Merchants Exchange Newsletter July 2016

EXCHANGE THE

A PUBLICATION OF THE MERCHANTS EXCHANGE OF PORTLAND

JULY 2016

QUARTERLY

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

PORT REPORT | ASSOCIATION UPDATES | USCG PROFILES MERCHANTS EXCHANGE OF PORTLAND, OREGON WWW.PDXMEX.COM

WELCOME TO THE

EXCHANGE NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: With the backing of our members, commitment of our Board of Directors and the knowledge and dedication of the staff, the Merchants Exchange continues to serve our members and the maritime transportation industry with our mission

CONTENTS 2

MERCHANTS EXCHANGE OPEN HOUSE

3

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

4

MERCHANTS EXCHANGE MEMBERSHIP

5

NATIONAL HARBOR SAFETY CONFERENCE

6

SHIPPING 202

7

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

9

MFSA INCIDENT COMMANDERS

10

COMM CENTER CORNER

11

FPAAC

12

CLEAN RIVERS BOOM RODEO

13

USCG REPORT

Bekah Canfield and Katrina Dahlke are co-editors of The Exchange and would love to hear from you!

15

PORT REPORT

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.

17

MARITIME COMMERCE CLUB

19

PACIFIC NORTHWEST GRAIN & FEED ASSOCIATION

21

COLUMBIA RIVER STEAMSHIP OPERATORS ASSOCIATION

23

INDUSTRY CALENDAR

“To be the leading provider of information and related services to all stakeholders of the Pacific Northwest intermodal transportation system and to support related business interests for domestic and foreign commerce.”

The Exchange Quarterly shares the work being done by staff and the direction we are going, as well as reports from industry stakeholders that we hope our membership will enjoy!

We look forward to each opportunity to continue to serve our members in 2016 and beyond.

Thank you for your ongoing support!

Liz Wainwright Executive Director Merchants Exchange of Portland

NOTE FROM THE EDITORS:

© 2016 by Merchants Exchange of Portland, Oregon All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced without prior written permission from the Merchants Exchange of Portland, Oregon.

All persons and/or companies who contributed material to this book are entitled to full © Copyright protection of their statements, pictures, and project works that were submitted. None of their material may be redistributed without the original creator’s written permission.

1 • Merchants Exchange of Portland • July 2016

Cover photo courtesy of FPAAC.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR

THE 2016 MERCHANTS EXCHANGE

Open House JULY

28

W

THURSDAY | 5PM - 7PM

N S

E

200 SW MARKET STREET, SUITE 190 PORTLAND, OREGON

ENJOY FOOD FROM CHERYL’S ON 12TH WINE AND BEER MERCHANTS EXCHANGE SCHOLARSHIP RAFFLE AND THE PRESENTATION OF THE 2016 MERCHANTS EXCHANGE EXCELLENCE AWARD

RSVP here today!

July 2016 • The Exchange Quarterly • 2

THE PRINCIPAL ROLE OF A BOARD MEMBER

IS STEWARDSHIP. THE DIRECTORS OF THE MERCHANTS EXCHANGE ARE ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE AFFAIRS OF THE EXCHANGE. THIS REQUIRES ACTIVE PARTICIPATION. THE BOARD MUST ENSURE THAT THE ORGANIZATION IS OPERATED FOR A NONPROFIT PURPOSE; IT MAY NOT BE OPERATED FOR PRIVATE BENEFIT. PROPER STEWARDSHIP REQUIRES THAT THE ORGANIZATION’S ASSETS BE HELD “IN TRUST” TO BE APPLIED TO ITS MISSION.

Garrett Costello (2019) President Columbia Grain, Inc.

Ken Anderson (2018) Shaver Transportation Company

Philip Brotherton (2018) Vice President Transmarine Navigation Corporation

Randy Click (2019) ACGI Shipping Inc

Mike Morgan (2017) Treasurer Columbia Export Terminal, LLC

Bart Goedhard (2019) Ports America

Mark Jensen (2018) Secretary Temco

Frank Burg (Ex Officio) Board President, Clean Rivers Cooperative Owens Corning

Wayne Yim (2017) Cascade Marine Agencies Sebastian Degens (2017) Port of Portland Kristin Meira (2018) Pacific Northwest Waterways Association

Term expires (listed in parenthesis) in February of the given year

3 • Merchants Exchange of Portland • July 2016

Richard Vincent (Ex Officio) Board President, Maritime Fire & Safety Association Port of Portland Capt. Rick Gill (Ex Officio) Columbia River Pilots Legal Counsel: Tyson Calvert Lindsay Hart LLP

MERCHANTS EXCHANGE MEMBERSHIP OUR INDUSTRY MEMBERS: 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.

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP: The Exchange serves as a hub for local industry education and association management networking activities as well as a provider of vessel and cargo information. Our members enjoy a direct relationship with the Exchange and its services. Each member company holds a vote for board nominations and eligibility for board membership. All of our services and activities are member focused. Vessel and cargo information services currently offered include:

• Vessel Reporting •

Communication Support Service

•

Cargo Statistics

•

Vessel Statistics

•

Custom Reports

•

Grain Bulletin

•

Grain Committee Membership

•

Answering Service

•

Special Reports and Services*

*The Merchants Exchange caters its services to the everchanging 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.

INTERESTED IN WORKING AT THE EXCHANGE?

We’re hiring!

The Merchants Exchange is seeking applicants for a Communications and Data Management Specialist position.

Visit our website for details.

For more information contact Robin Wright at wright@pdxmex.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND DETAILS ON BECOMING A MEMBER, VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

July 2016 • The Exchange Quarterly • 4

21ST CENTURY WATERWAYS: THE CHANGING TIDES OF HARBOR SAFETY SEP 13- 15 Join us as the LCRHSC hosts the

16th Biennial National Harbor Safety Committee Conference!

