Issuu

WHEAT

THE BREAD & BUTTER OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER

FEATURING

M AY / J U N E

2022

E XCHANGE THE

E XCHANGE

WELCOME TO THE

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

TABLE OF CONTENTS Board of Directors

We are approaching the mid-point in the year with harvest on the horizon. Welcome to the May/June edition of The Exchange featuring the Wheat Marketing Center, established in the 1980s to foster a shared understanding between U.S. wheat growers and their customers. On average annually 28% of all Lower Columbia River ship traffic is tied to the export of wheat/grain products sourced from the Pacific Northwest as well as the Midwest! This edition also includes important statistics and news from our industry members and partners including an announcement by the Port of Vancouver of the launch of the Lower Columbia River Cyber Security Information Exchange, one of six regional cyber security information sharing organizations. We welcome suggestions for featured articles and thank you for your continued support of the Merchants Exchange. Liz Wainwright, Executive Director Merchants Exchange

Membership

Wheat Marketing Center

Shipping Education Series

Columbia River Grain Summary

NOTE FROM THE EDITORIAL TEAM 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. Editorial Team >> Mary Wiley - wiley@pdxmex.com >> Bekah Brinkmeier - brinkmeier@pdxmex.com >> Anthony O’Reilly - oreilly@pdxmex.com 2

U.S Coast Guard, Sector Columbia River

The Port Report

Port of Vancouver, Video

Port of Astoria

Port of Longview

Port of Kalama

Port of Hood River

Port of Morrow

Port of Vancouver, Cyber

Association Updates

Lower Columbia Region Harbor Safety Committee

Clean Rivers Cooperative

Maritime Fire & Safety Association

Merchants Exchange Scholarship

Maritime Commerce Club

Merchants Exchange Grain Committee

Friends of the Exchange

Merchants Exchange

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS Todd Krout (2023) President Port of Vancouver USA

Roger Hsieh (2024) Treasurer BNSF Railway Company

Chris Cummins (2024) Vice President General Steamship Corp

Alex Scott (2023) Secretary Anchorage Launch Co.

Geoff Doerfler (2024) Tidewater Barge Lines

Adrian Burkard (2025) Jones Stevedoring Company

Earl Dixon (2024) United Grain Corp

Eric Kastner (2025) Cascade Marine Agencies LTD

Gary Hodson (2023) ACGI Shipping

Ryan Statz (2025) Columbia Grain, Inc.

Jim Cockrell (Ex Officio) Board President, Clean Rivers Cooperative Owens Corning 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: vessel agents and 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

HEAT MARKETING CENTER

SERVING THE U.S. WHEAT INDUSTRY

Innovation Lab including Cracker & Biscuit Line, Asian Noodle Line, and Tortilla Line

Wheat is one of the top export

commodities moving through the Columbia Snake River System. According to 2020 statistics cited by the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, 60 percent of all U.S. wheat exports moves through this system on its way to customers in Asia and Latin America. Overall, U.S. wheat producers export half their crop while certain states, including Oregon, Washington, and Montana, export close to 90 percent of their total production. Of the many organizations involved in this endeavor, the unique role of the Wheat Marketing Center (WMC) is explored in this article. 4

Wheat Marketing Center (WMC) was created as an independent non-profit research and educational entity to demonstrate the value of wheat quality and to document the relationship between wheat quality and the quality of the many end products produced with wheat and wheat flour. Located in the historic Albers Mill Building on the Willamette River, WMC serves to foster a shared understanding between U.S. wheat growers and their customers both domestic and international. WMC focuses on promoting U.S. wheat by demonstrating its quality and functionality in end products, including Asian noodles, crackers and biscuits, tortillas and flatbread, and a wide range of baked goods and confections. Pilot

scale production lines, state-of-theart quality testing equipment, and internationally recognized technical expertise provide technical analysis and valuable education to state wheat commission partners, wheat industry stakeholders, flour mills, and food manufacturers around the world.

BACKGROUND During the 1980’s, wheat producers sending their wheat to export markets through PNW ports, envisioned creating a research and technical center to increase understanding and knowledge about the quality and value of U.S. wheat. Thanks to the leadership of U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield of Oregon, Congress allocated $6 million to

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make the dream a reality. The Albers Mill Building, a former flour and feed mill built in the early twentieth century, was extensively renovated to house the new center. Other wheat-related entities including U.S. Wheat Associates, the Oregon Wheat Commission, and the U.S. Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) have offices in the Albers Mill Building. This co-location facilitates frequent cooperation. In the summer of 1988, the newly formed Wheat Marketing Center hosted a workshop attended by 50 participants, including wheat commission members and staff, customers from Japan, Korea and Taiwan, government officials, and other representatives from the wheat industry. This workshop helped design WMC’s programs and set its priorities.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Wheat Marketing Center Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from the eight member state wheat commissions (Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Oklahoma), Port of Portland, and five wheatrelated industries. The Board is responsible for setting WMC policy and priorities and through its committees which meet regularly, ensures that the programs continue to provide value for the U.S. wheat industry and its customers.

STAFF Given the WMC’s technical focus, most of the team are cereal and food scientists with expertise in milling, baking, and product development. Rounding out the team are Executive Director and Office Administrator.

