The majority of California ports came together on December 3rd to announce their plans for improved defense against sea level rise recognizing that climate change poses a serious threat to U.S. ports and coastal communities.
The “Storms, Flooding and Sea Level Defense” conference was coordinated by the Propeller Club of Northern California and took place at Scott’s Seafood in Oakland, California.
Port Presentation Hightlights:
Dave Kaval, president of the Oakland Athletics, wants a “partnership” with the Port of Oakland maritime industry so as to build the new A’s ballpark and “preserve and protect jobs on the waterfront.”
Speaking to the Harbor Safety Committee of the San Francisco Bay on August 8th, Kaval said that the A’s have pledged to:
“The Propeller Club of Northern California salutes the success of Port of Oakland Executive Director Chris Lytle. Chris’ announcement of his retirement represents a great loss to the Port and the Northern California maritime community. He was a friend and supporter of PCNC and we will miss him.”
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.
Gabe Abastillas, Sales Manager, PCC Logistics/Oakland is reaching out to younger people in the maritime transportation and logistics business not just to encourage sales but also to encourage participation and job opportunities in the maritime and logistics industries.
PCNC’s Board approved Susan Ransom as its newest member on April 30, 2019. Ransom is the Client Services Manager for SSA International at the Port of Oakland. She is pictured above being proposed by Ron Brown (Center) and Gregg Feeney (Left)
The Propeller Club of Northern California (PCNC) welcomes USCG’s Captain Marie Byrd who assumes command of Sector San Francisco.
PCNC wishes to thank outgoing Captain Anthony Ceraolo for his service.
The US Coast Guard Change of Command Ceremony for Sector San Francisco took place on March 28th 2019.
Rear Admiral Peter Gautier, Eleventh Coast Guard District, officiated at the ceremony and praised Byrd and Ceraolo.
USCG’s Sector San Francisco has jurisdiction and responsibility for the Northern California ports and coast.
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.
Giuseppe “Joe” Pennisi and Nicholas Krieger have been selling rockfish, petrale sole and other fish from their boats as part of this exciting new project at the Port of San Francisco that allows fishermen to selldirectly to retail customers from their boats.
The Northern Waterfront, including Fisherman’s Wharf, Hyde Street Pier and Pier 39, draws 15 million visitors a year, according to the Port, yet few people — whether tourists orlocals — are able to take part in the traditional fishing culture there.
“It’s fun seeing people at the dock,” Pennisi said. “Sometimes we had 30 people hanging out.”
The Pennisi family has a long tradition of sustainable fishing in California and has been trawling in the waters off of California since the early 1900s. Giuseppe “Joe” Pennisi started fishing in California when he was seven years old. Beginning his career working on his father’s boats, he has made a career fishing everywhere from Monterey to the Bering Sea. In 2000 he purchased his boat the Pioneer and launched Pioneer Seafoods.
For more information about Giuseppe and Pioneer Seafood please go to:
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.