WELCOME TO THE EXCHANGE
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
What an exciting year this has been for the Exchange! I am very encouraged by the positive growth I’ve witnessed in both our company and the local maritime industry. We have onboarded several new staff members who are leading with enthusiasm and professionalism, and our local industry continues to grow.
In this issue you will find a variety of information--from an article on how the Dredge Oregon vessel is critical to Oregon’s trade industry, to the 2025 schedule for our popular Shipping Education Series, to a report on MFSA’s participation in presenting live fire training to 37 firefighters from six agencies at the MERTS facility in Astoria. We invite you to register for our Annual Open House on September 5, 2024, and if you wish, enter a team in the accompanying Bocce Tournament, which raises money for the Merchants Exchange Scholarship Fund. This event is always popular, and teams can get quite competitive on the Bocce turf, so please sign up early as slots go fast! Thank you for your continued support, and I hope you are able to stay cool during this hot summer weather.
Curtis Cannizzaro, Executive Director
The Exchange is the bi-monthly newsletter of the Merchants Exchange.
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
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Alex Scott (2026) President Anchorage Launch Services
Chris Cummins (2027) Vice President General Steamship Corp
Roger Hsieh (2027) Treasurer BNSF Railway Company
Gary Hodson (2026) Secretary ACGI Shipping
Todd Krout (2026) Port of Vancouver USA
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.
Earl Dixon (2027) United Grain Corporation.
Justin Valley (2027) Foss Maritime Company, LLC
Ryan Statz (2025) Columbia Grain, Inc.
Adrian Burkard (2025) Jones Stevedoring Company
Eric Kastner (2025) Cascade Marine Agencies
MEMBERSHIP
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.
Kent Cash (Ex Officio) Board President, Maritime Fire & Safety Association Port of Vancouver USA
Doug Lenz (Ex Officio) Board President, Clean Rivers Cooperative Columbia Pacific Bio-Refinery
Capt. Jeremy Nielsen (Ex Officio) Columbia River Pilots
Legal Counsel: Tyson Calvert, Esq. Lindsay Hart LLP
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
We collect data, track and monitor activities and report on vessels that enter the Columbia River waterways. We collect over 100 data points on commercial vessels on our waterways. Please contact us to learn more about our custom reports! Learn more at: www.pdxmex.com/services/reports or contact customreportbuilder@pdxmex.com
WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE OUR CUSTOM REPORT BUILDER
The Custom Report Builder gives access to current and past data of ships that travel the Columbia River
Some features and filters:
Arrival Columbia River Bar Arrival Astoria Pilot Vessel Particulars Cargo Load and Unload Departing Berth and much more...
To Request Access to our Custom Report Builder contact Carl Bertapelle at bertapelle@pdxmex.com
THE PORT REPORTS
The Columbia River Maritime Transportation System has 23 Ports along three waterways. We are pleased to provide an outlet for local ports to share their news with our membership.
Port of Astoria
Will Isom, Executive Director
Port Meeting: 3rd Tuesday at 4:00 pm
Port of Kalama
Mark Wilson, Executive Director
Port Meetings: 2nd & 4th Wednesday at 5:30 pm
Port of Portland
Curtis Robinhold Executive Director
Port Meeting: 2nd Wednesday at 9:30 am
Port of Columbia County
Sean Clark, Executive Director
Port Meeting: 2nd Wednesday at 8:00 am
Port of Longview
Dan Stahl, Chief Executive Officer
Port Meetings: 2nd & 4th Wednesday at 10:00 am
Port of Vancouver USA
Juliana Marler Chief Executive Officer
Port Meetings: 2nd & 4th Tuesday at 9:30 am
*All meeting dates/times are subject to change. Please confirm with the port directly.
THE DREDGE OREGON: GOOD FOR SHIPS, GOOD FOR TRADE, GOOD FOR JOBS
This week marked the launch of the Port of Portland’s 2024 dredging season on the Columbia River.
From now until around December, the crew of the Dredge Oregon will perform work that is critically important to thousands of local businesses and jobs in the region – but that’s out of sight and mind for most Oregonians.
During the dredging season, the crew removes massive amounts of material, mostly sand and gravel, built up along the bottom of the Columbia River navigation channel, making sure it’s deep enough and wide enough for ships to safely and efficiently navigate from Portland to Astoria.
