Author: propellerclub

STORMS, FLOODING & SEA LEVEL DEFENSE 2021 NOVEMBER CONFERENCE

STORMS, FLOODING & SEA LEVEL DEFENSE 2021 NOVEMBER CONFERENCE

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ANNOUNCING THE 4TH STORMS, FLOODING & SEA LEVEL DEFENSE CONFERENCE

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 3, 2021 

0800 – U.S. PACIFIC TIME TO 1300 U.S. PACIFIC TIME VIA ZOOM

The Storms, Flooding & Sea Level Defense conference will be the fourth conference produced by the Propeller Club of Northern California and the Society of American Military Engineers. 

This year’s SFSLD 2021 conference will look at:

* Modernizing dredging practices in the United States

* Nature-based solutions to defend against flooding in California, New York, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and the Netherlands

* Strategies to fast-track regulatory approvals

 * Port strategies to address sea level rise and flooding: Hawaii, Mississippi river ports and Rotterdam

The conferences grew out of the initiatives of California ports including the Ports of Oakland, San Francisco, Long Beach and Los Angeles and have subsequently expanded to include ports around the United States. The ports share their plans to address storms, flooding, and higher sea levels and examine the impact on port operations, commerce and the wider community.

The SFSLD conferences have also benefited from collaboration with experts in the Netherlands, including the Port of Rotterdam, Deltares, Royal Haskoning, the Dutch government’s Rijkswaterstaat and from Jeroen Aerts, Director Department of Water and Climate Risk, VU University of Amsterdam.

Students: You can attend the conference at no cost by sending a cover letter expressing your interest and a bio of yourself to apmargaronis@gmail.com

VIEW CONFERENCE VIDEO

VIEW PRESENTERS SLIDES

Agenda: Please see the conference agenda here.

See Speakers Bios here.

PDF form for SAME members to self-certify 

Questions: apmargaronis@gmail.com

Sponsorships

CO-SPONSORS:

GEI Consultants logo
Sponsors-Stantec-2023
EA Engineering Logo
Port of Long Beach Logo
Sponsors-Burn-McDonnell logo
Acumen Building Enterprise logo
Cell-Crete logo
Sponsors-Santa-Maria-logo
PCNC EMERGENCY PRESENTATION: TUES., SEPT. 28TH @ 11 VIA ZOOM – OCEAN CARRIERS NEEDED BACK AT PORT OF OAKLAND

PCNC EMERGENCY PRESENTATION: TUES., SEPT. 28TH @ 11 VIA ZOOM – OCEAN CARRIERS NEEDED BACK AT PORT OF OAKLAND

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OCEAN CARRIERS NEEDED BACK AT PORT OF OAKLAND: PETER SCHNEIDER, TGS LOGISTICS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH @ 11 VIA ZOOM

TGS Logistics’ Peter Schneider discusses the emergency facing U.S. Ag exporters:

  • The U.S. export harvest is at risk unless ocean carriers bring back regular vessel services to the Port of Oakland
  • Direct Port of Oakland/First Port of Call service is essential to fast-track U.S. Ag exports
  • Exporters & importers need to contact their ocean carrier partners and make their voices heard
  • Current trucking rates between Northern California and the Ports of LA & Long Beach are too expensive and there is no capacity

Watch the Video

For questions, please contact: apmargaronis@gmail.com

California Propeller Clubs’ Meeting Focuses on Railroads’ Impact on California Ports

California Propeller Clubs’ Meeting Focuses on Railroads’ Impact on California Ports

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The Propeller Clubs of Northern California and of Los Angeles and Long Beach convened a joint forum to discuss the impact of U.S. railroads on California ports.

On September 14th, maritime stakeholders from Northern and Southern California attended the virtual event where they heard the following reports:

Jessica Alvarenga, government affairs director Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA), reported that average rail dwell time for containers moving on rail destined for Midwest destinations from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach averaged “11.8 days in June.”

However, on September 17th, PMSA reported the rail dwell time had declined to 8.2 days:

“Dwell time in August for containers leaving via rail was down compared to the month before. The railroads worked hard to drop the average dwell time for containers leaving via rail to 8.2 days, down from 11.3 days in July. 42.7% of containers leaving on rail remained on terminals for more than 5 days, also down from 53.4% the month before.”

