Issuu

J A N UA R Y / F E B

2021

E XCHANGE THE

YEAR IN REVIEW

2020

ZOOMING INTO

2021

E XCHANGE

WELCOME TO THE

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR We’ve made it to a new year. As we look back on the challenges of 2020, we offer our gratitude to our members and the maritime community.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Board of Directors

Membership 3 Education in 2021

In this issue of The Exchange, we reflect on the previous year while also planning for the future. We have included a “Year In Review” (page 6), shipping statistics (page 8), and exciting new updates for our Shipping Education Series.

2020 Year in Review

Year In Review - Vessel Stats

Year In Review - COVID RESPONSE

The Port Report

From all of us at the Merchants Exchange, we thank you for your continued support and wish you a safe and prosperous new year!

Port of Portland

Port of Coos Bay

Liz Wainwright, Executive Director Merchants Exchange

Association Updates

Clean Rivers Cooperative

NOTE FROM THE EDITORIAL TEAM

Lower Columbia Region Harbor Safety Comm. 16

The Exchange is the bi-monthly newsletter of the Merchants Exchange. We are pleased to share the work being done by staff and the direction we are going, as well as community news and reports from industry stakeholders. Members: If you have an article or an announcement that you would like to be included in future issues of The Exchange, please contact us: newsletter@ pdxmex.com.

Maritime Fire and Safety Association

Maritime Commerce Club

Merchants Exchange Scholarship Fund

Maritime Commerce Club Event

Friends of the Exchange

Directory 22

Editorial Team >> Mary Wiley - wiley@pdxmex.com >> Bekah Canfield - canfield@pdxmex.com Cover Image Courtesy of Merchants Exchange © 2021 by Merchants Exchange. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced without prior written permission from the Merchants Exchange.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS Carl Bertapelle (2023) President Talon Marine Services

Roger Hsieh (2021) Treasurer BNSF Railway Company

Todd Krout (2023) Vice President Port of Vancouver USA

Chris Cummins (2021) Secretary General Steamship Corp

Eric Kastner (2022) Cascade Marine Agencies LTD

Geoff Doerfler (2021) Tidewater Barge Lines

Matt Huffman (2021) TEMCO

Ryan Statz (2022) Columbia Grain, Inc.

Alex Scott (2023) Anchorage Launch Co.

William Monroe (2022) Jones Stevedoring

Jim Cockrell (Ex Officio) Board President, Clean Rivers Cooperative Owens Corning Sales, LLC Mat Cusma (Ex Officio) Board President, Maritime Fire & Safety Association Schnitzer Steel Capt. Jeremy Nielsen (Ex Officio) Columbia River Pilots Legal Counsel: Tyson Calvert, Esq. Lindsay Hart LLP

MEMBERSHIP Our membership makes up the core of the local marine shipping community. Our members include, but are not limited to, steamship operators, admiralty attorneys, customs brokers, tug and barge companies, freight forwarders, stevedores, ship repair service facilities and port authorities. The Exchange is a provider of vessel and cargo information. It serves as a hub for local industry

education as well as association management and networking activities. Our members enjoy a direct relationship with the Merchants Exchange and its services. Each member company is able to vote for Merchants Exchange board of director nominees and is eligible for board membership. All of our services and activities are member focused.

Vessel and cargo information services that are currently offered include: • Vessel Reporting • Communication Support Service • Vessel and Cargo Statistics • Daily Grain Bulletin • Grain Committee Membership • Answering Service • Special Reports and Services

The Merchants Exchange caters its services to the ever-changing needs of local industry. We are constantly working to develop new ways to help our members do business. If the service you need is not listed, ask us and we can work to develop it for you. For more information about membership, visit our website at: www.pdxmex.com THE EXCHANGE | WWW.PDXMEX.COM

EDUCATION IN 2021

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

The Shipping Education Series evolved out of a need identified by the maritime community to provide a quality educational program that would be specific to the Columbia Basin with a focus on the Columbia, Willamette and Snake River systems. The key goal of this program is to focus on filling the gaps by providing useful maritime information and sharing industry resources. Many highly respected industry leaders collaborated to develop this incredible educational program. After brainstorming ideas, the Education Committee determined the objectives and goals of the program and initiated development of the program. Since 2015, we have meticulously expanded the program to meet the interests of maritime professionals in our region. After six years, 257 students have attended at least one course in the Shipping Education Series. We look forward to continued growth in the educational platforms that we offer our members and the maritime community.