As a trade-dependent state, our marine highways play an important role in supporting the region’s economic health — and with nine ports on the Columbia River (and 36 total throughout the Columbia-Snake River system), the Dredge Oregon and its crew are critical for success. In 2020, for example, $22 billion worth of cargo moved along the Columbia River, supporting countless businesses and tens of thousands of jobs throughout the Pacific Northwest.
When it’s out on the river, the dredge operates 24 hours a day, six days per week, with a hardworking crew of about 45 members. By the end of the season, the Oregon will have scooped up over 2 million cubic yards of sediment from the riverbed and deposited it elsewhere. That’s enough material to fill 700 Olympic-size swimming pools. Each year, the crew of the Dredge Oregon keeps the Columbia River safe for
oceangoing ships, supporting international trade and the economy.
PARTNERSHIP IS PART OF THE PROCESS
Dredging is an age-old process of economic importance all over the world. Here in Oregon, the Army Corps of Engineers surveys the Columbia River throughout the year to find spots where sediment has settled and made the channel too shallow for commercial ships. The Dredge Oregon then travels to those places – including eight or nine spots this year, some relatively close to Portland and others just shy of the Pacific Ocean – and restores the channel to 43 feet deep and 600 feet wide over the course of the season.
While the Port’s Dredge Oregon is not the only boat dredging the river – the Corps operates two of their own dredges and contracts for another each season – it’s the only one that can remove material from the riverbed and pipe it up to 2 miles onto dry land or place it along beaches.
PORT’S HISTORY WITH DREDGING AS OLD AS THE PORT ITSELF
The Port’s history with dredging is as old as the Port itself.
The Oregon Legislature established the Port of Portland in 1891 specifically to dredge a navigation channel from Portland to the sea. Early state and city leaders also invested in roads, railways and runways to position the city as an international trade hub. Portland would be a very different (and smaller) city
today without annual river dredging.
Over the years, dredging has not only shaped the river bottom to accommodate increasing large cargo ships. It’s also shaped the region’s geography, with dredged materials being used as fill to develop places like Swan Island, Oak’s Park, a Multnomah Falls parking lot, PDX and even the Nike campus.
And when Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, debris clogged the Columbia River and stopped maritime trade in its tracks, until the Dredge Oregon was able to help clear the channel – removing enough sediment to cover a football field to a height of nearly 7 miles.
The Oregon is among a long line of dredges the Port has operated over the years. From the 1890s through 1965, the Port went through six dredge vessels over the course of 67 years. The next 64 years of the Port’s dredging has been solely accomplished by the Dredge Oregon, making it by far the longest serving of any Port vessel.
So it should come as no surprise it’s in great need of a replacement, according to Don Tjostolvson, the Dredge Oregon’s navigation director.
“It has been a real workhorse,” Tjostolvson said.
PORT OF VANCOUVER USA’S TERMINAL 1 PROJECT WINS ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARD
VANCOUVER, Wash. – The Port of Vancouver USA’s Terminal 1 redevelopment project took home the “2024 Environmental Stewardship Award” given out by the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) last Friday.
Washington’s 75 public ports are represented by the WPPA, which each year awards an individual port for noteworthy environmental stewardship efforts. The port’s ongoing project to reimagine its original Terminal 1 location into a mixed-use development centered around a public market notched multiple environmental-sustainability achievements in 2023.
“We’re so proud of this recognition that the Port of Vancouver USA has put environmental sustainability at the center of our Terminal 1 redevelopment,” said Eric LaBrant, the port commission president. “The way this project is coming to life on the Vancouver waterfront shows that sustainability is smart business.”
“The Terminal 1 redevelopment embodies WPPA’s core value of environmental stewardship, where old creosote pilings were removed to make way for a new public market that will allow people to gather and businesses to thrive,” said Eric ffitch, Executive Director of WPPA. “The Port of Vancouver USA is very deserving of our 2024 award.”
About Terminal 1 and its environmental stewardship
The port ensured its 10-acre Terminal 1 master plan was certified as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold neighborhood, meaning buildings and sites there must meet LEED-Gold standards – or better. LEED is the most widely used green building standard in the world.
In 2023, Terminal 1’s first completed building –an AC Hotel by Marriott – received its LEED Gold Certification.
