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Longshore Industry News An update about news and trends in the maritime and goods movement industries. - Big in Japan (and China). Three Japanese shipping companies, NYK, "K" Line and MOL, recently reported increased profits in FY 2007, despite rising fuel costs and other concerns. NYK posted a 75.5 percent increase in its FY2007 profits compared to 2006, amounting to more than $1.14B. "K" Lines' profit rose 61 percent in 2007 to $803M, while MOL's coffers increased 57.4 percent in 2007, to $1.9B. The REALLY BIG MONEY, however, was made by Chinese company COSCO, whose profits rose 135% in 2007 to $2.8B.
- Neptune Rising. Neptune Orient Lines, the Singaporean parent company of shipper APL reported a 13 percent increase in shipping container volumes for a four-week period ending April 4. Average container revenue for APL is now $2,930, a 15 percent increase from last year.
- Hueneme queues for cards. Longshore workers at the Port of Hueneme will sign up for their TWIC cards starting Thursday, May 1. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reports that more than 318,739 port and maritime workers have already enrolled for the cards as of April 23, but it has activated only 72,056 ofthe biometric cards across all sectors .
- Something in the air. On Aril 24, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court (again) sided with the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA) as its members sought to avoid regulating their toxic ship emissions within 24 miles of the California coast. According to the Journal of Commerce, "the PMSA's goal in filing the lawsuit was to reaffirm federal jurisdiction" (per the Environmental Protection Agency). Meanwhile, a General Accounting Office report released April 28, points to persistent White House interference with the EPA's ability to enforce measures against cancer-causing chemicals.
- Chinese take-out for Tacoma. The Port of Tacoma is expanding its trade relationship with its sister city in China, Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian province. An 18-month Fuzhou Pilot Project will emphasize the need to increase U.S. exports to China while encouraging Chinese investment in the Pierce County region.
- TWIC registration: getting there. Port workers have activated 51,019 TWIC cards out of approximately 204,000 who had enrolled since registration began in December 2007. Enrollments at the Ports of Los Angeles-Long Beach are the second largest nationwide (behind Houston), with 15,874.
- Down, down, down. Imports through California ports dropped 7.1 percent compared to March 2007. Oakland had the steepest drop, at 12.2 percent fewer containers, while Long Beach reported a decline of 9.8 percent. The Port of Seattle reported that its 2007 container volumes stayed similar to 2006 totals, around 1.97 TEUs.
- Up, Up, Up. The decline in the U.S. dollar is prompting a surge in exports with Seattle's volumes increasing by 15 percent. Tacoma, similarly, reported that its Feb. 2008 international container exports jumped by 15 percent compared to the previous year.
- BNSF at the Port of Seattle recently put four zero-emissions, electric gantry cranes into commission at its Seattle International Gateway near-dock railyard. Should make breathing easier for rail and port workers.
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