Latest news with #SSAMarine
National Post
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- National Post
SSA Marine Achieves Sustainability Milestone with Deployment of 100% Zero-Emissions Cargo Handling Equipment at Berth 55 at the Port of Los Angeles
Article content Article content LOS ANGELES — SSA Marine, one of the world's leading independent marine terminal operators, announced today that it has completed the transition of its fleet of 44 small-capacity and heavy duty forklifts at Berth 55 at the Port of Los Angeles from propane-fueled to battery-electric powered. Berth 55 is the first of SSA Marine's terminals to fully transition to zero-emissions cargo-handling equipment in its operations. Article content The battery-electric vehicle deployment at Berth 55, an international fruit terminal where SSA Marine has been operating since the 1980s, includes 12 heavy-duty 10,000 lb. Hyster forklifts and 32 3,000 lb. Hyster forklifts. SSA Marine estimates this initiative will reduce propane fuel consumption at Berth 55 by nearly 44,000 gallons each year, as well as reduce tailpipe CO2 emissions by approximately 264 metric tons annually. Article content 'Achieving this sustainability milestone at Berth 55 reinforces SSA Marine's commitment to environmental responsibility, operational efficiency, and innovation, not just in breakbulk, but across our operations,' said Meghan Weinman, vice president of sustainability at SSA Marine. 'We are proud to partner with the Port of Los Angeles on this ambitious project and we're confident that Berth 55 will serve as a blueprint for future initiatives.' Article content The project is the result of a three-year collaborative effort between SSA Marine, the Port of Los Angeles, and other key stakeholders. Article content 'SSA Marine has been a longtime tenant at the Port of Los Angeles and their work facilitating the arrival of fruits from South America during our winter months is very important for Southern California and the region,' said Michael DiBernardo, deputy executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. 'Our goal for the Port of Los Angeles is to be emissions free with our yard equipment by 2030 and, as a result of this initiative, SSA Marine has completed that goal five years ahead of schedule, which we appreciate.' Article content SSA Marine continues to test and deploy hybrid and zero-emissions equipment across its global operations. With a fully battery-electric forklift fleet and charging infrastructure in place, Berth 55 serves as a model for the successful implementation of future zero-emissions initiatives across the maritime and logistics sectors. Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Article content Article content
Business Wire
07-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
SSA Marine Achieves Sustainability Milestone with Deployment of 100% Zero-Emissions Cargo Handling Equipment at Berth 55 at the Port of Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SSA Marine, one of the world's leading independent marine terminal operators, announced today that it has completed the transition of its fleet of 44 small-capacity and heavy duty forklifts at Berth 55 at the Port of Los Angeles from propane-fueled to battery-electric powered. Berth 55 is the first of SSA Marine's terminals to fully transition to zero-emissions cargo-handling equipment in its operations. The battery-electric vehicle deployment at Berth 55, an international fruit terminal where SSA Marine has been operating since the 1980s, includes 12 heavy-duty 10,000 lb. Hyster forklifts and 32 3,000 lb. Hyster forklifts. SSA Marine estimates this initiative will reduce propane fuel consumption at Berth 55 by nearly 44,000 gallons each year, as well as reduce tailpipe CO2 emissions by approximately 264 metric tons annually. 'Achieving this sustainability milestone at Berth 55 reinforces SSA Marine's commitment to environmental responsibility, operational efficiency, and innovation, not just in breakbulk, but across our operations,' said Meghan Weinman, vice president of sustainability at SSA Marine. 'We are proud to partner with the Port of Los Angeles on this ambitious project and we're confident that Berth 55 will serve as a blueprint for future initiatives.' The project is the result of a three-year collaborative effort between SSA Marine, the Port of Los Angeles, and other key stakeholders. 'SSA Marine has been a longtime tenant at the Port of Los Angeles and their work facilitating the arrival of fruits from South America during our winter months is very important for Southern California and the region,' said Michael DiBernardo, deputy executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. 'Our goal for the Port of Los Angeles is to be emissions free with our yard equipment by 2030 and, as a result of this initiative, SSA Marine has completed that goal five years ahead of schedule, which we appreciate.' SSA Marine continues to test and deploy hybrid and zero-emissions equipment across its global operations. With a fully battery-electric forklift fleet and charging infrastructure in place, Berth 55 serves as a model for the successful implementation of future zero-emissions initiatives across the maritime and logistics sectors. About SSA Marine SSA Marine is one of the world's largest independent marine terminal operators, with operations across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, and Asia. Since its founding in 1949, SSA Marine has continued to grow, while always remaining focused on its customers' interests.