2016

Sponsorship Opportunities Available!

LOCATION

RED LION-JANTZEN BEACH 909 N. HAYDEN ISLAND DRIVE PORTLAND, OR 97217

This three-day event enables professionals from across the nation to discuss policy and regulatory issues, engage with government regulators, and develop partnerships that support the maritime industry.

Join us for this great opportunity to demonstrate your support for harbor safety.

REGISTER NOW!

THE 2016 LOWER COLUMBIA REGION HARBOR SAFETY PLAN IS NOW AVAILABLE! DOWNLOAD THE MOST RECENT VERSION TODAY! The Harbor Safety Plan of the Lower Columbia Region Harbor Safety Committee is an informational and educational tool. The Plan complements the existing regulations and advises mariners of unique conditions and requirements that may be encountered in the Lower Columbia Region. Local experts from industry, regulatory agencies and the public have developed these standards to provide guidance for mariners operating in the Columbia River.

www.lcrhsc.org 5 • Merchants Exchange of Portland • July 2016

SAVE THE DATE!

SHIPPING 202 THE MOVEMENT OF A SHIP

NOVEMBER 3, 2016 PORTLAND, OREGON

MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW.

QUESTIONS? PLEASE CONTACT MARGERIE SEDAM AT SEDAM@PDXMEX.COM

July 2016 • The Exchange Quarterly • 6

AFTER CASCADIA RISING: A PROCESS OF PREPARATION Courtesy of Randy Clark, Security Specialist, USCG SETTING THE STAGE Imagine: 5,200 people dead, 15,500 injured, and 45,000 private residences so severely damaged that they are uninhabitable – all by a 9.0 Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake and the subsequent tsunami.

Now, imagine how a response would be organized when 91% of coastal roads are damaged and impassable, 46% of the I-5 corridor is also damaged and impassable and there is 40-70% loss of power stretching from I-5 to the coast. Virtually all land-line and cellular communications are lost. There is close to 100% loss of refined fuels. 65-97% of all ports and waterfront facilities along the Columbia River gone or rendered inoperable and most of the major bridges have fallen into the shipping channel. Major landslides have occurred, dumping debris into city and waterway passages and a massive failure of petroleum storage tanks have caused a major oil spill along the Willamette River. All of this is just within the state of Oregon.

CASCADIA RISING EXERCISE This is part of the scenario that the recent Cascadia Rising Exercise asked emergency managers, community leaders, and private infrastructure providers to engage with. It was developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and derived from data from several reports and studies including the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center’s Analytical Baseline Study for the Cascadia Earthquake and Tsunami.

The purpose of the exercise was to practice effective coordination and integration of governments at all levels, nonprofits and the private sector in order to conduct successful life-saving and life-sustaining response operations in the aftermath of a Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) disaster.

The Coast Guard, through its many authorities granted by Congress, will coordinate marine transportation system recovery as outlined in the Marine Transportation Recovery Plan, a relatively new and seminal document that will guide this effort. While this plan does not address specific disaster scenarios, it does outline expected communication methods, organizational structures and general restoration priorities.

Additionally, it identifies essential partner agencies and organizations, critical infrastructure and private industry capabilities. It also defines and explains the concept of a “Marine Transportation System Recovery Unit,” and identifies those agencies and organizations that should be part of the MTS Recovery Unit during a MTS disruption. Although the Coast Guard will orchestrate the planning for the recovery of the MTS, it will be our agency partners and private industry that will carry out many of the specific tasks.

Knowing how critical the MTS can be to the overall response to a catastrophic event the US Coast Guard has put in place the Command and Control elements to simultaneously begin recovery planning and operations along with our more visible and recognizable response missions of search and rescue, critical evacuations and environmental response.

IT STARTS AT HOME To that end, all of our organizational planning efforts must start with the individual. Personnel who are designated to implement our respective organizations’ Continuity of Operations Plans will be of little use if they have not prepared their families to be without them during very challenging circumstances. We must immediately establish alternate communication methods while in a highly degraded environment, begin damage assessments, conduct channel surveys and quickly define our resource needs. Our

7 • Merchants Exchange of Portland • July 2016

Continuity of Operations Plans must be fully integrated into local emergency management plans and include alternate transportation methods for critical personnel. It would be of little use to have a brilliant continuity plan if the designated personnel who will implement it cannot get to work or if there is no fuel or power to operate the resources in order to execute it.

ONE

As part of the preparations for the Cascadia Rising Exercise, the Coast Guard engaged with many state and local agencies, private industry stake holders, the Department of Defense and FEMA via the “Columbia River Maritime Transportation System and Port Recovery Workgroup”. The goal of these meetings and the Workgroup was to “coordinate government and industry planning efforts to achieve the best possible response to potential catastrophic damage/ destruction to the Marine Transportation System.”

There is no doubt that a 9.0 Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake and Tsunami, or any similar catastrophic event, will have significant impacts to our region. However, it will remain a very low frequency but extremely high consequence event. There is no amount of money that government agencies and private industry could spend to reach the level of mitigation and preparedness that we would like to see our loved ones receive and that the public demands. There is also no plan or exercise that will give us the ultimate preparedness solution. However, there is the process of preparedness.

UCTI SUBD ADIA

A PROCESS TO COMMIT TO

CASC

We have learned that during a catastrophic event of this magnitude, outside help will not arrive immediately. When it does, however, the Columbia and Snake Rivers could serve as a lifeline for critical supplies and resources for the entire region.

