The Pacific Northwest’s Columbia River System, which includes segments of the Willamette and Snake Rivers, has seen a number of recent developments take place that will affect its future. One of the most recent is the decision by Seattle’s Foss Maritime Company to withdraw from the river, with its local ship-assist and towing business to be sold to competitor Tidewater Barge Lines. The move, which takes effect this month, reflects a feeling by Foss that business is not expected to grow on the river, and that there is a strong probability of fewer ships calling. Shortly after the Foss announcement, terminal operator Kinder Morgan disclosed that it had given up on its plans to open a new $150 million coal exporting facility on the river near St. Helens. Although environmentalists quickly took credit for the decision, company spokesman Allen Fore said a “suitable site” at Port Westward for terminal construction could not be found….. (Read Full Article)
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Have a news tip to share? Contact maritime journalist Mark Edward Nero Mark.Nero@pacmar.com or (562) 508-7866.
Port of LA Launches Urban Marine Research Center Project
by Mark Edward Nero
Port of Los Angeles officials, LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, philanthropic leaders, marine scientists, students and community members were on hand June 17 for the official unveiling of a plan to transform a 100-year-old pier on the LA waterfront into a world-class urban marine research and innovation center…(Read Full Article)
Long Beach Port Sees Strong Upswing in Imports, Exports
by Mark Edward Nero
Container cargo rose by more than 17 percent in May 2013 at the Port of Long Beach, leading to the port experiencing some of its highest volumes in nearly three years, according to newly released data…(Read Full Article)
World’s Largest Ship Officially Named
by Mark Edward Nero
Maersk Line’s newest vessel, which is for now believed to be the largest container vessel in the world, was named June 15 in a ceremony at the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering shipyard …(Read Full Article)
POLA Container Volumes Fall in May
by Mark Edward Nero
The Port of Los Angeles has released its May 2013 cargo volumes, and for the fourth time in five months, those volumes were down compared with the same month last year. May 2013 overall volumes fell 12.9 percent compared to May 2012, according to port data…(Read Full Article)
