Rubio to visit Panama, source says
![The Panama Canal (c) diegograndi Adobestock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/the-panama-canal-c-diegograndi-156370.jpg)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Panama during his first overseas trip in the post, a source told Reuters on Thursday, as President Donald Trump makes a push for the United States to take back the Panama Canal that has angered the Central American country.Rubio is expected to depart on Jan. 31 and travel during the first week of February, making additional stops in Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and El Salvador, according to the source who was familiar with the plans.Planning for the trip is still ongoing and the itinerary is subject to changeâŠ
Texas ports begin resuming operations after winter storm
![The port of houston, Texas (c) harshavardhan Adobestock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/the-port-of-houston-texas-156338.jpg)
Several Texas ports began to resume operations on Wednesday, after winter storm Enzo moved out of the state, according to ports and a shipping notice seen by Reuters.The port of Freeport had resumed vessel operations on Wednesday morning, while the ports of Houston and Galveston were planning to reopen to vessel traffic later in the day.The storm brought several inches of snow to Texas, Louisiana and Florida, where extreme winter conditions are rare. It forced the shutdown of school districtsâŠ
Achilles acquires GRMS assets, Strengthens North American presence
![Gerard Smith and Joe Fabiani (c) Achilles](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/gerard-smith-and-joe-fabiani-155908.jpg)
Achilles Information Ltd (âAchillesâ) announced that it has acquired the assets of Global Risk Management Solutions (GRMS), a provider of supplier risk management programs based in Irvine, California. This latest transaction builds on the success of Achillesâ recent acquisition of Iberian supply chain risk company, GoSupply, and marks another step in Achilles' ongoing strategy to expand its global footprint and enhance its portfolio of supply chain solutions.The acquisition of GRMS strengthens Achillesâ position as a global leader in supply chain risk managementâŠ
US Dockworkers, USMX to Restart Contract Talks
The International Longshoremen's Association and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) are set to resume contract talks on Jan. 7, Bloomberg news reported on Thursday, citing a person familiar with the matter.Talks between the ILA, which represents more than 45,000 dockworkers across the U.S. East and Gulf coast ports, and the employer group are at an impasse over issues related to automation at port terminals.Both parties signed a tentative deal in October, which gave workers a 62% wage hike over six years, to end a three-day strike but left issues related to automation unresolved.Another coast-wide strike at U.S. East and Gulf coast ports looms large if an agreement is not reached before Jan.
SC Ports Expands Inland Port to Meet Market Demand
![SC Ports Inland Port Greer Terminal (c) Meade / SC Ports](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/sc-ports-inland-port-greer-155526.jpg)
SC Ports has expanded its container yard at Inland Port Greer to handle customers' growth.South Carolina Ports is enhancing its intermodal connections in South Carolina with the ongoing expansion of Inland Port Greer and construction of the Navy Base Intermodal Facility.SC Ports is investing to expand Inland Port Greer with more cargo and rail capabilities to support customersâ growth in the Upstate and beyond, giving shippers direct access to the Port of Charleston.âHaving this rail connection to the No.
Tanco adds $8.2 million to IA Port Investments
![(c) Tanco](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/c-tanco-155516.jpg)
Tanco Terminals is constructing a $8.2 million expansion of its liquid tank farm at Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor to support growth in Lake Michigan shipments. Tanco is a third-generation, family-owned business operated at the port since 1977.The company stores and performs value-added services for liquid cargoes, from petroleum to food-grade oils.As part of the expansion, Tanco is adding a sixth rail loading track, a new truck scale, three storage tanks â two with 36,000-barrel capacity and a third at 42âŠ
NW Europe Fuel oil Imports at 3-year High
A rush to replenish scarce supply of high-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) pushed Northwest European imports of residual fuel oil to their highest in three years in November, analysts told Reuters.The Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) area, Europe's main trading and refining hub, received around 450,000 barrels per day (bpd) of all types of fuel oil in November, the highest monthly volume since November 2021.That compared with an average of 332,000 bpd over January-October this year, according to trade analytics firm Kpler.Residual fuel oil is one of the key products refined from crude oil and is widely used in the maritime and construction industries.
FMC's Bentzel Looks Offshore to Puerto Rico
FMC Commissioner Carl W. Bentzel weighs in, urging policies to help Puerto Rico become an Offshoring and Distribution Hub. His staement of today, follows:Events of recent years have made many who are interested in trade, transportation, and supply chain issues question the model of relying predominantly on manufacturers based in one nation located far from the United States. Identifying manufacturing capacity closer to our shores has become a priority for leaders in government and industry.Puerto Rico is a location that with the proper incentives and support could be a vital manufacturing and distribution hub serving the mainland United States.
PSA Singapore, Evergreen Marine ink Box Terminal Ops JV
![Evergreen Singapore CREDIT PSA](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/evergreen-singapore-credit-psa-154994.jpg)
PSA Singapore (PSA) and Evergreen Marine Corporation (EMC) have established a joint venture in Singapore, aiming to enhance operational excellence and achieve greater synergies in container operations.The joint venture terminal is expected to commence operations by the end of 2024. This strategic partnership will offer long-term terminal capacity assurance to EMCâs fast expanding global vessel fleet in PSA Singapore.PSA and EMC will continue to deepen their collaboration to enhance operational efficiency, drive digital innovation, and advance sustainability efforts.