ON Z

We are just now beginning to address some very complex and highly integrated issues. What we have learned is that the MTS is a highly complex system, even more than we imagined. It could more appropriately be described as a “system of systems” that provide critical support while still being dependent upon many other infrastructure systems. Furthermore, it is comprised of a myriad of independent actors that at times have highly divergent interests.

Ultimately, it is not a destination, but a process that we must all commit to. It is through this process, that we will be able to deliver the most value at least expense for the American People. Our collective challenge will be to develop lasting relationships, communications and governance structures that optimize existing organizations, and our own individual talents, time and expertise over the long term.

July 2016 • The Exchange Quarterly • 8

MARITIME

MARITIME FIRE & SAFETY ASSOCIATION PRESENTS

INCIDENT COMMANDER PROFILES FIRE & SAFETY ASSOCIATION

The Maritime Fire & Safety Association, as part of their state approved Vessel Response Plan for the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, maintains a list of experienced individuals who are qualified to act as Incident Commander in the immediate response phase of an event that activates the Plan. These MFSA Interim Spill Response Coordinators (ISRCs) are well trained in oil spill response practices and the Incident Command System.

They train and exercise with MFSA and Clean Rivers staff, our various contractors, and local regulatory agencies to ensure that they are prepared to effectively manage a response event. At any point in time two ISRCs are on-call and prepared to respond, 24-hours a day.

Jerry Holmes enjoyed a long career working within Chevron Corporations’ marketing organization, managing product terminals, marine, pipeline and trucking operations in Northern California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and the Hawaiian Islands. He retired in 2010 after a 35 year career.

• Member of Chevron’s Worldwide Emergency Response Team • Two term Chairman Clean Rivers Cooperative • Member of MFSA Board of Director

Ric Gerttula has been in the Maritime and Environmental Services industries for over 40 years beginning his career on the Columbia, Snake and Willamette Rivers. He has had the opportunity to participate in many of the larger maritime environmental incidents throughout those years including the Exxon Valdez, Barge Morris J Berman, New Carissa, and Deepwater Horizon. He also managed operations in Long Beach, California and Portland, Oregon for Foss Environmental shortly after the acquisition from Burlington Environmental by Foss Maritime Company in the mid ‘90’s.

He retired from Foss Maritime Company in 2009 and resides in Astoria. He now owns and operates PR Marine Support Services, LLC providing marine transportation solutions for clients and support for major environmental events.

George Birch is a former US Coast Guard MTSA Facility Regulator and Pollution Response Investigator. He has acted as Federal On-Scene Coordinator for over 400 spill incidents on land and water. He has earned several awards for his service including the Armed Forces Service Medal for his efforts and service after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal for response and prevention efforts to Sector Portland. As a civilian professional in the environmental response industry, he has responded to several Spills of National Significance including the Deepwater Horizon in 2010. Birch has trained hundreds of spill responders in OSHA HAZWOPER, ICS, and other response trainings. His overall goal is to help provide a cleaner future to his wife, Mary and two daughters, Georgie and Lucy.

9 • Merchants Exchange of Portland • July 2016

Jack Kyle has been an emergency responder since 1986. He has worked in the petroleum transportation and refining industry for over 30 years. While working for Mobil Oil, he was trained and certified as the team leader for the San Francisco based Mobile Oil Response Activation Team, (M.O.R.A.T.).

Jack has also been a volunteer firefighter for 16 years in both California and Oregon. He is certified by the State of California (CSTI) (OES) as a Hazardous Materials Technician Specialist Instructor. Jack has developed a curriculum taught to personnel from the U.S. Military, U.S. Coast Guard, Chevron Fire, FOSS Environmental, The Industrial Emergency Council, and the Regional Hazmat Teams from California, Oregon, Washington, and Utah.

If you are interested in learning more about MFSA’s programs or becoming an ISRC, please contact: Holly Robinson, MFSA Oil Contingency Program Manager at robinson@pdxmex.com or 503-220-2099.

COMM CENTER CORNER

HOW THE MERCHANTS EXCHANGE, MARITIME FIRE & SAFETY ASSOCIATION AND CLEAN RIVERS COOPERATIVE WORK TOGETHER IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

The Merchants Exchange of Portland (MEX) Communications Center has been operating in partnership with the Maritime Fire & Safety Association (MFSA) and Clean Rivers Cooperative since 1992. The Communication Center provides both routine communications services, including vessel enrollment processing and answering service, as well as oil spill emergency call out services to both organizations.

Our staff is specially trained to take initial call outs for maritime fire emergencies (MFSA) and oil spills for both Clean Rivers and MFSA. Regional Partnerships, 24/7 Communications: The Communications Center operates 24/7 with a minimum of one qualified Communications Specialist onsite at all times. When an emergency call comes in, our specialists take initial reporting information using protocols based on the type of emergency and then make notification calls to responders. In the case of an oil spill, Clean Rivers staff are notified and mobilized right away. When a vessel is involved, the MFSA on-duty Incident Commander (listed in the profiles on the facing page) is immediately mobilized, and notifications are made to the Ships Agent, Qualified Individual, the National Response Center, the US Coast Guard and to the states of Oregon and Washington. In the event of a shipboard fire, the Merchants Exchange works with local fire agencies and supporting partners assisting mutual aid response to shipboard fires onboard vessels docked at MFSA facilities.

Ongoing Training: It is the Merchants Exchange policy to exercise Emergency Response scenarios in all response types regularly. All staff are trained in Incident Command System (ICS) and certified to a minimum of the 200 level. The Response Procedures Manual is updated quarterly and all staff complete a competency review semi-annually.

