propellerclub - Propeller Club of Northern California

Author: propellerclub

Draft Waterfront Adaptation Strategies

Posted on October 20, 2022 by propellerclub

The Port of San Francisco, in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and San Francisco city agencies, has developed seven Waterfront Adaptation Strategies based on over five years of public engagement. This is an impactful moment for the City as we plan for the future and address sea level rise risk now.

With the Draft Waterfront Adaptation Strategies now available for public feedback, the goal is to reach a Draft Waterfront Adaptation Plan (Tentatively Selected Plan) by summer 2023. The Draft Plan will identify a preferred approach to reduce flood risks from sea level rise and extreme storms and provide an opportunity to invest in and bring public benefits to San Francisco’s waterfront. Learn more with the two-minute explainer video.

Read Entire Report

PCNC Welcomes USCG’S Captain Taylor Lam Maritime Cyber Security Presentation October 25th @ 11 Via Zoom

Posted on October 11, 2022December 12, 2022 by propellerclub

Captain Taylor Lam, Commander Sector San Francisco & Captain of the Port will introduce the United States Coast Guard Cyber Command and Commander Boris Montatsky. The Commander serves at U.S. Coast Guard Cyber Command as the Cyber Effects and Protection Division Chief. In this role, he leads a diverse staff of three:

Cyber Protection Teams (CPTs),
Cyber Mission Team (CMT
Maritime Cyber Readiness Branch.

These elements inform and assess cyber risk across the Maritime Transportation System (MTS) as well as conduct cyberspace operations that prevent and defend against cyber attacks targeting U.S. national interests.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s presentation to the Propeller Club of Northern California will focus on:

“The Service’s current capabilities and initiatives to enhance cybersecurity of the U.S. Marine Transportation System which facilitates the global supply chain and more than $5.4 Trillion in annual commerce.”

Captain Lam assumed command of Sector San Francisco in June 2021. As Commander, Sector San Francisco he leads nearly 620 Active, Reserve, and Civilian Coast Guard men and women operating three Cutters, seven Small Boat Stations, an Aids to Navigation Team, a Vessel Traffic Service, and a Marine Safety Detachment in addition to more than 1,000 Coast Guard Auxiliarists. His area of responsibility spans from the Oregon border to the San Luis Obispo County line as well as much of Nevada, Utah, and parts of Wyoming, and includes over 2,500 miles of shoreline within the San Francisco Bay and its tributaries.

Duties and responsibilities of Sector San Francisco include Captain of the Port, Federal On-Scene Coordinator, Officer in Charge of Marine Inspection, Federal Maritime Security Coordinator, and Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator.

Captain Taylor Lam is a native of Riverside, CA and enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 1996 through the Minority Officer Recruiting Effort (MORE) program (now College Student Pre-commissioning Initiative – CSPI) and graduated from Basic Training in Cape May, NJ. Upon completion of his undergraduate studies, he graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1998 at New London, CT.

Captain Lam’s previous operational units include service as Deputy Commander of Sector Boston, Commanding Officer of Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) Los Angeles – Long Beach, Command Center and Enforcement Chief at Sector Miami, Detachment Officer-in-Charge (OIC) and plank owner of MSST Seattle, Law Enforcement Detachment OIC at Tactical Law Enforcement Team North, and Deck Watch Officer aboard USCGC MUNRO (WHEC-724) in Alameda, CA.

Commander Boris Montatsky currently serves at U.S. Coast Guard Cyber Command as the Cyber Effects and Protection Division Chief. In this role, he leads a diverse staff of three

Cyber Protection Teams (CPTs), a Cyber Mission Team (CMT), and a Maritime Cyber Readiness Branch. These elements inform and assess cyber risk across the Maritime Transportation System (MTS) as well as conduct cyberspace operations that prevent and defend against cyber attacks targeting U.S. national interests.

