Virginia Maritime Bulletin, Vol 88, No. 7 by VAmaritime

VIRGINIA TOP STATE FOR BUSINESS FOR RECORD 6TH TIME

VMA is thrilled to share CNBC’s recognition of Virginia as America’s Top State for Business. This is the 6th time CNBC has recognized Virginia as the best state for business, more than any other state.

For the first time, infrastructure was weighted as the most crucial component for investment decisions. Virginia’s top-notch

infrastructure, highlighted by our Virginia Business Ready Sites Program (VBRSP), played a pivotal role in this achievement.

Starting with our port and the connecting freight transportation system, our well-developed infrastructure and increasing access to shovel-ready sites ensure businesses can hit the ground running.

Virginia’s public education system and workforce programs were other leading factors. Ranked number 1 for education our state’s K-12 systems, universities, and innovative workforce development programs prepare and equip talent with the skills needed to thrive in a competitive market.

This recognition is years in the making and testament to the incredible progress being made throughout the Commonwealth, and VMA celebrates our industry’s contributions. Let’s continue to build on this success and drive our economy forward!

SUBMARINE CABLE MANUFACTURER TO LOCATE IN VIRGINIA

CHESAPEAKE, VA| On Tuesday, July 9, 2024, Governor Youngkin and LS GreenLink announced plans to build a $681 million subsea cable manufacturing plant along the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River in Chesapeake. This state-of-the-art facility will create over 330 advanced manufacturing jobs, offering wages well above the regional average. The plant will produce subsea cables for offshore wind projects along our coast and beyond, significantly increasing ship traffic to our port. This is the largest economic development announcement in the history of the City of Chesapeake, and it will house the tallest structure in Virginia, serving as a catalyst for additional offshore wind suppliers to invest in the state. This project has been years in the making.

Source: CNBC

“The Voice of Port Industries”

OFFICERS

Chairman of the Board

Michael Coleman

President Judy Barrett

Vice Presidents

Lang Williams

Capt. Kenneth Flowers

Capt. Whiting Chisman

Executive Director & Secretary

David White

Treasurer

Camille Cherry

Assistant Treasurer

Tracy Gregorio

STAFF

Senior Vice President....................... Will Fediw

Vice President of Finance & Administration.............................. Sam Davis

Director of Membership Development............................ Kristen Greene

Executive Assistant.................... Shayla Prince

Event Manager & Accounting Assistant................ Jennifer Parham

Marketing Manager ................ Jennifer Deason

Membership & Publications Coordinator........................... Susan Wisniewski

jdeason@vamaritime.com

SOUTHERN CHAPTER PARTNERS WITH NCWTA

HIGHPOINT, NC |On Tuesday, July 16, 2024 the VMA Southern Chapter co-hosted a meeting in High Point, NC with the North Carolina World Trade Association (NCWTA) Triad Chapter. The event drew in over fifty (50) people from across the supply chain to include major shippers such as Bassett Furniture, Hooker Furnishings, Culp, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., Century Furniture and more!

The program included an ocean freight market update provided by Rachel Shames, CV International, a port operations update

provided by Lauren Foley, Port of Virginia, and an update on ILA contract negotiations provided by David White, VMA Executive Director. The event concluded with a round table discussion and lunch sponsored by MSC. Join us at an upcoming Chapter Event.

Photo

DOMINION ENERGY ACQUIRES OFFSHORE WIND LEASE FROM AVANGRID

Dominion Energy has announced the acquisition of the Kitty Hawk North Wind offshore wind lease from Avangrid for approximately $160 million. Renamed CVOW-South, the 40,000-acre lease is expected to support 800 MW of offshore wind generation capacity by the 2030s, sufficient to power 200,000 homes and businesses. This acquisition aligns with Virginia’s Clean Economy Act goals and Dominion Energy’s strategy to meet growing electricity demand. The transaction, expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024 pending regulatory approvals, underscores Dominion’s commitment to expanding its clean energy portfolio and ensuring reliable, affordable power for its customers in Virginia.

LS GREENLINK CONT.

“I commend our Senior Vice President, Will Fediw, for his substantial contributions, and our economic development partners and LS GreenLink for their collaborative efforts in achieving this historic announcement,” said David White.

The Virginia Maritime Association proudly welcomes LS GreenLink to our maritime community.

Just the day before, on Monday, July 8, 2024, Dominion Energy announced it had acquired the lease from Avangrid for Kitty Hawk North, setting the stage for further offshore wind development. These announcements underscore the Virginia Maritime Association’s ongoing efforts since 2009 to position our port and region as a hub for offshore wind.

Source: 13nownews.com

VMA’S MULTI-EMPLOYER 401K PLAN

Did you know the VMA has offered our Multi-Employer 401k Plan to member companies since 2016?

Lighten the burden of sponsoring a retirement plan by joining VMA’s MultiEmployer Retirement Plan. Enjoy the freedom to focus on your business while we handle all the administrative duties.

In early 2024, Strategic Retirement Partners conducted an extensive analysis of VMA’s Equitable Multi-Employer Retirement Plan, comparing costs, services, and investments against other vendors. Their verdict? Our plan excels in administration, costs, recordkeeping, investment management, and fees.

For more information or to join this plan, please contact James Blassingham, CLU, AIF, CPFA, jim.blassingham@capitalfinancialgrp.com, at Capital Financial Group. Sign in to the VMA website, vamaritime.com/ AffinityPrograms, to learn more.