PROGRAM PLAN

Currently, each course is offered as four weekly two‑hour virtual meetings. Previously, each course was a one‑day session. After COVID restrictions are removed, we will continue to include a virtual option for distance learning. All sessions are presented by leading professionals in the maritime industry. The series has three installments which focus on various aspects of our industry. Students do not necessarily need to take the classes in order or complete the entire series.

CONTINUED GROWTH

Professional development is a lifelong process. Whether participants want to learn more about a specific subject or increase their general understanding, continuing education can be a positive career builder. We bring in the best of the best in the industry to share their knowledge. There are opportunities for maritime experts to be part of the program, building presentation skills and becoming recognized as an industry leader. There is no doubt that continuing education benefits employers and employees in many ways. Whether it is to improve proficiency or increase employee promotion options, continuing education has many benefits.

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EDUCATION IN 2021

s u n Joi line! on

Come join us!

Whether it is to become more skilled and proficient in your current role or to create promotional opportunities or gain recognition as an industry leader, participation in the Shipping Education Series can benefit you. A well-trained and well-educated workforce helps companies achieve long-term viability and profitability. Be a company that is recognized and respected as a leader in the industry. Let us help you be more successful.

SHIPPING 101: 101: Business of Shipping The focus of this seminar is to provide an overview of the maritime industry and summary of the various sectors within the Columbia River Intermodal Transportation System.

Shipping 201 February 2021 Wednesday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Feb 3 Feb 10 Feb 17 Feb 24

Shipping 202 April 2021 Wednesday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

April 7 April 14 April 21 April 28

Shipping 101 September 2021 Schedule to be determined

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Our speakers get you started with an overview of the Columbia River Basin’s history and how it grew into today’s thriving maritime industry. We start with an overview of the river infrastructure, ports & terminals, imports and exports, cargo categories, modes of transportation and vessel types. Then we move on to the business of shipping with a summary of key shipping terms and documents, required and involved parties, regulations and regulators, service providers and trade associations.

SHIPPING 201: Movement of a Ship

The focus of this seminar is the business of shipping from the perspective of the ship. We explore requirements and regulations as well as the important roles that agents, pilots, insurance and law play in enabling a ship to move from port to port. We start with the ship. Our presenters describe the vessels and vessel traffic on our waterways with maritime experts providing details on piloting and navigation of vessels. Then we move on to the roles of vessel agents and regulators in regard to the ship. And finally, we learn about the role maritime insurance and maritime law plays in enabling a ship to move from port to port.

SHIPPING 202: Movement of Cargo

The focus of this seminar is the business of shipping from the perspective of cargo. We cover the scope of people and services it takes for cargo to move safely, efficiently and environmentally responsibly. We begin by identifying the cargos that are commonly transported in our region. Our presenters introduce supply chain logistics and labor relations to ensure cargo keeps moving while meeting regulatory compliance. Then we explain various transportation modes, including railway, pipeline and barges. In conclusion, we evaluate the economic impact of cargo to the river system, navigation and infrastructure as well as reviewing the individual Ports and the cargo they specialize in. 5

2020 YEAR IN REVIEW Merchants Exchange

2020 2019

Year in Review

23 Webinars

2 New Programs

Shipping Education, ICS Lite, Maritime Industry Roundtables, trainings, and workshops.

978 Registrants 663 Attendees Participants: members, non-member partners, Federal and State Agencies, Universities and more

In an effort to engage our members, we developed two new online programs; Maritime Industry Roundtable and ICS Lite

Shipping Education Series Shipping 101: The Business of Shipping Shipping 201: The Movement of a Ship

$71.5k

Merchants Exchange Scholarship Fund

$71,500 AWARDED

Shipping 202: The Movement of Cargo

257

257 Students

361

361 Registrations

in support to over

52 STUDENTS SINCE 2003

2020 Winners  Trevor Webb, SUNY Maritime  Alexander Navickas, Great Lakes Maritime Academy  Patrick Cloud, Maine Maritime Academy 6

Total number of students that have participated since 2015

Total registrations since 2015

24 Average Class Average number of students per class in 2020

23 Completed

Participants that have completed the entire Shipping Education Series WWW.PDXMEX.COM | THE EXCHANGE

Merchants Exchange Year in Review

2020

Columbia River maritime community service Website www.pdxmex.com

460+ Monthly

460+ Report Views

790+

Monthly Website Visitors Online Donations

790+ $$$

Stay informed FOLLOW US!