In January of 2021 the average rail dwell time at the two Southern California ports was “7.9 days,” Alvarenga said.

She explained that the rail dwell time is measured from the time the container “leaves the terminal once it’s been offloaded from the vessel” until the container departs by rail for Midwest destinations.

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PCNC PRESENTS: RAILROADS & WEST COAST PORTS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 @ 11 VIA ZOOM

PCNC PRESENTS: RAILROADS & WEST COAST PORTS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 @ 11 VIA ZOOM

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RAILROADS & WEST COAST PORTS: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH @ 11 VIA ZOOM

THIS PANEL OF EXPERTS WILL DISCUSS RAIL ISSUES IMPACTING WEST COAST PORTS:

  • RON BROWN, PORT OF OAKLAND
  • MICHAEL SUSSMAN, STRATEGIC RAIL FINANCE  
  • VINCENT IACOPELLA, ALBA WHEELS UP INTERNATIONAL  
  • DAVE ARSENAULT, GSC LOGISTICS & PROPELLER CLUB OF LOS ANGELES & LONG BEACH 

VIEW VIDEO

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

apmargaronis@gmail.com 

PCNC PRESENTS “FLOATING OFFSHORE WIND FARMS STRATEGY FOR THE UNITED STATES” FEATURING DR HABIB DAGHER, UNIVERSITY OF MAINE

PCNC PRESENTS “FLOATING OFFSHORE WIND FARMS STRATEGY FOR THE UNITED STATES” FEATURING DR HABIB DAGHER, UNIVERSITY OF MAINE

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TUESDAY, JULY 13TH @ 1100 VIA ZOOM

DR DAGHER DISCUSSED:

  • New Floating Wind Turbines to Be Deployed Off Maine’s Coast
  • How Floating Wind Turbines Can Be Built at U.S. Shipyards
  • Training Next Generation U.S. Offshore Wind Turbine Workers
  • Support Vessel Requirements
  • Permitting & Finance Challenges
  • A Floating Wind Farm Strategy for California
  • New Business for California Ports
  • Building 3D Printed Boats 

BIO: Dr, Dagher is the founding Executive Director of the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC).  Under his leadership, the Center has grown from 4 to 260 personnel and is now housed in a 100,000 ft2 laboratory, the largest university-based research Center in Maine. Dr. Dagher is a world-leading advocate for developing sustainable infrastructure and energy systems which simultaneously optimize structures, materials, manufacturing, construction and maintenance. Dr. Dagher initiated a number of major research programs which have gained ASCC national and international reputation.

WATCH THE VIDEO PRESENTATION

For questions please contact:
apmargaronis@gmail.com

U.S. Exporters Continue to Encounter Rough Sailing in 2021

U.S. Exporters Continue to Encounter Rough Sailing in 2021

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Paul Snell, CEO British – American Shipping, warned that the recent consolidation of ocean carriers into now 17 carriers into a smaller number of alliances has been accompanied by downsizing and automation in which carriers “mimic each other” in emphasizing imports over exports and with the unintended effect of “devaluing” U.S exporters.

This consolidation is causing international trade to favor imports over exports to the United States and is creating long-term obstacles for U.S. exporters.

However, Snell emphasized that challenges faced by exporters can be mitigated by investing more in marketing their products abroad including in their logistics staff. Exporters must accept that as import freight rates rise so must export freight rates.

Snell said logistics experts play an increasingly important role in ensuring exports arrive in a timely manner and that shippers who emphasize the lowest price are likely to experience the negative results of what they did not wish to invest in.

Snell said that exporters needed to invest in their relationship with trucker and rail partners and have a reserve of truckers who could help provide support in case of an emergency.

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After COVID Losses, Port of San Francisco’s Forbes Hopeful About A Rebound and State Aid

After COVID Losses, Port of San Francisco’s Forbes Hopeful About A Rebound and State Aid

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In an interview with AJOT, Elaine Forbes, executive director, Port of San Francisco said the Port could be facing up to an $80 million deficit by the end of 2021. She is hopeful about an economic rebound in 2022 and that $250 million designated by the State of California for ports’ recovery might be partially utilized to reduce Port losses suffered during the pandemic.

