Taiwan — seven international and two for domestic business. TIPC not only manages all port operations but also determines the right resources of each port to ensuring that all ports can develop without competing with each other.

Sustainability Mr. Yang then delved into the first topic of his presentation — that of the TIPC’s pathway to sustainability. He outlined 17 integrated and interrelated sustainable development goals as defined by the United Nations and followed by TIPC. These 17 goals are implemented along six themes (see figures 1 and 2), including digitalization, infrastructure, health safety and security, environmental care, community building, and climate and energy. Given the amount of time available for the presentation, he focused on two topics — digitalization and climate and energy — and narrowed his focus further to address carbon reduction. The 2015 Paris Agreement set a goal of reducing the rise of global temperatures to 1.5 degrees rather than the estimated 3.5 degrees that would be realized by the end of the century without any action. In turn, the International Maritime Organization committed to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from global shipping by 2050. Further, the European Union and the United States both


BEST PRACTICES for conducting Proof of Concept and Proof of Service on port premises. The TIPC provides a total of US$1.3 million each year to subsidize companies that apply for digitalization projects. Additional initiatives undertaken by the TIPC to promote a green, sustainable port include incentives for voluntary vessel-speed reduction as well as the use of low sulfur fuel. Shore power is being promoted as an effective way to reduce carbon emissions — but the cost of electricity in Taiwan is much more expensive than traditional fuel so incentives to cover the cost differences are being considered. The TIPC is also drafting clauses into lease contracts to include carbon reduction promises. While the above was just a sample of actions taken — and much more has been done, including solar power generation and planting efforts — Yang estimated that the Port reduced their carbon dioxides by more than 108,000 tons.

Offshore wind power Figures 1 and 2: TIPC follows the 17 sustainable development goals set out by the UN, implemented along six themes. pledged to reduce port carbon emissions at least 75 to 80 percent in the same timeframe. To do their part, about two years ago, the TIPC established the Sustainable Development Committees and Task Forces. Through this process, the TIPC has set the goals of 50 percent carbon neutrality by 2030, and 100 percent carbon neutrality by 2050. To contribute to the achievement of their goal, the TIPC applied digitalization to Taiwan’s ports to assist processing capabilities. On the harbor side, they set up a sea meteorology real-time system and ship navigation aid system; and on the land side, they set up a Smart Road Transportation system and app. The system provides

information for truck drivers, such as the real-time arrival of ships, how many trucks are waiting to pass the terminal gate and estimated waiting time. This allows the driver to decide when to start his engine and ensures no one arrives too early at the port, reducing exhaust emissions. TIPC also has an Automatic Gate Sentry Post System which, if the truck is on the “white” list (i.e., has been pre-cleared), eliminates the need to stop at the gate for inspection. TIPC also introduced a Test Field Program for Conducting Port Innovation Projects and Digital Transformation Incentives. This program allows any company that has ideas for port digitalization to apply

Mr. Yang then turned to the second topic of his presentation — that of the offshore wind power business in Taiwan’s ports. Last year, Taiwan’s President announced the country’s energy transition policy that outlined a path toward net-zero emissions. The goal is to reduce carbon emissions while increasing the share of renewable energy used to 60 to 70 percent. Given the size of Taiwan, opportunities for renewable energies, such as solar power, are limited, however the government considers offshore wind power energy to be promising. Showing a map of the Taiwan Strait, Yang noted that it encounters the northeast monsoon season which can generate winter winds up to 12 meters per second. Even in the summertime, the southwest wind is also quite strong. Based on these conditions, offshore wind developers favor the Port October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 33


BEST PRACTICES

Figures 3: Taichung Port is best-suited to act as the base for Taiwan’s offshore wind.

Figure 4: Taiwan’s government has implemented a phased approach to the country’s devvelopment of offshore wind power. of Taichung as their homeport, with the ports of Taipei, Anping, and Kaohsiung providing land or facilities (see figure 3). Taiwan began to develop offshore wind power 10 years ago. At that time, the government provided a phased-in approach strategy (see figure 4) and offered incentives such as subsidizing the fabrication cost of wind turbine and higher feed-in tariffs. In the first phase, TIPC provided the current facilities. In the second phase, 36 potential sites were identified, and wind power developers undertook a bidding process. Also during this phase, TIPC began to transform some existing wharves to be dedicated 34 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023

to offshore wind. The goal in this phase was to be able to generate. 5.5 gigawatts per year between 2020 and 2025. Currently, TIPC is preparing for the third phase of development. This entails reclaiming additional land and constructing new terminals to build more capacity. In March of this year, construction of two offshore wind dedicated wharves began. And in August, they began reclamation work of 50 hectares of land. Yang expected a completion date of 2026, in time to meet the third phase timeline. At this point in his presentation, Yang provided two characteristics of the industry before describing the

Port’s efforts. The first was the turbine pre-assembly. Turbines are composed of large components such as blades, nacelles, towers, and foundations, and each can be as long as 300 feet. Once they are assembled, the turbine can rise to almost 1,000 feet above sea level. The pre-assembly area at the port enables major components to be transported to temporary base so that it can be partially assembled to form a semi-complete state of the turbine. Wind developers require land and wharves that can handle such gigantic and super heavy components. The second characteristic of the industry is fabrication. While most wind developers being used for the projects already have manufacturing bases overseas, the Taiwan government is encouraging developers to produce or purchase components locally to avoid high transportation costs. Therefore, local and overseas manufacturers need land for fabrication and better land transportation with more capacity in port so that once the components are finished, they can be transported by trucks to the wharf. To cope with the requirements and characteristics of offshore wind power, TIPC is focusing on four areas: First, designate and invest in berths and hinterland for turbine pre-assembly and fabrication needs; establish an offshore wind power training center and cooperate with Global Wind Organization to provide professional training classes; set up subsidiaries such as TIPC’s Heavy Machinery Company to provide road transportation of large components; and expand the business of TIPC’s Marine Corporation into O&M services at sea such as barge or heavy lift services, in addition to its current tugging service. In closing, Mr. Yang noted that as Taiwan’s energy policy progressed, TIPC would continue to play an integral role.


BEST PRACTICES

Port of Long Beach sessions showcase best practices

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s is the tradition with APP conferences, in addition to visiting key sites for an overview of operations, the host port has the opportunity to highlight best practices. Such was the case with the Port of Long Beach who focused on the areas of education and workforce training, security, environmental initiatives, and the strategy to achieve zero emissions. In this article, we focus on two sessions — Educating Youth and Advancing a Skilled Workforce, and the Green Port of the Future.