372 POSTS 470 Followers 40% Increase 61,133 Impressions

Merchants Exchange Scholarship Fund Now accepts online payments for donations

10% Increase

Daily News Subscribers

10%

127 People getting a daily summary of the maritime industry

The Exchange eNewsletter

930 subscribers 1,663 reads 176 pages

of the latest regional news published in 2020

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YEAR IN REVIEW - VESSEL STATS 2020 Vessel Calls by Cargo icon represents 100+/- calls

Vessels by Cargo

Grain

563

Autos

141

Petroleum Barge

124

Soda Ash

Potash

Steel Products

Logs

Chemicals

Petroleum Tanker

Petcoke

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2020 Vessel Calls by Port icon represents 100+/- calls

663

284

269

223

Portland

Kalama

Vancouver

Longview

Rainer

St. Helens

Astoria

2020 Vessel Calls by Terminal not showing all terminals, icon represents 100+/- calls

139

112

102

100

Kalama Export

Temco, Kalama

EGT

United Grain

Columbia Grain

Temco, Portland

2020 Vessel Calls by Agent not showing all agents, icon represents 50+/- calls

292

174

158

130

101

Transmarine Navigation

General Steamship

Norton Lilly

Wilhelmsen

Bluewater Pacific

Transversal Shipping

Inchcape Shipping

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YEAR IN REVIEW - COVID RESPONSE

COVID 19 RESPONSE: MERCHANTS EXCHANGE COVID 19 Response - Existing Framework For Response: BCDRP with Public Health Scenario - Robust Existing Procurement Practices + vendor relationships for securing highdemand items Timeline - January 27: USCG Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) notice regarding Coronavirus precautions - February 18: CDC updates Interim Guidance for Ships regarding Coronavirus - March 4: Exchange Management Team meets about health safety of staff - March 17: Flexible work site and flexible hours implementation - March 23: BCDRP activated Incident Management Team (IMT) virtual meetings - Weekly Incident Management Team (IMT) Meetings and Staff Safety Updates - Aquired face masks for distribution to staff (July) with updated guidelines - Moved to Bi-Weekly Meetings and as needed staff updates (August) - Moved to Monthly Meeting (Jan 2021) Stakeholder Engagement - Information Hub: eblast notices and COVID-19 Information website - Launched Maritime Virtual Roundtable (May, June, July) - Moved Shipping Education Series to Virtual (June, Sept/Oct) IMT Roster - Incident Commander: Liz Wainwright - Planning Section Chief: Holly Robinson - Logistics Section Chief: Bekah Canfield - Planning Section Leader: Mason Sullivan - Safety Officer: Curtis Cannizzaro - Public Information Officer: Mary Wiley - Finance Unit Leader: Chann Noun 10

0 75% DAYS STAFF OF INTERRUPTED SERVICE

Flexible work site and hours

s e c i t o N

From lders ry 27 o h e a ak Janu to St ices CG since t o n t , sen rs, US 2020 l Partne g in r a Du , Feder State

Opportunity

* Accelerated Strategic Planning Objectives *Real-world scenario test BCDRP

TWICE DAILY DISINFECTION

Building maintenance crews providing disinfection of contact surfaces throughout the building and offices

IMT MEETINGS

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THE PORT REPORT The Columbia River Maritime Transportation System has 23 ports over the course of 3 waterways. We are pleased to provide an outlet for local ports to share their news with our membership.