Earlier this month, Forbes told the San Francisco Board of Supervisors: “The Port is in a crisis. We have cut our capital budget to below life support. We’ve used our savings and we will be facing layoffs of essential employees without support and tools to right our ship. Our revenues have fallen nearly 50% for a total loss of $60 million and a projected $80 million over the next two years.”

Since then, Forbes said that California Governor Gavin Newsom has decided to allocate $250 million for California ports recovery. The funds come from the $26 billion California received as part of the American Rescue Plan Act.

Forbes noted that the funding for ports must first be approved by the California Legislature and then meet the approval of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). The office will decide on final allocations: “The Port of San Diego is facing similar problems that we are. Other ports may also seek assistance,” she said.

As a result, “we are looking at the end of the year before we can get relief. In the meantime, we might be able to obtain a $20 million loan from the City of San Francisco to tide us over and avoid having to make draconian cuts in staff and Port operations.”

Forbes said that the loss of cruise ship revenue hurt the Port’s revenues during the pandemic. Rent payments have also plummeted from the Port’s tenants. The Port forgave about $14 million in rent for 225 tenants during the ‘shelter in place’ mandates that included restaurants and other businesses shutting down during the COVID crisis. The Port has also deferred collecting tens of millions of dollars in rent from others. Parking revenue has also declined.

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PCNC & CBFANC Present “U.S. Exporter Strategies in 2021” – May 20

PCNC & CBFANC Present “U.S. Exporter Strategies in 2021” – May 20

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THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021 @ 1030 PACIFIC TIME VIA ZOOM

1030: INTRODUCTION: Stas Margaronis, PCNC & Evey Hwang, CBFANC

1040: WELCOME: Danny Wan, Executive Director, Port of Oakland

1045: KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Paul Snell, CEO, British-American Shipping, LLC “How to Navigate Export Obstacles in 2021”

1100 PANEL DISCUSSION: “What Strategies Should Exporters Pursue In 2021?”

Peter Friedmann, Executive Director, Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AGTC)

John Lee, President, SW Logistics

Geoffrey Bogart, Principal Specialist, Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs,  ‎Almond Board of California 

Bryan Brandes, Maritime Director, Port of Oakland

1200: CONCLUSION

Please Register Here:

REGISTRATION IS FREE

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SPONSORS:

PCNC Presents: U.S. MARITIME DAY 2021: Salute to the Jones Act with Acting MARAD Administrator Lucinda Lessley – May 21

PCNC Presents: U.S. MARITIME DAY 2021: Salute to the Jones Act with Acting MARAD Administrator Lucinda Lessley – May 21

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Friday May 21, 2021 @ 1030 Pacific Via Zoom

1030: INTRODUCTION: Stas Margaronis, PCNC

1035: WELCOME: Niels Aalund, President, International Propeller Club of the United States

Lucinda Lessley

1040: KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Lucinda Lessley, Acting U.S. Maritime Administrator, “Should the United States Expand Its Merchant Marine & Shipbuilding to Help U.S. Exporters” 

Lucinda Lessley serves as the Acting Administrator of the Maritime Administration. Previously, she was Senior Investigator with the House Committee on Homeland Security.  Prior to that, she worked for Congressman Elijah E. Cummings in a variety of positions, including Professional Staff on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

1050: CHALLENGES FOR JONES ACT CARRIERS IN 2021

Marjorie Zoretic, Director of Business Development & Government Services, Foss Maritime Company

Ed Washburn, Senior Vice President Fleet Operations, Pasha Group

Nick Marrone, Vice President, Seafarers International Union

Torey Presti, President, National Shipping of America

1200: CONCLUSION

Please Register Here:

REGISTRATION IS FREE

Watch the Video

SPONSORS:

SEA LEVEL & FLOODING CONFERENCE: TEXAS, LOUISIANA, CALIFORNIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ROTTERDAM, SHANGHAI & SALTWATER THREAT TO FRESH WATER

SEA LEVEL & FLOODING CONFERENCE: TEXAS, LOUISIANA, CALIFORNIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ROTTERDAM, SHANGHAI & SALTWATER THREAT TO FRESH WATER

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Retired Brigadier General Joseph Schroedel urged attendees at the “Strategies for Storms, Flooding and Sea Level Defense Investments” conference to support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mission to upgrade the nation’s flood control and waterways infrastructure. Schroedel also urged support for budgetary increases in the next Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) which funds USACE projects.