Educating youth and advancing a skilled workforce

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erry Gerot, Director of Communications and Community Relations, Port of Long Beach, led a panel that included herself, Jay Camerino, Assistant Superintendent of High Schools, Long Beach Unified School District; Dana Friez, Workforce Development, Long Beach City College; and Eleanor Torres, Director of Government Relations, Port of Long Beach, to look at the robust education and outreach programs of the Port. “The Port of Long Beach is committed to creating and supporting programs that advance the development of a skilled workforce and international trade goods movement,” said Gerot, adding that related professions, like advanced technology, engineering and environmental sciences are included in their focus. “We optimize education outreach and workforce development by partnering with the Long Beach Unified School District, Long Beach City College, and other local, nonprofit and industry institutions that share our vision for the expansion of professional opportunities.” Gerot first highlighted two high school pathways — the Academy of Global Logistics (AGL) and the Academy of Advanced Manufacturing, Construction and Engineering (ACE) — that receive curriculum support and experiential learning opportunities along with scholarships, presentations,

Right to left: Kerry Gerot (POLB), Jay Camerino (LBUSD), Dana Friez (LBCC), and Eleanor Torres (POLB).

“The POLB is committed to creating and supporting programs that advance the development of a skilled workforce and international trade goods movement...” and advisory board support from POLB staff. The Port also sponsors the Maritime Center of Excellence at the Long Beach City College — a program that provides training for jobs that do not require a four-year degree. “We know that community colleges are important in the reskilling and upskilling for labor,” she said, “especially with new technologies and best practices.”

With those introductory words, Gerot invited both Jay Camerino and Dana Friez to outline the features of their respective programs. Jay Camerino, Assistant Superintendent of High Schools for the Long Beach Unified School District, complimented the Port on their policy of inclusion and equity, attracting and working with students from very diverse backgrounds. “They focus on building October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 35


BEST PRACTICES Backed by international research, the linked-learning approach results in increased graduation rates and greater success with skills such as communication... relationships with colleagues, partners, and the community,” he said. “This is a key to the success of the program.” He went on to note that Long Beach was the fourth largest school district in California with 65,000 students and described the “linkedlearning approach” employed by the District. “Every student is part of a linked-learning pathway. We have 15 industry sectors — for example, Building and Construction Trades; Business and Finance; Engineering and Architecture; and Marketing, Sales, and Service — and all of our schools are connected to these. All students are included in a pathway and each pathway has a ‘silver and gold’ standard — a tool used to

ensure equitable experiences throughout the students’ time in Grades Nine through 12.” Equitable experiences mean having an equal number of mentorships, field trips, etc., that each student will receive as they work through the system. Backed by international research, the linked-learning approach results in increased graduation rates and greater success with skills such as communication, collaboration, and self-management. Camerino has seen students get excited about going into their different fields which are determined through interest surveys in the eighth grade. The Port of Long Beach plays a large role in the Career Technical Education

Part of the POLB's High School Intern Program — Tristan Bray, Ti Na Le, and Kai Yamamoto — were a great help at the APP Conference. 36 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023

(CTE) program that involves a multiyear sequence of courses, integrating core academic content with technical and occupational knowledge, and provides students with a pathway to postsecondary education and careers. “In the past, Vocational Education was the typical method of determining where you were headed after high school,” said Camerino. “Now, with CTE, students can go right to work, or they can continue on working and going to school. We’re doing a combination of both. A huge benefit to CTE is the transferable learning skills — some of the work-based learning opportunities that the Port offers to students are a good example of that.” Representing Long Beach City College (LBCC), Dana Friez was introduced as being an integral part of efforts to develop the Long Beach City College Maritime Center of Excellence. Friez started her presentation by noting a very diverse make up of students at the City College with 68 percent requiring financial support and about 20 percent who experience some form of homelessness or insecure housing. “We’re working with a population who have a lot of barriers and we work very hard to address this by having programming that will support them on a transfer path or going directly into employment after a certificate,” Friez said, further noting that Long Beach is home to the development of the “College Promise,” a model of schooling that provides free community college enrollment. LBCC has become a leader in industry engagement. They established the Center for Community and Industry Partnerships which now has 500 industry partners in the region. “We engage with them for such things as hiring students and participating on industry advisory committees to help support curriculum development and program development,” said Friez.


BEST PRACTICES “We took this methodology to create the Maritime Center of Excellence, with the Port of Long Beach as a key partner.” The Maritime Center of Excellence became a very big project with six classes covering such disciplines as logistics specialists and international cargo movement. The Port was integral to the process, not only providing details on what skills and training would be required for each job but also supporting the program through grants and scholarships. Since starting the program in 2018, over 300 people have been trained. In 2021, the Maritime Center of Excellence received the designation as the Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education from the United States Department of Transportations Maritime Administration. In addition to the Maritime Center, LBCC also works with the Port’s Security Division on a harbor patrol

training program, designed to provide background and context on the activities at the Port — for example, hazmat training, Homeland Security training, and logistics as well as cargo handling and technologies that will assist the Port in achieving zero-emission operations. The program is now entering its third year. Next phases for the Maritime Center of Excellence include looking at expansion out to Barstow in partnership with Barstow Community College, where a large BNSF Railway facility is being planned. LBCC is also investigating the development of paid internships, a program for training participants. And LBCC will be enhancing placement services that are offered to training participants. Following the presentation from Friez, Eleanor Torres, Director of Government Relations for POLB, described an initiative being developed in partnership with the Port of Los Angeles, the International Longshore

Workers Union, and the Pacific Maritime Association. “We began investigating what it would take to create our own Goods Movement Training Campus,” said Torres, describing a process that started by identifying about 20 acres near the Port’s Pier A, putting together preliminary numbers and designs, and lobbying local, state, and federal governments for funding partnerships. “There’s no other training campus of its kind in the United States,” she said, noting that the initiative would result in a better safety record and faster, more efficient movement of goods. While displaying a rendering of what the campus would look like (see image below), she reported that currently, a Memorandum of Understanding is being negotiated between the POLB and the Port of Los Angeles to determine roles and responsibilities. In addition, in 2019, the State of California established a stakeholder work group focus on the impacts of automation at

Rendering for the Goods Movement Training Campus — a joint initiative with partners Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach, the International Longshore Workers Union, and the Pacific Maritime Association. October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 37


BEST PRACTICES

Torres estimated that up to 17,950 jobs would be needed to achieve California's offshore wind goals by 2045.