The Independent
28-01-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Why is Donald Trump threatening to ‘take back' the Panama Canal?
Donald Trump 's claims that he will push to "take back" the Panama Canal have spurred concerns that the United States could invade the Central American nation. The US president has argued that Panama has broken a pledge of neutrality made when the United States transferred the canal, the world's second busiest interoceanic waterway, to Panama in 1999, falsely claiming that China is operating it. The canal is operated by the Panama Canal Authority, an autonomous agency overseen by the Panamanian government. So why is Trump getting involved? Why is the Canal key for the US? The Panama Canal, a 51-mile artificial waterway that connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, saves ships thousands of miles and weeks of travel. Before it was built, ships had to make the long journey around the stormy tip of South America in order to travel by sea between the two oceans. More than two-thirds of all cargo passing through the canal originates from or is destined for the United States. The U.S. completed construction of the canal in the early 20th century, a project begun by France that cost more than 25,000 workers' lives. Following pressure from anti-colonial movements, the U.S. signed treaties in 1977 granting Panama control and full sovereignty over the canal zone and guaranteeing its permanent neutrality. These took effect in 1999. Between 2023 and 2024, a severe drought aggravated by climate change lowered the level of lakes feeding the canal, forcing its administrator to restrict transits and vessel draft, which increased costs and waiting times. The passage restrictions were lifted late last year, but the waterway has not yet seen a full return of normal traffic as many shippers, especially bulk carriers and liquefied natural gas tankers, have continued taking alternative routes. What is China's involvement? In his inaugural address last week, Trump repeated accusations he made following his election victory that Panama has ceded control of the canal to China. He has also said Chinese troops are stationed at the canal, without providing evidence. Both Panama's government and the Chinese government have rejected those assertions. CK Hutchison Holdings a Hong Kong-based company, has for more than two decades operated the ports of Balboa and Cristobal at the canal's Pacific and Atlantic entrances. The company is publicly listed and not financially tied to the Chinese government, though Hong Kong firms are subject to government oversight. Private U.S. firm SSA Marine operates the MIT port on the Atlantic coast, Taiwan's Evergreen Group operates another Atlantic port known as CCT, and Singapore's PSA International operates the Rodman port on the Pacific coast, according to company and government websites. China's economic influence has been growing in Latin America, fuelling worries in Washington that the resource-rich region will tilt to Chinese interests rather than those of the United States. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino has asserted that the canal is and will continue to be Panamanian. Panama's authorities recently announced an audit on CK Hutchison's operated ports, saying they are investigating the firm's compliance with concession agreements and whether it is adequately reporting its revenues and state payments. CK Hutchison's local arm did not respond to a Reuters request for comment, but said in a statement it has paid the state hundreds of millions of dollars during its concession and that its labor force is 99.9 per cent Panamanian. Trump has repeatedly complained that the fees charged to ships to use the canal are too high, and has accused Panama of levying unfair tariffs on U.S. goods. "American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way and that includes the United States Navy," Trump said in the address. Between the fiscal years ended in 2020 and 2023, the canal's toll revenue increased almost 26 per cent to $3.35 billion, according to its annual reports. In the fiscal year ended last September, the canal offset less vessel traffic with a water surcharge, which it combined with slot auctions that rose to as much as $4 million per vessel. The canal's fees are not differentiated by a ship's flag, country of origin, or of destination. The United States does not have a relevant commercial fleet under its flag, and U.S. military ships enjoy priority of passage. Mulino said the tariffs are carefully and transparently evaluated according to demand. According to shipping experts and cargo movers, tolling fee increases have been applied in recent years by other key waterways amid demand spikes and geopolitical conflicts. What comes next? Trump's threat is already impacting Panama's debt rating. U.S. investment bank JPMorgan downgraded its recommendation on the country's bonds over threats to the canal, a key source of national income. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Panama between late January and early February, his first foreign visit in the post. Immigration will be a focus of the trip. Mulino, who took office last year, has taken a harder line on migration than his predecessor, agreeing to U.S.-funded deportation flights from Panama and installing barbed wire at the Darien Gap, a dangerous jungle route many migrants take crossing on foot out of South America on their way to the U.S. border.
