Jerry Moro, director of Northern California Operations for the Harbor Trucking Association, says plans for the Oakland Athletics’ baseball park to be constructed at the current site of the Port of Oakland’s Howard Terminal will generate so much car traffic that harbor trucking will be brought to a near standstill during baseball games and other events.
The result will be to place container terminal operations at risk.
by Stas Margaronis
A new U.S. report, using advanced analytic software, says waves and storm surges are gaining momentum from sea level rise and collectively pose a more immediate threat than was previously believed. The result could be serious damage to California coastal cities and ports by 2040.
Elaine Forbes, executive director for the Port of San Francisco, told AJOT that rising sea levels are already threatening downtown San Francisco and Port property requiring the construction of a new sea wall (photo below). The projected cost is $5 billion.
The impact is similar to sea level rise driven storm surge damage suffered by U.S. cities and ports along the U.S. Gulf and Atlantic coasts from Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy and Harvey.
At the Luncheon Bill Mongelluzzo discussed such topics as:
Please see enclosed Power Point and luncheon photos
The Stevedoring Services of America (SSA), general manager, who runs the Port of Oakland’s largest container terminal, Oakland International Container Terminal (OICT) says that the Port must quickly embark on an expansion of the Turning Basin located in the Oakland Estuary or face the loss of next generation container ship business.
In an interview with AJOT, Jim Rice, general manager SSA Marine Inc said that it became clear when CMA’s 18,000 teu (twenty-foot unit) container ship, Benjamin Franklin, docked at OICT three years ago that maneuvering the ship through the Turning Basin “was not going to work on a regular basis because the Basin was too narrow.”
The president of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA) warned maritime operators and customers to expect higher California air emission related taxes and fees in 2019.
John McLaurin, PMSA president, told a Propeller Club of Northern California luncheon audience to prepare for higher taxes and fees on harbor trucks, warehousing and possibly a tax on ocean containers.
He also strongly criticized plans by the Oakland Athletics to build a new ballpark at Howard Terminal on Port of Oakland property.
Maritime Stakeholders Voice Opposition to Proposed Oakland A’s Ballpark at Port of Oakland
by Stas Margaronis
The proposed Oakland Athletics baseball park to be located at the Port of Oakland (See rendering) is drawing criticism and opposition from maritime stakeholders, but a spokesman for the Oakland Athletics says that many of the industry’s concerns can be addressed.
Taj Tashombe, Vice President External Affairs for the Oakland A’s, outlined remedies to the Propeller Club of Northern California board of directors at a January 18th meeting: The Athletics will work with the City of Oakland and the Port of Oakland to mitigate traffic issues caused by fans attending baseball games 80 times a year and impacting harbor trucking. The team will support an infrastructure investment fund and trucks-only on and off freeway ramps linked to the nearby 880 freeway.
McLaurin will:
At Scott’s Seafood, Oakland 11.30 am -1.30 pm
At the Luncheon Congressman Garamendi discussed:
Rep Garamendi warns U.S. is vulnerable to Russian polar dominance of sea lanes
U.S. Congressman John Garamendi Receives ‘Champion of Maritime’ Award
Towing Vessel Industry Partners:
Please note and save the date for the following Subchapter M implementation industry outreach and education meetings:
Seattle, WA – 12 September 2017 @ 1000 – Federal Center South
Portland, OR – 14 September 2017 @ 1000 – Marine Safety Unit Portland
Alameda, CA – 19 September 2017 @ 1000 – Coast Guard Island
Long Beach, CA – 21 September 2017 @ 1000 – Sector LA/LB
Building and maintaining a positive working relationship with our industry partners is a continued priority as we begin to sunset the Towing Vessel Bridging Program and transition to the Inspection of Towing vessels. The meetings we have planned are a continuation of efforts to communicate the policy, tools, and resources available to help you succeed in the transition to inspection.
While we intend for these meetings to be informative in nature, we hope to promote an open forum environment to hear and address questions and concerns you may have with regard to Sub M implementation and compliance. Coast Guard representation from PACAREA, regional Districts, local field units, and the Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise will be in attendance to emphasize our commitment to regional and national implementation consistency.
Tentative agenda items:
1. Subchapter M Policy and Guidance
2. Implementation tools and resources
3. COI Process and local expectations
4. Questions and concerns
If you have specific issues you would like to see addressed during the public meetings please contact your local Sector or District towing vessel representative.
A more formal invitation and detailed agenda will be communicated at a future date. Thank you for your continual efforts to operate safely.
USCG
The Journal of Commerce’s Bill Mongelluzzo addressed PCNC on Tuesday, April 4th and discussed :
*The new ocean carrier re-organizations and what they mean to U.S. Pacific Coast ports.
*The loss of U.S. Pacific Coast port business.
*No major changes to Port of Oakland business.
Please see April 4th luncheon photos below and Bill’s power point presentation.
By Joseph William Pratt, Sandia National Labs
The fuel cell ferry project (SF-BREEZE) examined the technical, regulatory, and economic feasibility of a zero-emission, high-speed passenger ferry powered solely by hydrogen fuel cells and its associated hydrogen fueling infrastructure within the context of the San Francisco Bay. In conjunction with a naval architect, a realistic, feasible vessel design meeting all performance specifications was produced. Collaboration with and evaluation by both the US Coast Guard and the American Bureau of Shipping did not reveal any insurmountable regulatory obstacles to deployment. The supply of liquid hydrogen to the vessel was examined and viable sites were found at the Port of San Francisco and the Port of Redwood City. Industrial gas companies were consulted and provided technically viable fueling facility designs. The current design of the zero emission ferry has a cost premium compared to a conventional diesel ferry. Cost reduction strategies specific to the vessel and leverage of those expected in the fuel cell electric vehicle market may result in future cost parity.
For more information: http://maritime.sandia.gov