Lincoln Property Company West remained busy developing other blocks at Terminal 1 in 2023, including the new headquarters for ZoomInfo that will also meet LEED Gold standards.
The port’s Vancouver Landing public open space earned an Award of Merit from the American Society of Landscape Architects in 2023. The features that earned it this award include multiple green design features: sustainable infrastructure elements, efficient irrigation, greening of the derelict amphitheater and several others.
The port also began removing more than 1,000 creosote-treated wooden pilings from its century-old dock in 2023, making way for a more environmentally friendly structure that will support an over-the-water public market.
For more information, please visit our website: www.mfsa.com
Curtis Cannizzaro Executive Director cannizzaro@pdxmex.com
Carl Obermeier General Manager obermeier@pdxmex.com
Mason Sullivan FPAAC Program Manager sullivan@pdxmex.com
2024 MFSA/FPAAC TRAINING AND SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS
MAY 16TH, 2024 – FPAAC 2Q TECHNICIAN LEVEL TRAINING
MFSA is thrilled to once again be able to partner with the Marine and Environmental Research and Training Station (MERTS) to host its annual live fire training in Astoria, OR. The ability for local fire agencies to participate in joint trainings built around realistic shipboard scenarios at a facility that, while scaled down, is built to capture some of the hazards and intricacies that responders may encounter aboard a ship is crucial.
Thirty-seven total attendees from six member agencies, two instructors from MERTS, and three MFSA representatives combined to participate in this year’s second quarter Technician Level Training, focusing on a range of dynamic scenarios that saw participants split into companies and “dispatch” to perform reconnaissance, search and rescue, boundary cooling, and implement firefighting strategies using assistance from role players acting as the ship’s crew.
These training evolutions exercised numerous portions of the National Fire Protection Association 1005 (NFPA 1005) and Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards & Training (DPSST) task book that can only be accomplished during livefire exercises.
We wish to extend a sincere thank you to Jake Campbell, Tony Como, and Clatsop Community College for their continued support of MFSA and FPAAC members.
Anyone interested in learning about the FPAAC training program should contact Mason Sullivan, sullivan@pdxmex.com
SHIPPING 201
February 2025
Wednesday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Feb 5
• Feb 12
• Feb 19
• Feb 26
SHIPPING 202
April 2025
Wednesday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• April 2
• April 9
• April 16
• April 23
SHIPPING 301
June 2025
Wednesday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• June 4
• June 11
• June 18
• June 25
SHIPPING 101
October 2024
Wednesday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• October 2
• October 9
• October 16
• October 23
EDUCATION IN 2024
New Year, New Knowledge!
Participating in the Shipping Education Series will help you understand the complexities of the shipping industry and allow you to make informed business decisions. With the skills gained through our courses, you will be able to create and maintain a successful career in shipping.
We provide comprehensive educational programs for you and your employees. Our courses are designed to help employees understand the latest trends and expand their maritime industry knowledge.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
The Shipping Education Series is committed to providing the most comprehensive and relevant maritime education available. We strive to provide our participants with the knowledge and resources necessary to ensure the success of the maritime industry in the Columbia River Basin.
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 River Basin with a focus on the Columbia, Willamette and Snake River systems. Since 2015, we have meticulously expanded the program to meet the interests of maritime professionals in our region. We look forward to continued growth in the educational platforms that we offer our members and the greater maritime community.
PROGRAM PLAN
This series is beneficial to anyone in the maritime industry, from entrylevel to executives, as it provides an overview of the current state of the industry and the trends that are shaping the future of the Pacific Northwest maritime community.
Shipping Education Series offers students practical knowledge from experienced professionals. The series has four installments that focus on specific aspects of our industry. Each course is offered as four weekly two-hour virtual meetings. However, if you are unable to attend all sessions, we offer recordings of the sessions that are available for one month after the course has ended.
Although, students do not necessarily need to take the classes in order or complete the entire series. We recommend that you attend all sessions in order to gain the most comprehensive understanding of the topics.
CONTINUED GROWTH
Continuing professional development can have a positive effect on an organization’s overall performance. By investing in their employees, organizations can increase their productivity and become more competitive. Our continuing education program is designed to help maritime professionals stay ahead of the curve and become the best in the industry. Through our courses, we provide a platform for participants to gain knowledge and new insights that will be beneficial to their professional growth and career advancement.