Will Isom Executive Director Port of Astoria

Juliana Marler Chief Executive Officer Port of Vancouver USA

Curtis Robinhold Executive Director Port of Portland

Dan Stahl Interim Chief Executive Officer Port of Longview

Mark Wilson Executive Director Port of Kalama

Doug Hayes Executive Director Port of Columbia County

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PORT OF PORTLAND

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While all of us are certainly ready to slam the door on 2020, the Port of Portland’s Marine team is full of gratitude for the ILWU workers and other maritime labor, regional shippers and trade partners who kept our terminals moving productively and safely all year. The year began and finished strong thanks to SM Line, which brought weekly container service back to Terminal 6. During a year that offered a pandemic, significant supply chain disruptions and wildfires, SM Line was a constant presence at our terminal. Longshore workers handled around 30,000 containers from SM Line vessels, and we simply cannot say enough about their commitment to productivity and safety as we welcomed this service once again to Portland. With all this new work on the docks, we were very pleased with the agreement between the PMA and ILWU to hire on another 105 workers. This increased labor pool will help meet the needs of our customers.

Thankful to the workers who kept goods moving in 2020

Terminal 6 remained congestionfree despite the new service, and we still have space to grow and expand, which will be a top priority for the Port in 2021. We also saw steady increases in the summer and fall across our auto, bulk, and grain imports and exports. In fact, in November we loaded more grain for export than at any point since 2017. It wasn’t an easy year for the marine and trade industry. Congestion issues and shipping delays impacted all of us, and there are still plenty of challenges ahead. But we’re optimistic about 2021 thanks to our strong partnerships with the ILWU, shippers and other important trade partners. THE EXCHANGE | WWW.PDXMEX.COM

PORT OF COOS BAY

Coos Bay Rail Line Tunnel Rehabilitation Project Nears Completion The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay (Port) has been working the past several years to conduct major rehabilitative work to all nine tunnels along the Coos Bay Rail Line (CBRL). The project was funded through a combination of an $11 million Federal FASTLANE grant, $8 million in Lottery-Backed Bonds through the State of Oregon, and $550,000 in Port funds. The project kick-off took place in August of 2019 and is set to reach completion in January of 2021.

CBRL. This work will include rehabilitation work to all three swing span bridges along the line. These funds will be matched with a $5 million grant from the State of Oregon through the ConnectOregon program. This project is nearing its kick-off, with the Port’s bridge engineer of record on property this week conducting bridge inspections to ensure work conducted through this project will be prioritized to address greatest needs first.

The Coos Bay Rail Line has 9 tunnels throughout its 132‑mile track between Coquille and Eugene. The longest tunnel on the line spans 4,200 feet–nearly a mile. This project has served to not only conduct significant structural repairs but has also addressed drainage issues that were present in several critical tunnels.

This work will be followed by a major tie and ballast replacement project. In October of 2020, the Port also received notice of award for a Port Infrastructure and Development Program grant of $10 million from USDOT to support this project. This work will be critical in improving the overall speed, safety and reliability of the rail line.

CBRL and Port staff conducted a final walk-through of all nine tunnels, generating punch list tasks for final project closeout. The only work that remains to be completed in the project is removal of obstructive rock in Tunnel 19 to complete ditching work.

Major capital improvement projects have been paired with ramped-up routine Maintenance of Way (MOW) by CBRL’s crews, who are on the line daily replacing identified ties, bolts and track. This has served to reduce transit times from Coos Bay to Eugene by approximately one hour and ten minutes over the past year.

Work on the line will not end with the completion of the Tunnel Rehabilitation Project. The Port received a notice of award in December of 2018 for a $20 million BUILD grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to conduct major repair and replacement to 15 of its steel bridges along the

The Port and CBRL are committed to ensuring that freight rail service continues to provide safe, cost effective, and reliable transportation option for businesses on Oregon’s south coast.

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ASSOCIATION UPDATES

CLEAN RIVERS COOPERATIVE

LOWER COLUMBIA REGION HARBOR SAFETY COMMITTEE MARITIME FIRE AND SAFETY ASSOCIATION & FPAAC MARITIME COMMERCE CLUB MERCHANTS EXCHANGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND MERCHANTS EXCHANGE