Maritime Communications Expertise: Co-staffing Merchants Exchange, MFSA and Clean Rivers communications allows for efficient information collection. Our vessel tracking and answering service put us in regular contact with the maritime professionals who are concerned with vessel emergencies. Vessel and industry information maintained and collected for regular, daily business is immediately available to authorized individuals and organizations during an emergency.

July 2016 • The Exchange Quarterly • 10

FIRE PROTECTION AGENCIES ADVISORY COUNCIL (FPAAC)

JUNE 16 COMMAND LEVEL TRAINING On June 16, Command Level Training was conducted at Concordia University’s Homeland Security Simulator in Portland, Oregon.

A critical piece of responding to a shipboard fire is proper organization and direction from Command.

In addition to quarterly Technician Level Training, FPAAC engages in Command Level Training to further enhance the capabilities of Command Staff. FPAAC member agencies have developed procedures and checklists that help to establish a flow of tasks that assist in proper assessment of a situation as well as a response.

Participants work through planning and logistics for

extended operations in the second station.

The 35 attendees were divided between three learning stations that focused on critical aspects of Shipboard Fire Response.

The first station, held in the Simulator Room, presented an interactive simulation that allowed for Command Staff to work through the first 90 minutes of a response. Personnel followed the Initial Checklist which covers size-up, establishing command, identifying incident priorities and assigning reconnaissance.

The second station focused on the command structure and process for additional operational periods beyond the first 90 minutes of an incident. The FPAAC Expanded Worksheet was utilized in this table-top style exercise to assist in managing the incident. The group identified and worked through challenges presented when planning for continued operations of a fire that cannot be fully mitigated quickly. Safety and logistics were also a key focus of this aspect of the training.

The third station, a classroom session, included Randy Clark, Security Specialist from the United States Coast Guard, who provided a presentation on USCG Authorities & Response Posture for a Vessel Fire, and Marine Investigations, as well as various aspects key to understanding shipboard terminology and processes. John Cordasco, Lead Communications Specialist with the Merchants Exchange of Portland, provided a presentation Command staff working through first 90 minutes of the of the MFSA Fire Call Sheet and the process for command exercise simulation. activating various MFSA assets. www.mfsa.com 11 • Merchants Exchange of Portland • July 2016

JUNE 28 MULTI-HAZARD EXERCISE As part of a FY 14 Port Security Grant, the MFSA conducted a Multi-Hazard Tabletop Exercise on July 28. The exercise included three distinct fire scenarios for FPAAC Members to work through.

The scenarios included a car carrier (RO-RO) fire in Vancouver Washington, a river cruise fire in Astoria, Oregon and a bulk carrier fire in Longview, Washington.

These varied scenarios provided opportunities for agencies throughout the region to walk through preestablished procedures and processes, learn from a collaborative working atmosphere, and identify areas for additional refinement in responding to these infrequent but high risk situations.

To manage each shipboard fire scenario effectively, participants utilized inter-agency resources.

In addition to the three fire scenarios, the MFSA conducted a simultaneous oil spill response drill that built upon the first scenario presented to the FPAAC Members: a car carrier fire that had reports of sheen on the water. This exercise focused on notifications, implementation of the Maritime Fire & Safety Association (MFSA) Vessel Response Plan (the Plan), assembly of the MFSA Spill Management Team (SMT), and the rapid and effective response to an unknown quantity and type of oil spill. Participants included Norton Lilly, Clean Rivers Cooperative, NRCES, USCG, Oregon DEQ, and Washington DOE. The 37 attendees had an opportunity to begin the day working through the exercise in the same room.

This provided fire agencies, the spill management team, USCG, and contracted service providers an opportunity to gain a fuller understanding of the many aspects of response to a marine fire incident beyond their own scope of work.

Join us for the

2016 Boom Rodeo

Sept. 22, 2016

This training is designed as a friendly competition between Clean Rivers Cooperative members and consists of on-water events and on-land activities. The goal is to be better prepared to respond by reviewing and practicing skills that have been presented during previous drills, trainings and member events.

Skills practiced include: GRP deployment, boom handling, man overboard, decontamination and a written test.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE BOOM RODEO OR IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING INVOLVED, PLEASE CONTACT CURTIS CANNIZZARO AT CANNIZZARO@PDXMEX.COM OR BY PHONE AT 503-220-2084.

www.cleanriverscooperative.com July 2016 • The Exchange Quarterly • 12

USCG UPDATE

INTRODUCING CAPTAIN WILLIAM R. TIMMONS COMMANDER COAST GUARD SECTOR COLUMBIA RIVER

Captain Timmons was previously assigned to U. S. Coast Guard Pacific Area in Alameda, California as Chief of the Future Operations Branch. In this position, he directly supported multi-mission interagency operations throughout the 74 million square mile Pacific Theater. His duties included developing and executing a strategic framework to prioritize mission requirements and allocating resources in support of the Coast Guard’s Western Hemisphere and Arctic strategies stewardship of incident management initiatives, integration of Deployable Specialized Forces to the Operational Commander enterprise, and incorporation of international partnerships that advanced maritime safety, security, and stewardship across the Pacific Theater.

A career helicopter pilot with over 5,200 flight hours and a designated Coast Guard Flight Examiner/Instructor Pilot since 1998, Captain Timmons has completed operational tours at: Air Station Clearwater, Florida; Air Station Cape Cod, Massachusetts; Air Station Sitka, Alaska; Aviation Training Center Mobile, Alabama; Group/ Air Station Astoria, Oregon; and as a plank owner at Sector Columbia River. He has flown both the HH60J and MH-60T helicopters. Other staff assignments included financial policy analyst and congressional affairs liaison for the Resource Director/Comptroller at Coast Guard Headquarters.

