Ports & destinations
Port Everglades welcomes new Business Development Director
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations
- Published: 12 July 2012 12 July 2012
Michael Vanderbeek, formerly with the Port of Long Beach, CA, the nation's second busiest container cargo seaport, is the new Director of Business Development for Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, FL, announced Port Everglades Chief Executive and Port Director Steven Cernak.
"Michael's demonstrated leadership skills, knowledge of international trade and multi-lingual communication abilities made him the top choice to lead the Business Development Division for Broward County's Port Everglades Department," Cernak said.
The Port Everglades Business Development Division is responsible for developing marketing and sales strategies to draw additional cruise business and containerized, dry and break bulk cargo volumes to Port Everglades. Staff provides customer service to the cruise and cargo shipping communities and markets Foreign-Trade Zone No. 25 and other Port facilities to the maritime community. The Port's Corporate & Community Relations Section is also part of the Business Development Division under Vanderbeek's leadership.
Vanderbeek served as the Manager of Business Development for the Port of Long Beach where he managed business and economic development including identifying new market opportunities where he helped facilitate more than $86 million in new trade. He also worked closely to build and maintain relationships with customers in the cargo shipping field and to promote and administer Foreign-Trade Zone No. 50. Prior to that position, Vanderbeek served as the Manager of Strategic Planning for the Port of Long Beach.
In addition to his work at the Port of Long Beach, Vanderbeek served as a faculty member at the Sol Price School of Policy at the University of Southern California (USC) where he collaborated with partners such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the American Planning Association, and the municipal governments of Ningbo and Zhoushan, China, to develop research and policy agendas related to the economic benefits of trade for major metropolitan regions.
Vanderbeek earned a Master of Planning degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Southern California and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish from Boise State University. Vanderbeek is a member of the American Association of Port Authorities' Maritime Economic Development Committee and Real Estate Best Practices Group.
As one of South Florida's leading economic powerhouses, Port Everglades is a major gateway for international trade and cruise vacations. Already the second busiest cruise port in the world, Port Everglades is also one of the nation's leading container ports and South Florida's main seaport for receiving petroleum products including gasoline, jet fuel and alternative fuels. The Port Everglades Department is a self-supporting Enterprise Fund of Broward County government with operating revenues of approximately $139 million in Fiscal Year 2011 (October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011). It does not rely on local tax dollars for operations. The total value of economic activity at Port Everglades is approximately $15.3 billion. More than 160,000 Florida jobs are impacted by the Port, including almost 11,400 people who work for companies that provide direct services to Port Everglades.
Canada simplifies clearance procedures
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations
- Published: 06 July 2012 06 July 2012
Under this pilot, cruise ships entering Canada will now be able to explore Canadian communities with greater flexibility, according to the CBSA. Once cleared at an FPOA site, the ship can visit any port of call within Canada with greater ease. Passengers can disembark and embark without further CBSA clearance, provided that the ship does not subsequently dock at a foreign port. This process will apply even if the ship enters international waters and then re-enters Canada. However, should a cruise ship dock at a foreign port, upon returning to Canada, re-clearing through CBSA will be required.
This change to operations will maximize efficiencies for the CBSA while stimulating local economies by promoting travel and tourism along Canada's coasts and inland waterways, the CBSA concludes, and will promote more flexible itineraries, it says, while enabling the agency to meet its fiscal responsibilities under the Government of Canada's Deficit Reduction Action Plan.
JetBlue names San Juan, Puerto Rico as its newest "Focus City"
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations
- Published: 29 June 2012 29 June 2012
During a ribbon-cutting ceremony held June 28 in celebration of JetBlue Airways' new home at Terminal A in San Juan's Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU), the airline's President and CEO Dave Barger, together with Puerto Rico's Governor Luis Fortuno, announced that San Juan has become the sixth focus city in JetBlue's 71-city network.
"How fitting that we celebrate our first decade of growth in Terminal A, our brand new home. Here, we can live and breathe our brand and fully integrate with the culture and people of this beautiful island. More importantly, we can better serve our customers and accommodate future growth," said Dave Barger, JetBlue's President and CEO today during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "Our commitment will only keep growing in terms of our operation; today I'm pleased to officially announce that San Juan is now a JetBlue focus city!"
