April 3, 2017; Port Hueneme, CA – On Tuesday, April 4, the Port of Hueneme and the American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) entire membership in North, South and Central America and the Caribbean will celebrate Western Hemisphere Ports Day. During this annual celebration, the association will recognize the industry’s role in supporting job creation and propelling the economies of the nations they serve across the Americas.
“As the unified and recognized voice of the port industry in the Western Hemisphere, AAPA is excited to continue to share its story around the globe,” said Kurt Nagle, AAPA’s president and CEO. “Ports Day is part of an ongoing commitment to remind our policymakers, policy influencers and the public about the important role ports play in facilitating the movement of trade and linking their nations to the global economy.”
The Port of Hueneme is Ventura County’s gateway to the world, providing opportunity for connections to global businesses and markets and significantly contributing to the economic health of Ventura County and Southern California. Over $9 billion in cargo is moved through the Port annually, generating $1.5 billion in economic activity and $93 million paid in annual taxes that fund vital community services. The Port also providing more than 13,633 direct, indirect, induced and influenced jobs regionally.
“We are committed to continue to build on the economic development in Ventura County focusing on sectors that are strategic locally and globally and building partnerships that lead us to the success of new job creation, environmental sustainability and growth of global trade,” said Oxnard Harbor Commission President Jason Hodge.
“In partnership with cities, county, agencies and local and global businesses, the Port of Hueneme continues to provide unique strategic initiatives to grow the industries of agriculture and automotive, among others,” shared CEO & Port Director Kristin Decas. “The Port of Hueneme is typically known as ‘the port that farmers built,’ but the Port is also a hub for innovation, facilitating the growth of new industries and technologies through our Maritime Advanced Systems & Technology (MAST) Innovation Lab.”
According to IHS Inc. World Trade Service, combined international sea trade moving through Western Hemisphere ports in 2015 totaled 3.45 billion metric tons in volume and US$3.36 trillion in value. Of that total, North American ports handled 1.76 billion metric tons of goods, valued at US$2.21 trillion. In its National Economic Impact of the U.S. Coastal Port System, released in March 2015, Martin Associates found that, in the U.S. alone, ports’ contribution to the national economy reached nearly $4.6 trillion in 2014.
In 2015-2016 at the Port of Hueneme, automobile imports totaled approximately 300,168 tons, while fruit and vegetable imports stood at over 108,000 tons. Liquid bulk fertilizer through the Port equaled 160,145 tons. Total cargo increased by 10.6% to 1,574,903 measurement tons, a new record at the Port.
“Seaports of the Western Hemisphere are job creators and stimulators that deliver prosperity around the globe,” said Mr. Nagle. “However, we must take a moment to reflect on the needs of our industry and make plans today to address the infrastructure enhancements that make goods movement possible for tomorrow. It’s critical that wise investments are made to our transportation infrastructure to ensure that our industry can continue to make a valuable contribution to the economy.”
He added: “We’re proud to recognize the contributions of our member ports as we celebrate Western Hemisphere Ports Day. In support of workers, farmers, employers, manufacturers and consumers everywhere, our ports are united in planning for the future, creating jobs and propelling the economy.”
For more information about Western Hemisphere Ports Day, visit www.aapa-ports.org.