(from left to right) Liman Liu, Assistant Operations Manager; Kin Wong, Laboratory Assistant; Andrew Mense, Food Scientist; Jayne Bock, Technical Director; Mike Moran, Executive Director, Brent Haugen, Office Administrator; Bon Lee, Operations Manager

FUNDING The Wheat Marketing Center receives about 70 percent of its funding from eight state wheat commissions. Each year, these states allocate funding for general operations, grower workshops, crop quality testing, special projects, and new lab equipment. Other operating income is generated by technical course fees, research projects, and lab testing services. Tailored to the unique needs of each group, WMC provides services to a diverse group of customers including international teams of bakers, mill operators, importers, American firms, state wheat commissions and US Wheat Associates.

MAJOR PROGRAMS WITH EXAMPLES WMC remains focused on its core mission of improving the understanding of how U.S. wheat can meet the changing

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demands of global consumers. New training programs, state-ofthe-art equipment, and innovative research topics are utilized to meet the ever-evolving challenges facing the wheat industry. Today WMC programs include -

EDUCATION: • Technical training for customers on improving end product quality (#1) • Grower workshops focused on the importance of wheat quality

RESEARCH: • Innovative research and product development to meet the market’s challenges and opportunities (#2)

ANALYTICAL SERVICES: • Testing and reporting the quality of each PNW crop (#3) • Lab services projects for private customers (#4) 5

1 ) EDUCATIONAL COURSES Based on annual requests from U.S. Wheat Associates foreign offices, WMC puts together training courses that meet the specific customer and market needs. For example, in 2022 the US Wheat Associates Seoul office is bringing three groups of South Korean customers for specialized work in: • New flour blends for ramen noodles (to increase U.S. wheat in a sector dominated by Australia) • Bakery products (attendees will include Korean master bakers) • Contracting for Wheat Value (helping customers understand how to get the wheat they want)

2 ) TECHNICAL RESEARCH The technical team, headed by Dr. Jayne Bock, conducts many public and private research projects each year. Research topics are developed in response to market conditions and stakeholder requests. After meeting with several Philippine flour mills, Dr. Bock noticed a recurring interest in alternatives to chlorinated cake flour, driven by increasing consumer demand for clean labeling. Dr. Bock proposed a project to the PNW state wheat commissions for funding and proceeded to test various options. Results were shared with the USW office in Manila, which in turn made the report available to the mills. WMC, USW and the state commissions coordinate their efforts to provide crop information, technical support and training to the Philippines and other markets for PNW soft white wheat. 6

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3 ) CROP QUALITY TESTING AND ANALYSIS. Customers are keenly interested in how the wheat crop is developing each year. WMC provides analytical services each year as wheat is harvested to provide crop quality information to both international markets and state wheat commissions and their grower members. USW and the states host tours and webinars early in the crop cycle to share information about planted acreage and weather. Once harvest starts, WMC receives hundreds of samples from all three PNW states and issues weekly reports on quality by location. After harvest is complete, USW publishes a national report covering all six wheat classes. WMC provides the data on Soft White and Hard White Wheat. WMC publishes a separate more detailed report on PNW Soft White Wheat quality. All reports can be found on the WMC website.

4 ) PROPRIETARY ANALYTICAL SERVICES WMC Lab Services, Inc., the for-profit subsidiary, was created to provide testing services to companies on a proprietary basis. Several wheat importers send samples from their vessels so that they have more information about the arriving wheat. International and domestic companies contract for help with ingredients or new products. WMC Lab Services offers a range of services, from individual testing to full-scale proprietary research. Contact: For more information on how Wheat Marketing Center can help you and your clients with wheat and grain testing, analysis, and product development visit the Wheat Marketing Center website at www.wmcinc.org or contact Brent Haugen at 503-295-0823. THE EXCHANGE | WWW.PDXMEX.COM

HIPPING EDUCATION SERIES

VIRTUAL EDUCATION SERIES 2022 **NEW** Shipping 301 June 2022

Wednesday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. June 1 June 8 June 15 June 29

Shipping 101 October 2022 Wednesday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. October 5 October 12 October 19 October 26

Shipping 201 February 2023 Wednesday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Feb 1 Feb 8 Feb 15 Feb 22

Shipping 202 April 2023

Wednesday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. April 5 April 12 April 19 April 26

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.

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.

SHIPPING 301: Marine Highway

The focus of this seminar is the operations and navigation of the Columbia River as a navigable waterway and its’ role as an American Marine Highway. We look at operations and impacts of maintaining the Columbia River Marine Highway. We will feature the operations and regulations of dams, locks, dredging, and water navigation to optimize maritime movements on the river. Additionally, featuring our up river Ports and their impact to their regional economies.

