'Fireboats are Basically an Insurance Policy'
âFireboats are basically an insurance policy.â -Meeting minutes, Southeast Texas Waterways Advisory Council (SETWAC).Developments in Americaâs coastal ports are causing officials to closely review maritime safety operations and equipment. Fireboats draw a lot of attention. The reference here is to big fireboats â 40-50 feet, crewed by specially trained firefighters, outfitted with the equipment required to confront and take on a range of waterway emergencies. [CBRN is a frequent acronym used with these fireboats: ChemicalâŚ
Big City Fireboats
On March 3, the Coast Guard published a notice that Martin Midstream Partners (MMP), a petrochemical transport and storage company, was seeking approval to modify terminal operations in Beaumont, Texas, along the Sabine-Neches Waterway. If approved, MMP would expand its liquefied hazardous gas (LHG) operations, both in volume and products. Instead of just handling ammonia the change would allow shipments of butane, propane, ethane, ethylene and propylene.Critically, MMPâs expansion would increase LHG vessel transit from 24 ships to as many as 350 per year.
Horizon Shipbuilding Grows through Diversification
Alabama's Horizon Shipbuilding is bustling with activity. New York Fast Ferries are being quickly delivered, large AST tugs are being built and launched, and vessels of all sizes are cycling through weekly for refurbishment and refit. âOur companyâs diversity allows us to manage multiple projects at one time,â said Travis Short, owner of Horizon. âWe are a true full service builder. In 2009 F.E.M.A., through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, began aggressively funding stateâŚ
US Provides $100 Mln in Port Security Grants
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced final allocations of $275 million for six fiscal year 2016 U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) competitive preparedness grant programs, including $100 million for the Port Security Grant Program (PSGP). The PSGP aims to help protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism, enhance maritime domain awareness, improve port-wide maritime security risk management and maintain or reestablish maritime security mitigation protocols that support port recovery and resiliency capabilities.
Obamaâs Budget âGrossly Imbalancedâ For US Ports -AAPA
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) said today it is encouraged by the potential of significant gains for landside freight transportation programs in President Obamaâs fiscal 2017 budget, bit is disappointed, however, in the proposed funding levels for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers coastal navigation programs, the Environmental Protection Agencyâs Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grants, and the Federal Emergency Management Agencyâs (FEMA) Port Security Grant program.
US Seaports Eye Increased Funding
In reviewing the $1.15 trillion amount in the U.S. House-Senate conference agreement released last night for the fiscal 2016 omnibus appropriations bill (HR 2029), the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)âthe unified and recognized voice of seaports in Americaânoted that there are significant funds to enhance U.S. port infrastructure. The largest increases are for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineersâ Navigation Program and the Environmental Protection Agencyâs (EPA) Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grants program. The agreement also includes level funding for the U.S.
Port of Long Beach Awarded FEMA Security Grants
The Port of Long Beachâs Security Division has been awarded $3.4 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants to fund ongoing projects that protect the port. The grants will enhance port security systems such as physical security equipment and monitoring and detection systems, including the Virtual Port System, and improve the resiliency of port security systems, the port said. âProtecting workers and the community, as well as ensuring business continuity, are top priorities at the Port of Long Beach,â said Lori Ann Guzmán, President of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners. FEMA, which is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland SecurityâŚ
Sen. Vitter and Ruiz de Teresa to Receive AAPA Award
U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-LA) and Mexicoâs general coordinator of ports and merchant marine, Guillermo Ruiz de Teresa, have been jointly selected to receive the American Association of Port Authoritiesâ (AAPA) 2015 âPort Person of the Yearâ award. The AAPA selected Sen. Vitter and General Coordinator Ruiz de Teresa for their work toward reforming their countryâs water resources development legislation, including boosting federal funding to maintain and improve their nationâs ports and harbors, as well as their efforts in creating jobs and improving economic competitiveness in the U.S. and Mexico. âBoth Sen. Vitter and General CoordinatorâŚ
US Ferries Are Safer, but Regulatory Burdens Grow
In recent years, ferries have been in the spotlight, in part because of growing mass transit needs and increased road congestion, but also because of concerns about the deadly South Korean ferry sinking last April. We asked Captain Terri Bernstein, the Passenger Vessel Associationâs 2014 President, about the industryâs status in the United States. Based in Alexandria, VA, the PVA has over 500 member companies. Ferries are safer, especially since 9/11, but regulatory requirements have swelled and can be onerous, Bernstein said. Sheâs the owner of BB Riverboats, Inc.
As Interest in LNG Surges, Regulators Struggle to Keep Pace
The use of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as a transportation fuel for ships, barges and ferries has surged in recent months. This surge is due, in large part, to the boon in the production of natural gas in the U.S.; new low sulfur rules for the North American Emission Control Area (ECA), which go into effect on January 1, 2015; and new technologies for the construction of engines capable of running on LNG. Regulatory regimes both in the U.S. and worldwide are struggling to keep pace with the tremendous growth of LNG as a fuel.
AAPA: FYâ15 âCromnibusâ Bill Supports Ports
Significant increases seen for Corpsâ seaport programs & EPAâs DERA grants. In reviewing the proposed $1.01 trillion Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015 hammered out in Congress late yesterday, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) noted that there are significant increases for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineersâ Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT) operations and maintenance (O&M) activities and construction budgets, and for the Environmental Protection Agencyâs Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grants program.