Gutheil named interim Cleveland Port Leader
David Gutheil has been appointed as the interim leader for the Port of Cleveland, set to take over in January following the departure of Will Friedman who is stepping down from his role at the end of this year.âWe are fortunate to have someone as experienced and trusted as Dave ready to step in,â said J. Stefan Holmes, Port board chair. âAs we announced when Will shared his decision to move on, the board is committed to finding a successor with experience in maritime transportation, development finance and economic development. As we look for a permanent successor, we are fully confident in the guiding hands of Dave.âHolmes said the board will be engaging a search committee for the permanent successor.Gutheil has been with the Port of Cleveland more than 14 yearsâŠ
SC Ports: Box Volume Steady, Rail Expands
With highly productive port service and expanding rail capabilities, South Carolina Ports looks to speed goods to market and support growth in the Southeast.SC Ports has three big-ship capable terminals and a total of 10 million TEUs on the horizon; the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast at 52 feet; two rail-served inland ports; and a near-port rail yard under construction.Construction is progressing on the Navy Base Intermodal Facility, which will significantly expand rail capabilities and capacity at the Port of Charleston. Site grading and utilities are nearly complete, and concrete paving and track construction is well underway for the future intermodal yard that will be rail-served by both CSX and Norfolk Southern.An ongoing expansion of Inland Port Greer has yielded more than 9âŠ
Montreal Port Employers Threaten Shutdown
Port of Montreal terminal operators have threatened to shut down most operations as of Sunday after providing a "final, comprehensive offer" to the longshore union.If the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 375 does not accept the offer by Sunday at 8:00 p.m. "only essential services and activities unrelated to longshoring will continue at the Port of Montréal from 9 p.m. on Sunday," the Maritime Employers Association said in a statement on Thursday.So far, two terminals operated by Termont, representing about 40% of Montreal's container traffic and 15% of total port volume, have been shut down by the union's strike, which began on Oct.
Argentina Maritime Unions to Halt Port Activities for 48 Hours
![© mangpink_s / Adobe Stock](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/mangpinks-adobe-stock-150699.jpeg)
Maritime labour unions in Argentina announced on Thursday they would cease all activities in ports for 48 hours.The United Maritime Workers Union in a post on Facebook said that the Tugboat Owners Chamber (C.A.R.) has refused to negotiate an expired bargaining agreement, prompting the union to halt work.However, in light of concerns over potential energy supply shortages, the union confirmed that tugboats, which guide vessels supplying thermoelectric power plants and LNG gas tankers, will continue operations.The exception was made to prevent additional pressure on the energy sector.(Reuters -
Californian Port Gets $427M Boost for New Offshore Wind Infrastructure
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The U.S. government has awarded a major grant to the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District for the construction of a new marine terminal to be primarily used for floating offshore wind-related activities.The grant for the Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind MVP (Minimum Viable Port) project comes through the U.S. Department of Transportationâs Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects (INFRA) grant program, which received a substantial funding increaseâŠ
Singapore Picks Pilot Vessel Charging Concepts
![(Credit: MPA)](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/credit-mpa-146779.jpg)
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has selected companies that will pilot their vessel charging concepts in Singapore.The selection follows the call for proposal (CFP) by MPA in August 2023 to develop, operate, and maintain e-HC charging points in Singapore.From 12 proposals received, MPA selected Pyxis Energy, Pyxis Maritime, and SP Mobility partnershipâs proposed concept for trials at Marina South Pier. In addition, MPA picked Seatriumâs and Yinson Electricâs concepts for further development prior to testing.Pyxis EnergyâŠ
Hapag-Lloyd to Acquire SAAM's Terminal Business for $1 Billion
![©SAAM](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/saam-135657.jpg)
Hapag-Lloyd AG and SM SAAM have signed a binding agreement under which Hapag-Lloyd will acquire 100 % of the shares of SAAM Ports S.A. and SAAM Logistics S.A. and thereby the entire companyâs terminal business and associated logistics services.The contracting parties agreed upon a price of around $1 billion, which also includes real estate assets related to the logistics business.Chile-based SM SAAM is a terminal operator, logistics company, and towage provider active in multiple countries in the Americas.
CEO in Focus: Allard Castelein, Port of Rotterdam
![Image courtesy Port of Rotterdam Authority/ © Ernst Bode](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/image-courtesy-port-of-rotterdam-135110.jpg)
The Port of Rotterdam has blazed a path for ports globally in terms of automation, digitalization and decarbonization. As he enters the final year of his tenure, Allard Castelein, CEO, Port of Rotterdam, says there is still much work to do.While many global organizations are adept at âtalking the talkâ, the Port of Rotterdam stands out as âwalking the walkâ in regards to real investment and innovation in robotics, digitalization and infrastructure improvements to facilitate the efficient, effective transfer of shipâs cargo for distribution globally.
The Port Logistics Challenges of Offshore Wind
![Photo: Elaine Maslin](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-elaine-maslin-132816.jpg)
Some equations just donât add up. For example, storing 500 offshore wind turbine blades at a site with only space for 400 (and thatâs only if you donât store the other key elements required to build a full turbine). Elaine Maslin visited Siemens Gamesaâs blade manufacturing facility in Hull, UK, to find out more.Storage space is becoming a major challenge thatâs looming for ports involved in the fast-evolving offshore wind industry. Itâs already becoming a challenge for Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy at its blade manufacturing facility in Hull, on Englandâs east coast.