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COLUMBIA RIVER GRAIN SUMMARY The Annual Grain Summary Report represents the yearly total pounds of grain exported from the Columbia River. Over the last five (5) years, 327 billion pounds or 163 million tons of grain have traveled out of our ports. 5-Year Comparison 80,000,000,000

70,000,000,000

60,000,000,000

50,000,000,000

40,000,000,000

30,000,000,000

20,000,000,000

10,000,000,000

Quanity (lbs)

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

65,476,180,237

70,512,392,940

57,989,702,121

65,972,600,415

67,946,974,886

2019 | 2020 | 2021 Monthly Comparison

9,000,000,000

8,000,000,000

7,000,000,000

6,000,000,000

5,000,000,000

2019 2020 2021

4,000,000,000

Average

3,000,000,000

2,000,000,000

1,000,000,000

January

February

March

April

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May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

U.S COAST GUARD, SECTOR COLUMBIA RIVER Area of Responsibility: 420 nautical miles of Washington and Oregon coastline, 33 ports, 465 miles of navigable rivers throughout WA, OR, and ID, including the Columbia River, Salmon & Snake Rivers in the east (Idaho).

PAPER AND ELECTRIC CHARTS & FUEL CONTAMINATION

“Guardians of the Pacific Northwest” o ensure the safety, T security, environmental protection and efficient flow of commerce affecting a $20B maritime transportation system, 8.5M ton grain export, 1500 foreign vessel arrivals, 50K cruise passengers, 290K recreational boats, 2K commercial fishing vessels, and 52 Maritime Transportation Safety Act facilities. Sector Columbia River Response Missions (search and rescue, law enforcement, environmental protection, and support for other units) are carried out from Warrenton, OR. Sector Columbia River Prevention Missions (marine safety, vessel inspection, aids to navigation support, and waterways management) are managed by Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Portland located in Portland, OR. 10

Coast Guard marine inspectors from MSU Portland Oregon have been identifying vessels operating outside of the territorial sea baseline, utilizing electronic navigation display systems not in accordance with NVIC 01-16 (CH-2). Specifically, that the navigation displays have not been tested against and meet the International Electrotechnical Committee’s Maritime Navigation and Radio communication Equipment and Systems Standard (IEC 60945). IEC approved equipment is tested for durability in certain environmental conditions, backup power supply, and are required to meet other performance specification (please see link below for more information). A few more important notes, the ENC display systems must be large enough in scale and depict sufficient detail to allow for safe transits of the intended voyage. The use of ENCs on a portable storage device, without a display system, will not be considered sufficient. If a vessel operates exclusively inside the territorial sea baseline, that vessel is authorized to display ENCs on a display system of that operator’s choice, not meeting IEC requirements. Just as long as the ENCs can be displayed on a screen large enough that will allow for clear viewing of the navigation picture. In November 2019, NOAA announced cancellation of all paper charts, which started in 2021 and will ultimately end chart production by January 2025. As paper charts slowly phase out and are replaced with electronic navigation displays, our marine inspectors will continue to inspect and confirm the approval requirements for ENC display systems on all applicable vessels. On March, 14, 2022, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore was notified of contaminated high sulfur fuel oil (HSFO) with high concentrations level of Chlorinated Organic Compound (1, 2-Dichloroethane, Tetrachloroethylene) in the Port of Singapore. Approximately 200 ships were supplied with the contaminated fuel, and 80 of those ships have reported various issues with their fuel pumps and engines around the world. Recently, we have had three vessels conducting commerce in Pacific Northwest Ports that have reported similar engine issues. We have been unable to confirm if those recent losses of propulsions have been linked to the contaminated fuel; however, Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland will continue to monitor affected ships coming into our AOR.

Click here: (NVIC 01-16 (CH-2) WWW.PDXMEX.COM | THE EXCHANGE

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

Sean Clark Executive Director Port of Columbia County

Mark Wilson Executive Director Port of Kalama

Dan Stahl Chief Executive Officer Port of Longview

Curtis Robinhold Executive Director Port of Portland

Juliana Marler Chief Executive Officer Port of Vancouver USA

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ORT OF VANCOUVER

POR

PORT OF VANCOUVER USA SHARES 2021 STATE OF THE PORT REPORT The Port of Vancouver USA has released its annual Port Report, providing an overview of the organization’s performance in 2021. In the 13-minute “state of the port” presentation, viewers can learn about some of the successes the port achieved in 2021, including details about strong grain exports, the growth in the port’s wind energy portfolio and the development of the port’s Climate Action Plan. Viewers can also get a sneak peek at some of the exciting activities taking place at the port in 2022. Viewers will join Julianna Marler, Chief Executive Officer; Jack Burkman, current President, Board of Commissioners; Alex Strogen, Chief Commercial Officer; and members of the International Longshore Workers Union (ILWU) Local 4, for an

overview of last year’s successes and challenges. Featuring behind-the-scenes footage of port marine and commercial operations, the report highlights the Terminal 1 renovation project, environmental efforts and several port tenants. The Port of Vancouver USA wishes to thank its partners, stakeholders, neighbors, tenants, customers and employees for their continued support through these unusual times and we are looking forward to an even better year in 2022. The 2021 Port Report is available on the port’s website. For more information about the port’s performance read the 2021 Year in Review. Click here for the video. WWW.PDXMEX.COM | THE EXCHANGE

RT OF ASTORIA

PORT OF ASTORIA WELCOMES BACK CRUISE VESSELS

The Port of Astoria is pleased to announce that it welcomed its first cruise ship since the fall of 2019, when the cruise industry was effectively shut down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 8th, the MS Koningsdam was greeted on its inaugural visit to Astoria by local officials, Port representatives and members of the media during a plaque exchange and ceremony held aboard the vessel.

