Through the years, Metropolitan Stevedore Co. became known as Metro so in 2008 the decision was made to use Metro Ports as the new brand for the various key operating companies of Wilmington, Calif.-based Nautilus International Holding Corp. Those key companies included Metropolitan Stevedore Co., Southeast Crescent Shipping Co., Southeast Maritime Services LLC (which holds the Savannah International Terminal), and Cape Fear Bulk LLC. In 2011, Texas-based Suderman Contracting Stevedores, Inc. was acquired and recently rebranded at Metro Ports as well.

Nautilus International Holding Corp. Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer James R. Callahan commented on this milestone for the company,

“The company has grown from its humble beginnings as a general stevedore, handling bulk and breakbulk cargoes, to a nationally recognized expert not only with these cargoes, but also in Ro/Ro, military, heavy lift/project, containerized shipments, warehousing, and terminal activities.” said Callahan. “Our longevity is a testament to the fact that we are a service company with a strong commitment to our customers to use the best technology and management available. Innovation, adaptation, efficiency and execution have been the hallmarks of Metro Ports during its lengthy history, and those principles will guide us in the challenges and opportunities arising in the 21st century.”

Nautilus International Holding Corp, headquartered in Wilmington, Calif., maintains oversight of various subsidiary companies concentrating in stevedoring, terminal operations, agency, logistics and risk management. The companies of Nautilus International Holding Corp. excel in providing outstanding services to various market segments. These subsidiaries include Metro Ports, a contract stevedoring and marine terminal operator specializing in dry and wet bulk materials, breakbulk cargoes, forest products, wind energy, and a variety of other marine cargoes; Metro Cruise Services LLC and Metro Shore Services LLC, which jointly provide a full suite of services to the passenger cruise industry; and Metro Risk Management LLC, which specializes in claims administration and other risk management services.

The month’s container total was 96,404 and the general cargo tonnage (figure includes container and breakbulk) was 1,439,330. “Though February isn’t normally a high-volume month, this was the second best February in our history in terms of TEUs and general cargo tonnage,” said Rodney W. Oliver, the Virginia Port Authority’s interim executive director. “Our rail containers were up 17 percent for the month and almost 14 percent for the calendar year. I’m optimistic about what lies ahead given the early-season success we’ve had.” Year-to-date, the port’s TEU volume is up 5.4 percent (16,806 TEUs) when compared with the same period last year.

Also in February (all stats are compared with Feb. 2012):

• Barge volume (the 64 Express and Columbia Coastal) was 4,084 containers (+11.4 percent);

• There were nine fewer ship calls (-6 percent);

• VIP container volume was down 184 units (-6 percent);

The preliminary agreement between the Port and Vopak sets basic deal terms and green-lights an environmental impact study of a “liquid bulk” terminal for petroleum tanker ships. The terminal would be the fourth crude oil terminal in the Port of Long Beach, and the first in the port complex since 1983. All relevant environmental, safety and security issues would be reviewed as part of the environmental study.

It would take up to 4½ years to do a full environmental review, design, permit and construct the new terminal. If the environmental impact report, or EIR, is certified and plans approved, the Port would conduct about $37 million worth of dredging and other waterside improvements, and Vopak would invest $120 million on land-side improvements for the first phase of construction.

Preliminary estimates show that the first phase would generate nearly 1,200 jobs for the 1½-year construction period. More refined job estimates will follow as construction plans and schedules are further developed for the EIR.

On land, the terminal would be served by nearby pipeline connections to oil and petroleum product distribution facilities and oil refineries.

Vopak is a division of the Rotterdam, Netherlands-based Royal Vopak, the world’s largest operator of liquid bulk marine facilities.

The Port currently has three crude oil terminals: a BP terminal on Pier T, a BP Terminal on Pier B and a Tesoro terminal on Pier B.

In 2010, the Port invited proposals from the industry to develop and lease the “Pier Echo” site, which is part of the former U.S. Navy site. The Port received three proposals, including Vopak’s. The proposed terminal would include the latest safety standards and would help modernize the state’s aging oil-transfer infrastructure.

Estimated annual throughput at the Vopak terminal would range from 21 million to 55 million barrels of oil per year. Currently, about 200 million barrels of oil is brought into the Port of Long Beach each year. Under the preliminary agreement, the Port would receive at least $2.9 million annually in revenue once the terminal is constructed, for phase one. The project would have up to three phases.

The Port of Long Beach is a premier gateway for trans-Pacific trade and an industry leader in environmental sustainability. More than $155 billion in trade flows through the Port each year, supporting about 300,000 jobs in Southern California.

The agency posted a net operating income of over $223 million, 3.7 percent higher than 2011 income and 8 percent higher than budgeted. Port commissioners and CEO Tay Yoshitani credit the continued success of Sea-Tac International Airport, including a record number of passengers served, a growth in international flights and passenger volume, and the successful launch of the new rental car facility.

“In the port’s Century Agenda, we’re focused on leveraging this financial strength into more jobs for our community – 100,000 new jobs,” said Commission President Tom Albro. “Our mission is to create economic opportunity for all. We want to leave a better port for future generations.”
 
Sea-Tac airport served more than 33 million passengers in 2012 and the seaport hosted a record 202 cruise ship visits during last summer’s tourist season. For 2013, the port is expecting continued strong performance in both areas.
 
Port CEO Yoshitani has managed the port’s operations with an eye on containing costs and maximizing investments in the infrastructure that keeps the seaport and the airport competitive in the global marketplace. The port supports nearly 200,000 jobs tied directly or indirectly to international trade.
 
“Not only is the Port of Seattle a vital economic engine for King County and Washington State, we’re the gateway to Asia for exporters all across the nation,” said Yoshitani. “With the renewed Hanjin container terminal lease, we are ready to serve the region and the country as the economy rebounds and exports grow. We will continue to control costs and invest in infrastructure in the coming years, so that we’re able to attain our vision of becoming the premier logistics hub in North America.”
 
During the past year, the port invested $118 million in infrastructure. The largest new facility to come online was the port’s LEED Silver certified rental car facility.
 
The port collected $73 million through the King County property tax levy, the same level as in 2011. The revenues are used for environmental cleanup projects around the port, freight mobility infrastructure improvements that benefit regional transportation, and to support operations at Fishermen’s Terminal.
 
Additional Port of Seattle budget information can be found on the port’s website