Captain Timmons grew up in a U.S. Navy family and graduated from the University of South Florida in1989 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. He received his commission in the U.S. Coast Guard after graduating from Officer Candidate School at Yorktown, Virginia in 1992 and was designated a Coast Guard Aviator after completing Naval Flight Training in Pensacola, Florida in1994. In 2013, he completed a year of study at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island having earned a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. Captain Timmons’ military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Coast Guard Air Medal, the Coast Guard Commendation and Achievement Medals, and the Commandant’s Letter of Commendation. Captain Timmons and his wife Laura have 18-year old triplets: Aubrey, Liz, and Patrick who are each headed to the University of Oregon, the University of California Berkeley, and the U.S. Air Force Academy respectively. *Captain Timmons is replacing Captain Travers who retired May of 2016.

13 • Merchants Exchange of Portland • July 2016

INTRODUCING CAPTAIN TOM GRIFFITTS COMMANDING OFFICER MARINE SAFETY UNIT PORTLAND

Captain Griffitts previously served as the Deputy Sector Commander of Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound. He reported to Sector Puget Sound from his most recent assignment as a Traveling Marine Inspector at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC where he served as one of the Coast Guard’s foremost technical experts for inspection of commercial vessels.

Captain Griffitts grew up in Ione, Washington and graduated from Eastern Washington University in 1991. He received his Master of Science in Political Science from the University of Hawai’i, Manoa in 2004. He completed Coast Guard Basic Training in 1992 and Officer Candidate School in 1993.

Previous tours include Executive Officer, Activities Far East in Tokyo, Japan where he oversaw all Coast Guard marine safety and port security missions in the Asia-Pacific Region. Prior to that he served as the International Port Security Liaison Officer Coordinator, Activities Far East where he was responsible for the Coast Guard’s International Port Security Program in the Asia-Pacific Region. As the Chief, Inspection Division, Sector Portland, OR, he oversaw US vessel flag state inspections, Port State Control, commercial fishing vessel safety, International Ship and Port Security Code implementation for ships and facilities and facility safety in Oregon, Southern Washington and Idaho. As an International Port Security Liaison Officer based in Singapore he was a “plankowner” of the Coast Guard’s International Port Security Program. Other tours include Chief, Operational Readiness and Chief, Regional Exam Center at Sector/Marine Safety Office Honolulu; Supervisor, Marine Safety Detachment American Samoa; Assistant Supervisor, Marine Safety Field Office Bucksport, Maine; Senior Marine Inspector, Marine Inspection Office New York; Contingency Planner, USCG Pacific Area, and Support Center Kodiak, Alaska. During these tours he carried out a variety of marine safety missions, including vessel inspections, marine casualty investigations, pollution response and port security.

His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (2), Coast Guard Commendation Medal (4), the Coast Guard Achievement Medal and other personal and unit awards. He is married to the former Pairum Sookasame of Bangkok, Thailand and they have three children, Tara, Audrey and Vanessa. *Captain Griffits is replacing Captain Ropp who retired June of 2016.

July 2016 • The Exchange Quarterly • 14

PORT REPORT

POPULAR SUMMER TOUR SERIES RETURNS TO THE PORT For the third consecutive year, the Port of Longview is bringing back its always popular Summer Tour Series. This event gives the citizens of our Port district exclusive tours of the docks, facilities and equipment that foster economic growth in our local community.

To put it simply, we’re proud of the work we do Sign up for the Port of Longview Summer Tour series today! and we want the public to see how its tax dollars are being invested. Nearly 200 people signed up for last year’s tours, which began with a brief presentation from the Port’s management staff before boarding buses and making their way through the Port’s cargo handling facilities.

The Summer Tour Series has become so popular that we’ve added an additional tour date to accommodate as many people as possible. Beginning July 24, the community will have the option of choosing one of eight different tours of the Port. On the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about how cargo is handled at the Port, what sets the Port of Longview apart from other ports and how we compete globally for local benefits. We’re anxious to introduce you to your Port, so sign up online, or give us a call and reserve your seat now!

NEW YEAR, NEW CHALLENGES MEAN NEW SOLUTIONS In the first four months of 2016, the port handled nearly 100,000 autos over our dock and we have a chance of breaking 300,000 units this year, volumes we have not seen since 2008. Auto imports are expected to increase 16 percent and exports of Fords to Asia 25 percent.

Grain volumes at Columbia Export Terminal are up 35 percent this year. Mineral bulk exports like potash and soda ash are down and projected to stay lower than normal, but those facilities have made significant capital investments in anticipation of long-term growth. Although breakbulk cargo remains flat, we expect higher volumes next year.

Westwood Shipping announced to customers its last call to Portland was May 21. Westwood has called Portland’s Terminal 6 with container service since July 2010. The Puyallup-based shipping company cited economics of a single call per month do not justify continued Portland service.

15 • Merchants Exchange of Portland • July 2016

While we are disappointed with this news, we also understand the underlying economics of the carrier industry are at play.

Each call to Portland took about 150 containers of hay, grass seed, dried fruits, other mixed agricultural goods and paperboard for export to Japan. We are hopeful that Westwood will return to T-6 when market dynamics improve. We very much appreciate Westwood’s support and partnership over the last few years.

Containers represent about 10 percent of the Port’s marine business, and the port understands and share the frustration of affected Oregon shippers – especially our agricultural exporters. Prior to the withdrawal of Hanjin and Hapag-Lloyd container service and recent suspension of Westwood service, shippers from 31 out of 36 Oregon counties moved cargo through T-6. While we are working diligently to resolve the situation, there are challenges to recruiting new service, both local and global. Carrier recruitment will require assurances the labor-management problems are resolved and that carriers can expect a reasonable level of productivity at competitive prices.