The Port is scheduled to host roughly twenty cruise ships in the spring and fall seasons of 2022. These impressive ships can be seen not only from Warrenton and Astoria, but also across the Columbia River from Washington, with some vessels measuring over a thousand feet in length. Astoria Sunday Market vendors greet passengers on Pier One, while Clatsop Cruise Hosts help to coordinate shuttle services and sightseeing opportunities that take passengers to many destinations in Clatsop County and beyond. THE EXCHANGE | WWW.PDXMEX.COM

With loss of revenues estimated at close to $1.5 million, COVID’s impact to the Port of Astoria’s cruise revenues was substantial. In order to minimize these financial impacts, the Port was able to negotiate long-term dockage agreements with both the MS Regatta and Pride of America cruise ships for a portion of the time that the cruise industry was halted by the pandemic. And these impacts were not only felt by the Port. Local businesses also took a hit when the cruise ships were cancelled, as thousands of passengers provided a boost to small businesses and the local economy. For the Port and for many others, the sight of a cruise ship on the horizon is a welcome beacon of hope for a return to normalcy and a revitalized economy. Cruise ships schedules and additional information can be found on the Port’s website at www.PortofAstoria.com. 13

ORT OF LONGVIEW

FOCUSES ON DIVERSE CARGO, UPGRADING RAIL AND PARK IMPROVEMENTS In 2021, the Port handled 9.1 million metric tons, up half a million over projections for the year and up 19% compared to 2020. This increase is partly due to cargo diverting from west coast ports facing greater disruptions. The Port handled several cargos that typically move in containers but are now moving in breakbulk to avoid further transportation challenges. These included plywood, steel billets and tapioca starch. Additionally, the Port was kept busy in 2021, as cargo such as steel, wind energy components, grain products and soda ash were among the Port’s top imports and exports. After tabulating near equal increases in Portoperated and leased marine terminal activity, the Port recorded an unexpected revenue surge of $14.6 million in net income before capital expenses last year. The surge comes at a time the Port is facing more than $100 million in long-term capital projects, most notability the Industrial Rail Corridor Expansion (IRCE). 14

In 2021, the Port also completed rail and road projects at its main terminals. The Port completed its North Rail Connection project which improved access to the Port’s internal rail system where it realigned 1,500 feet of rail and added under 5,000 feet of additional rail lines. The Port completed some major upgrade projects at its Willow Grove Park and Boat Launch. The Port has invested $4.5 million since the Port obtained the park in 2016. Investment and revitalization were made at the boat launch including dredging, a new entrance sign, picnic structures, restroom improvements and a walking path around the park. Willow Grove is a frequent destination for community residents with a typical summer attendance of over 50,000 people.

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PORT OF KALAMA

Port and Kalama School District Form Winning Partnership at Haydu Park

Collaboration with Kalama Schools underscores Port’s commitment to the local community; guarantees first use of Haydu Park fields for home baseball and softball games. When planning for the new Kalama Elementary School, officials quickly realized they would be losing the baseball field that generations of Kalama students had played on. Many ideas were discussed on how best to reimagine the field, but a shortage of suitable land within school boundaries—and rising construction costs—had limited their options. That’s when members of the new school steering committee (which included Port Commissioner Troy Stariha) discussed the idea of forming a partnership with the Port of Kalama to use the baseball fields at Haydu Park. This created a set of new challenges though, as the fields at the Park weren’t originally designed for high school regulation sports. After six months of discussion with the steering committee and Port Commissioners, both entities had come to terms. The Kalama School District would spend $300,000 to fund expansion of the ball fields to regulation size and purchase a new score board, while the Port agreed to provide maintenance of the property over the duration of their agreement. The partnership would also allow the school to have priority use of all baseball fields at Haydu Park. THE EXCHANGE | WWW.PDXMEX.COM

“Our partnership with the Port of Kalama is super unique and speaks volumes about the closeness of our community and our shared passion for our kids and schools,” said Kalama School Superintendent Eric Nerison. School sports officially kicked off at Haydu last spring, after construction of the new school moved the games to LCC in 2019, and the Covid-19 pandemic forced the school to cancel extracurricular activities the following year. Ironically, the Port first developed Haydu Park after buying several acres of property from the school district, who at one time had planned to expand their facilities near the Kalama River Road exit. The Port would eventually go on to create Spencer Creek Business Park on the former school property, while creating Haydu Park and the new fairgrounds on property purchased around the same time from the Haydu Family. “The Port exists to create business and recreational opportunities within our community, and the purchase of land near Kalama River Road gave us a way to seamlessly integrate both,” said Commission President Patrick Harbison. Thanks to the successful partnership between the Port and Kalama Schools, Haydu Park will be the new home of Kalama baseball and softball games for several years to come.