“We’re in a transition of the workforce as we move toward the Port’s zero-emission goals, and our workforce development programs are at the heart of that transition.” the port complex and now, is looking at the programs that will be developed. In addition to the traditional work of ILWU members, training will include new technologies related to zero emissions — e.g., hydrogen and batteryelectric vehicles and equipment. Torres then outlined the many new skills that would be required for the implementation of the Port’s Green Port Policy. “We’re in a transition of the workforce as we move toward the Port’s zero-emission goals,” she said, “and our workforce development 38 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023

programs are at the heart of that transition.” The POLB recently advocated for a $1.2 billion special program, port infrastructure and freight to be included in the state budget and has received almost 32 percent of that funding to go towards zero-emission programs. “We’re going to need new workers; we’re going to need to train all of these workers because we’re looking at tens of thousands of pieces of equipment and vehicles just in the San Pedro Bay Port complex alone. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. With this

funding, we’re going to invest in plans for the terminals and then within three to five years, we’re going to implement and execute those plans. So, between 2026 and 2028, there’s going to be a huge transformation.” Torres also pointed to the development of renewable energy — for example, hydrogen and offshore wind — as also having an impact on new skills and jobs that will be required. “All of these projects are going to require new jobs and Long Beach is going to be at the center of all of all of this activity.” All PowerPoint presentations from the APP 109th Annual Conference can be found online at www.pacificports.org


BEST PRACTICES The Green Port of the Future

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ne of the highest rated presentations of the APP Conference was the Port of Long Beach’s “Green Port of the Future” with Sean Gamette, P.E., Managing Director of Engineering Services Bureau, and Suzanne Plezia, P.E., Senior Director, and Chief Harbor Engineer of the Engineering Services Bureau, providing engineering insights into the Port’s continuous evolvement as a green port. “We consider the Port to be a trailblazer when it comes to innovative goods movement, safety, and environmental stewardship and sustainability,” said Gamette. “From Suzanne’s and my perspective, we’ve been continuously developing and expanding the Port through land reclamation, redevelopment and even reinvention since our founding in 1911.” After describing the basics of the Port — 3,200 acres of land with 35 miles of waterfront and about 80 berths, governed by a five-member Harbor Commission who establishes direction and policy, and provides key guidance on a continual basis — Gamette gave an overview of the Engineering Bureau. “We’ve got six divisions comprised of about 300 people all working towards the same goal — mainly,

“We’ve got six divisions comprised of about 300 people all working towards the same goal — mainly, to be stewards of the Port’s assets and infrastructure...” to be stewards of the Port’s assets and infrastructure,” he said, adding that as stewards, “we’re responsible to plan, design, construct, maintain, refurbish and eventually retire that infrastructure…only to do it all over again.” Year after year, the Port of Long Beach has one of the largest capital programs of any port in the United States. “Our capital program addresses infrastructure holistically to ensure that our attention is on all aspects of it, whether it’s our waterways, berths, terminals, roadway network, rail network or some of the support infrastructure that goes along with it,” said Gamette. Given the limited time for a presentation however, he and Suzanne Plezia agreed to focus on a few elements that showcase the Port’s priority of lessening their impact on the environment and their community while enabling greater efficiencies in moving cargo. The Port’s landmark Green Port Policy was established in 2005, followed by the Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) in 2006. With the policy in place, Port engineers installed shore

power for container vessels and began expanding the on-dock rail network to reduce truck emissions. However, the original CAAP didn’t set greenhouse gas reduction targets, so the Port’s Environmental Planning Division worked in collaboration with the Port of Los Angeles’ staff, along with both ports’ Harbor Commissions, and provided an update to CAAP in 2017 which included greenhouse gas reduction goals. This included the goals for a zero-emission future for terminal operations by 2030, and zero emissions from trucks by 2035. These goals are what Gamette, and his colleagues are focused on now — transitioning from largely diesel-fueled operations to zero emissions with the help of key infrastructure improvements, including terminal electrification. The Port’s plans include the transformation of port infrastructure to support a vastly increased used of electrification over the next decade. This will include power transmission, distribution, and connection infrastructure, all the way to the cargo-handling

Sean Gamette, P.E., Managing Director of Engineering Services Bureau, and Suzanne Plezia, P.E., Senior Director, and Chief Harbor Engineer of the Engineering Services Bureau, Port of Long Beach. October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 39


BEST PRACTICES “We already have one of the cleanest and greenest terminals — the Long Beach Container Terminal is nearly zero emissions today...” equipment. “We already have one of the cleanest and greenest terminals — the Long Beach Container Terminal is nearly zero emissions today,” he said, further noting that the Terminal will be converting their last 60 terminal tractors to battery-electric and installing the supporting infrastructure over the next couple of years. Additionally, the Port is working with its partners at its other terminals to identify their infrastructure needs for operations and zero-emission technologies. Two of the port’s tenants — International Transportation Service and Total Terminals International are also actively developing their own plans for zero-emission transmission, and shore power will be expanded to the non-container terminals as well. Meanwhile, another space at the port, serving in the interim as a container storage yard, is currently undergoing a terminal planning effort. Gamette forecast a sixfold increase in annual power consumption over the next decade. To meet this demand, solutions involve working through Southern California Edison as well as building its own infrastructure at the Port. Suzanne Plezia picked up on Gamette’s remarks about ensuring the Port can meet the anticipated energy demand. “It’s going to be critical that we have sufficient, reliable, resilient, and renewable power in our grid so that we can successfully transition to zero emissions,” Plezia said. She highlighted California’s requirement that 100 percent of retail electric sales need to be from renewable zero-carbon resources by 2045. “While we lead the nation in solar generation, solar has 40 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023