EDUCATION IN 2024
SHIPPING 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. Addionally, featuring our up river Ports and their impact to their regional economies.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SHIPPING EDUCATION AND UPCOMING EVENTS PDXMEX.COM/EVENTS
Columbia Riverfront Hotel 909 N. Hayden Island Drive (formerly Red Lion)
www.ihg.com/holidayinn/
FRIENDS OF THE EXCHANGE
FRIENDS OF THE EXCHANGE
We 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:
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. Get your company featured in our newsletter, social media, website and
• One (1) feature article or (3) three small advertisements in our newsletter and one (1) social post featuring your organization annually
• 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: Jem Irving, Computer systems & Digital Marketing Specialist irving@pdxmex.com or call (503) 220-2515 or online at www.pdxmex.com/about-member/friends.
MERCHANTS EXCHANGE
Thank You to our Members
ACGI Shipping Inc.
Alexander Gow Inc.
Anchorage Launch Service Co.
B.R. Anderson & Co.
Blue Water Shipping Inc.
Cascade Marine Agencies Ltd.
Columbia Export Terminal
Columbia Grain International
Columbia River Bar Pilots
Columbia River Launch Service
Columbia River Pilots
Columbia River Steamship Operators
Association (CRSOA)
Crowley Maritime Corporation
Durham & Bates Associates LLC
EGT LLC
Foss Maritime Company
Fujitrans USA Inc.
General Steamship Corp Ltd.
Geo. S. Bush & Company Inc.
Great Western Malting
Haglund, Kelley LLP
Inchcape Shipping Services
International Transport Workers Federation
Interport PNW LLC
John R Dudrey LLC
Jones Stevedoring Company
Kalama Export Company
Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals
Kinder Morgan Energy
K-Line America Inc.
Lindsay Hart LLP
McCall Companies
Mid Columbia Producers Inc.
Monarch Inspection Services
National Cargo Bureau
North American Shipping Agencies
Norton Lilly International
Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality
Overseas Merchandising (OMIC)
Pacific Maritime Association
Pacific International Maritime Medical Services / SphereMD
Port of Astoria
Port of Columbia County
Port of Kalama
Port of Longview
Port of Portland
Port of Vancouver USA
Portland Lines Bureau Inc.
San Pedro Harbor Ship Supply
Sause Bros. Ocean Towing
Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt PC
Seaport Marine Surveys Inc.
Shaver Transportation Company
Ship to Shore Water Taxi
Southport Agencies Inc.
T. Parker Host Inc.
Talon Marine Services
Temco LLC
Terra Hydr Inc.
Tidal Transport & Trading Inc.
Tidewater Transportation & Terminals
Tidewater Environmental Services
Toyota Tsusho America Inc.
TradeWest Brokerage Company
Transmarine Navigation Corp
Transversal International Corp
United Grain Corporation
United States Customs & Border Service
Vanport Marine
Vigor Industrial LLC
Volunteer Ship Ministry
Washington Department of Ecology
Wilhelmsen Ship Service
STAFF
Anthony O’Reilly oreilly@pdxmex.com
Ben Robinson brobinson@pdxmex.com
Carl Bertapelle bertapelle@pdxmex.com
Carl Boelter boelter@pdxmex.com
Carl Obermeier obermeier@pdxmex.com
Chann Noun noun@pdxmex.com
Curtis Cannizzaro cannizzaro@pdxmex.com
Jem Irving irving@pdxmex.com
John Cordasco cordasco@pdxmex.com
Jonathan Nichol nichol@pdxmex.com
Jonathan JT Tuom tuom@pdxmex.com
Kara Estabrook estabrook@pdxmex.com
Lisa Pomasl pomasl@pdxmex.com
Lisa Rau rau@pdxmex.com
Margerie Vis vis@pdxmex.com
Mason Sullivan sullivan@pdxmex.com
Michelle Eyres eyres@pdxmex.com
Philip Miller miller@pdxmex.com
Polly Hyke hyke@pdxmex.com
Shawn Kubitza kubitza@pdxmex.com
Tanya Hartnett hartnett@pdxmex.com
Thomas Semrau semrau@pdxmex.com
Vanessa Green vgreen@pdxmex.com