ORT OF HOOD RIVER

MCELWEE TO RETIRE AS PORT OF HOOD RIVER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR After sixteen years of service as the Executive Director of the Port of Hood River, Michael McElwee announced that he will retire from his position on July 8, 2022. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the Port of Hood River and this community over the past 16 years,” McElwee said. “The Port has a remarkable legacy supporting both the economy and quality of life of this community. I am grateful to have played a part.” McElwee has served as the Port’s Director since July 2006. During his tenure the Hood River waterfront underwent a transformation with construction of several recreational facilities utilizing state and federal grant funding and significant private investment in light industrial and commercial developments. With Port Commission backing, McElwee accelerated efforts to replace the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate bridge, securing a commitment from the State of Oregon in 2017 to fund the completion of the federally required NEPA process and provide statutory authorities for bridge replacement. McElwee led efforts to upgrade the Ken Jernstedt Airfield and the Hood River Marina, as well as the purchase of the Lower Hanel Mill property, which the Port then converted from a brownfield to shovelready development site. McElwee’s tenure of 16 years equals that of former Port director James O’ Banion who served as Executive Director between 1980 and 1994, and an additional two years of service that took place after his retirement. The Commission made bridge replacement a high priority in 2016. Michael McElwee really got things moving in 2017 securing a crucial $5 million from the Oregon legislature. That was a key milestone that led to the accelerated progress we are seeing today.” Former commission president John Everitt wrote, “It 16

was a pleasure to serve on the Commission with Michael as Executive Director. His indepth knowledge of all the moving pieces that make up our community as well as his ability to maintain focus on long term goals through the succession of elected commissioners set the Port up for the kind of success that makes this community a richer place to live. The waterfront park areas to play in; shovel ready dirt for industrial development at Lower Hanel Mill; millions of dollars in bi-state committed funds for bridge replacement; federal dollars invested in our airport with a long term vision of an R&D, engineering and education campus focused on avionics. These are a few of the Port’s accomplishments during Michael’s stewardship.” McElwee currently serves on the board and executive committee of the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA) and previously served President of the Oregon Public Ports Association (OPPA) from 2013-2015. He was recognized in 2019 as the Hood River County School District “Volunteer of the Year” for his work in support of the ASPIRE program, youth sports, and led the establishment of a summer internship program for local high school students at the Port. He has served on the board of directors of the Hood River Rotary Club, as moderator for the Riverside Community Church, and was instrumental in the formation of the OneGorge Advocacy Group in 2015. “Now, approaching 65 years old, and with the challenges of COVID receding, I am looking forward to other life pursuits and intend to continue my public service activities in Hood River,” said McElwee. “The Port has a tremendous staff who are well-prepared to maintain momentum on a wide variety of projects. I will be available to assist the Port Commission during the transition to a new Executive Director.” WWW.PDXMEX.COM | THE EXCHANGE

PORT OF MORROW

PORT OF MORROW ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LISA MITTELSDORF

The Port of Morrow Commission announces the selection of the new executive director after an internal search. Letters of interest from qualified candidates were due April 4, 2022. Interviews were conducted on April 25, 2022 in executive session by the port commission and a second panel of representatives from across Morrow County.

The Port Commission has selected Lisa Mittelsdorf as the next executive director. Mittelsdorf has been with the Port of Morrow for over 30 years and has always worked closely with previous directors. She was previously the economic development director and started her new role on May 9, 2022. “I’m very proud and pleased that Lisa has been selected as the executive director of the Port of Morrow. She is an exceptional leader,” says Rick Stokoe, port commission president. “Lisa’s successful collaborations with her many board positions, strong community and business partnerships, and experience managing successful teams will elevate the Port’s success as we continue to be the second largest Port in the state.” “I’m pleased to have Lisa Mittelsdorf take the next step and be the leader of our team at the Port of Morrow,” says Joe Taylor, commissioner. “Her past experience and relationships are a huge advantage not only with our port partners but also with our county, region and state.” THE EXCHANGE | WWW.PDXMEX.COM

“During my tenure at the Port of Morrow, I have witnessed tremendous growth and diversification of our businesses and industries at the port. I appreciate the opportunity I had to work under the incredible leadership of Gary Neal for many years and then his son, Ryan. Like his father, Ryan was a visionary leader with a heart for Boardman and the surrounding region. I’m proud of the work we have done over the years to increase the livability and family wages that benefit our communities in Morrow County. I look forward to supporting the vision and mission of the port in my new position as executive director,” shared Mittelsdorf. Three very qualified internal applicants applied for the position making the decision difficult. The port commission would like to convey their thanks to the candidates who applied for the position. The port is very proud of its team members and their desire to further the port’s mission and goal. The Executive Director position is responsible for the management and administration of Port activities. The position was left vacant after the untimely passing of Ryan Neal in January. The Port presently employs approximately 135 full-time employees and is the second largest port in the State of Oregon after the Port of Portland.