the obvious challenge of not producing energy at night. And we’re forecasting an increase in power demand at night as we transition to more battery-electric vehicles and equipment.” It was then that Plezia began to discuss offshore wind power which she felt was going to play a pivotal role in California’s renewable energy portfolio. She put it in context of how the Port of Long Beach was going to contribute to the development of offshore wind to meet those renewable energy goals. Plezia provided general background on the offshore wind industry around the world, noting that offshore wind turbines in California would be atop anchored floating foundations rather than a fixed seabed foundation due to the deep waters off the California coast. She also noted that scale was important — i.e., “it’s not just the scale of the offshore wind turbines today, it’s how we anticipate they’ll get larger over time as well.” This supposition will also factor into the logistics of manufacturing turbines. “The individual components of the turbines are massive and heavy, too big to deliver by road and rail, so everything will have to be manufactured and assembled at ports and then delivered by water. That will require a lot of land, special purpose-built to accommodate that.” Looking at the wind farms, Plezia reported that the first five wind leases that were auctioned off this past December were in central and northern California — two in Humboldt Bay and three in Morro Bay. “The estimated capacity of these wind leases is about eight gigawatts,” she said. “We’re

going to need more sea space to achieve California’s goal of 25 gigawatts of offshore wind power.” As for the farm area, there will be a lot of other activities that occur — for example, installation of the anchors and the mooring lines and then, once the turbines are out there and anchored in, an array of cables will connect them together into an offshore substation which will see a cable come on land to an onshore substation to connect into the grid. Once the wind farm is developed, there’s going to be ongoing operation and maintenance activities using service and operation vessels that will be at sea for about two weeks at a time. “These are large vessels with a big crew and there will need to be more port facilities to berth and service those,” said Plezia. She provided great insights and details that allowed conference attendees to grasp the sheer magnitude of the project and the efforts involved. “We have unique qualities here as part of the largest port complex in the nation that can be leveraged to accommodate the scale of offshore wind,” she said. “It centers around our outer harbor that is behind a federal breakwater and adjacent to one of the largest and deepest federal main channels with direct access to the open ocean and no height restrictions. It’s also out of the way of our other operations at the Port, and being located in Southern California, we’re adjacent to the state’s largest skilled marine construction and manufacturing workforce, and at the center of the U.S. supply chain with an extensive road and rail network.” Gamette followed up after Plezia to share more about the Engineering Division’s focus areas when it comes to new infrastructure and moving more cargo more efficiently and with less emissions. He highlighted a $1.7


BEST PRACTICES billion investment toward improving the on-dock rail network. “It’s going to be built in our north Harbor over an area comprising about 200 acres and will include over 90,000 track feet, including five 10,000-foot arrival/ departure tracks and a service facility for up to 30 locomotives,” he said, adding that it will have the capacity to accommodate 17 trains per day, or five million TEUs annually. Gamette then provided information about Long Beach Container Terminal, the newest container terminal in the Port of Long Beach. Located at Pier

“We have unique qualities here as part of the largest port complex in the nation that can be leveraged to accommodate the scale of offshore wind...” E, the LBCT comprises 305 acres in size with a 4,200-foot-long wharf that can accommodate 18 all-electric cranes and a berth depth of 55 feet. The container yard is managed in 36 distinct blocks by electric cranes over a total of 140 acres. The terminal’s rail yard has nearly 73,000 feet of track and is all also operated by electric cranes. The

Terminal can move 3.3 million TEUs annually. Before closing the presentation, Gamette spoke about the partnerships and collaboration that makes projects like these possible. “I hope this has given you some idea of how we’re moving forward to achieve a zero-emission future,” he said. “The future is encouraging.”

Using people in the forefront, Plezia demonstrated the size of offshore wind turbines and emphasized the land and logistics that will be required to build a wind farm. October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 41


PROSPEROUS PORTS

Turbocharging growth through new markets tax credits

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n today’s fast-paced economic landscape, ports play a pivotal role in facilitating trade, driving regional growth, and serving as catalysts for job creation. As vital engines of commerce, ports continually seek opportunities to enhance infrastructure and expand capacities. For many, the answer lies in the oftenmisunderstood but immensely potent New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) program.

The Power of NMTC: A catalyst for economic growth NMTC is a federal program established under Internal Revenue Code Section 45D and associated regulations (26 U.S.C. § 45D) to breathe life into economically distressed communities that often struggle to access essential capital for development. The concept is simple yet revolutionary: private investors receive a substantial federal tax credit — 39 percent of their original investment — over seven years, in exchange for channeling their capital into projects in areas grappling with economic hardships. The Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund, a division of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, administers the NMTC. It focuses on census tracts characterized by high poverty rates — over 20 percent — or median family incomes that fall below 80 percent of the area median. These are often communities plagued by limited investment opportunities and job prospects.

NMTC: A pivotal tool for ports and harbor districts In this era of economic transformation and revitalization, ports — acting as economic drivers, trade facilitators, 42 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023

NMTC is a federal program established ... to breathe life into economically distressed communities that often struggle to access essential capital for development. and job creators — stand poised to lead the way. However, their expansion and modernization require substantial investment. This is where the NMTC comes into play, offering an innovative means to access the capital necessary for ambitious projects. Port projects eligible for NMTC funding include infrastructure advancements and improvements, logistics and distribution centers, environmental enhancements like green port technologies, and community-centric projects that offer job creation for underserved populations that enhance the public image and strengthen ties with local residents. Ruben Duran, a partner at Best Best & Krieger (BBK), is at the forefront of helping public agencies harness the potential of NMTC. Duran is not only a seasoned legal professional but a visionary strategist who has championed the transformative use of NMTC in projects that have revitalized communities and driven economic progress. He serves as city attorney or general counsel for several cities and port agencies in California, including the Oxnard Harbor District, which owns and operates the commercial Port of Hueneme in Ventura County. Duran said ports could also get to their funding goals with existing grants and capital budgets. “They can go into the marketplace and work with private businesses to invest their capital in exchange for long-term tax benefits and fill any potential funding

gaps.” He called NMTC professionals matchmakers, bringing together those who need funds with those who have them to get the most favorable tax treatment. A successful project in California in which Duran played an instrumental role, was the Port of Hueneme modernization, a transformation that retained $7 billion in trade business and created 500 livable-wage jobs. Clearinghouse CDFI provided $10 million in NMTC allocations for the $14.7 million project. In addition to the economic benefits, the project introduced shoreside electrical power, eliminating 230 tons of emissions annually from vessels docking at the port. The project also facilitated the distribution of 1.4 million pounds of fresh produce for a mobile pantry serving 45,000 lowincome residents in surrounding food deserts. According to Duran, there are many creative strategies available to help agencies fill funding needs. “Wellqualified professionals can work with public agencies who want to be innovative in finding ways to build communities and serve constituents. This involves creativity in structuring financing and delivering services that benefit communities with a focus on job creation.”

