Last month, US Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani, and Port of Tacoma CEO John Wolfe held a press conference at the Port of Seattle to announce proposed legislation they claim will significantly strengthen American ports, including many in the Pacific Northwest.
Their legislation proposes to eliminate the harbor maintenance tax (HMT), a federal tax imposed on shippers based on the value of the goods being shipped through ports. The tax is intended for the maintenance of federal navigational channels, but while HMT revenues are about $1.6 billion per year, only $850-900 million per year is spent on harbor maintenance, leaving waterways under-maintained while building up a surplus approaching $7 billion. The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) says the lack of funding has resulted in full channel depth and width only being available about… (Read Full Article)
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Hamburg Süd Conducts First-Ever US Ship Christening
by Mark Edward Nero
For the first time in its history, shipping company Hamburg Süd has celebrated the christening of a ship in the United States. The ceremony to name the 3,800-TEU container ship Cap Corrientes was conducted Aug 23 at the Port of San Francisco’s Pier 35…(Read Full Article)
Ocean Transport Company’s License Revoked
by Mark Edward Nero
The Federal Maritime Commission announced Aug. 23 that it has revoked the ocean transportation intermediary license of Los Angeles-based Transporte Medrano Inc., which does business as Medrano Express…(Read Full Article)
PortTech Expo Speakers Announced
by Mark Edward Nero
Federal Maritime Commission Chair Mario Cordero and City of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti have been named as speakers at the fourth annual PortTechEXPO taking place in the Los Angeles area Sept. 11, 2013…(Read Full Article)
Port Metro Vancouver Investing in Infrastructure Improvements
by Mark Edward Nero
The Canadian government on Sept. 4 announced more than $100 million infrastructure investments aimed at improving efficiency at Port Metro Vancouver…(Read Full Article)