ORT OF VANCOUVER

PORT OF VANCOUVER USA LAUNCHES CYBER SECURITY INFORMATION EXCHANGE According to the United States Coast Guard, there were over 500 major operational cyber-attacks that occurred in the marine industry in 2020, directly affecting the 25,000 miles of navigable channels in the U.S. Recognizing the severity of the issue and that cargo activities at U.S. seaports account for 26 percent of the U.S. economy, the Maritime Transportation System Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MTS-ISAC) was formed to combat the rising threat from these bad actors. According to the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA), the Columbia Snake River System is responsible for transporting more than 50 million tons of cargo, annually. To address the cybersecurity issue among ports located along the Lower Columbia River, the Port of Vancouver USA and the Maritime Transportation System Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MTS-ISAC) have successfully launched the Lower Columbia River Maritime Information Exchange (LCRMIX). The primary mission of the LCR-MIX is to enhance communication and collaboration on cyber threat activity among regional stakeholders and to provide early situational awareness and best practice adoption to prevent incidents. “So often the partners and stakeholders within the Lower Columbia River are using the same vendors, service providers and often are working with the same business contacts,” said Chris Carter, Information Security Analyst for the Port of 18

Vancouver USA. “A security breach can have cascading consequences and put the entire supply chain at risk. By partnering with the MTS-ISAC, LCR-MIX members are actively consuming and producing actionable cyber threat intelligence, sourced locally and from other MTS stakeholders from around the globe.” “The MTS-ISAC provides us with actionable intelligence in a timely manner. Their focus on privacy encourages the open exchange of information and the regional scope of the LCR-MIX means that the information is relevant in our daily operations,” added Christopher Hunt, IT Director, Port of Grays Harbor. “We are thrilled to be working with the LCRMIX. Often, our peers think public information sharing is complicated, but it doesn’t have to be,” said Christy Coffey, VP of Operations for the MTS-ISAC. “Under thoughtful leadership provided by Port of Vancouver USA, this sixth Information Exchange has rapidly come together and is already increasing early situational awareness amongst its members and making our entire MTS-ISAC community stronger. We are grateful for this partnership.” The MTS-ISAC, a nonprofit formed in February 2020, has seen rapid adoption of its Cybersecurity Information Sharing Services. The LCR-MIX is the sixth cybersecurity Information Exchange of eight to launch since the inception of this program in early 2021. WWW.PDXMEX.COM | THE EXCHANGE

ASSOCIATION UPDATES Clean Rivers Cooperative

Lower Columbia Region Harbor Safety Committee Maritime Fire and Safety Association Maritime Commerce Club Merchants Exchange Scholarship Fund Merchants Exchange Grain Committee

LOWER COLUMBIA REGION HARBOR SAFETY COMMITTEE 2022 Meeting Calendar d

January 12: Virtual Meeting March 9: Virtual Meeting May 11: Virtual Meeting July 13: Virtual Meeting September 14: Virtual Meeting

18TH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE NATIONAL HARBOR SAFETY COMMITTEE MARITIME STRONG: NAVIGATING DIVERSE GROWTH AND CHANGE June 13 - 15, 2022 Boston, MA Click here to REGISTER CLICK here to learn more about the conference Lower Columbia Region Harbor Safety Committee will be participating in this upcoming event. Additionally, our own Pete Pawlicki, President of Lower Columbia Region Harbor Safety Committee will be presenting as part of panel discussion “Importance and Best Practices” moderated by Capt. Zeita Merchant, Sector Commander NY U.S. Coast Guard.

November 9: Virtual Meeting a

Board of Directors : 1330-1405 hrs General Membership: 1415-1530 hrs

Conference Session 10: Importance and Best Practices Harbor Safety Committees are valuable partnerships that promote safety within ports across the nation. The COVID-19 pandemic changed how we meet and work. This panel will share lessons learned and best practices related to communication, outreach, and collaboration in the dynamic world that we all currently operate in. For more information for Session 10: HSC - Importance and Best Practices panel discussion with Pete Pawlicki: CLICK HERE

For more information, please visit our website: www.lcrhsc.org Bekah Brinkmeier, Association Administrator: brinkmeier@pdxmex.com Anthony O’Reilly, Administrative Specialist: oreilly@pdxmex.com THE EXCHANGE | WWW.PDXMEX.COM

LEAN RIVERS COOPERATIVE

WILDLIFE RESPONSE, MEDFORD, OREGON Clean Rivers Cooperative has consistently provided exceptional service to its membership since being founded in 1971. From membership training and support, to response activities, Clean Rivers maintains personnel, equipment and contracts to ensure that membership can rely on the Cooperative for turn key response services. This readiness also presents the ability for the Cooperative to support the greater community in specialized requests. On the afternoon of April 13th, the Cooperative received a request from Unified Command managing a response in Medford, Oregon. The incident impacted wildlife in the area and there was a need for wildlife response services to be activated. Although outside of the Area of Interest which Clean Rivers operates, as well as this being a non-member response, staff followed internal protocols to brief and request approval from the Cooperative Board of Directors, regulatory agencies and our Cooperative partners. All approvals were received promptly and staff immediately began mobilization of personnel and equipment that evening for a proper response.