The role of public agencies: Sponsoring NMTC-qualified projects Public agencies, including cities, counties, and special districts, have a critical role to play in the NMTC


PROSPEROUS PORTS process. By sponsoring qualified projects within designated areas, these entities can attract significant capital to fuel community development. Leveraging NMTC effectively involves three key steps: identifying qualified projects, engaging a community development entity (CDE), and effectively navigating the complex process. The first step is to identify projects located in eligible census tracts. These projects must demonstrate their ability to generate community benefits, such as job creation, services for underserved populations, and environmental improvements. Public agencies then collaborate with a CDE that has received an allocation of tax credits from the CDFI Fund. The CDE is instrumental in facilitating NMTC transactions and ensuring compliance. While the NMTC program offers immense potential, it is a highly competitive and complex program. Experience in navigating its intricacies is crucial to ensure compliance with evolving regulations and harness its full benefits. Bringing NMTC to ports fuels their growth and revitalizes surrounding communities. The CDFI Fund’s NMTC FY 2003 to FY 2021 Summary Report, released on August 21, 2023, showed that the fund made 1,461 awards through 18 application rounds of the program, allocating a total of $71 billion in tax credit authority to CDEs. That includes $3 billion in Recovery Act allocations and $1 billion in a special allocation authority for the recovery and redevelopment of the Gulf Opportunity Zone, which includes Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, and Texas. The NMTC program aligns seamlessly with the goals in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2019 Brownfields Federal Programs Guide. It offers several

These projects must demonstrate their ability to generate community benefits, such as job creation, services for underserved populations, and environmental improvements. advantages to developers seeking financing to clean up and reuse brownfields properties. CDEs can structure favorable deals, providing funding for a comprehensive range of redevelopment activities, from land acquisition to environmental remediation, infrastructure improvements, and beyond. CDEs —particularly nonprofit entities — can also facilitate the packaging of different public financing sources for a single project, creating a holistic approach to revitalization. However, NMTC projects are generally mid-sized and larger endeavors, often exceeding $10 million with an allocation of at least $1 million in NMTC proceeds. The program can be used to finance brownfields projects, although it’s essential for public officials and community leaders to educate CDEs about the brownfields process and potential leveraging advantages.

The “Leverage Lender” model: Demystifying NMTC transactions Understanding how NMTC transactions work is fundamental. They often adhere to the “leverage lender”

model, and capital contribution plays a pivotal role in the process. The sponsor and the investor come together to contribute capital to a specially created investment fund. This fund serves as the launching pad for the entire NMTC transaction. From there, the fund invests in a CDE. This is a crucial step, because the CDE is the entity that controls the tax credit allocation throughout the transaction. It is responsible for directing the funds to where they are needed most. Once the investment in the CDE has been made, the CDE uses the proceeds from the investment to make loans or equity investments in qualified, active low-income community businesses (QALICBs). The QALICBs then use the funds to finance the projects to spur economic growth and development in underserved areas. The NMTC program is a powerful tool to fuel growth, stimulate investment, and create lasting opportunities for underserved communities, with professionals like Duran and firms like BBK at the helm. When used strategically, this program can unlock boundless potential for ports and the regions they serve.

Ruben Duran, Partner, Best Best & Krieger LLP represents exclusively public agencies in the Municipal Law and Government Policy & Public Integrity practice groups of Best Best & Krieger LLP. As general counsel to the Oxnard Harbor District, which owns and operates the commercial Port of Hueneme, the Crescent City Harbor District and the cities of Ontario and Fontana, California, he brings a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to the practice of public law. With an emphasis on open government and transparency and complex conflicts of interest issues, as well as elections law, land use and planning issues, Ruben also provides special counsel to many of the firm’s clients. Ruben is currently serving his second term as chair of the State Bar of California Board of Trustees, and was recently awarded IMLA’s Brown, Mulligan, Rocha Distinguished Public Service Award. October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 43


SHORT-SEA SHIPPING

Short-sea shipping moves goods efficiently and reduces emissions By Clear Seas Centre for Responsible Marine Shipping

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hen you think of marine shipping, you might picture a giant cargo ship in the ocean or at port after a long voyage from far away. However, marine shipping also plays a key role over shorter distances for domestic transport of goods through what is referred to as ‘short-sea shipping.’ Although exact definitions vary by country, short-sea shipping is usually understood as the movement of cargo by sea, lake, or river without crossing an ocean. Short-sea shipping exists as an important part of intermodal networks worldwide. For example, Europe’s many rivers make it particularly well-suited to a short-sea network that supports 60 percent of intra-European trade. Goods transported by ship along inland waterways or between coastal ports are then unloaded and finish their journey by land transport, whether it be rail or truck. When convenient waterways are available, transporting cargo by water as far as possible increases carrying capacity, reduces need for personnel, and can reduce GHG emissions.

Interest in short-sea shipping in North America has increased in the past 20 years due to its potential for lower GHG emissions. ‘Marine Highways’ — Shortsea shipping in Canada and the United States Interest in short-sea shipping in North America has increased in the past 20 years due to its potential for lower GHG emissions. These routes are sometimes referred to as ‘marine highways’ to provide an analogy for the U.S. Interstate highway system. However, opportunities for further implementation are limited by the geography of North America, with much of the continent landlocked and inaccessible by water. Despite these limitations, thriving marine transport networks exist and continue to develop, including the binational St. Lawrence–Great Lakes Seaway and the Mississippi River in the United States. In 2024 a new river container facility network is projected to open, which will further increase

the Mississippi’s capacity for trade. The Port of Windsor, strategically located on the Detroit River between Lakes Erie and St. Clair and the gateway to Lake Huron, just announced a multi-modal cargo terminal expansion projected to be finished in 2026. Short-sea shipping also exists to a lesser extent between ports on the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts and in the Arctic. Within Canada, on the east coast, there is a service linking Montreal, QC to Halifax, NS and St. John’s, NL called Oceanex, as well as routes from Halifax, NS to Portland, ME, and Boston, MA. On the Pacific coast, there are regional tug and barge routes in the Lower Mainland around Metro Vancouver, to Vancouver Island, and routes from Vancouver to Seattle and to Prince Rupert. In the Arctic, short-sea shipping routes are used to transport bulk

A recent study showed that an average vessel operating in the St. Lawrence-Great Lakes Seaway can carry one tonne of cargo 394 kilometres on one litre of fuel compared to 226 kilometres by train or 49 kilometres by truck and that if the same cargo were to be carried by rail or truck over the same distance, there would be 31 percent more GHG emissions from rail and 558 percent more from trucking. 44 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023


SHORT-SEA SHIPPING materials and dry cargo for communities, defence installations, and oil and gas exploration sites. The largest marine operator in the western Arctic is the Government of the Northwest Territories’ Marine Transportation Services, which operates a fleet of tugs and barges in the Mackenzie River Watershed and the Arctic coast and islands. The eastern Arctic sealift of dry cargo and bulk fuel brought from the south to northern communities is coordinated by the government of Nunavut and carried out by many different commercial shipping companies.

