Jim McKenna, president of the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), reported that the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have seen the highest number of COVID cases among U.S. West Coast ports and that thirteen longshore workers have so far died.

McKenna, who spoke to the Propeller Club of Northern California on February 2nd, said that approximately half of the current 855 COVID cases afflicting longshore workers at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach had occurred since January 1st.

McKenna reported that there have been 74 COVID cases in Northern California including two longshore worker deaths and 110 cases at ports in Oregon and Washington with no deaths.

McKenna said “we mourn this loss of life and are working with the ILWU to constantly provide the best protection for our workforce so that they can continue to do the vital job that they do to support the U.S. supply chain.”

McKenna said that the State of California had elevated the importance of longshore workers as essential to receive COVID vaccines, but at the moment no vaccines are available.

To assist longshore workers who become ill, the ILWU and the PMA have established two web portals. One portal allows longshore workers to report positive and negative tests of the virus and a second portal allows longshore workers, who have been taken ill by the virus, to be compensated during their convalescence.

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The Texas Legislature will be asked to approve a $26 billion coastal defense network, including $12 billion for storm surge gates to protect Galveston Bay and the Port of Houston from hurricanes and storm surges, according to Tony Williams, environmental review coordinator for the Texas General Land Office.

Williams was addressing the first day of the Storms, Flooding and Sea Level Defense 2020 conference produced by the Propeller Club of Northern California and the Society of American Military Engineers which took place on Zoom on November 18th.

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A Mercator study commissioned by the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) warns that high U.S. rail costs and other factors could cause U.S. West Coast (USWC) ports to lose between 15% to 45% of intermodal import business to British Columbia (BC) ports by 2030.

The report says 15% of “Intact Intermodal import volumes” could be lost by 2022 and over “45% of the USWC’s current intact intermodal import traffic is at risk of diversion to BC ports over the balance of this decade.”

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Popular Pioneer Seafoods is netting long lines at the Port of Redwood City.

Previously operating out of San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf, the business that prides itself on catching high-quality seafood in sustainable fashion was forced to shut down and relocate due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new Redwood City location features a rolling fish market and restaurant. Customers can select from over 40 different types of fresh local fish as well as purchase food such as fish and chips from the rolling restaurant. The rolling restaurant is open from noon to 6 p.m., six days a week. Fresh fish can be purchased on the weekends depending on weather conditions.

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Three new ship to shore container cranes, built by Shanghai-based ZPMC, will arrive at the Port of Oakland later this year and will enhance the ability of SSA’s Oakland International Container Terminal to handle 19,000 TEU ships and larger.

ZPMC discussed the new cranes and new harbor automation technology at a Propeller Club of Northern California virtual presentation on June 16th.

At the presentation, Port of Oakland executive director Danny Wan welcomed ZPMC: “We are especially excited to welcome ZPMC who will be delivering new cranes to the Port of Oakland later this year. These cranes will be delivered to our partner SSA (Stevedoring Service of America). These will be the tallest cranes in North America and will help the Port of Oakland handle the largest container ships… Back in 1996, the Port of Oakland was the recipient of the first ship to shore cranes delivered in North America. So, thank you ZPMC!”

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Deploying 24-hour per day boat crew patrols is the way U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) Sector San Francisco is keeping vital sea lanes safe and free of obstructions that could slow or stop ocean-going vessels’ ability to access ports in the San Francisco Bay.

Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Kroll, Public Affairs Officer, U.S.C.G. Eleventh District, which includes Sector San Francisco, said in an interview: “Right now a key element is keeping the ship channels clear and insuring there are no obstacles that might lead to a container ship, tanker or tug barge colliding with a floating object.”

Kroll noted that “As supply chain issues are a paramount issue at our six ports in San Francisco Bay, it is essential that we avoid potential hazards for vessels arriving and departing the Bay.”

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