The Governor of Puerto Rico, Luis G. Fortuno, said to be "honored to have JetBlue as one of our main business partners in the aviation business and in our common goal to boost the Island's tourism industry. JetBlue has shown consistent growth, securing the most number of seats throughout the Island. Last year alone, JetBlue moved a total of 2,128,265 passengers and, at its peak, has 45 flights from Puerto Rico's three principal airports, 38 of which are served from San Juan. This places us as the major link in the region, both for tourists, business and entrepreneurs."
"The Government of Puerto Rico is proud to have partners such as JetBlue, which bet on our market, contributing to our economic development. JetBlue recognizes the Island as market potential, identifying us a 'focus city', a title which only five of the 71 cities where the airline operates has earned, putting us on the same level as JFK airport. We're very happy to say that this Administration has managed to develop a close relationship with the airline, and today we celebrate the successful inauguration of their new home in Terminal A where we hope to continue growing together for years to come," expressed the Governor.
"The waiting is over; we are proud, happy and pleased that JetBlue is already enjoying these new and modern facilities which are definitely ahead of the aviation industry, just like you do," said Bernardo Vazquez, Puerto Rico Ports Authority Executive Director. "The Puerto Rico Ports Authority is honored to join the tenth anniversary celebration of this dynamic and prestigious airline, providing a new, larger, safer and modern home, but above all, with excellent and personalized service."
San Juan joins Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, New York and Orlando as the sixth focus city in JetBlue's network. The designation of San Juan as a focus city in JetBlue's growing route network underscores the airline's ever-increasing commitment to the Puerto Rican community and its expansion into the new Terminal A at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, which will be able to accommodate further growth.
In Puerto Rico, JetBlue currently serves Aguadilla, Ponce and San Juan, with service to 13 nonstop destinations, nine within the continental US: Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Hartford, Jacksonville, New York, Newark, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach and; four within the Caribbean: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and St. Croix. The airline has announced it will begin the only direct non-stop to Washington Reagan National Airport, its 14th city out of San Juan, on August 23, 2012.
Intercruises strengthens management team in Australia
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations
- Published: 03 July 2012 03 July 2012
James joins Intercruises after a ten year career working onboard various cruise vessels for a luxury cruise line, where he most recently held the position of Shore Excursions Manager. His time at sea helped James develop extensive operational knowledge and an in depth understanding of how to deliver a high quality service to cruise guests. James also has excellent experience of operations in the Australian region and will oversee the ongoing development of Intercruises' shore excursion programme in 29 Australian ports, leading the Intercruises shore excursion team.
Andreas joined the Intercruises Australia team in April as Port Agency Manager and is currently enhancing Intercruises' port agency program in Australia. Andreas has over fifteen years of experience in ship logistics and port agency services, previously holding the position of Cruise Operations Controller for a ship agency in Brisbane, where he developed a robust operational framework for Turnaround and cruise operations. Andreas has a great understanding of cruise line operations, having previously worked as Logistics Manager at Cunard Line & Seabourn Cruise Line and then with Princess Cruises.
"We continue to strengthen our team through the appointment of individuals with industry experience and good knowledge of the Australian market. James and Andreas are passionate about their work, the cruise industry and Intercruises' commitment to delivering a professional and first class service to our clients and their guests in Australia." Said Martin Bidgood, Regional Director Australia, Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services.
Based in Sydney, Intercruises Australia offers full turnaround, hotel reservation, shore excursion and port agency services, operating in 29 Australian Ports, from Hobart to Thursday Island, and Brisbane to Gerladton. For more information regarding Intercruises visit www.intercruises.com<http://www.intercruises.com>
Port Canaveral begins construction on new Welcome Center
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations
- Published: 22 June 2012 22 June 2012
Construction began this week at Port Canaveral on a new $21 million Welcome Center, a seven-story building that will feature an observation deck, exhibits, event space, auditorium, gift shop and café. The project is the first phase of a revitalization of the Canaveral Cove. The iconic structure is expected to be a magnet for visitors to Brevard County, Florida and convey the rich maritime history of Port Canaveral, as well reflect the stories of the region, including military battles, space exploration, and beach culture. The 22,000 square foot facility is designed by GWWO Architects of Baltimore. Skanska of Orlando is general contractor, working with Iveys Construction of Rockledge. The project is expected to be completed by July 2013.
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