Waterfront Wednesday News

October 23, 2024

Port's Environmental Compliance Assessment Program (ECAP) Monitors Waterfront

Port staff at Northwest Marine Industries in Fairhaven on a regular visit. Photo: Adrienne Douglass-Scott

This week, we highlight the Port of Bellingham's Environmental Compliance Assessment Program (ECAP). Submitted by Adrienne Douglass-Scott, Sustainability Program Manager at the Port of Bellingham.

An assertive ECAP identifies, for the Port’s use, cleanup needs in a timely manner, making it possible for earlier remediation at potentially lower costs. Port tenants come and go from properties and buildings on Port-managed lands, occasionally leaving cleanup responsibilities to the Port. The financial burden then falls to public funds. A thorough and thoughtful ECAP is therefore in the interest of all Whatcom County citizens.

Read more about how the program works, and what it does, via the link below:

Digital Solutions for Ports and Maritime

Tacoma Blue Edge Network offers an upcoming presentation on the digital sphere for the maritime industry. This event will bring national and global audiences to discuss connectivity and digitalization for Ports and the blue economy.

When: Wednesday, October 30, 11am - 5:30pm PDT

Registration required - please register via the link below:

Navigator's Night with Community Boating Center

Join the Community Boating Center at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal for an evening filled with local food and drinks while hearing from staff and friends of the CBC.

Enjoy a variety of appetizers and drinks while you learn about the great year we’ve had building community in and around the water. Hear the stories of the CBC from one of our founders, Deb Dempsey, and Executive Director, Bryan Rust; along with our community partners.

Be a part of our fundraising for Phase 2 of The Wheelhouse Campaign with a generous $25,000 match from a local donor. For every dollar pledged during Navigator’s Night, another dollar will be donated up to $25,000 making your donation go twice as far!

Bring a friend or three and celebrate the CBC!

Agenda for the Navigator's Night"

- 5:00pm | Drinks and Appetizers

- 6:00pm | Program and Fundraiser

- 8:00pm | Thank You and Good Night

Working Waterfront Disaster Mitigation Tax Credit Bill

King Tides at Gate 5 of Squalicum Harbor. Rising sea levels could cause tidal shifts to damage infrastructure. Photo: Deb Granger

U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-N.C.) introduced bicameral, bipartisan legislation to offer a disaster mitigation tax credit for working waterfronts. The Working Waterfronts Disaster Mitigation Tax Credit Act would allow working waterfronts situated along coastal areas and navigable waterways to claim a 30 percent tax credit on mitigation costs, up to $1 million, with annual adjustments for inflation.

U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) introduced the companion legislation in the Senate this August.

To learn more about the legislation, follow the link below:

Alaska Seafood Industry takes hit in 2023

An Alaskan Trawler delivers its harvest to the dock. Photo: NOAA Fisheries

The widespread downturn in Alaska’s seafood industry wreaked a $1.8 billion loss and a 50 percent decline in profitability, driven in part by higher costs for labor, energy, and interest rates, according to a new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Read more from NationalFisherman.com:

Hyundai claims Ammonia Engine Breakthrough

HiMSEN Ammonia Engine. Photo: HD Hyundai Heavy Industries

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is adding a zero-carbon ammonia dual-fuel engine to the HiMSEN line of medium speed engines with a new high-pressure combustion method, offering more fuel efficiency and less emissions.

Currently, over 43% of the world's new vessel builds are alternatively-fueled, with technologies rapidly advancing in several fuel and engine types as the transition in the maritime world to utilize varied sources of power is well underway.

To read more about this breakthrough, read the article in MarineLog, below:

Bellingham's working waterfront. Photo: Steve Hardin

Citizens of Whatcom County are hereby notified pursuant to the laws of the State of Washington; the 2025 Preliminary Strategic Budget of the Port of Bellingham is prepared, on file, and available to view online, and was posted Monday, October 21, 2024.

The public is invited to attend presentations and hearings and provide public comment on the proposed budget including 2025 proposed property tax levy on Tuesday, November 5 & Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 4:00 p.m., 1801 Roeder Avenue, Bellingham:

2025 Strategic budget is scheduled to be formally adopted by the Port Commission Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. - Written comments accepted through 5:00 p.m., Monday, November, 18, 2024.

The Port welcomes people with disabilities to participate in all public meetings. For assistance with special needs, please call the Port at 360-676-2500 at least four days in advance.

View the draft budget below:

Seaview Boatyard in Squalicum Harbor. Photo: Dan Tucker

Small shipyards are essential in our region, and for the maritime economy as a whole. While they provide services and skilled craftspeople that larger shipyards sometimes cannot, they often struggle to be competitive.

The United States Maritime Administration has long offered aid to small shipyards, but the continued funding of the program has never been guaranteed.

Read more about the program via Workboat.com: