Category: Reports

SSA’S DENIKE: LA/LB PORT CONGESTION WILL LAST AT LEAST UNTIL MARCH

SSA’S DENIKE: LA/LB PORT CONGESTION WILL LAST AT LEAST UNTIL MARCH

Posted on by propellerclub

Ed Denike, president SSA Containers, said that ocean carriers tell him that vessel congestion at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach is likely to continue until March.

Denike, who spoke to the Propeller Club of Northern California via Zoom on January 12th, explained that congestion delays have seen as many as 40 ships waiting to be unloaded that amounts to a 7-8 wait per vessel.

Causes of Congestion

The primary reason is the large increase in container ships arriving at the two Southern California ports: “There has been an unprecedented increase in container ship traffic going to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.”

The delays and back-ups of ships waiting to enter the two ports comes at a time when there has been a 10% reduction in longshore workers showing up for work related to the COVID virus and a parallel delay unloading import containers at California warehouses due to a reduction of workers also related to the virus.

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U.S. SEA LEVEL DEFENSE CONFERENCE: TEXAS, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI RIVER CITIES & CALIFORNIA STRATEGIES

U.S. SEA LEVEL DEFENSE CONFERENCE: TEXAS, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI RIVER CITIES & CALIFORNIA STRATEGIES

Posted on by Stas Margaronis

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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U.S. SEA LEVEL DEFENSE CONFERENCE: PORT STRATEGIES FOR NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY HAWAII, WASHINGTON, CALIFORNIA, & ROTTERDAM

U.S. SEA LEVEL DEFENSE CONFERENCE: PORT STRATEGIES FOR NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY HAWAII, WASHINGTON, CALIFORNIA, & ROTTERDAM

Posted on by Stas Margaronis

The second day of the Storms, Flooding & Sea Level Defense 2020 conference featured sea level defense strategies being developed by ports from New York/ New Jersey,  Hawaii, Washington, California and Rotterdam.

The conference was produced by the Propeller Club of Northern California and the Society of American Military Engineers and took place virtually on November 19th, 2020.

The Port of New Orleans discussed its plans on the first day of the conference.

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PMA report warns U.S. West Coast Ports could lose up to 45% of intermodal imports to B.C. ports by 2030

PMA report warns U.S. West Coast Ports could lose up to 45% of intermodal imports to B.C. ports by 2030

Posted on by Stas Margaronis

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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Congressman Garamendi advances Jones Act requirement for offshore wind

Congressman Garamendi advances Jones Act requirement for offshore wind

Posted on by Stas Margaronis

On September 25th, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) applauded passage of his amendment to the “Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act” (H.R. 4447) by the U.S House of Representatives.

Garamendi’s amendment clarifies that the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, a 1953 law governing offshore mineral and energy development, applies to lease sales for non-fossil fuel energy sources such as wind power, hydrokinetic, or ocean thermal energy conversion. The Garamendi amendment will enforce Jones Act requirements for all offshore renewable energy production.

However, it must still pass the U.S. Senate.

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Pioneer Seafoods luring customers to Redwood City port

Pioneer Seafoods luring customers to Redwood City port

Posted on by Stas Margaronis
Pioneer Seafoods

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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OBIT: GSC’s Andy Garcia Harbor Trucking Leader & Champion of the Oakland Waterfront

OBIT: GSC’s Andy Garcia Harbor Trucking Leader & Champion of the Oakland Waterfront

Posted on by Stas Margaronis

Harbor trucker Andres “Andy” Garcia, owner of import drayage company GSC Logistics, died on June 24th.

Garcia, who was 72 years old, will be most recently remembered for his leadership role in opposing the Oakland A’s proposed condominium and baseball complex at the Port of Oakland’s Howard Terminal.

Garcia mobilized the forcefulness and eloquence of his Cuban-American heritage to advocate for enhancing and protecting harbor worker jobs from attack by real estate developers seeking to transform the Port of Oakland into a playground for the wealthy.