His previous assignments include Assistant Response Department Head and Search and Rescue (SAR) controller at Sector Lake Michigan, in Milwaukee, WI, as well as Cybersecurity Certification & Accreditation Team Lead at the Coast Guard’s Telecommunications Information Systems Command (TISCOM). Commander Montatsky also served as Chief, Centralized Service Desk (CSD), St. Louis, MO. His staff assignments include Chief, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Information Assurance Division for the Assistant Commandant for Intelligence (CG-2), and Chief of the Cyberspace Operations Policy Division under the Assistant Commandant for Capability (CG-7) at Coast Guard Headquarters.

Commander Montatsky earned his commission from the U.S. Coast Guard Officer Candidate School, New London, CT. He is a graduate of Northern Illinois University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Management and Information Systems. His postgraduate education includes a Master of Science in Information Technology Management from DePaul University, Chicago, IL, and a Master of Science in Government Information Leadership from the National Defense University, Washington D.C. He also holds numerous professional certifications. Commander Montatsky is a permanent Boat Forces Pin (Pewter) holder and has been awarded several personal and service awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal (3), the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal. He is also a 2020 Old Crows Association Military Service Award Winner. Commander Montatsky was born in Minsk, Belarus and immigrated to the United States in 1989 where his family settled in Chicago, IL. He has been married to his wife Karina for 20 years, and they have two sons – Sean (18) and Ethan (14).

Read article: “Cyberattacks surge in 2022 as hackers target commodities”

WATCH THE VIDEO

Questions: apmargaronis@gmail.com

96th Propeller Club Convention Highlights the Power of Greek Shipping

Posted on October 4, 2022October 4, 2022 by propellerclub

The 96th Annual Propeller Club convention, held in Athens, Greece between September 20th and 22nd, demonstrated the continued power of Greek shipping. The convention was hosted by the Propeller Club of Piraeus under the leadership of President Costis Frangoulis and General Secretary Danae Bezantakou.

The International Propeller Club of the United States convention was called to order by President Jim Patti and supported by Executive Vice President Joel Whitehead. As a reflection of its increasingly international composition, the organization will now be known as the International Propeller Club.

This was reflected in the Propeller Club awards:

The Port of Piraeus club was recognized by the International President’s Award for Excellence
Geraldo Tiedemann, Port of Bilbao (Spain) was recognized as the Propeller Club Person of the Year,
Melina Travlos, President of the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) was recognized as Maritime Person of the Year
The Port of Seattle club was recognized as the Propeller Club Port of the Year

Read Entire Article

PCNC WELCOMES AFL-CIO TRANSPORTATION CHIEF GREG REGAN: RAIL & MARITIME UPDATES TUESDAY OCTOBER 11 @ 11 VIA ZOOM

Posted on September 9, 2022December 12, 2022 by propellerclub

GREG REGAN WILL DISCUSS:

SHIPPER/LABOR COALITION SUPPORTING RAILROAD REGULATION
CHALLENGES FACED BY U.S. RAILROAD WORKERS
SUPPORTING U.S. MARITIME
ATTRACTING WORKERS TO TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRIES

GREG REGAN, PRESIDENT, TRANSPORTATION TRADES DEPARTMENT AFL-CIO,

In 2021, Greg Regan was elected President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, a labor organization consisting of 36 unions that together represent workers in all areas of transportation. TTD focuses on federal legislation, regulatory matters, and policy issues that impact transportation workers.

In his current position, Greg leads and oversees TTD’s daily operation and serves as the organization’s spokesperson and chief strategist. He collaborates with TTD’s affiliated unions to fight for long-term investments in our transportation system, ensure jobs in this sector are safe and secure, and to protect and expand the rights working people have to a union voice. Under Greg’s direction, TTD works with elected leaders on both sides of the aisle and focuses on substantive, policy-driven arguments to advance core agenda items.