What are the advantages of short-sea shipping? Short-sea shipping has several environmental and economic advantages compared to cargo transported by road and to a lesser extent by rail. Ships are the most fuel-efficient way to move goods, producing the least amount of carbon emissions and air contaminants. An environmental benefits study commissioned by the Chamber of Marine Commerce (CMC) and carried out by the Research and Traffic Group demonstrated that an average vessel operating in the St. Lawrence-Great Lakes Seaway can carry one tonne of cargo 394 kilometres on one litre of fuel compared to 226 kilometres by train or 49 kilometres by truck. Their analysis shows that if the same cargo were to be carried by rail or truck over the same distance, there would be 31 percent more GHG emissions from rail and 558 percent more from trucking. Marine vessels’ greater carrying capacity than trucks or railcars can also provide greater economic efficiency. Fewer people are needed to transport the cargo, and there is also less risk of cargo loss by theft or damage when most of the transport is conducted

by sea with fewer human touchpoints along the trip. The use of short-sea shipping can also ease highway congestion and maintenance costs due to fewer trucks on the road. If the same amount of cargo carried by the Great LakesSeaway fleet was transported instead by truck, it would increase highway maintenance costs by $4.6 billion over 60 years. Other benefits include lower noise levels for surrounding

neighbourhoods, less potential for road accidents, and lower levels of ambient air pollution (e.g., nitrogen and sulphur oxides and particulate matter). A 2020 Transport Canada study used multi-variate modelling to evaluate the environmental and social impacts of short-sea shipping in Canada, comparing the outcomes with rail and road. The study compared rail, road, and marine transport in four modelled scenarios: the Great Lakes, the St.

SHIPPING SOLUTIONS AT TWO DEEP SEA TERMINALS LINKING VANCOUVER ISLAND’S ECONOMY TO THE WORLD. • The Port of Nanaimo ships 18 different Vancouver Island products to 25 ports in 14 countries. • Short-sea shipping to Vancouver with capacity to handle containers, bulk, break bulk, heavy lift and project cargoes. • Enhanced infrastructure providing versatility and efficiencies for diverse cargo and vessel solutions and to meet a growing container business both locally and globally.

LOCAL BENEFITS — GLOBAL REACH

For Cargo and Terminal oppportunities, please contact: Jason Michell, VP - B.D. (250) 734-3457 JMichell@npa.ca www.npa.ca

100 PORT DRIVE, NANAIMO, BC

October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 45


SHORT-SEA SHIPPING Lawrence Seaway, the East Coast, and the West Coast. Results showed that the environmental and social costs were significantly less for marine transport than for other forms of transport in three out of the four scenarios. The exception was the St. Lawrence Seaway, in which marine transport was still much less costly than road transport, but rail and marine transport were comparable, most likely because the distance to cover by marine transport in the Seaway is about 50 percent higher than the distance to cover by the other two modes. A study released in May 2023, conducted through a partnership between Hamilton-Oshawa Ontario Ports Authority and the McMaster Institute for Transportation and Logistics, with support from Transport Canada, identified clear benefits. “Currently, over 12,000 trucks per week make crossborder trips between southern Ontario and U.S. Great Lakes port areas, carrying non-perishable commodities that are ideal candidates for a marine service to handle the long-haul ‘middle mile,’” says a summary of the study. “Short sea shipping is an idea whose time has come. This study gives us

the real data we need to identify the most promising commodities and routes, where marine transportation can help address our mounting goods movement challenges,” said HOPA’s president and chief executive officer Ian Hamilton. Population growth and highway congestion, driver shortages and fuel costs are all part of the perfect storm-hitting North American supply chains, he said. “Short sea shipping helps tackle all these problems.”

What are the challenges facing short-sea shipping? While short-sea shipping offers many advantages, it also comes with some challenges, particularly in developing new or expanding existing shortsea shipping networks. Viable short-sea shipping must be cost competitive, efficient, and include reasonable transit times. Adding more short-sea shipping includes substantial upfront costs, including major infrastructure upgrades. For example, the current expansion underway for the Mississippi River is a multi-year project that includes the development of container terminal

The Port of Nanaimo's Duke Point sees growth in short-sea shipping. 46 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023

facilities in multiple cities and further terminal and rail expansions. While this investment in infrastructure is valuable with long-term benefits, it can be an obstacle to potential investors and government partners, particularly when much of existing marine infrastructure is also in need of updating. In comparison, transportation by truck can seem cheaper, though indirect costs of truck wear on roads and bridges as well as associated fuel costs and effects of air pollution may actually be similarly costly over time. Short-sea shipping operations in North America are further hampered by the already robust network of ground transport, which is often faster. The available networks of rail for long distances and trucking for short distances mostly leaves short-sea shipping as a niche market with limited growth potential. Container handling charges at ports keep some connections from being competitive with truck services, such as barge service between the California Ports of Oakland and Stockton, which was inaugurated in 2013 but discontinued only a year later. Within Canada, short-sea shipping


SHORT-SEA SHIPPING potential is also limited by seasonal factors on the Great-Lakes Seaway and in the Arctic, where ice limits the number of months that vessels can operate.

While short-sea shipping offers many advantages, it also comes with some challenges, particularly in developing new or expanding existing short-sea shipping networks.

What is the Jones Act? Regulatory restrictions on trade also keep many potential North American routes for short-sea shipping from being economically viable. For instance, the U.S. Merchant Marine Act of 1920, better known as ‘the Jones Act’, states that any cargo moving between domestic ports must be carried by a vessel that is U.S. built, crewed, and flagged. Similarly, Canada’s Coasting Trade Act reserves the coasting trade (or cabotage) of Canada for Canadian-registered vessels, with limited exceptions. These

laws prevent binational routing for short-sea shipping to multiple ports and make domestic short-sea shipping more expensive because crews on Canadian-operated vessels are paid more than crews on international vessels. There is some question whether these protectionist measures still serve Canada’s best economic (and human health) interests or whether more flexibility on which vessels are allowed to operate between Canadian ports would make domestic-short shipping more viable.

