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Navigating Global Trade Trends: Port of Hueneme Showcases Supply Chain Innovations and AI Advancements during World Trade Week

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Navigating Global Trade Trends: Port of Hueneme Showcases Supply Chain Innovations and AI Advancements during World Trade Week

In honor of World Trade Week, the Port of Hueneme recently hosted a trade-focused event spotlighting current industry trends and advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). Attended by a diverse group including Department of Commerce officials, consuls, industry leaders, and businesses, the event provided valuable insights into the evolving landscape of international trade and its intersection with technology.

Read also: Setting Cargo Records At Port Hueneme

11th World Trade Week Event hosted at the Port of Hueneme

Taking place on May 2, 2024, at the FATHOMWERX lab within the Port of Hueneme, the 11th annual World Trade Week event attracted nearly 100 participants from around the world with vested interests in global trade.

Drew Rodriguez, serving as this year’s emcee, guided the proceedings, while Celina Zacarias, President of the Oxnard Harbor District, emphasized the significance of international trade to both the port and the broader region. Zacarias highlighted the Port of Hueneme’s pivotal role in facilitating global trade and its commitment to leveraging technology for enhanced efficiency and sustainability.

Celina Zacarias, President of the Oxnard Harbor District, Board of Harbor Comissioners giving welcoming remarks.

Kristin Decas, CEO & Port Director, provided a comprehensive overview of port operations, emphasizing recent developments and strategic partnerships aimed at fostering economic growth and environmental stewardship. Notably, Decas underscored the importance of international collaboration, citing recent initiatives focused on green corridors and decarbonization.

Kristin Decas, Port of Hueneme CEO/Port Director providing port update.

Representatives from global trade partners, including Mexico, Lithuania, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom, shared insights into their respective trade ecosystems and opportunities for investment and collaboration. Ambassador Ricardo Santana highlighted the growing trade partnership between Mexico and California, while Mantas Zamzickas emphasized the burgeoning collaboration between the Port of Hueneme and the Port of Klaipeda in Lithuania.

Keynote speaker Caroline Kaufman, Industries Team Lead at the International Trade Administration, highlighted the Department of Commerce’s commitment to strengthening supply chains and promoting economic competitiveness. Kaufman emphasized the crucial role of ports like the Port of Hueneme in facilitating seamless trade operations.

A panel discussion moderated by Simona Racek focused on the integration of AI in international trade operations. Panelists, including Todd Smith, Vincent Iacopella, and Ray Bowman, shared insights into how AI technologies are transforming trade practices and enhancing efficiency.

The event concluded with the presentation of special awards by the Oxnard Harbor District Board of Commissioners, recognizing companies that have made significant contributions to exports through the Port of Hueneme.

Overall, the Port of Hueneme’s World Trade Week event served as a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration, underscoring the importance of embracing innovation and technology in navigating the complexities of global trade.

marine

YOU GO YOUR WAY AND WE’LL GO THE NEW MARINE HIGHWAY

In our latest Dispatches edition, we took a look at how the port industry is kicking-off in 2021. Needless to say, Port Everglades and California’s Port of Hueneme caught our attention.

Port Everglades in Broward County, Florida, welcomed the new year with the first call of a cargo ship arriving from the U.S. Maritime Administration’s new Marine Highway. National Shipping of America’s American-flagged vessel National Glory followed Marine Highway M-10, which begins in Houston and extends east, to pick up containers in Port Everglades for delivery at the end of the M-10 line: in Puerto Rico.

“This service product has economic, environmental and safety advantages with the objective of taking trucks off the road,” says Torey Presti, president of National Shipping Agencies, Inc.

On the opposite coast, the Port of Hueneme in California recently heralded the U.S. Department of Transportation’s official designation of the SEA LINC Project. Formally known as Spurring Economic Advantages with Logistical Investments for New Connectivity, the project aims to move cargo off federal and state highways by shifting the cargo to barge along Marine Highway M-5 instead.

“The successful designation of this project is another example of how we are thinking outside of the box to grow our services at the port, while reducing the impacts on our environment,” said Oxnard Harbor District Board President Jess J. Ramirez.

Port of Hueneme Sets Cargo Volume Record

Oxnard, CA – The Port of Hueneme realized its highest international trade year in its 77 year history and its second highest year for domestic and international freight combined.

The benchmark year included a 30 percent increase in auto exports. The total tonnage for FY 2013-2014 came in at a strong 1,438,596 metric tons representing a less than 1 percent decrease from last year’s all-time high.

“This represents a continuing path to economic recovery keeping the Port at strong trade levels,” according to a statement issued by the port.

Strong growth in freight activity was seen in the Port’s niche markets of automobiles, high and heavy cargos, fresh produce, fertilizer, and domestic commodities. Automobile imports boasted a robust 7.1 percent increase over last fiscal year while exports exploded by 31 percent over 2013 scoring the second best year on record.

A large percentage of the export increase was driven by more foreign manufacturers such as Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Acura operating from new facilities within the US and sending their US-manufactured vehicles to the Asian market. Hyundai/Kia leads the import arena with a strong 10 percent growth.

Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) is the leading shipper handling agricultural and heavy equipment cargo at the port, and provides shipping and technical processing for automobiles. The company also handles the bulk of the high and heavy cargo, as well as the transport and processing of automobiles.

On the fruit side of the Hueneme’s business portfolio banana imports remained strong at 655,589 metric tons. Other fresh fruits and vegetables handled by port customers grew by 1.6 percent.

Other customers of the port includes Yara North America Inc., who manages the liquid bulk fertilizer and Air1 Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) through the port and across North America.

DEF is a high purity solution of urea in water, used to chemically reduce NOx emissions from trucks, buses and other units powered by diesel engines. Yara North America is the world’s largest producer and supplier of Air1 and the Port of Hueneme is a key supply point for the company’s western US customer base.

Volumes of ‘shallow draft’ cargo such as fish, lube oil, and vessel fuel were down marginally for the year, while the offshore domestic oil trade held steady.

The Port of Hueneme moves $8 billion in goods each year and consistently ranks among the top ten US ports for automobiles and fresh produce.

09/26/2014