Prior to being elected President, Greg served as TTD’s Secretary-Treasurer and Senior Legislative Representative and oversaw TTD’s work in aviation, passenger rail, and procurement. He is a leading labor expert on issues related to aviation safety and security, and led TTD’s fight in 2015 for Amtrak reauthorization legislation that protects and promotes our national passenger rail service and its skilled workforce. In addition, he coordinates TTD’s work to reform transportation procurement policy as a board member of the Jobs to Move America Coalition. Before joining TTD, Greg spent six years working for Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY), advising her on a variety of issues, including labor, trade, defense, energy, and homeland security. For the latter three years, he served as the Congresswoman’s Chief of Staff.

Originally from Rochester, New York, Greg holds a B.A. in Public Policy from Hamilton College. He lives with his wife and dog in Washington, DC, and is an avid golfer, hockey player, canner, woodworker, and supporter of (mostly) losing sports teams.

VIEW THE VIDEO

There is a registration fee of $15 to attend

Questions: apmargaronis@gmail.com

Pasha Boasts New LNG Powered George III Will Substantially Reduce Emissions

Posted on September 7, 2022September 7, 2022 by propellerclub

With the arrival of Pasha’s new George III at the Port of Oakland on August 31st, Ed Washburn, Senior Vice President Fleet Operation, Pasha Hawaii, said the LNG powered ship will substantially reduce or eliminate emissions compared to conventional diesel-powered ships.

Reduced Emissions

On September 6th, speaking to the Propeller Club of Northern California, Washburn provided highlights of how the new U.S. built vessel will reduce emissions: “In terms of emissions, particulate matter, which is a fine black dust is completely eliminated. The second pollutant is sulfur as when sulfur mixes with moisture, it creates sulfuric acid. And on these ships, that is completely eliminated. Finally, the elements that produce greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, are substantially reduced, or eliminated. So, the environmental benefit is fantastic.”

Hydrodynamic Design

Washburn said: “We are super proud of this ship. This is a proprietary design, not an off the shelf design. The hull design went through computational fluid dynamics that was optimized by Keppel (the shipbuilder). That design went to the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and went through an optimization process. That design then went to the Maritime Institute of the Netherlands and there they model tested the propeller and the high efficiency rudder to match the efficient hull … The model test did not produce any additional changes showing that this was an extremely efficient design.”

Read Entire Article

PCNC Welcomes PMSA’s Mike Jacob: Oakland A’s Howard Terminal Report, Tuesday September 6th @ 11 Via Zoom

Posted on August 24, 2022December 12, 2022 by propellerclub

PCNC Welcomes PMSA’s Mike Jacob: Oakland A’s Howard Terminal Report, Tuesday September 6th @ 11 Via Zoom

Mike Jacob Discussed:

Ballpark/Condo Complex Approval Process
Regulatory Issues To Be Addressed
Status of Lawsuits

Mike serves as General Counsel and Vice President of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association. Mike advises PMSA on legal, statutory and regulatory matters, and regularly testifies on behalf of industry at administrative and legislative hearings. He is also the association’s liaison with outside counsel and advocates. Mike is a regular lecturer and presenter at industry conferences and events, including for the Pacific Admiralty Seminar, California Maritime Leadership Symposium, the International Bar Association, and the US State Department.

Prior to joining PMSA Mike worked in various capacities in the California state legislature as well as providing strategic consulting to local transportation agencies in the Bay Area, including the Port of Oakland and the Bay Area Rapid Transit District.