Despite these challenges, short-sea shipping remains an important part of the North American intermodal trade system, and discussions on how this energy-efficient form of transport can further contribute to the transportation of goods will continue in the future. Clear Seas Centre for Responsible Marine Shipping is an independent notfor-profit research centre that supports safe and sustainable marine shipping in Canada. For more information as well as more research, visit www.clearseas. org.

APP MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS Are you taking advantage of the many benefits of the APP? Call or email Jane McIvor: 604-893-8800 / jane@pacificports.org to discuss.

APP member benefits provide a number of vehicles for you and your colleagues to network, promote best practices and raise awareness of challenges and opportunities.

Communications & Marketing — all members are invited (and encouraged!) to: • Submit articles, press releases and activity updates for Pacific Ports Magazine as well as our semi-monthly e-news updates and our frequently updated website. Not a writer? That’s okay, we can help. • Three months free web banner advertising on pacificports.org as well as six e-news banner ads (with greatly discounted rates for additional advertising). • Discounted rates for advertising in Pacific Ports Magazine. • Opportunities to present at APP Annual and Winter Conferences. • Participation on themed panel workshops.

Industry Representation and Collaboration — in addition to working with like-minded organizations on initiatives that improve facets of your business and the maritime industry, the APP participates in government and industry forums as well as key industry events (e.g., Clean Pacific, GreenTech, Seatrade, Pacific Marine Expo), not only to provide representation for Pacific Ports but also to ensure important information is shared throughout the membership.

To discuss your priorities and ideas, contact Jane McIvor Executive Director Association of Pacific Ports jane@pacificports.org 604-893-8800

As drivers of economic growth, facilitating trade and generating thousands of jobs, ports of the Pacific Ocean share a common vision: To provide an efficient, fluid, and cost-effective supply chain in a safe, environmentally sustainable and economically viable manner. The Association of Pacific Ports (APP) assists Member Ports in achieving this vision by enabling the sharing of best practices and lessons learned, peer-to-peer networking, and professional development. Supported by Associate Members who provide a diverse range of solutions for both port operations and management, the APP is building partnerships throughout the Pacific.

Networking — through conferences and workshops, the APP provides opportunities for you to meet your counterparts from around the Pacific, learn through the sharing of best practices, and to develop life-long relationships with your peers. Promotional opportunities for Associate Members are also a key part of our agendas through presentations, distribution of materials, and table-top displays designed to heighten awareness of your products and services.

ASSOCIATION OF

PACIFIC PORTS

www.pacificports.org

October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 47


NEW MEMBER PROFILE

APP welcomes IAMPE as newest reciprocal member

T

he Association of Pacific Ports is pleased to welcome the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives as its newest Reciprocal Member. In speaking with Eric Gilmore, Director of Business Development of the IAMPE, the synergies between the two associations are very much aligned. “As a graduate of the course in a former career, I found it to be an incredible resource,” Gilmore said. “We all have our specific silos — whether with the port industry or government agency or even a more focused sector like security, engineering, or management — and this highlights how we all have to work together.” At the APP’s recent conference in Long Beach, Gilmore provided a succinct overview of the IAMPE, its courses and its popularity with ports. IAMPE is a non-profit membership association dedicated to developing and maintaining professional standards in the maritime industry. The industry standards have been developed and approved by an advisory board, which includes 20-plus senior port executives from across North America. The program was founded in 2008, borne out of discussions between the North Atlantic Ports Association and Captain Jeff Monroe, who ran

48 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023

IAMPE is a non-profit membership association dedicated to developing and maintaining professional standards in the maritime industry. the Port of Portland, Maine. Captain Monroe was the perfect person to get the initiative underway. He has over 45 years of professional experience in the maritime, aviation, and transportation fields, particularly in port and terminal development, as well as vessel management, safety, security, and cargo handling. His involvement in both Canada and the U.S. has resulted in numerous citations and recognition for his work, including both U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards and Navies. A Board of Advisors was created to develop the standards for the program, which was delivered by another entity before the IAMPE was officially established in 2015. Since then, Captain Monroe and the IAMPE’s team of educators have taught over 2,500 port executives and navy and Coast Guard officers worldwide. “We’re currently working on Spanish language courses for Latin American and Mexican ports,” said Gilmore, adding that the program has been taught in Saudi Arabia, Australia, Europe, and numerous locations around the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. IAMPE is also working with universities to incorporate the curriculum into college programs, and currently, its flagship program is recognized for graduate academic credit by six universities. The goals of the IAMPE are to provide a professional certification for port terminal and maritime personnel and to develop and maintain standards. Gilmore noted that there’s no international standard set for the port industry but that IAMPE certification is increasingly being recognized

Captain Jeff Monroe as having a core base of credentials that speak to a person’s qualifications. As a membership-based organization, once the initial program has been completed, additional professional development, education, and training services, as well as networking opportunities, are available. “We also have research material and resources in a database that members can access. These include the management advisory services, strategic plans, and tariffs for member ports. Gilmore highlighted the fact that the size of the port is irrelevant when it comes to professional development. “The IAMPE can assist with developing master plans for any port size or even develop training aligned to a specific port’s needs,” he said. “This a true professional certification for the port industry, by the port industry,” he continued. In addition to a Board of Advisors made of 20-plus senior port executives from across North America,


NEW MEMBER PROFILE the IAMPE is committed to meeting specific standards that validate the training. Looking at the courses and seminars offered by the IAMPE regularly, the variety of programs is tailored to a wide range of experience levels. The flagship offering — the Maritime Port Executive program — is an intensive, five-day seminar that covers all aspects of executive port management in detail. Graduates of the program will be equipped with a deep macro-level understanding of how the port industry fits in the global transportation system, as well as comprehensive knowledge of the day-to-day functions required for a thriving port. Other programs include: The Maritime Port Manager program is designed as a two-day foundational seminar that covers all aspects of the port industry. The seminar is focused on how port facilities operate as integral intermodal connections in the worldwide transportation industry. It provides employees new to the industry with a comprehensive look at the fundamentals of port management and provides industry vets with a refresher on the global transportation system. Topics covered include an overview of the transportation industry, current global industry trends, port governance, port finance, port operations, safety and security, and more. The program also includes a management case study that applies port fundamentals to a real-world situation. The MPM program is a prerequisite for the Maritime Port Executive program. Participants receive professional certification as a Maritime Port Manager. The Marine Terminal Operator Program — perfect for those new to the port industry. This program introduces the basics of port operations, terminal management, and the public and private entities that comprise a port. This 16-hour program provides students with practical lectures

