PORT ACTIVITY UPDATE (I

PORT ACTIVITY UPDATE Infrastructure, environmental resilience top priorities for ports

Throughout the pandemic, ports around the world have worked hard to ensure crucial supply chain links are maintained while keeping operations as safe as possible. Even with the enormous efforts required for this, many are still finding the time to pro-actively plan for the future with key infrastructure improvement projects, environmental sustainability, and other initiatives that will position them well for future growth and opportunities.

As is tradition, the APP’s recent Annual General Meeting provided an opportunity for members to update their colleagues and peers on activities. For example: • Ports & Harbor Director Jeremy

Talbott with the Port of Valdez reported that it’s been a great year for the salmon fishery; • Port of Grays Harbor Executive

Director Gary Nelson said it had been a very good summer with a very active Westport Marina as well

as strong exports and two new log customers (one intercoastal and the other for exports). • In addition to a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the recently completed upgrade to Pier 5, Paula Miranda,

General Manager with the Port of

Newport, highlighted an increased interest in wave energy on the

Oregon coast, including a partnership between the Port and Oregon

State University for research and contact from companies looking to use the Port’s facilities for projects related to wave energy; • Kim B. Puzey, General Manager with the Port of Umatilla, said they have seen unprecedented growth in data centers with several hundred acres of industrial property being allocated to this sector. He also was pleased to report on the success of Bill 19 that passed through the Oregon Legislature to allow the

Department of Corrections to transfer surplus property to the Port at no cost. The result was an extra 140 acres being transferred.

Here’s a snapshot of how other Port Members have fared over the past year:

American Samoa – Department of Port Administration (DPA)

Director Chris King was pleased to report that American Samoa remains free of COVID-19 — one of a handful of places in the world that has been untouched by the pandemic. Borders were expected to be opened by September 13 with proof of vaccination required for all travelers. The DPA will continue to implement safety protocols, including no crew disembarkation from visiting ships for the foreseeable future.

In other news for the DPA, the Ofu, Manu’a Airport Runway Reconstruction Project got underway following a Groundbreaking Ceremony in March this past year. As of the end of August, demolition of the old concrete runway had been completed and preparation of the subgrade and base course layers was 75 percent complete.

The DPA also launched a Port Electronic Ticketing System to streamline ticketing and boarding processes for ferry operations for Manu’a and other neighboring islands in the South Pacific region.

As is tradition, the APP’s recent Annual General Meeting provided an opportunity for members to update their colleagues and peers on activities.

On Thursday, July 1, 2021, the Port of Newport celebrated the official opening of the Port Dock 5 access pier. Above: Port of Newport Commission President Jim Burke cuts the ribbon. The new pier is 168 feet long, with the gangway adding an additional 85 feet.

Photo courtesy the Port of Newport

Photo credit: Natalia Palamo, Engineer, DPA

Construction continues on the Concrete Runway Reconstruction Project at Ofu Airport, Manu’a. Demolition of the old concrete runway has been completed. Preparation of the subgrade and base course layers is 75% complete, and the pouring of concrete has already started.

Port Alberni Port Authority

Port Alberni Port Authority’s CEO, Zoran Knezevic was pleased to announce that an agreement, effective July 1, sees San Group manage all shipping-related activities at Berth 3 and adjacent terminal facilities and yard. Port Alberni Port Authority (PAPA) is partnering with San Group to apply to the National Trade Corridors Fund for support in upgrading shipping facilities including dock infrastructure improvements, new loading cranes, reach stackers, storage, and conveyor systems. San Group has invested more than $100 million over the last four years to establish three new facilities in Port Alberni, including a 300,000-square-foot plant, made up of seven inter-connected buildings that produce more than 30 products.

Also happening at Port Alberni Terminals, Knezevic reported that the Independent Seafoods Canada Corporation had expanded its offloading area adjacent to Berth 1 and was enjoying successful operations of both of its factory fishing vessels; and Thunderbird Spirit Water is in the process of completing all equipment installations to operate its fresh water bottling plant at full capacity. Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC) has also opened its new warehouse and office facility this past May with their marina at Water Street expected to be in use for their response vessels this fall.

At the China Creek Campground & Marina, occupancy continues to break previous records as the facility has become a major attraction for those seeking the authentic West Coast experience, thanks in part to marketing partnerships with BC Ferries Vacations, Arbutus RV, and Wind Rider Kiteboarding School. New last summer and already seeing high demand is the Coho Cabanas’ “glamping” small-cabin experience; and continued scuba diving and use of the Alberni Inlet Trail are both seeing active summers.

The Dock+ Port Alberni Food Hub has been having a very positive impact on the Port Alberni community. Knezevic noted that it has been instrumental in creating dozens of new jobs and the availability of such facilities with commercial ice, a blast freezer and cold storage has also played a role in attracting new tuna fleet vessels to the community to offload and re-supply with locally-purchased provisions.

With a partnership in place with the Tseshaht First Nation, the Hupacasath First Nation and the City of Port Alberni for Clutesi Haven Marina, PAPA continues to explore ways to make improvements to the guest experience beyond the traditional recreational fishers. This includes new picnic tables, shelter, signage, and other cultural, educational, artistic and environmental components. The mobile food vendor “pod” continues to enjoy high levels of customer interest and numerous inquiries from interested new entrepreneurs have been received. Unfortunately, delays due to COVID-19 have greatly restricted the ability of many interested vendors to join this year.

