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Ports Host Tour for FMC Commissioner
Commissioner Max Vekich and Counsel Cory Cinque of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) visited the Pacific Northwest for several days and made the most of their time. The Port of Portland hosted a meeting with the FMC, Oregon Container Terminal, ILWU, and PNWA to discuss current operations, challenges, and future expansion opportunities. After the meeting, the Port of Portland provided a tour of T4 and T6. PNWA appreciated the willingness of the FMC Commissioner and his staff to spend so much time with regional stakeholders and for offering to be of assistance with issues faced by the maritime industry.
After lunch on the Vancouver waterfront, the group continued to the Port of Vancouver USA for a guided tour with Erin Masterson. The visit highlighted the port’s diverse commodities and operations, as well as its strategic location connecting ocean and river shipping, interstate highways, and BNSF and Union Pacific rail service. With 13 deep water berths and extensive multimodal connections, the port serves as an important Pacific Northwest gateway to global trade.
Lower Snake River Congressional Education Tour
From Monday, August 17, to Wednesday, August 19, Neil and Nicole joined the Washington Association of Wheat Growers for their annual Lower Snake River Dam System Educational Tour for Congressional staff. On Monday, the trip started off with a trip to Washington State University’s Wheat Quality Lab, where Neil, Nicole, and some other stakeholders were able to tour the research lab and bakery to see how WSU tests the wheat to learn ways on how to help improve soil health, along with producing a more resilient crop. The group then was able to ride some combines to get a firsthand look at the process of harvesting wheat and bringing it to a grain elevator, before ending up on barges on the river system.
Tuesday was a packed day of education and connection, starting off with a panel at 7:00 AM, to help set the stage for 20 congressional staffers who headed to Lewiston from Florida, Georgia, Nebraska, Missouri, Idaho, and Washington. Neil joined stakeholders from Tidewater, American Cruise Lines, and Washington Association of Wheat Growers to give perspective on the threats to the Lower Snake River Dams and the role IPNG plays in litigation efforts to protect the dams from being breached. After the morning presentations, the participants loaded a bus to Boyer Park where they hopped on a jet boat to travel through the Lower Granite Dam Lock, before embarking on a tour of the dam’s fish passage system and powerhouse. To finish out the day, the group toured the Port of Lewiston’s Confluence River Facility, where Scott Corbitt explained to the group the importance of the Port of Lewiston and what would happen to the region if the dams were removed. By educating Congressional staffers from beyond the Pacific Northwest has a tremendous impact back in Washington D.C. to make decisions that will continue to protect the future of the Pacific Northwest. Thank you to Michelle Hennings and Washington Wheat Growers for putting the tour together and inviting PNWA.
America Cruise Lines Luncheon and Tour
PNWA recently had the opportunity to join American Cruise Lines for a luncheon and tour aboard the American Encore in Kalama, Washington. The visit offered a firsthand look at the company’s newest ship design and its approach to small-ship cruising on America’s waterways. We received a full tour of the U.S., designed and manufactured vessel, had the opportunity to meet the crew, and enjoyed a wonderful lunch on board.
American Cruise Lines, a PNWA member, operates more than 25 U.S.-flagged ships and offers itineraries throughout the Pacific Northwest, including cruises on the Columbia and Snake rivers, Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, and Alaska.
Thank you to American Cruise Lines for hosting PNWA and providing an opportunity to learn more about the important role passenger cruising plays in our region’s maritime economy and waterfront communities.
Port of Grays Habor T4 Grand Opening
PNWA was pleased to attend the July 31 grand opening of AGP’s new Terminal 4 export facility at the Port of Grays Harbor and celebrate this significant milestone with our member, the Port of Grays Harbor, and its partners.
The new facility represents a major investment in agricultural exports and regional infrastructure, including a new ship loader, expanded rail and storage capacity, improved vessel-loading capabilities, and additional cargo space. Together, these improvements will significantly increase the Port’s ability to move U.S. agricultural products to international markets.
Congratulations to the Port of Grays Harbor and all of the partners who helped bring this transformative public-private project to completion. Thank you for including PNWA in such a great event and important celebration for our region’s maritime and agricultural industries.
$6.2M EDA Grant for Port of Grays Harbor
Port of Vancouver 2 Millionth Subaru Celebration
PNWA was pleased to join member Port of Vancouver USA in celebrating a major milestone in its longstanding partnership with Subaru of America: the processing of the 2 millionth Subaru vehicle through the port.
The August 14 celebration marked 33 years of partnership between Subaru and the Port of Vancouver USA, which now handles nearly 2,000 Subaru vehicles each week. The partners also announced an extension of Subaru’s lease through 2040, along with an expansion of its leasehold from 40 to 43 acres.
