Ocean cargo/global logistics: U.S. inland seaports may be strengthened by Defense Dept. authorization bill
The American Association of Port Authorities had been among the most active interest groups championing final passage
Patrick Burnson -- Logistics Management, 11/4/2009
WASHINGTON—The Department of Defense authorization bill signed by President Obama late last month will strengthen America’s inland waterways, and provide new incentives for “short-sea shipping.”
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) had been among the most active interest groups championing final passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, H.R. 2647.
“America's Short Sea Transportation Grants for the Development of Marine Highways provides a needed incentive to realize the full potential of America’s marine highways,” said Kurt J. Nagle, AAPA’s president and CEO in a recent letter to congressional conference members. “These coastal water routes complement other surface transportation modes, would help alleviate land-based modal congestion, provide a safe and secure alternative for sensitive cargos and would provide significant energy savings.”
The U.S. Maritime Administration (Marad) will provide funds to help get commercially viable marine highway ventures to get started by funding up to 80 percent of a short sea shipping project.
The Defense authorization also establishes a port infrastructure grant program to provide public and private funds to ports to increase efficiency, security and access.
Several of the nation’s smaller “niche” cargo gateways most likely to benefit from such a development are members of the Association of Pacific Ports, (APP) which is holding a one-day conference for its members in South San Francisco later this week.
Spokesmen told LM that the issue will certainly be discussed among its members at the “Fly-in/fly-out seminar,” along with challenges posed by the uncertain global economy.
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