It is also important to note that the global container shipping industry is struggling from overcapacity, low freight rates and significant reshuffling of alliances affecting vessel deployments and routing decisions that make recruitment to Portland difficult.

Even with these challenges, we believe there is a strong market proposition for direct carrier service in Portland. We know that trade cannot wait on a solution and that solutions aren’t simple.

In the meantime, we have been working with partners to restart container barge service from Lewiston, Idaho and increased container train frequency from Boardman, Oregon. We’re working on projects that link importers with exporters to round-trip containers from the Willamette Valley, to reduce empty repositioning costs and take trucks off the road. And we lobbied the Oregon Legislature for funding projects identified in the State’s Trade & Logistics study to alleviate obstacles identified by shippers in statewide workshops.

Ships docked at the Port of Portland.

It is a tall order, but we are committed to working through this situation, to find long and short term solutions for shippers and to do whatever it takes through legal, political and business means to reopen the container terminal and ensure the Port continues to live up to our mission of assisting Oregon businesses in accessing global markets.

July 2016 • The Exchange Quarterly • 16

SAVE THE DATE! Set sail with the Maritime Commerce Club for fun aboard the beautiful Willamette Star!

Wednesday, September 7, 2016 6:00 - 8:30 pm 5:30 pm Boarding Time Caruthers Landing - Portland, OR Details and registration to follow soon.

Don’t miss the best party on the river!

www.pdxmex.com/mcc 17 • Merchants Exchange of Portland • July 2016

11TH Annual

MCC Golf Tournament & Member Meeting

Thank you for joining us at the 11th Annual Golf Tournament & Member Meeting at Stone Creek Golf Club

Thank you to our Golf Tournament Sponsors!

July 2016 • The Exchange Quarterly • 18

Annual Idaho Trout Fry & Golf Scramble Clear Lake Country Club Buhl, Idaho September 29, 2016

Clear Lake Country Club

Join us for this popular annual event!

2016 Idaho Trout Fry & Golf Scramble Thursday, September 29, 2016 Clear Lake Country Club - Buhl, Idaho   

12:00 pm Check-in (lunch not provided) 1:00 pm Shotgun Start 5:30 pm Trout Fry Dinner & Prizes

Contact Margerie at 503.227.0234 for sponsorship/registration info or visit http://www.pnwgfa.org/media/events/16_itf_registration.pdf for registration form!

Hole-in-One and other great prizes!

PACIFIC NORTHWEST GRAIN & FEED ASSOCIATION

Grows in size every year!

Please help sponsor this event and support the PNWGFA Scholarship Fund!

Register Here! www.pnwgfa.org Join us for this popular annual event!

2016 Idaho Trout Fry & Golf Scramble

19 • Merchants Exchange of Portland • July 2016

2016 PNWGFA Scholarship Program The Pacific Northwest Grain & Feed Association Scholarship Fund has announced the award recipients for 2016. This year the Scholarship Fund awarded six financial awards to each of these candidates who surpass their peers in scholastic achievements, community service, strong work ethic, and are motivated to continue their college education. The Fund received 21 applications this year! We are proud to announce the following awardees:

Peyton Cole was accepted at the University of Montana and will begin her education in the Fall.

Due to other family obligations, Peyton helped raise her three younger siblings and has a great sense of responsibility and work ethic. Peyton looks forward to moving onto college, accomplishing her goal of being a Human Resources Manager. She was sponsored for this scholarship by Columbia Grain -Tiber, Montana.

Patrick Collins will attend Eastern Oregon University where he plans to obtain his B.S. in Ag/ Business. Patrick is intrigued by all facets of agriculture and hopes to work in production, finance or marketing. He truly believes agriculture is the best career choice for him, as he looks forward to helping feed the world. Patrick was sponsored for this scholarship by Morrow County Grain Growers.

Makenna Donaldson will be attending Eastern Washington University where she plans obtain her B.S. in Sports Medicine. Makenna thrived in high school as a three-sport athlete and maintaining a 3.89 GPA. She looks forward to moving forward with her career goals so she can help others in need.

Makenna was sponsored by Central Washington Grain Growers.

Adele Doneen will begin her classes at Washington State University where she will pursue her B.S.N. in Nursing. Adele’s career choice was shaped by a volunteer effort following Hurricane Katrina, where she assisted families amongst complete devastation. She is passionate about helping others and looks forward to accomplishing her nursing career goal. Adele was sponsored by Central Washington Grain Growers.

Wesley Kliphardt will enter the University of Washington in the fall. Wesley has plans to pursue his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, with a possible minor in Electrical Engineering as well. While he not certain how he will apply his skills, he holds a key interest in cars, so hopes that is the direction he follows. Wesley was sponsored by AgVentures NW, LLC. McKady Young will be attending Utah State University to pursue her B.S. in Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Sciences. Her dream is to become a registered Dietitian so she can educate people about nutrition and the benefits of being healthy. McKady was sponsored by Idaho Grain Inspection.

EDITOR’S NOTE: 21 scholarship applications were received by the deadline of April 1, 2016. Thank you to all those who applied and/or sponsored students in your area. A thorough and thoughtful matrix was created to evaluate and grade every question completed by each student. Each committee member went through this process 21 times individually, then met via conference call for a group evaluation. The time, effort and thoughtfulness put into this process is greatly appreciated by PNWGFA.

A special thank you to our Scholarship Committee for their time and consideration!