The milestone highlights the port’s strong automotive logistics capabilities, including efficient cargo movement, rail connections, industrial infrastructure and a skilled regional workforce. Congratulations to the Port of Vancouver USA and Subaru on this impressive achievement. PNWA enjoyed being part of the celebration!
Columbia River Treaty Power Group Advocacy
In July, Nicole joined members of the Columbia River Treaty Power Group to do a second round of education and advocacy on Capitol Hill and other federal offices regarding the current status of the Columbia River Treaty (CRT). Nicole was joined by John Haarlow and Jenna Peth from Snohomish Power Utility District (PUD), Maura Brueger from Seattle City Light, LaTasha Wortham from Tacoma Power, Jason Huser from the Eugene Water and Electric Board, Nate Davern from Puget Sound Energy, Connor Reiten from National Rural Utilities, Hub Adams from the Public Power Council, Ben McMakin from Crossroads Strategies, and Carlos Flores from Van Ness Feldman.
While in DC, the group was able to meet with Congressional Staff from Sens. Murray, Cantwell, and Risch, and Representatives Schrier and Bentz. The group was also fortunate to have Representative Cliff Bentz attend their meeting. The group also met with Jill Smail, the lead negotiator of the Columbia River Treaty at the State Department, Katie Devlin with the Council of Environmental Quality, Nick Elliot with the National Energy Dominance Council, and Stuart Levenbach and Nick Flocken from The Office of Management and Budget. The group also had the opportunity to engage with Travis Kavulla, the new director of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA).
Overall, the week was very productive. In meetings, the group expressed their support for the Agreement in Principle (AIP) that was negotiated in 2024, which reduces Canada’s entitlement to downstream power benefits from 1,140 MW to under 660 MW next year, and the U.S. will make annual flood risk management payments to Canada. Thank you everyone for the productive week!
Congressional Staff Tour of Bonneville Dam
Recently, the Portland District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hosted a tour of Bonneville Lock and Dam including the fish passage facilities for Congressional and PNWA members. Congressional staff from Representatives Bonamici, Dexter, and Gluesenkamp Perez and Senator Cantwell accompanied PNWA staff and representatives of American Cruise Lines, the Port of Cascade Locks, and Tidewater Transportation & Terminals for the tour. PNWA appreciates the partnership with the Portland District of the Corps in sharing the history of the dam, demonstrating how the lock systems work, explaining the recent temporary closure, and the importance of routine and non-routine maintenance. In addition to touring the powerhouse to learn about the dam’s clean energy generation, the Corps also provided a tour of the fish passage facilities and discussed upgrades to the turbines and other systems to increase survivability of juvenile and adult fish transiting the dam.
Many thanks to our members who joined the tour for telling PNWA’s story and providing an industry and community perspective on the importance of our federal waterways. Kudos to Kristin Meira at American Cruise Lines for getting a cruise ship to arrive at the lock during the Congressional staff tour! As always, many thanks to Bonneville Dam Project Manager Mike Adams and Tracie Williams of the Portland District Corps for their willingness to share their time and expertise.
Columbia River Maritime Museum presents
PNWA staff attended the recent CRSOA luncheon featuring Frank Manning of Diversified Marine and Bruce Jones, Director of the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Manning and Jones shared the story behind the restoration of the historic 1927 fireboat David Campbell, which was donated to the Museum by Portland Fire & Rescue in 2025 and moved to its Astoria campus in July 2026.
Attendees learned about the collaboration involved in restoring and preserving the vessel, as well as updates on the Museum’s expanding exhibit space and ongoing efforts to showcase the region’s maritime history. Restoration and site work will continue over the coming months, with plans to open the David Campbell to visitors in late fall 2026.
WIMOs Port of Kalama Tour
PNWA staff recently joined WIMOs for an informative afternoon at the Port of Kalama. Executive Director Mark Wilson provided an overview of the Port, its properties, current activities, and future projects before leading the group on a van tour of Port facilities and the waterfront.
The visit offered PNWA staff valuable insight into the Port of Kalama’s operations and plans for the future, while further strengthening our understanding of the important role the Port plays in the region. Following the tour, attendees gathered at McMenamins Kalama Harbor Lodge for snacks and beverages, with some staying to enjoy an evening concert at the waterfront amphitheater.
Thank you to WIMOs, Mark Wilson, and the Port of Kalama for a great opportunity to learn, connect, and experience the Port firsthand.