“The IAMPE can assist with developing master plans for any port size or even develop training aligned to a specific port’s needs...” from experienced terminal operators and case studies based on real-world situations faced by various ports across North America. Certification as a Marine Terminal Operator (MTO) is awarded to participants. Commissioner Seminars orient the member of a sitting policy-making body to the current trends in the public and private port sector. The one-day program focuses on current trends in the industry as well as the duties and responsibilities of commissioners/ board members and their staffs. The confidential forum allows the participant to discuss issues and ask questions regarding port activities openly. The seminar leader will offer a neutral view of what works in ports and what doesn’t and how changes in the industry may affect port activities. The Facility Security Officer course is an excellent fit for new security professionals who need their USCG FSO

certificate, as well as experienced security officers and maritime professionals who will benefit from an overview of the latest information and resources on protecting their ports. As the IAMPE program continues to expand, the future is looking bright. “Captain Monroe is currently working with Australia, Europe, South America, and Greece to expand the program into those countries,” Gilmore said. “We have added additional staff and, more and more, building greater flexibility into where and when courses are available.” For the Association of Pacific Ports, the opportunity to lean on the IAMPE for resources is a great benefit for APP members. Both organizations are looking forward to investigating collaborative initiatives, including presentations at future APP conferences, as well as sharing new developments from the IAMPE with members.

IAMPE's Eric Gilmore recently spoke to APP Annual Conference attendees about the benefits of the Association's professional development courses. October 2023 — PACIFIC PORTS — 49


APP MEMBERS Port Members

Associate Members

Port of Alaska (www.portofalaska.com)

ADELTE Ports & Maritime (www.adelte.com) Albion Marine Solutions (albionmarine.com) AM Insurance (www.amibrokers.com) The Beckett Group (www.thebeckettgroup.org) Best Best & Krieger Attorneys at Law (www.bbklaw.com) BNAC Environmental Solutions Inc. (www.bnac.ca) Burns & McDonnell (www.burnsmcd.com) Business Oregon (www.oregon.gov/biz/) Davies Transportation Consulting Inc. (www.dtci.ca/) EA Engineering, Science and Technology, Inc. (www.eaest.com) Federated Shipping Company FortisBC (www.fortisbc.com) GCT Global Container Terminals (www.globalterminals.com) Harman Kemp North America Limited (www.hknal.com/) Innovative Manufacturing Inc. (www.marinetapes.com) Kongsberg Maritime Canada Ltd. (www.kongsberg.com) Law Office of Alan K. Goldstein (www.alankgoldsteinlaw.com) Liebherr USA, Co. (www.liebherr.com) Liftech Consultants (www.liftech.net) Lynker (www.lynker.com) Majuro Stevedore & Terminal Company, Inc. Marine & Civil Maintenance Pty Ltd. (www.marineandcivil.com.au) Marine Labs Data Systems Inc. (www.marinelabs.io/) Maritime and Port Bureau, Taiwan (www.motcmpb.gov.tw) Matson (www.matson.com) Nautical Consulting International Inc. (www.nauticalconsulting.com) NEC (www.necam.com) Northern Economics Inc. (https://northerneconomics.com/) The Pasha Group (https://www.pashagroup.com) Pavement Technical Solutions Inc. (pavementtechsolutions.com) Port and Maritime Business Management (www.pm-bm.com) PortLink (www.portlinkglobal.com) Reid Middleton, Inc. (www.reidmiddleton.com) Salus Resources Inc. (www.salusresources.com) Schrader Co. Sales, LLC (www.schraderco.com) Shey-Harding Associates (www.shey-harding.com) SSA Marine (www.ssamarine.com) Trans Mountain (www.transmountain.com) Truk Transportation Tynebridge Solutions Inc. (www.tynebridge.ca) Western Wood Preservers Institute (www.wwpinstitute.org)

American Samoa Port Administration (americansamoaport.as.gov/) Port of Brookings Harbor, Oregon (www.portofbrookingsharbor.com) Port of Columbia County, Oregon (www.portofcolumbiacounty.org) Commonwealth Ports Authority, Northern Mariana Islands (www.cnmiports.com) Fiji Ports Corporation Limited (https://fijiports.com.fj/) Port of Grays Harbor, Washington (www.portofgraysharbor.com) Port Authority of Guam (www.portguam.com) Honolulu / State of Hawaii Ports Port of Hualien, Taiwan International Ports Corporation, Ltd. (https://hl.twport.com.tw/) Port of Hueneme, California (www.portofh.org) Port of Kaohsiung, Taiwan International Ports Corporation, Ltd. (https://kh.twport.com.tw/en/) Port of Keelung, Taiwan International Ports Corporation, Ltd. (https://kl.twport.com.tw/en/) Port of Long Beach, California (www.polb.com) Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) Ports Authority, Marshall Islands Nanaimo Port Authority, BC, Canada (www.npa.ca) Port of Newport, Oregon (www.portofnewport.com) Pohnpei Port Authority, Micronesia (www.ppa.fm) Port Alberni Port Authority, BC, Canada (https://portalberniportauthority.ca/) Port of Redwood City, California (www.redwoodcityport.com) Port of San Diego, California (www.portofsandiego.org) Port of Skagit, Washington (www.portofskagit.com) Port of Stockton, California (www.portofstockton.com) Port of Taichung, Taiwan International Ports Corporation, Ltd. (https://tc.twport.com.tw/en/) Ports Authority Tonga (www.portsauthoritytonga.com) Port of Umatilla, Oregon (https://portofumatilla.org/) Port of Valdez, Alaska (https://www.valdezak.gov/151/Port)

ASSOCIATION OF

PACIFIC PORTS

www.pacificports.org

50 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2023

Reciprocal Members

Association of BC Marine Industries (abcmi.ca) Green Marine (https://green-marine.org/) Inland Rivers, Ports & Terminals Association (https://www.irpt.net/) Interferry (www.interferry.com) International Association of Maritime and Port Executives (www.iampe.org)




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