Mike earned a law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law and holds a BA in Economics from UC Berkeley. He is a member of the State Bar of California and the US Supreme Court Bar as well as the Maritime Law Association of the United States. Mike is the current Chair of the Advisory Council to the CSU – Cal Maritime School of Letters & Sciences. In addition, Mike is also active in regional land use and housing affordability issues, having served on the Alameda County Planning Commission for 12 years and as current Chairman of a large non-profit affordable housing development company.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Questions: apmargaronis@gmail.com

PCNC Welcomes Blue Diamond Growers’ Steve Schult & the “Almond Express:” Tuesday, August 23rd @ 1100 Via Zoom

Posted on August 10, 2022December 12, 2022 by propellerclub

Steve Schult, Vice President, Global Supply Chain, Blue Diamond Growers, Will Discuss:

Almond Export Costs for Southern California Rail Service
Repositioning Empty Containers
Exporting Via Houston and Norfolk
Oakland is Still the Cheapest Route

Steve Schult is Vice President of Global Supply Chain for Blue Diamond Growers. He leads the end-to-end inventory and service execution from orchard to table for the world’s largest nut processor. Steve serves on the Federal Maritime Shipping Committee National Shipper Advisor Council on behalf of Blue Diamond. Steve has a Master of Science in Logistics, Transportation, and Supply Chain Management from the University of Washington.

WATCH THE VIDEO

QUESTIONS: apmargaronis@gmail.com

Could U.S. Built and Crewed Ships Help U.S. Exporters?

Posted on June 10, 2022 by propellerclub

The United States is facing growing challenges exporting agricultural products abroad at a time when it lacks the U.S. flagged vessels to support international trade, according to panelists addressing a Maritime Day symposium entitled “Do U.S. Exporters Need U.S. Ships?”

The presentations were made before the Propeller Club of Northern California on May 16th via Zoom.

In his welcoming remarks, Jim Patti, president, International Propeller Club of the United States argued that the United States needs to build more commercial vessels as it faces shortfalls in vessel carrying capabilities for exports of agricultural goods and for energy products such as LNG.

U.S. Exporters Will Suffer Again In 2022

Paul Snell, chief executive officer, British American Shipping, Long Beach, California discussed “Challenges for U.S. Exporters in 2022.” He said that ocean carriers will likely not resume their traditional number of sailings at ports such as the Port of Oakland. This will adversely impact U.S. exporters selling to Asian and European markets in 2022.

Snell said there is a serious problem with the lack of infrastructure at ports and he particularly referenced the lack of on-dock rail which has slowed the velocity of imported containers coming into the United States as well as slowing the flow of exported containers. Snell cited the on-dock rail problem at the Ports of Oakland and Houston.

In 2021, California agricultural exporters lost $2.1 billion partly due to deficient port operations, according to a University of California, Davis and University of Connecticut report.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE

Could Marine Highway Ships and Port of Oakland Relieve LA/LB Port Congestion?

Posted on June 10, 2022 by propellerclub

Paul Snell, chief executive officer, British American Shipping, Long Beach, California, suggested that a coastal feeder ship service linking the Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland could relieve Southern California port congestion.

Snell was speaking to the Propeller Club of Northern California Maritime Day forum on May 16th, 2022, where he discussed “Challenges to U.S. Exporters.”

Snell said there is a serious problem with the lack of infrastructure at U.S. ports.

He referenced the lack of on-dock rail which has slowed the velocity of imported containers coming into the United States as well as slowing the flow of exported containers.

Snell also suggested that a coastal vessel feeder service linking the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach with Oakland could relieve congestion at the Southern California ports.

He speculated that the coastal service could also provide a lower freight rate than the $3,000 trucking cost borne by importers and exporters currently having to access the two Southern California ports for imports and exports. The coastal service could also reduce the delay in retrieving chassis from Southern California which has slowed the movement of harbor truckloads to Port of Oakland customers, he said.

The expansion of coastal and inland shipping utilizing Jones Act vessels built in the United States and manned by U.S. crews has long been advocated by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) as the Marine Highway system. MARAD has designated and funded waterborne Marine Highway transport to reduce highway and port congestion.

On California’s Interstate 5 there are between 6,000 to 7,000 five axle trucks per day carrying imports and exports and other goods between Northern and Southern California, according to California Department of Transportation.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE

Great Lakes Ports’ Director Outlines Infrastructure Priorities

Posted on June 10, 2022 by propellerclub

New infrastructure investments will be needed to support U.S. Great Lakes ports and their expansion, says Steve Fisher, executive director, American Great Lakes Ports Association (AGLPA).