The WRDA passed in 2020 included key provisions to invest in U.S. ports, harbors and inland waterways; build more resilient communities so that  the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can build projects in an economically and environmentally responsible manner.

Schroedel is currently the executive director of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) and was introduced by Arvind Acharya, president of the San Francisco District of SAME. The conference took place on April 13th via Zoom  and was a collaboration between the Propeller Club of Northern California and SAME.

John Cullather, executive vice president of International Propeller Club of the United States, commended Pete DeFazio, chair of the House, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee which spearheaded bi-partisan passage of the WRDA 2020. DeFazio will be an important champion for President Biden’s infrastructure bill, Cullather said.

Many conference presenters argued that the infrastructure bill must incorporate investments for resiliency and sea level defenses for coastal and inland communities as well as U.S. ports.

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PCNC Welcomes PCC Logistics Brandon McDonnell, Darren Shems, STORM GEO, Ed Kearney, Founder Boundary Layer Technologies – April 28 @1100 via Zoom

PCNC Welcomes PCC Logistics Brandon McDonnell, Darren Shems, STORM GEO, Ed Kearney, Founder Boundary Layer Technologies – April 28 @1100 via Zoom

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Brandon McDonnell is Vice President of PCC Logistics who began his career in transportation while simultaneously attending Cal State Hayward.  His formal initiation into the industry commenced at PCC Logistics, situated in Oakland, CA in 1996. During his tenure there, he has held various positions ranging from operations to sales. McDonnell was a board member for several years of The Pacific Transportation Association, a San Francisco based transportation association founded in 1920 and served as its President in 2012.  In addition, he has been a board member of the West State Alliance Group, based in Oakland, Ca.  PCC Logistics was founded in 1988 and currently operates nine sites with approximately 1.8 million square feet of warehousing and distribution space in every major West Coast port. Today PCC provides an expansive menu of services in transportation, warehousing, and distribution, accommodating both import and export goods as well as dry and refrigerated cargoes.

Darren Shems is the Senior Route Analyst, StormGeo.  He is also the Internal Audit Leader for all StormGeo business lines and offices worldwide. A graduate of the California Maritime Academy, class of 2004 in Marine Transportation with accompanying Third Mate Unlimited Tonnage License. Additional maritime leadership experience as a Senior Marine Superintendent for Marine Terminals Corp./Ports America Group in Long Beach (2005-2009). As a member of the Container Team at Fleet Operations Center West, Darren is among a primary team that oversees daily fleet optimization efforts, issuing route recommendations and weather forecasts in order to protect the safety of the vessel, cargo, and crew.

Ed Kearney is the co-founder and CEO of Boundary Layer Technologies, a SF based technology startup that is building zero emissions hydrofoil cargo ships. Their ships will feature a cruise speed of over 40 knots and will replace highly polluting air freight, as well as reducing cost for shippers. He holds a masters of Ocean and coastal engineering from UNSW in Sydney Australia, a naval architecture certificate from Lloyd Maritime Academy, and is an associate member of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects.

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Please Register Here:

For questions, please contact: apmargaronis@gmail.com

Oakland’s Proposed New Ballpark and Condo Complex “Long-Term Threat” to Port

Oakland’s Proposed New Ballpark and Condo Complex “Long-Term Threat” to Port

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PMSA’s Jacob Warns Oakland A’s Howard Terminal Ballpark and Condos Pose “Long-Term Threat” to Port of Oakland Maritime Operations

Mike Jacob, vice president and general counsel, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA), called the recently-released City of Oakland draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) analyzing the Oakland A’s proposed ballpark and condominium complex at the Port of Oakland’s Howard Terminal “inadequate.”

Jacob said the report was vague in its analysis of the complex’s impact on harbor trucking, air quality and container rail movements.

Jacob warned that, if approved, the A’s project poses “a long-term threat to growth at the Port of Oakland.”

Nevertheless, the City of Oakland is moving forward with approving the complex at a time when the Port of Oakland:

  • Attracted new container ship business from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach
  • Attracted it first port of call ocean carrier service from Asia with CMA
  • Is the only the third port in the United States to handle 18,000 twenty-foot unit mega-container ships
  • Is installing new mega-container ship to shore cranes at the Oakland International Container Terminal built in China by ZPMC. 

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