Marine Highway Roundtable
The Pacific Northwest Waterways Association is pleased to invite you to attend the 2026 Marine Highway Roundtable, October 12–13, 2026, in Vancouver, Washington.
The Marine Highway Advocacy Working Group is a collaborative effort among PNWA, the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA), Columbia River and Puget Sound ports, and commercial maritime partners working to advance short-sea shipping and strengthen marine transportation throughout the Pacific Northwest.
This year’s Roundtable will bring together leaders and partners from across the maritime industry for two days of discussion, collaboration, and networking focused on the opportunities and challenges facing marine transportation today and into the future.
We encourage PNWA members to join us for this important regional conversation and help continue efforts to strengthen and advance our marine highway system.
Please see the attached invitation for additional details and register here:
2026 Marine Highway Roundtable Registration
Questions may be directed to mh5@portofpa.com.
We hope to see you in Vancouver!
International Trade Webinar
The Washington State Department of Commerce will host its next International Trade Talks webinar on August 26, 2026, from 10:00–11:30 a.m. PDT.
Trade Policy, Tariffs, Refund Recovery, and More: What Businesses Need to Know will provide timely updates for exporters, importers, manufacturers, distributors, and service providers engaged in international trade.
The webinar will feature experienced international trade attorneys and a customs compliance professional discussing current U.S. trade policy, recent tariff and non-tariff changes, trade agreement developments, and tariff and refund litigation, including Sections 122, 301, and 232.
Register here:
Washington State Department of Commerce Webinar Registration
Plan Highlights Importance of Inland Waterways
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s updated National Freight Strategic Plan underscores the critical role inland waterways play in moving agricultural products and supporting the nation’s freight network.
The plan notes that approximately 60% of U.S. wheat exports move through the Columbia-Snake River System and emphasizes the importance of reliable locks, dams, and navigation channels. It also highlights the efficiency of barge transportation, noting that a single 14-barge tow can carry the equivalent of 1,050 trucks or 216 rail cars.
With freight volumes expected to continue growing, maintaining reliable inland navigation infrastructure will be essential to reducing pressure on highways and rail, supporting agricultural exports, and keeping goods moving efficiently.
Bottom line: Barging and inland navigation are not optional—they are necessary components of a reliable, efficient, and resilient national freight system.
BPA Proposes to Cut SAFE Program Funding
On June 18, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) notified the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) that it would cease funding the Select Area Fisheries Enhancement (SAFE) program as of October 1, 2026. There are currently about 7 million smolts that are reared in net pens at Youngs Bay, Blind Slough, and Tongue Point in Oregon for the hatcheries under the SAFE program in the Lower Columbia River.
A recent Clearing Up article outlined some of BPA’s reasons for the reduction in funding, including:
- BPA’s belief the program has not demonstrated a reduction of impacts on threatened stocks.
- Some conservation groups finding the hatchery program is negatively impacting wild salmon. There are currently lawsuits on the upper and lower Columbia River over impacts of the program to native-origin stocks protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
- BPA is mandated to mitigate impacts of the Federal Columbia River Power System on fish and wildlife and the Northwest Power and Conservation Council recommends a focus on increasing the abundance of stocks above Bonneville Dam but the SAFE program is currently enhancing recreational and commercial fishing opportunities in the lower Columbia River.
The Governors of Oregon and Washington, a group of Washington State legislators, the West Coast Seafood Processors Association, and others have written to BPA to request reconsideration of the unilateral decision to cut the funding for the SAFE program. On July 27, PNWA also sent a letter to BPA to encourage collaboration with the States, ODFW and WDFW, and to develop a funding transition plan that would prevent wasting the existing hatchery fish already in production.
To read PNWA’s letter, click here.
Two Bills Introduced to Amend MMPA to Address Sea Lions
Two bills to amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) were recently introduced to address salmon predation by sea lions were introduced in the House on July 9, 2026. Representatives Michael Baumgartner (R, WA-5) and Emily Randall (D, WA-6) introduced H.R. 9621 the “Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act of 2026” and Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D, WA-3) introduced H.R. 9637 the “Protecting Columbia River Salmon Act of 2026”. PNWA is pleased to see the heightened Congressional attention on sea lion predation and support for abatement programs and involving Northwest Tribes in management and implementation.
The Baumgartner-Randall bill amends the MMPA to allow lethal take of pinnipeds on the Columbia River and its tributaries to protect listed and non-listed fish. This bill is supported by the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC), the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC), and the Washington Hatchery Coalition. The bill provides for lethal take of a limited number of pinnipeds by the State of Washington or by a covered Indian Tribe in the entire Columbia River and its tributaries, in addition to:
– Adaptive management of pinniped populations for harbor seals,
– California sea lions, and Stellar sea lions
– Clarification of other definitions
– Covered Indian Tribe includes federally recognized Indian Tribes with treaty-reserved fishing rights in the western portion of Washington State.
