Several long-ranging policy and infrastructure developments may have a profound effect on our world in the new year. As the holidays approached, maritime industry talk on both sides of the Pacific Ocean kept coming back to the labor negotiations between the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU).
Although US West Coast ports remain open, ILWU slowdowns are causing problems for port-dependent companies – especially US agricultural exporters – and some foreign shippers are sending their cargo to Canada or Mexico, threatening the jobs of port-dependent workers not otherwise involved in the negotiations.
The Pacific Maritime Association and International Longshore & Warehouse Union haven’t agreed on much lately, but one thing both sides agreed on was that federal mediation was needed in their prolonged contract talks. (Read full article)
Marine Group Wins 27 Vessel Contract
By Mark Edward Nero
San Diego-based Marine Group Boat Works, a family-owned boatbuilding and repair company with three yards in Chula Vista, National City and Baja California, was recently awarded three Navy contracts to build five small, powerful steel tugboats; six large steel workboats; and 16 aluminum 60-foot dive boats, for a total of 27 new vessels with a value of over $45 million. (Read full article)
TOTE Signs LNG Supply Agreement
By Mark Edward Nero
TOTE Inc. has signed a long-term agreement with fuel companies Pivotal LNG and WesPac Midstream LLC to supply liquefied natural gas to fuel TOTE’s two new state-of-the-art containerships.(Read full article)
Port Commission Co-Presidents Re-Elected
By Mark Edward Nero
The Port of Seattle Commission on Jan. 6 re-elected Co-Presidents Stephanie Bowman and Courtney Gregoire to another one year term. (Read full article)
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Fidley Watch: Interesting Times
PPMA-ILWU Talks Get Federal Mediation