For more information, please visit our website: www.cleanriverscooperative.com Curtis Cannizzaro, General Manager: cannizzaro@pdxmex.com Carl Boelter, Operations Manager: boelter@pdxmex.com Spencer Paul, Equipment Maintenance Supervisor: paul@pdxmex.com Mason Sullivan, Administrative Coordinator: sullivan@pdxmex.com 20

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Clean Rivers Cooperative General Manager, Curtis Cannizzaro arrived at the Command Post in Medford the following morning to attend the morning briefing, meet with the Incident Commander and receive an update of the incident and to coordinate a wildlife staging area for the arrival of equipment and a team of six personnel from International Bird Rescue. Concurrently, Operations Manager, Carl Boelter coordinated the dispatch of the Cooperative’s Wildlife Response System through contractors and continued to manage logistical arrangements for the deployment of assets. Once established, Clean Rivers Cooperative worked closely with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, EPA, and Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality. The response included the rescue of a number of impacted species including Canada Geese, and a young gosling and Mallards. After weeks of response a number of rescued wildlife were transported to a fixed facility for further rehabilitation and Clean Rivers was fully demobilized from the response. We are grateful to our Board, Membership and regulatory agencies for supporting our participation in this response. Clean Rivers Cooperative will continue to maintain a constant state of readiness to ensure we can continue to support our membership and the greater community as a whole.

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ARITIME FIRE & SAFETY ASSOCIATION

MFSA TABLETOP EXERCISE

MFSA's Spill Management Team during tabletop exercise in Kalama.

A tabletop exercise is a simulated, interactive exercise that tests an organization's incident response procedures. It enables the response team to train as a team, understand the plan, know how to coordinate decisions and find out where gaps in the plan might exist that can be corrected.

The Maritime Fire & Safety Association hosted its annual required oil spill response tabletop exercise on April 20, 2022 at the Port of Kalama. This year’s exercise was a small-scale simulation of the response to a minor spill. Although not the extreme test that a worst-case discharge scenario exercise might be, this type of drill most closely mimics the scale of the responses we are most likely to have. Because of this fact, the lessons learned from small drills teach us incredibly valuable lessons. The scenario involved a Covered Vessel at anchor which was taking bunkers. Participants in the exercise included the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Clean Rivers Cooperative, US Ecology, and Washington Department of Ecology (remotely).

For more information, please visit our website: www.mfsa.com Holly Robinson, General Manager: robinson@pdxmex.com Mason Sullivan, Administrative Coordinator: sullivan@pdxmex.com 22

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FPAAC INCREASES AWARENESS The Fire Protection Agencies Advisory Council (FPAAC) has developed a three-tiered approach to training that has been the basis for our programs for years. The Awareness Level Training, that which all FPAAC agency personnel should hold, is aimed at responders training for support roles at a shipboard fire incident, but not for directly engaging in fire attack. This training can be given in many forms from a self-paced computer training for an individual firefighter, to an in-house training at one of the agencies given by one of their own firefighters who has received “train the trainer” training, to a full blown in-person course provided by our contracted Training Consultant. In April, FPAAC held an in-person Awareness Level Training at the Cowlitz County Event Center and was pleased to host 55 attendees from eight different agencies. Many of the FPAAC member agencies have seen significant turnover in the past year, so a higher than usual number of firefighters with limited experience in shipboard training were in a position to participate. The MFSA plans to hold additional Awareness Level Training courses this year with continued emphasis on new personnel as well as reaching out to agencies outside of FPAAC who have mutual aid agreements with member agencies.

Anyone interested in learning more about the FPAAC training program should contact Mason Sullivan, sullivan@pdxmex.com. THE EXCHANGE | WWW.PDXMEX.COM

nts Exch an cha g er

ERCHANTS EXCHANGE SCHOLARSHIP

larship Fun

Merchants Exchange

SCHOLARSHIP FUND

APPLY ONLINE! ARE YOU PURSUING OR ADVANCING A CAREER IN THE MARITIME INDUSTRY? APPLICATION

DEADLINE:

MAY 31, 202 2

APPLY ONLINE

WWW.PDXMEX.COM/SCHOLARSHIP The Merchants Exchange Scholarship helps students seeking or advancing careers in a Maritime field and/or International Trade to receive resources for continued education. The scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated interest, commitment, and the ability to succeed in this industry. To qualify for this award, applicants must: • Be entering the appropriate year of study for your program type: - Entering your Junior or Senior year in any 4 year program, - OR either year of a 2 year program, - OR any year of a Graduate program, - OR a student of a short US Coast Guard-approved program. • Have a GPA of at least 3.0. • Be seeking or advancing a career in the Maritime Industry, International Trade, or related field. Possible majors include Marine Transportation; Oceanography; Naval Architecture; Vessel Fabrication, including Marine Wielding; Marine Science; Port Administration; Licensure for Tug, Barge, or Ship Operations; Forwarders& Brokers; Maritime Insurance; Admiralty Law; and More! • Complete our application - available online!

The deadline for applying for the 2022 Scholarship class is May 31, 2022!

“Stregthening the maritime industry through education and engagement” 24

WWW.PDXMEX.COM | THE EXCHANGE

MERCHANTS EXCHANGE

The Merchants Exchange Grain Committee invites you to attend the

37th Annual Invitational Golf Tournament Monday, June 6 , 2022 Riverside Golf & Country Club th

Save the Date! Monday, June 6, 2022 Time 12:00 PM

**Shotgun Scramble is back!

Riverside Golf & Country Club 8105 NE 33rd Drive Portland, OR 97211 (503) 288-6468 Buffet Dinner & Awards following event *

* Pending state of COVID precautions

BenefitingtheMerchants ExchangeScholarshipFund

SEEKING SPONSORSHIPS NOW!