Moose Boatsâ Fire Rescue Catamaran
Specialty workboats redefined: versatility, value and multi-mission capabilities, all rolled into one affordable hull. In a world where small to medium sized municipalities and port authorities have to make every dollar go a long, long way, any opportunity to leverage just one hull over multiple mission sets grabs a lot of attention. Nevertheless, Job 1 on that set of requirements is arguably the need to provide robust firefighting capabilities. Sure, everyone would like to have the ability to pump 15,000 gallons per minute (gpm), but at the same time, not everyone can afford it. Nor does everyone have the available draft to support such a (larger) platform.
Texas Boats Combat Drug Cartels on the Rio Grande
Texas Marine Unit Uses Yellowfin-built Shallow Water Vessels for Border Patrol missions. Menaced by Mexican drug cartels, the Texas Department of Public Safety operates a fleet of six shallow-water vessels it commissioned in late 2011 and 2012 to patrol its borders. The agency purchased the boats from Bradenton, Florida-based manufacturer Yellowfin Yachts as threats along the Rio Grande escalated. Yellowfin custom builds its 34-foot fishing boats for military and police purposesâŚ
AAPA Applauds Port Infrastructure Funding
In applauding Congressâ passage late yesterday of the $1.1 trillion Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2014, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) noted that several high priority programs crucial to the safe, efficient and competitive operation of American seaports are included in the appropriations mix. This includes funding for U.S. DOTâs Transportation Infrastructure Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) discretionary grants, U.S. Corps of Engineersâ navigation-related programsâŚ
U.S. Port Security and the Impact of Sequester & Budget Woes
This article describes the impact of the âsequesterâ and budget showdowns on ports and port security, and also gives a preview of the House-Senate Conference on the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). On the one hand, ports and port security have been severely hampered by the ongoing budget battles, as has the rest of the U.S. Government and economy. On the other hand, Congress appears to be on the brink of reauthorizing the Water Resources Development Act for the first time in six years.
Are our Ports Safe?
Two recent reports have raised alarms about the security of our ports and the cargo that enters them by containers every day. The top North American container ports handle more than 35 million containers per year bringing vital goods to U.S. homes and companies every day. Without this freight, our economy would be at a standstill. But one nuclear device placed into a shipping container could wreak havoc not just at the port it enters, but also with the surrounding population of our busiest ports such as New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Long Beach.
GPA Prepares for Disasters
Mobile HQ can operate from any location in emergency situations. In the case of a hurricane or any other natural or man-made disaster Georgia Ports Authorityâs new Mobile Command Center ensures that data is safe and port operations can continue. The Georgia Ports Authority recently unveiled a new Mobile Command Center (MCC). The MCC is a deployable unit from which the GPA can manage its entire operation. In the case of a hurricane or any other natural or man-made disaster the new unit ensures that data is safe and port operations can continue.
Insights: Kurt J. Nagle, President and Chief Executive Officer Association of Port Authorities
Kurt Nagle needs no introduction to MarineNews readers. With more than 30 years of experience in seaports and international trade, he has since 1995 served as President and Chief Executive Officer for the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA). Mr. Nagle began working at AAPA, the alliance of the leading public port authorities throughout the Western Hemisphere, in 1985. And, although some may associate him more with âbluewaterâ issues, Nagle also knows that the health of all U.S.
Jumping Off the Fiscal Cliff?
You are not alone if you are bewildered by the talk in Washington about âsequester,â âcontinuing resolutionâ, âfiscal cliff,â âbudget resolutions,â and âdebt ceilings.â Even those of us who think we understand whatâs going on have trouble keeping up. This article will break down the talk into segments on the continuing resolution that funds the government for the rest of this fiscal year: the House and Senate budget resolutions, the upcoming debt ceiling fight; and, finally, the Presidentâs budget request for FY2014. The focus is on maritime, transportation and energy programs.
Houston Hosts Homeland Security Briefing
At a briefing held Wednesday at the Port of Houston Authority, U.S. McCaul chose the port as the site to host the briefing on security and emergency preparedness to illustrate the importance of the Port of Houston to the nation's economy and energy security. The Port of Houston is home to the largest petrochemical manufacturing complex in the United States and second largest in the world. McCaul met with Port of Houston Authority officials as well as Houston, Harris County andâŚ
Port Terminals Risk Millions with Lame Grant Strategies
Forget 2012; work on the funds already awarded. Port terminals risk losing their one last shot at millions in FEMA/DHS Port Security Grant Funds if they donât act decisively before Sept. 2012. As of Jan. All of the $1 billion that is still sitting in the federal treasury has been dedicated to thousands of security projects and equipment approved at the highest levels as essential to protect ports against terrorist attacks from 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 Port Security Grants (PSG). DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano has ordered that by Sept.
Ports Urge Congress to Support Port Security Grants
At two separate Congressional hearings, representatives of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) emphasized the need for federal support for seaport security and maintenance and improvements to federal navigation channels. Port industry leaders illustrated the challenges underfunding security and dredging pose for national security and U.S. international competitiveness. As the House Appropriations Committee begins work on the Fiscal Year 2013 budget, AAPA executivesâŚ
Extension Requests for FEMA Port Security Grants Deadline
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate (GPD issued Information Bulletin 354 announcing that extension requests for FY 2006 Preparedness Grant Programs (including the Port Security Grant Program â PSGP) must be received by FEMA no later than March 31 and that there will be no extensions on FY 2006 performance periods past June 30. (2/1/11). (Source: Bryantâs Maritime News)