Member News
New section on the APP website for COVID-19 updates
As the situation with COVID-19 continues to evolve at a rapid pace, we'll continue to post updates as they are received however, be sure to check directly with port management to ensure you have the most up-to-date information. The page also contains a number of links to additional news resources, including International Maritime Organization, Centers of Disease and Control and Prevention and Safety4Sea: Global Port Restrictions. Visit:
www.pacificports.org/covid19 for more news.
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Taiwan International Ports Corporation completes Phase II of Port of Kaohsiung Intercontinental Container Terminal
March 12, 2020
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The Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC), with support and guidance from the Executive Yuan and Ministry of Transportation and Communications, is making strong progress in creating a new large container transshipment terminal that is ideally suited to the long-term needs of global shipping. As part of this effort, work finished in December 2019 on the nation’s largest-ever port land reclamation project “Port of Kaohsiung Intercontinental Container Terminal (ICT) Phase Ⅱ. “(hereinafter referred as “the Project”)
The project is also Taiwan’s largest marine engineering project in recent decades, with major related components including construction of an outer breakwater, coastal berths, and reclaimed land. In line with eco-sustainability principles, the Project incorporates key water ecology protection initiatives.
The construction includes a 6,810m outer breakwater, 6,721m of new quay length, 422.5ha of reclaimed land, and the reclaimed land includes space designated for 19 new deep-water wharves and adjacent yard / support land. These include a total 2,415m of quay length set to accommodate five, -18m deep-water berths able to service the latest mega container vessels; a total 2,710m of quay length set to accommodate ten, -16~18m deep-water petrochemical berths; and a total 1,150m of quay space set to accommodate four, -16m deep-water berths able to service deep-draught bulk cargo vessels.
The Project’s construction cost is expected to top NT$112 billion, NT$26.9 billion and NT$85.6 billion of which are government and private investment, respectively, making the Project a standout model of cooperation between public and private sectors on transportation infrastructure projects. Moreover, the Project has earned a number of key awards and recognitions, including Public Construction Golden Safety and Golden Quality awards.
For more than a century, the Port of Kaohsiung has evolved successfully to the needs of increasingly large cargo ships and of domestic and international commerce. In March of 2011, the Port of Kaohsiung launched a comprehensive new strategy and blueprint to address 21st-century shipping priorities and to flexibly meet rapid changes in the global shipping sector. The Project has been a cornerstone in Port of Kaohsiung’s plans to tap into current and future business opportunities, to add new land to the port that will facilitate the streamlining of current container terminal operations, to allow the construction of new deep-water berths capable of handling today’s largest container vessels, and to open up new space for related industry investment and activity. Land reclamation efforts are further allowing the consolidation of the oil storage tanks away from nearby residential areas and the opening of new opportunities for port-city cooperation and engagement that will add new value to the city’s economy, new public spaces for city residents, and continued momentum into the port’s ongoing commitment to sustainable, green-port operations.
To further strengthen its support of the petrochemical industry at the Port of Kaohsiung, the TIPC has signed long-term contracts and leased land to CPC Corp. and other private petroleum-sector enterprises. To further solidify the Port of Kaohsiung as a key Western Pacific shipping hub, TIPC has signed long-term contracts with container shipping companies and built out its modern container ship handling and logistics capabilities. Furthermore, the Port of Kaohsiung has made significant progress in restoring and repurposing the old harbor area. Future plans call for relocating bulk cargo shippers from Zhongdao District to the new commercial port area in the Project, activating land at Zhongdao for more lucrative purposes that help increase port revenues, create a new engine for economic growth in southern Taiwan, and facilitate the Port of Kaohsiung’s transformation into a 21st-century smart port.
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Cargo declines at Port of Long Beach in February
March 10, 2020
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Cargo volume declined at the Port of Long Beach in February due to fewer ship calls amid the overseas outbreak of the coronavirus and lingering effects of the trade dispute with China.