Contact Margerie with any questions at (503) 220-2093 or vis@pdxmex.com

SAVE THE DATE: 16th Annual

MCC Golf Tournament Thursday, June 30, 2022

Stone Creek Golf Club Registration opens in May! www.MaritimeCommerceClub.com

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FRIENDS OF THE EXCHANGE Highlighting organizations and companies that support Merchants Exchange and the maritime community. Click LOGOS to link to their websites and learn more about our Friends of the Exchange.

Columbia Riverfront Hotel 909 N. Hayden Island Drive (formerly Red Lion)

www.ihg.com/holidayinn/

FRIENDS OF THE EXCHANGE Get your company featured

We would like to invite our community partners along the River to join in our mission to support and promote the maritime industry with our “Friends of the Exchange” program. Show your support to our maritime industry and raising awareness within our community. The following benefits are included with an annual support of $150:

in our newsletter, Social Media, Website • One (1) feature article or (3) three small advertisements in our newsletter and one (1) social post featuring your organization annually and

REACH OVER 1,000 MARITIME PROFESSIONALS!

Become a Friend of the Exchange TODAY! 26

• Invitations to our Member/Networking Events: Open House, Annual Bocce Tournament, Shipping Education Series, and other special events • Discounted Member Rate for our Shipping Education Series *

• Subscription to “The Exchange,” bi-monthly newsletter, Daily News Bulletin, and industry email updates • Service Directory Listing and Career Opportunity Post shared with our membership * Please note: Friends of the Exchange are not members of the Merchants Exchange and therefore are not eligible to receive member rates for any services or reports associated with membership, with the exception of the member rate to the Shipping Education Series. For more information contact: Mary Wiley, Marketing and Membership Manager at wiley@ pdxmex.com or call (503) 220-2515 or online at www.pdxmex.com/about-member/friends.

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MERCHANTS EXCHANGE THANK YOU TO OUR MEMBERS Click company name for additional information.

ACGI Shipping Company Alexander Gow Anchorage Launch Service Co. Blue Water Shipping B.R. Anderson Columbia River Steamship Operators’ Association (CRSOA) Cascade Marine Agencies Ltd. Columbia Export Terminal Columbia Grain Columbia River Bar Pilots Columbia River Launch Service Columbia River Pilots Crowley Maritime Corporation Degesch America Duncan Shoemaker & Associates, LLC Durham & Bates Agencies EGT Executive Security Service Foss Maritime Company Fujitrans USA General Steamship Agencies Geo. S. Bush & Company Great Western Malting Haglund, Kelley LLP Inchcape Shipping Services International Registries, Inc International Transport Workers Federation Interport PNW Jones Stevedoring Company Kalama Export Company Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals Kinder Morgan Energy Kirby Offshore Marine K-Line America Lindsay Hart LLP McCall Chemical McDonald - Pelz Commodities Mid Columbia Producers Monarch Inspection Services THE EXCHANGE | WWW.PDXMEX.COM

National Cargo Bureau North American Shipping Agencies Norton Lilly International Olympic Tug & Barge / Centerline Logistics Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality Overseas Merchandising Pacific International Maritime Medical Services Pacific Maritime Association Port of Astoria Port of Kalama Port of Longview Port of Portland Port of Vancouver USA Portland Lines Bureau San Pedro Harbor Ship Supply Sause Bros. Ocean Towing Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt Seaport Marine Surveys Shaver Transportation Company Ship to Shore Water Taxi Southport Agencies T. Parker Host Talon Marine Services Temco LLC Terra Hydr Tesoro Maritime Company Tidal Transport & Trading USA Tidewater Barge Lines Toyota Tsusho America TradeWest Brokerage Company Transmarine Navigation Transversal International United States Customs Service United Grain Vanport Marine Washington Department of Ecology Washington State University West Coast Marine Cleaning Western Bulk Chartering Wilhelmsen Ship Service 27

200 SW Market Street Suite 190 Portland, OR 97201

STAFF

Anthony O’Reilly Bekah Brinkmeier Carl Bertapelle Carl Boelter Chann Noun Curtis Cannizzaro Ellen Wax Holly Robinson John Cordasco Jonathan Nichol Jonathan JT Tuom Kara Estabrook Liz Wainwright Lisa Pomasl Margerie Vis Mary Wiley Mason Sullivan Shauna Dallas Shawn Kubitza Spencer Paul Thomas Semrau

oreilly@pdxmex.com brinkmeier@pdxmex.com bertapelle@pdxmex.com boelter@pdxmex.com noun@pdxmex.com cannizzaro@pdxmex.com wax@pdxmex.com robinson@pdxmex.com cordasco@pdxmex.com nichol@pdxmex.com tuom@pdxmex.com estabrook@pdxmex.com wainwright@pdxmex.com pomasl@pdxmex.com vis@pdxmex.com wiley@pdxmex.com sullivan@pdxmex.com dallas@pdxmex.com kubitza@pdxmex.com paul@pdxmex.com semrau@pdxmex.com