Maritime Commerce Advisory Committee (MCAC) - January 21, 2021

Meeting Date: 

January 21, 2021 - 11:30am

Location: 

Virtual Public Meeting via Zoom*

Link: https://zoom.us/j/7737703308

Related Meeting Content:

Minutes

1. Welcome and Self-Introductions (All)

2. Maritime Update (Andre Coleman)

3. Pier 38 / 40 Project Update (David Beaupre)

4. Old and New Business; General Discussion; Agenda Topics for Future Meetings (All)

5. Forward Calendar

• MCAC meeting dates schedule in 2021 (third Thursday, every other month):
March 18, May 20, July 15, September 16, November 18
MCAC meetings are held Virtually, unless otherwise noticed, and begin at 11:30am.
Due to the COVID-19 public health orders, this meeting will be held online and by teleconference.

• Port Commission meeting dates prior to next MCAC meeting:
February 9, February 23, and March 9
PC meetings are held Virtually, unless otherwise noticed.

Meeting Date: 

January 21, 2021 - 11:30am

Location: 

Related Meeting Content:

Agenda

1. Welcome
• Skipped self-introductions by all present.

2. Maritime Update (Andre Coleman)
• A NO SAIL order for the cruise industry from the CDC remains in effect until certification for safe resumption of sailing is issued.
• Many of the major cruise lines have voluntarily suspended cruise operations through the end of April 2021.
• The Carnival Miracle will be on pause through September 2021.
• With the suspension of cruise operations, 73 calls have been cancelled.  This leaves the Port with 42 remaining calls assuming cruise resumes in May 2021.
• We will continue to remain engaged with our line operators, terminal operators, and key stake holders to discuss a safe path going forward with the resumption of cruise.
• Cargo operations are holding strong and steady through-out the pandemic.
• Excursion operations are currently on pause again due to the latest surge of the pandemic.
• Crab season is underway.  There was a delay due to the presence of whales on the coast.
• South Beach Harbor is operating under reduced staffing and continues to remain steady.
• As for the shipyard, Port recently executed a lay berth agreement with Dutra.  The Port is actively seeking water and land side opportunities at Pier 70.
• Bay Area Council is proposing to dock The Klamath, a historic ferry, at Pier 9.  We are currently in lease negotiations and hope to seek approval from the Port Commission no later than March 2021.
• The Port is looking to amend the Port Maritime Preservation Policy.  This is due to discussions with our harbor service tenants during the pandemic and we may potentially amend the policy to be more competitive to retain our tenants.
• Dominic gave the group an update on the petroleum seep emanating from an unknown source since July 2020 at Fisherman’s Wharf (former J10 area near fish alley). Port staff has been onsite daily to mitigate any potential pollution to the larger harbor.  More oil seeps have been identified.  We now have 800 linear feet of boom containment from Hyde Street to Scoma Way.  Chemical fingerprinting has ruled out red dye diesel. To date, we have collected 2400 gallons of oily water mixture.  A skimmer has been deployed for automated collection of the seep.  Last week, the Port began geophysical investigation in the area, including locating and marking underground utilities and features to prepare for underground sampling an analysis.  We send daily observations and weekly reports to the regulatory agencies. The US Environmental Protection Agency is the federal agency for this project.

3. Pier 38/40 Project Update (David Beaupre)
• The Request for Proposal to rehabilitate historic Piers 38 and 40 stemmed from a 3-year process to update the waterfront plan. 
• The Port selected Pacific Waterfront Partners to redevelop Pier 38 & 40 and will negotiate an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement.
• Please see the presentation:  https://sfport.com/file/42872

4. Other; Old and New Business; General Discussion; Agenda Topics for Future Meetings
• Brendan O’Meara is the acting Maritime Assistant Deputy Director and is our primary cruise contact.
• Dominic Moreno is acting Maritime Operations Manager leading the wharfingers and operations along the waterfront.
• There is concern Pasha may abandon the Fremont plant due to building a new manufacturing plant in Austin, Texas.
• For the development of the historic piers, the MCAC would like to preserve maritime functions, provisions for public activation, and provisions for investments for seismic safety and flood protection.  Ellen has drafted a letter in support of these criteria.
• BCDC has postponed the adoption of the updated waterfront land use plan until September 2021.

5. Forward Calendar
• MCAC meeting dates schedule in 2021 (third Thursday, every other month):
March 18, May 20, July 15, September 16, November 18
MCAC meetings are held Virtually, unless otherwise noticed, and begin at 11:30am.
Due to the COVID-19 public health orders, this meeting will be held online and by teleconference.
• Port Commission meeting dates prior to next MCAC meeting:
February 9 & 23, March 9

PC meetings are held Virtually, unless otherwise noticed.