John Ripple, Morrow County Grain Growers - Chair Steve Shaver, Shaver Transportation Jim Bafus, Almira Farmers Warehouse John Evans, Evans Grain, Feed & Seed July 2016 • The Exchange Quarterly • 20

4/14

Mtg

10/11

Industry Luncheon/ Membership Mtg 12:00—1:30 pm Columbia Edgewater Country Club

Industry Luncheon/ Annual Mtg 12:00—1:30 pm Columbia Edgewater Country Club

Thursday 6/9 YOUR CALENDAR! MARK

Thursday 12/8

Christmas Luncheon/ Membership Mtg CRSOA CALENDAR 2015– 2016 COBALT AUGUST 22-26, 2016 12:00—1:30 pm

Industry Luncheon/ Membership Mtg

2016 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 12:00—1:30 pm

Columbia Edgewater Country Club

Thursday Tuesday 2/11 Industry Luncheon/ Membership Mtg 8/9 12:00—1:30 pm

Industry Luncheon/ Membership Mtg Columbia Edgewater Country Club 12:00—1:30 pm

Columbia Edgewater Country Club

Saturday 3/52015–

Tuesday CTORS

2016

Columbia Edgewater Country Club The Columbia River Steamship Operators’ Association (CRSOA) has great pride in

the establishment of the Columbia Regions’ Maritime Industry Introduction Program (called COBALT by the Coast Guard for Columbia Basin Leadership Training)

Thursday 4/14

Tuesday 10/11

originally designed for the incoming Captain of the Port, that continues to evolve to Industry Luncheon/ Membership Mtg Industry Luncheon/ Annual Mtg include other Coast Guard senior leaders12:00—1:30 pm and mid-level managers in a more formalized 12:00—1:30 pm program.

Columbia Edgewater Country Club Columbia Edgewater Country Club

This program has traditionally been a week-long structured series of presentations,

Thursday tours, and discussion sessions offeredThursday to every newly arriving U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port/ Sector Commander.

It has been offered at least once a year, 6/9 12/8

every year since 1997.

Industry Luncheon/ Membership Mtg Christmas Luncheon/ Membership Mtg 12:00—1:30 pm Bo McCall – Secretary 12:00—1:30 pm The Coast Guard selected the title “Columbia Basin Leadership Training” (COBALT) Columbia Edgewater Country Club Foss Mari�me Company Mtg Columbia Edgewater Country Club as the name and acronym for the program.

The program is coordinated by CRSOA,

9030 NW St. Helens Road

and presented by maritime industry leaders, and state and local government agency

Portland, OR 97231 heads and representatives. Each presentation is a product of the agency/organization (503) 978‐6598 (Office) presenting and provides information that organization’s leaders believe will be of (503) 333‐0861 (Mobile)

benefit to the Coast Guard and our industry.

Email: bmmcall@foss.com om Industry Luncheon/ Membership Mtg 12:00—1:30 pm Sessions are designed to quickly acquaint you with our maritime industry’s issues, Rob Rich Phil Brotherton Columbia Edgewater Country Club Mtg Christmas Luncheon/ Membership Mtg concerns, and priorities, and to encourage open dialogue with our region’s private Shaver Transporta�on Transmarine Naviga�on 12:00—1:30 pm sector leaders and experts.

4900 NW Front Avenue 1610 C Street, Suite 203 Columbia Edgewater Country Club Portland, OR 97210 Vancouver, WA 98663 (503) 228‐8850 (Office) OUR PORT PARTNERS (360) 553‐3920 (Office) (503) 781‐7635 (Mobile) Port of John Coyle ‐ Chair Randy Click – Vice Chair BoPortland McCall – Secretary (503) 490‐6506 (Mobile)

Port ofFoss Mari�me Company Vancouver Blue Water Shipping ACGI Shipping Inc. om Email: rdr@shavertransporta�on.com Email: p.brotherton@transmarine.com Port of9030 NW St. Helens Road St. Helens 7646 SW Mohawk Street 801 C Street, Suite 200 Mtg Tuala�n, OR 97062 Vancouver, WA 98660 Portland, OR 97231 Port of Longview

(503) 595‐4520 (Office) (360) 735‐9083 (Office) (503) 978‐6598 (Office) Port of Kalama (503) 860‐2203 (Mobile) (503) 367‐6697 (Mobile) (503) 333‐0861 (Mobile) Email: bmmcall@foss.com Email: coyle@bluewatershipping.com Email: rclick@acgishipping.com OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS

Merchants Exchange of Portland Rob Rich Geoff Doerer Brotherton MillenniumPhil Bulk Terminals Shaver Transporta�on Tidewater Barge Lines Transmarine Naviga�on m Bo McCall – Secretary Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA) 4900 NW Front Avenue 6305 NW Old Lower River Road 1610 C Street, Suite 203 Foss Mari�me Company Maritime Fire & Safety Association (MFSA) Portland, OR 97210 Vancouver, WA 98660 Vancouver, WA 98663 The Columbia River Steamship Operators’ Associa�on’s 9030 NW St. Helens Road Portland Fire and Rescue, Station 21 (503) 228‐8850 (Office) (360) 693‐1491 (Office) (360) 553‐3920 (Office) mission is to facilitate trade, provide business Portland, OR 97231 Vancouver Fire Department (503) 781‐7635 (Mobile) (503) 679‐0027 (Mobile) (503) 490‐6506 (Mobile) (503) 978‐6598 (Office) leadership, exercise principles of environmental Clark CountyEmail: p.brotherton@transmarine.com Fire and Rescue Email: rdr@shavertransporta�on.com Email: geoff.doerer@�dewater.com r (503) 333‐0861 (Mobile) stewardship, serve as an industry focal point, and Clean Rivers Cooperative Email: bmmcall@foss.com WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CRSTEAMSHIP Columbia River Towboat Association Ray Gebauer

promote opera�ng policies and prac�ces that are safe,

General Steamship Columbia River Bar Pilots reliable, efficient, and cost‐effec�ve.