Garcia forged an alliance with stevedores, harbor truckers, freight forwarders and the African-American leadership of International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 10. Local 10 represents Port of Oakland longshore workers.

The coalition that Garcia helped build, along with his partner at GSC Logistics Scott Taylor, highlighted the divide between, on one hand, protecting harbor worker jobs and, on the other, siding with John Fisher, the Oakland A’s owner, who pursued a vision of a gentrified Oakland waterfront.

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New ZPMC Cranes Will Augment Port of Oakland’s Big Ship Capability

New ZPMC Cranes Will Augment Port of Oakland’s Big Ship Capability

Posted on by Stas Margaronis

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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Evey Hwang Joins PCNC Board

Evey Hwang Joins PCNC Board

Posted on by Stas Margaronis
Evey Hwang

On June 2nd the PCNC Board unanimously voted for Evey Hwang to become PCNC’s newest member of the Board of Directors.  Evey Hwang is the current president of the Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of Northern California (CBFANC) and heads the San Francisco division of Alba Wheels Up. She has been in the customs brokerage and freight forwarding business since 1984.

USCG’S SECTOR SAN FRANCISCO KEEPS SEA LANES & SUPPLY CHAIN OPEN DURING COVID-19

USCG’S SECTOR SAN FRANCISCO KEEPS SEA LANES & SUPPLY CHAIN OPEN DURING COVID-19

Posted on by Stas Margaronis

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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Port of Oakland Welcomes 19,200 TEU MSC Anna, one of the largest container ships to call North America

Port of Oakland Welcomes 19,200 TEU MSC Anna, one of the largest container ships to call North America

Posted on by Stas Margaronis

On April 16th, the Port of Oakland hosted Mediterranean Shipping Company’s MSC Anna, a 19,200 20-foot container ship, which is one of the largest container ships ever to dock at a North American port, according to Michael Zampa, the Port’s communication director.

Zampa told AJOT that the mega container ship “stopped at the Port of Long Beach to pick up empty containers before sailing to Oakland where it will unload import containers, pick up export containers and return to Shanghai.”

Zampa said, “The ship will tie up at Oakland International Container Terminal (OICT), the Port’s largest container terminal located on the Oakland Estuary. It’s scheduled to spend 24 hours here.”

“We’ve spent years, and millions of dollars keeping ahead of the pace of trade and the size of ships,” Port of Oakland Executive Director Danny Wan said in a statement.

The MSC Anna’s 19,200 20-foot cargo container capacity, makes it one of the largest vessels ever to visit a North American port, Zampa said.

Captain Joseph Long, president of the San Francisco Bar Pilots told AJOT that piloting of the 19,200 TEU Anna demonstrated that the Port of Oakland could handle the largest mega container ships.

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HTA’S LaBar says terminals and trucking companies collaborate on protective gear & sanitary supplies for drivers

HTA’S LaBar says terminals and trucking companies collaborate on protective gear & sanitary supplies for drivers

Posted on by Stas Margaronis

At the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Weston LaBar, president of the Harbor Trucking Association says that there have been no reported COVID-19 cases among drivers and that marine terminals and trucking companies have been working together to source protective gear and sanitary supplies for drivers.

ILWU Dispatcher Tests Positive for Coronavirus

However, on April 1st, two International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 13 dispatch halls were closed when a dispatcher tested positive for the Coronavirus, according to Stephen Hennessey, Chief Operating Officer of the Pacific Maritime Association.

He issued the following statement on April 1: “Dispatch halls for ILWU Local 13 longshore workers at the Ports of L.A. and Long Beach have been temporarily closed after a dispatcher tested positive for the coronavirus. As a result, the only ships working in the ports tonight are those that worked last night as well. Both halls are being sanitized this evening with the goal of resuming dispatch operations tomorrow, April 2. PMA and Local 13 are working cooperatively together so these essential workers can return to their vital terminal operations as quickly as possible to continue supporting our local and national economies during this challenging time.”

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