The ports are seeing an increase in shipments of wind turbine components, some expansion of container cargoes and continued shipments of steel products and exports of agricultural products.

At the same time, a May report in Maritime Exchange has noted new containership services at the Great Lakes ports of Duluth, Minnesota, and Cleveland, Ohio:

“The rise in fuel prices has prompted renewed interest in expanding container shipping at America’s Great Lakes ports, like Duluth and Cleveland. There is potential for Port of Duluth to develop containerized dry bulk agricultural exports to Europe, where growing numbers of customers are willing to take delivery of containers of agricultural produce.”

The report went on to explain: “The Port of Cleveland played an instrumental role in developing viable container shipping between Europe and the Great Lakes when it introduced a direct service to Antwerp. A comparatively small container ship of under 1,000 TEU has feasibly carried containers between Antwerp and Cleveland, with rates that compete with the alternative option – a mega-size container ship sailing to Port of Newark followed by high-cost railway connection to Cleveland. The Port of Duluth involves an even greater railway distance (1,250 miles), making direct Duluth – Europe container shipping potentially more attractive.”

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE

Port of South Louisiana & Waterways Council Inc Say U.S. Infrastructure Upgrades Vital

Posted on June 10, 2022June 10, 2022 by propellerclub

New U.S. infrastructure funding will improve grain and energy shipments transported along the inland waterways thanks to improved port, lock, and dam upgrades, according to Paul Matthews, executive director of the Port of South Louisiana:

“We’re so grateful to Congress and President Biden for passing the Infrastructure Act. We all recognize the importance of infrastructure. Our port and the Mississippi River are connected to thirty-two states and two Canadian provinces.”

Tracy Zea, president, Waterways Council, Inc. based in Washington D.C. also hailed the impact of last year’s Infrastructure Act. He said new funding reduced the current $8 billion of backlogged lock and dam projects by $2.5 billion.

This leaves $5.5 billion in projects that still need funding.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE

British American’s Snell Says US Exporters Face a Tough 2022

Posted on April 22, 2022April 22, 2022 by propellerclub

Smaller U.S. West Coast ports, including the Ports of Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma are experiencing ocean carrier service cutbacks that are adversely impacting U.S. agricultural exporters, according to Paul Snell, president of Huntington Beach, CA-based British-American Shipping.

The export situation is likely to remain challenging for the remainder of 2022, Snell said.

California Exporters Lost $2.1 billion in 2021

Snell was speaking to the Propeller Club of Northern California on April 19th.

In February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that final 2021 trade data showed that exports of U.S. farm and food products totaled $177 billion, topping the 2020 total by 18 percent.

However, in 2021, California agricultural exporters lost $2.1 billion partly due to California port operations and high import freight rates, according to a University of California at Davis and University of Connecticut report.

The report explained: “We found that containerized agricultural exports from California ports were $2.1 billion (or 17%) below their counterfactual level due to port congestion between May and September 2021. California farmers bore the brunt of these losses, with tree nuts, wine, rice, and dairy products suffering significant economic damages. The annualized economic impact is by far larger than that of the 2018 U.S.-China trade war, which caused economic losses of about $500 million to California agriculture.”

The report said that 97,000 fewer export containers shipped in 2021 contributing to the $2.1 billion loss: “California ports handled about 97,000 fewer container exports (measured in TEUs) loaded with agricultural products compared to the counterfactual scenario. This amounts to $2.1 billion in lost foreign sales.”

The report entitled “Containergeddon” and California Agriculture partly blames inefficiencies at California ports for the losses: “The lost farm exports mirror the fact that California ports are among the least efficient in the world. As a result, some importers now view California as an unreliable supplier of agricultural products due to inferior port infrastructure.”