Phil Brotherton 1500 NE Irving, Suite 1500 Columbia River Pilots Transmarine Naviga�on Portland, OR 97232 1610 C Street, Suite 203 (503) 228‐7214 (Office) OUR GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY PARTNERS Vancouver, WA 98663 (503) 225‐9310 (Fax) NOAA Northwest River Forecast Center (360) 553‐3920 (Office) Email: ray.gebauer@gensteam.com Oregon DEQ (503) 490‐6506 (Mobile) com Email: p.brotherton@transmarine.com US Army Corps of Engineers Spring Fling 6:00 pm Cocktails Randy Click – Vice Chair 7:00 pm Dinner ACGI Shipping Inc. Industry Luncheon/ Annual Mtg Columbia Edgewater Country Club 801 C Street, Suite 200 12:00—1:30 pm Vancouver, WA 98660 Columbia Edgewater Country Club (360) 735‐9083 (Office) (503) 367‐6697 (Mobile) Email: rclick@acgishipping.com

10/11

Thursday 12/8

Tuesday 8/9

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2015– 2016

KEEP UPDATED WITH CRSOA ON FACEBOOK!

MISSION

MISSION

CONTACT

21 • Merchants Exchange of Portland • July 2016

Kate Mickelson ‐ Execu�ve Director

The Columbia River Steamship Operators’ Associa�on’s mission is to facilitate trade, provide business leadership, exercise principles of environmental stewardship, serve as an industry focal point, and

MARITIME MARITIME FIRE & SAFETY ASSOCIATION AWARDED FEMA FY 2016 PORT SECURITY GRANT

FIRE & SAFETY ASSOCIATION

The Maritime Fire & Safety Association (MFSA) is pleased to announce its receipt of a $198,000 FY 16 Port Security Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

MFSA is the leading provider and advocate of safe, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective response services to commercial vessels in the Lower Columbia-Willamette River Marine Transportation System (“LCWR MTS”), through an oil spill contingency planning system used by all large commercial vessels on the Lower Columbia and Willamette Rivers, and funding assistance to regional fire agencies for vessel firefighting training and equipment.

The grant will improve the overall level of safety for all who use the LCWR MTS. MFSA sponsors the Fire Protection Agency Advisory Council (“FPAAC”), comprised of 13 fire agencies from Oregon and Washington in multiple jurisdictions along the Lower Columbia Willamette River. MFSA and the FPAAC will use this grant, along with additional MFSA funding, to conduct a risk assessment of the Lower Columbia Willamette marine firefighting environment, and provide a comprehensive update to the Lower Columbia Willamette Fire Safety Plan and Shipboard Fire Operations Guide. These resources are used by first responder agencies on the LCWR MTS. The Fire Safety Plan was originally written in 1984.

This update is timely as significant industrial growth is projected along the LCWR MTS over the next five years, with a projected increase in commercial vessel traffic and bulk hazardous cargos, emphasizing the need for coordinated, regional fire response preparedness.

“The MFSA and FPAAC are pleased to have been selected for an award and value their congressional delegation that enthusiastically endorsed the application for this Port Security Grant,” said MFSA Executive Director Liz Wainwright. “The valuable on-going support from the US Coast Guard Sector Columbia River, the participating fire agencies and maritime community is vital to the success of our shared mission. ” “Many people and businesses depend on the Columbia River for their livelihood, and protecting them is important to our economy and our environment,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “The Maritime Fire and Safety Association help regional fire agencies be better prepared to respond to shipboard fires. MFSA and the FPAAC agencies fill a unique and important role in our emergency response infrastructure. I am proud to join Representatives Earl Blumenauer and Jaime Herrera Beutler in supporting the Maritime Fire and Safety Association and its work helping fire agencies protect our communities.”

“An evaluation and update of the Lower Columbia Willamette Fire Safety Plan has long been a recognized need.

FPAAC Agencies are pleased that this project will help provide a roadmap to improved emergency response and mitigation,” adds Phil Jurmu, FPAAC Chair and Longview Fire Chief.

Initial assessment and Phase I of the grant will begin in the fourth quarter of 2016.

MFSA was established in 1983, is a non-profit local maritime industry based/focused organization with financial support from ships that travel up and down the Lower Columbia River. The Lower Columbia-Willamette Fire Safety Plan and Shipboard Fire Operations Guide has been an intricate part of the organization’s success. Receiving these grant funds will enable MFSA and FPAAC to expedite the risk assessment and update.

FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS TOPIC, PLEASE CONTACT LIZ WAINWRIGHT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MARITIME FIRE & SAFETY ASSOCIATION, AT 503-228-4361 OR VISIT THE ASSOCIATION WEBSITE.

www.mfsa.com July 2016 • The Exchange Quarterly • 22

CONTACT US 24 / 7 COMMUNICATION CENTER (503) 228-4361

MISSION OF THE MERCHANTS EXCHANGE To be the leading provider of information and related services to all stakeholders of the Pacific Northwest intermodal transportation system and to support related business interests for domestic and foreign commerce.

contactus@pdxmex.com

200 SW Market Street Suite 190 Portland, OR 97201

INDUSTRY EVENT CALENDAR JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

21 COTP Monthly Breakfast

9 CRSOA Luncheon & Membership

7 MCC Harbor Splash

28 Merchants Exchange Open

18 COTP Monthly Breakfast

13-15 2016 National Harbor

22-26 CRSOA 2016 COBALT

22 Clean Rivers Boom Rodeo

House

Meeting

Safety Conference

29 PNWGFA Annual Idaho Trout Fry & Golf Scramble