– Allowing the Secretary to suspend lethal take permits after five years if it is determined the program is not necessary to protect salmon
– Annual reporting requirements
– Creating an office within NMFS for the development of pinniped exclusion technology that does not interfere with navigation or fish migration
- To read the Rep. Baumgartner-Randall press release, click here.
- To read the H.R. 9621 bill text, click here.
- To read the section-by-section summary, click here.
- To read the Washington Hatchery Coalition support letter, click here.
The Gluesenkamp Perez bill amends the MMPA to allow for lethal take of California sea lions and Stellar sea lions by certain Indian Tribes on the mainstem and tributaries of the Columbia River in Oregon and Washington from river mile 0 to McNary Dam. This legislation allows Federally Recognized Indian Tribes with ancestral ties to the Columbia River and tributaries to take an unlimited number of pinnipeds at any time in a humane manner using methods determined by the Indian Tribes or their designee. This bill is supported by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, and the Trump Administration.
- To read Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez’s press release, click here.
- To read the H.R. 9637 bill text, click here.
- To read the Administration’s support statement, click here.
WSDOT Feedback Request
WSDOT invites members of the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association to review and provide feedback on the draft 2026 Freight System Plan (FSP).
The review period runs through September 13, 2026. WSDOT requests that any comments on the draft FSP be submitted by this deadline so they can be incorporated in the final version of the plan.
To share feedback, PNWA members can submit their thoughts and comments to: FreightPlan@wsdot.wa.gov. Please include the section number/specific appendix and page number when making any comments. A comment form also is available on the website for those who would like to use it.
The final FSP will be submitted to FHWA for review and approval in late September and is expected to be published by the end of November.
Congressional Staff Tugboat Tour
Shaver Transportation graciously hosted a tugboat tour of the Columbia River aboard the Heather S. tugboat for a Congressional staff tour on August 17. Congressional staff from Representatives Bonamici, Dexter, and Gluesenkamp Perez accompanied PNWA staff for a safety briefing with Shaver Transportation and then boarded the tugboat at T6 at the Port of Portland. Shaver staff explained the role tugboats play in moving cargo and ship assists on the Columbia Snake River System. PNWA appreciated Shaver Transportation’s partnership in telling PNWA’s story and impressing upon the delegation staff the importance of maintaining the federal waterways in our region. Many thanks to Steve and Heather Shaver, Jon Hellberg, Rylee Ettinger, and Chase Reid for a fun and informative morning on the river!
Dredge Oregon Tour
Nicole Kach joined Port of Portland and Congressional staff on a tour of the Dredge Oregon, in Skamokawa, Washington. The group toured the dredge, where they were able to learn how it operates on the Columbia River. The group also was able to view the site where dredge material is being placed. The time on the dredge was a wonderful way to see operations at the Port and all the great work they do to ensure that vessels can safely navigate on the river system. Thank you to the Port of Portland staff for organizing this informative opportunity!
Call for Nominations: Honor Awards
Deadline August 28: PNWA is now accepting nominations for the 2026 PNWA Awards, recognizing individuals whose leadership, service, and dedication have made a lasting impact on the Pacific Northwest maritime community.
We invite nominations for:
Walter H. Evans Memorial Award – Honors an individual whose outstanding contributions, leadership, mentorship, and service have strengthened the Pacific Northwest port and maritime industry.
Distinguished Service Award – Recognizes exceptional leadership, active involvement with PNWA, and lasting contributions to the Association and the region.
Golden Anchor Award – Celebrates PNWA members retiring this year or next, recognizing their years of dedicated service, active participation, and enduring impact on the maritime industry.
Award recipients will be recognized during the Honors Reception at the 2026 PNWA Annual Convention on Tuesday, October 13, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at the Hilton Vancouver Washington.
For questions or nominations: Mary.Wiley@pnwa.net
2026 PNWA Annual Convention
As our most popular event of the year, the PNWA Annual Convention offers a prime opportunity to connect with key regional and federal partners, along with nearly 200 PNWA colleagues from the Northwest. This is the ideal time to touch base as the calendar year winds down and we kick-off preparations for the coming year’s vital advocacy efforts.
You’ll have the chance to interact with and learn from experts in our region’s working waterways, transportation corridors, economic development industries, and regulatory community. Beyond networking with your colleagues, our goal is to provide you with the most timely and relevant information.