Terminal operators and dockworkers moved 538,428 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last month, down 9.8% compared to February 2019. Imports dropped 17.9% to 248,592 TEUs, while exports increased 19.3% to 125,559 TEUs. Empty containers sent overseas decreased 12.8% to 164,277 TEUs.
Although a Phase 1 preliminary trade agreement was signed in January by the United States and China, about $370 billion in Chinese goods remain under the increased tariffs.
The coronavirus has caused further disruption to the supply chain with an increase in canceled sailings and a reduction in cargo moving through the nation’s second-busiest port.
“With the extended factory closures and slowdown of goods movement in China and other Asian countries in February due to Lunar New Year and COVID-19, we are seeing shipping lines needing to cancel some sailings,” said Mario Cordero, Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach. “Once the virus is contained, we may see a surge of cargo, and our terminals, labor and supply chain will be ready to handle it.”
“Along with the economic effects of reduced trade due to the health situation, we also have the first confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Long Beach. We hope for the swift recovery of these individuals,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal. “The Port will continue to monitor the outbreak internationally, and work with our stakeholders to keep our crucial link in the supply chain open and operating.”
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South Bay Ferry stop moves closer to reality with MOU on critical partnership
March 10, 2020
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The City of Redwood City (City) City Council and Port of Redwood City (Port) Board of Port Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) to move forward on a feasibility study and business plan towards the possible expansion of the San Francisco Bay ferry system into the South Bay. It is anticipated the WETA Board of Trustees will consider the MOU for approval this March.
“After many years in the making, it is an honor to support this partnership and take the next steps towards exploring an alternative transportation solution here at the Port of Redwood City,” said Redwood City Mayor, Diane Howard. “This project exemplifies the City Council’s priority area of creating and maintaining safe, multimodal and accessible transportation options and I look forward to hearing the results of the study later this year.”
The feasibility study will evaluate an expansion of the existing ferry system, which currently transports commuters across the Bay in a network that includes the cities of San Francisco, Alameda, Oakland, South San Francisco, Vallejo, and last year’s addition of Richmond. If the project moves forward in its envisioned state, the Port of Redwood City would host the first stop south of the City of South San Francisco to be incorporated into the WETA ferry system. The project, as it is being evaluated, would include connections from the Port to both San Francisco and Oakland.
The feasibility study will look at the overall viability and opportunity of a service expansion into South Bay including:
· Examining capital and operating costs associated with project
· Constructing a new ferry terminal at the opening of the Port of Redwood City channel
· Procuring vessels for ferry operation
· Service scenarios including ridership projections and transportation demand modeling
· Cost-benefit analysis
· Economic impact study
The Port of Redwood City Board of Port Commissioners approved the memorandum of understanding at their meeting on Feb. 26, and the City of Redwood City City Council took action approving the partnership at their Mar. 9 meeting. The approved partnership will move the project through the feasibility and business plan phases.
“We are pleased to have an approved MOU in place and eager to take the next steps toward expanding ferry services to the Port of Redwood City,” said Board of Port Commissioner’s Chair Ralph A. Garcia. “This project will greatly support our region by providing a new transportation choice to and from Silicon Valley as well as reduce traffic congestion on our streets and highways.”
The ferry project has been gaining traction since 2015 and the formal partnership is a critical milestone in furthering the project’s overall goals. A ferry connection in the South Bay could help reduce traffic congestion, particularly in light of the significant growth seen in the Silicon Valley in terms of population, housing and employers. The ferry terminal would be designed as an alternative transportation option for commuters. The City is the sponsoring agency for the project and will use fund the study through the voter approved Measure A-Ferry Program and City capital funds. If built, the terminal would be located on Port property and built to WETA standards in anticipation of public ferry service operation by WETA.
The study is expected to be completed in summer of 2020, at which time the findings will be presented to both the City Council and Port Commission to inform next steps and timeline.