Photo: LS Greenlink

Source: Dominion Energy

Photo: Avangrid

DISTRIBUTION OF COAL DUMPINGS

PORT OF HAMPTON ROADS TEU’S

Source: Virginia Port Authority

CUSTOMS RECEIPTS

VIRGINIA CUSTOMS DISTRICT

RESERVE YOUR VMA24 BANQUET TABLE

NORFOLK, VA| The Annual Maritime Banquet, celebrating the accomplishments of port-related industries, has been a popular event since its inaugural evening back in 1920... now drawing in nearly 1000 industry professionals and maritime community members for networking, fine dining, awards, and announcements. Following VMA24 and the International Bulk Conference, continue the conversation and join us at the Annual Maritime Banquet on the evening of Thursday, October 10th. Reserve your seat today!

Celebrating its 21st year, the VMA’s International Trade Symposium has become well-known as a boutique, attendee-curated event tailored to connecting, discussing ideas, and benefiting from shared experiences. As the East Coast’s premier conference for shipping, ports, logistics, and trade, you’ll hear industry leaders discuss national-level content in an accessible, intimate location, sharing meaningful insights and engaging in authentic discussions. The inaugural International Bulk Conference will tackle both challenges and opportunities in the bulk trade.

Have a quiet conversation with a client or catch up with a colleague; make new connections during lively social events; enjoy fine dining at the 104th Annual Maritime Banquet; or simply enjoy the southern hospitality that Norfolk, Virginia, offers in the heart of the fastest growing port in the nation.

ASSOCIATION IN ACTION

Simply stated, active VMA members are Better Connected, Better Informed, and Better Represented. This segment of the Bulletin aims to provide insights into some of the ways in which the interests of VMA members were Better Represented during the previous month.

June was full of opportunities to connect with lawmakers and educate and update them about the impacts of our industry and the issues important to our member businesses. VMA’s representation included attending retreats held for General Assembly members for both political parties, providing tours of our port and commercial waterfront facilities, and several individual meetings. A joint call was also held to provide updates on important issues to the staff for several members of Virginia’s Congressional Delegation.

VMA was privileged to explore opportunities to collaborate with the Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce, beginning with presentations about Virgina’s maritime industry and connected supply chains which were given separately to its Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia chapters.

VMA was also pleased to be invited by the Council for Community and Economic Research to participate in their conference panel on “Ports and Intermodal Infrastructure,” providing VMA the opportunity to share insights into portrelated economic development and the crucial role of efficient freight transportation.

On the regulatory front, VMA facilitated and participated along with other members of the National Association of Maritime Organizations in a meeting expressing industry concerns about proposed changes to North Atlantic Right Whale regulations to the White House’s Office of Management and Budget. On another regulatory matter, VMA submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation in response to a request for information as it considers changes to the National Multimodal Freight Network which could result in changes to federal policies and funding affecting Virginia’s freight transportation infrastructure.

Other notable events and meetings in which VMA made presentations or represented the membership included:

• HarborFest Parade of Sail Mayor’s Reception

• Virginia Economic Development Partnership Advisory Committee on International Trade

• Hampton Roads Alliance Investor Event

• Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization Freight Transportation Advisory Committee

• WHRO Public Media Board of Directors

• U.S. Coast Guard Changes of Command, Fifth District and Sector Virginia

IS YOUR COMPANY SWaM CERTIFIED?

The Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned Business (SWaM) certification program is a state program of the Commonwealth of Virginia, whose purpose is to enhance procurement opportunities for SWaM businesses participating in state-funded projects. The benefits of certification are help and support for small, women, and minority businesses to compete for state contracts with larger and more favored businesses.

Policies and procedures give certain advantages to SWaM certified vendors and even more advantages to those with the added Small Business certification.

The VMA has recently begun identifying member companies that are SWaM certified to assist businesses looking to engage with certified companies. SWaM-certified businesses will be noted on our membership roster. If you are SWaM-certified, sign-in to your account, click “My Account,” under the “About Me” tab scroll down to “Personal details,” click the little pencil, check the SWaM box, and “Save.” Questions? Email Susan at memberdesk@vamaritime.com.

Sign-in at VAmaritime.com/roster to view VMA’s printable membership roster.

VMA NEW MEMBERS

ATAPCO PROPERTIES, INC.

Bronze Anchor Warehousing One South Street, Suite 2800 Baltimore, MD 21202 atapcoproperties.com

Patrick Coggins President pcoggins@atapco.com (410) 347-7181

SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION Non-profit Labor Organizations 115 3rd Street Norfolk, VA 23510 seafarers.org

Mario Torrey Port Agent mtorrey@seafarers.org (757) 622-1892

Joshua Rawls* Patrolman jrawls@seafarers.org

HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK

Business Services Banks/Investments and Mortgage Loans huntington.com

Chris Ellis Senior Vice President christopher.a.ellis@huntington.com (540) 292-3940

TIDEWATER MOVING & HAULING, LLC

Moving Cargo/Maritime Related Transloading Facility 2618 Arkansas Avenue Norfolk, VA 23513 collegehunkshaulingjunk.com/virginia_beach/ Parke Atkinson Owner parkeatkinson@gmail.com

ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

h Jeffrey Bennett

Regional Sales Manager jbennett@cvinternational.com (757) 466-1170

CV INTERNATIONAL Norfolk, VA

h Tonica Hill Operations Coordinator/CRM tonica@thomaslumping.com

THOMAS LUMPING Virginia Beach, VA

h Freddie Coykendall* Trade Execution Merchandiser freddie.coykendall@perdue.com (757) 285-8927

PERDUE AGRIBUSINESS Chesapeake, VA

*Young Maritime Professional

JRF SHIP REPAIRS, LLC

Bronze Anchor Shipbuilding, Ship Repair and Maintenance, Drydocks 3409 George Washington Hwy Portsmouth, VA 23704 jrshiprepairs.com Natalia Famania CEO nfamania@jrfshiprepairs.com (757) 337-0748