ADAPTING TO CHANGING ENVIRONMENTS DUE TO COVID-19 COVID-19 has impacted operations for nearly a year. Clean Rivers Cooperative has responded to the restrictions and challenges by implementing tools and methods allowing us to adapt to the situation. A key example of these changes to maintain success has been the Tabletop Exercise Program that Clean Rivers participates in. These Tabletop Exercises simulate an oil spill response and test strategies and coordination between stakeholders during a response. Historically these exercises take place in a large conference room with all participants in one single location. These exercises routinely involve 20‑200 participants depending on the scale of the exercise. Restrictions on gatherings have eliminated this possibility. Implementation of virtual tools to share information and handle a simulated response effectively were critical. Clean Rivers trained on many of the tools used by membership as well as developing a number of different tools internally. Many of these items will be used in a different capacity once the standard in‑person exercises resume, but many of the developed tools will still provide benefit and enhance capacity for response management. This adaptability is critical in our goal of maintaining response readiness and Clean Rivers continues to grow to meet these new challenges. Clean Rivers Operations Manager Carl Boelter provides a situation update toCOOPERATIVE Unified Command through a video CLEAN RIVERS conference meeting. For more information, please visit our website: www.cleanriverscooperative.com Curtis Cannizzaro, General Manager: cannizzaro@pdxmex.com Carl Boelter, Operations Manager: boelter@pdxmex.com Chris Wilson, Equipment Maintenance Supervisor: wilson@pdxmex.com Mason Sullivan, Administrative Coordinator: sullivan@pdxmex.com THE EXCHANGE | WWW.PDXMEX.COM

LOWER COLUMBIA REGION HARBOR SAFETY COMM.

2021 Meeting Calendar a

January 13: Virtual Meeting

In 2021, the Lower Columbia Region Harbor Safety Committee will be undertaking the triennial chapter review of the Â Harbor Safety Plan. The Harbor Safety Plan of the LCRHSC is an informational and educational tool. The Plan complements existing regulations and advises mariners of the unique conditions and requirements that may be encountered in the Lower Columbia Region. Local experts from industry, regulatory agencies, and the public developed these standards to provide guidelines for mariners operating in the Columbia River. The full version of the Harbor Safety Plan is available to download off the LCRHSC website: https://lcrhsc.org/harbor-plan/

March 10: Virtual Meeting May 12: Virtual Meeting July 14: TBD September 1: TBD November 10: TBD a

Board of Directors: 1330-1405 hrs General Membership: 1415-1530 hrs www.lcrhsc.org

For more information, please visit our website: www.lcrhsc.com Bekah Canfield, Association Administrator: canfield@pdxmex.com

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MARITIME FIRE AND SAFETY ASSOCIATION

2021 MEETING CALENDAR Please join us for a slightly different rendition of the Maritime Fire &

Safety Association Annual Luncheon and Meeting of the Membership. The business meeting will be open to all members via MS Teams (link to be sent out with meeting materials) MFSA Annual Meeting Tuesday, January 26, 2021 10 am to 11 am

JANUARY

Annual Meeting

OSRPC Meeting

FEBRUARY

APRIL

6 6

Board of Directors Meeting FPAAC Annual Summit

OSRPC Meeting

4 26

Board of Directors Meeting

11 24

FPAAC Quarterly Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting OSRPC Meeting

OSRPC Meeting

JUNE

10 15

AUGUST

FPAAC Quarterly Meeting Board of Directors Meeting (Elected Board Only)

SEPTEMBER

Board of Directors Meeting

FPAAC Quarterly Meeting

MFSA/Clean Rivers Coop. Joint Equipment Committee Meeting

OSRPC Meeting

OCTOBER

MAY

JULY

MFSA/Clean Rivers Coop. Joint Equipment Committee Meeting

MARCH

NOVEMBER

2 17

Board of Directors Meeting (Elected Board Only) OSRPC Meeting

DECEMBER

Board of Directors Meeting

FPAAC Quarterly Meeting

For more information, please visit our website: www.mfsa.com Holly Robinson, General Manager: robinson@pdxmex.com Curtis Cannizzaro, FPACC Program Manager: cannizzaro@pdxmex.com Mason Sullivan, Administrative Coordinator: sullivan@pdxmex.com THE EXCHANGE | WWW.PDXMEX.COM

MARITIME COMMERCE CLUB

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MERCHANTS EXCHANGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND

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MARITIME COMMERCE CLUB EVENT

MARITIME COMMERCE CLUB

FRIENDS OF THE EXCHANGE

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