On a final note, Knezevic reported that a new Search and Rescue boathouse was recently located at Tyee Pier.

Photo source: San Group

Photo source: Port of Guam

The Port Authority of Guam has a number of projects underway that address infrastructure resiliency and will result in significant upgrades to facilities.

As a vital part of Guam’s economic infrastructure ... modernization has been a key strategy for the Port’s Board Members and staff...

Port Authority of Guam

With the recent approval of three grants, the Port Authority of Guam is anticipating a busy time ahead. As a vital part of Guam’s economic infrastructure — handling more than 90 percent of the Island’s total imports — modernization has been a key strategy for the Port’s Board Members and staff, and these new grants will go a long way to ensure that the resiliency of the Island’s commerce is secure.

Looking at the largest project first, Board Member Dorothy Harris, reporting on behalf of the Port Authority of Guam at the APP’s recent Annual General Meeting, provided an overview of the “Installation of a Fuel Pipeline System for F1 Pier and Gold Pier Connectivity Project.” Estimated at a total cost of just over $3 million, the Port will receive $2.4 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration and will invest just over $600,000 of its own funds.

The project involves the installation of a robust fuel pipeline system that will allow connectivity between the Port’s only two fuel wharves, F1 and Golf Piers respectively. Considered a mitigation and resiliency initiative, the project will ensure that bulk fuel, jet fuel, and diesel fuel distribution and delivery remains uninterrupted for the island of Guam in the event that either pier is impacted by natural or man-made incidents. Port Authority of Guam General Manager Rory J. Respicio said this initiative was a priority for Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio as they wanted to safeguard these assets to ensure uninterrupted distribution of fuel products for all the people of Guam.

“From an economic standpoint, this project is a feasible concept as it ensures that there is continuity of commerce in Guam and the surrounding region should either pier become inoperable,” said General Manager Rory J. Respicio. “We are collaborating with Tristar Terminals Guam Inc. and Mobil Oil Guam facility managers for the execution and completion of this critical and important project.” All petroleum products are periodically shipped to Guam via fuel tankers and unloaded at both F1 and Golf Piers. This mitigation project will ensure redundancy and continuity in fuel distribution and achieve port resiliency in times of emergencies impacting either wharf.

F1 Pier and Golf Pier are assets that are very valuable to the PAG and Guam as a whole. All efforts are constantly implemented to ensure that these wharves are operational. The risk of either pier impacted by a natural or man-made incident would have a rippled economic effect on the entire island community. This project will ensure continuity of business and operations and thus will be a benefit not only to the terminal operators but also to everyone that calls Guam their home.

Two additional grants related to port security were also recently approved by the Department of Homeland Security. The first is a $200,000 grant will be added to the Port’s own $50,000 to acquire a radar intrusion and vessel tracking system; and another $165,000 grant will go toward the acquisition of a transportation work identification credential system which will be topped up by the Port for a total cost of $220,000.

The Port is also working with the U.S. Army to develop a Memorandum of Understanding that would establish a partnership with the Port to provide assistance and the use of port capacity

for storage of equipment and potential future military operations as well as serve U.S. Navy vessels as an alternative to their own port. Discussions to date have included an orientation to provide the U.S. Government with an indication of current port capacity.

As if the above was not enough to keep the team at the Port Authority busy, the Board is discussing a CCTV Surveillance System and Access Control System Replacement Project and Preventative Maintenance Services and are also issuing a Request for Proposal for a management contract for the Port’s gantry cranes.

Port of Hueneme

Commissioner Mary Anne Rooney reported that the Port was faring well during COVID-19. She was delighted to note that they had held 52 food distribution events where over one million pounds of food had been distributed to 35,800 local families who have been disproportionately affected by the Pandemic. In June, the Port celebrated the completion of their deepening project and, with a harbor depth of 40 feet, will be looking to attract new classes of vessels that can now be accommodated. Rooney also noted that the Port was working on a number of environmental issues, including an initiative she termed a “zero-emission avocado” — products would arrive on electric ships, be unloaded with electric cranes, and delivered to their destination by electric trucks. Shortly after Rooney’s report at the APP Annual General Meeting, it was announced that the California Energy Commission would be funding the Port’s “blueprint project” known as SPARC (Sustainable Power Advancement & Resiliency for our Community). The project was created to chart a pathway to zero emission operations which is the Port’s overall long-term goal for air quality improvement and climate change adaptation. The plan will include potential costs estimates and timelines for the transition to a zero-emission Port operation.

Additional activities at the Port include participation in vaccinations for crew. Rooney also told AGM attendees about a recent incident in which Port partner Brisco Tug & Barge assisted with keeping the President Eisenhower vessel away from the California coast when it suffered engine failure.

Rooney was very optimistic about the future and the priority that the Biden Administration was putting on infrastructure and port development. “We have strong support from our Congress and look forward to exploring opportunities,” she said.

More port updates are scheduled for the upcoming APP Annual Conference — October 24 to 27, 2021 in San Diego. For more details, visit www. pacificportsconference.com.

Photos courtesy Port of Hueneme

The Port of Hueneme’s stevedoring companies currently have three hybrid cranes which are zero emission cargo handling equipment to further the Port’s zero emission initiatives.

The path to zero emissions: The Port’s Chief Operations Officer Christina Birdsey, CEO & Director Kristin Decas, and Commissioner Jess Herrera stand in front of a zero-emission hydrogen fuel-cell truck.