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Nebraska News

10 Jan 2024

HII Names Courtney Corporate VP of Legislative Affairs

Peter Courtney (Photo: HII)

HII announced that Peter Courtney has been promoted to corporate vice president of legislative affairs and Betsy Bina Benedict will join HII to serve as the director of legislative affairs. Courtney succeeds Carolyn Apostolou who retired in December after 10 years with the company.Courtney will be located in HII’s Arlington office and report directly to Stewart Holmes, HII’s executive vice president of government and customer relations (GCR). Benedict will report to Courtney.In Courtney’s new role…

11 Nov 2022

US Inland Waterways: Looking for Rainmakers

(Photo: Ingram Barge Company)

As 2022 moves into its final months, low water levels and drought form the basis of the news impacting inland waterways operators and barge companies. In the first week of October, numerous barges were reported grounded in the Mississippi River, particularly south of Baton Rouge. This has consequences: barge rates jumped 218% in St. Louis, compared to 2021.Low water was so severe that on October 7 Ingram Barge CEO John Roberts issued a force majeure notice (force majeure - unforeseeable…

24 Aug 2022

$27 Million Contract Awarded to Repair Missouri River Navigation Structures

A group of Kansas City District workers associated with navigation repairs to the Missouri River join David Best, team lead and contracting officer for the civil contracting branch, and Col. Travis Rayfield, commander, to discuss the signing of the Multiple Award Task Order Contract, accounting for $27 million in repairs to river training structures on the river, Aug. 16, 2022. (Photo: Jennie Wilson / USACE)

Midwest Construction Company, of Nebraska City, Nebraska, was awarded a contract from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to make repairs to river training structures on the Missouri River.The $27 million for the repair work comes from the BIL – Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation – and is expected to be the first of several separate contracts awarded in the next 12 months to support navigation on the Missouri River. The repairs from this contract will be between river miles 140 to 260 - approximately from Jefferson City, Mo.

22 Jun 2022

US Grain Shipments Through Great Lakes-Seaway Up 39%

(Photo: Nick Corbin, courtesy Chamber of Marine Commerce)

U.S. grain shipments via the Great Lakes-Seaway system totaled 312,000 metric tons from March 22 to May 31, up 39% compared to the same period in 2021. Much of the increase is due to exports of corn and soybeans out of the Port of Toledo and some new trade starting at the port of Oswego this shipping season. The rise in shipments, which are predominantly heading to Europe and North Africa, are in part due to shifting global grain trading patterns as the conflict between Russia and the Ukraine — both major grain exporters — continues.“The Great Lakes-St.

16 Jun 2021

U.S. Judge Orders Resumption in Federal Drilling Auctions

Credit: A drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico - Credit:flyingrussian/AdobeStock

A federal judge in Louisiana on Tuesday blocked the Biden administration's pause on oil and gas leasing on public lands and waters, dealing a setback to a key White House effort to address climate change.The order granted a preliminary injunction to Louisiana and 12 other states that sued Democratic President Joe Biden and the Interior Department over the freeze on new drilling auctions. Louisiana is a major hub for offshore oil and gas production.Biden paused the government's leasing auctions in January pending a review that is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

24 Mar 2021

Fourteen US States Sue Biden Administration Over Oil and Gas Leasing Pause

© Scott Bufkin / Adobe Stock

Fourteen U.S. states including Louisiana and Wyoming filed suits on Wednesday against President Joe Biden's administration to challenge his pause on new oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters.The legal actions, which seek to restore regular federal drilling auctions, come a day before the administration is set to launch a review of the oil and gas leasing program.Biden, a Democrat, in January signed an executive order putting on hold new leasing pending that review. During his election campaign…

24 Jun 2019

GLDD Wins $91 Million Across Six Awards

file Image: CREDIT GLDD

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (GLDD) announced the receipt of dredging awards totaling $91 million.The awarded work includes:the Virginia Beach project (Coastal Protection, Virginia, $22.6 million);the Sandbridge project (Coastal Protection, Virginia, $20.3 million);Galveston Ship Channel (Maintenance, Texas, $21.2 million);Freeport LNG Basin (Maintenance, Texas, $4.6 million)San Jacinto Variation Order (Rivers and Lakes, Texas, $17.1 million) andMissouri River 2019 Floods…

25 Apr 2019

Floods Stall Inland Fertilizer Barge Shipments

Inland waterways with St. louis in the background. (Credit: St. Louis Regional Freightway)

Farm supplier CHS Inc has dozens of loaded barges trapped on the flood-swollen Mississippi River near St. Louis - about 500 miles from the company's two Minnesota distribution hubs.The barges can't move - or get crucial nutrients to corn farmers for the spring planting season - because river locks on the main U.S. artery for grain and fertilizer have been shuttered for weeks. High water presents a hazard for boats, barges and lock equipment.Railroads have also been plagued by delays from winter weather and flooding in the western Midwest…

18 Mar 2019

USCG Closes Portion of Missouri River

The Coast Guard issued a waterway closure to all vessel traffic on the Missouri River from mile marker 450 near St. Joseph, Missouri, to mile marker 550 approximately 50 miles south of Omaha, Nebraska, due to high water levels and dangerous currents, Friday.The Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers are requesting all operators create as minimal wake as possible between mile marker 375 near Kansas City, Missouri, to mile marker 450 near St. Joseph, Missouri, on the Missouri River to minimize levee damage.Restrictions to operations will be lifted as soon as conditions improve.“The safety of the maritime public is the Coast Guard’s top priority,” said Lt.

20 Feb 2019

Missouri River: Open for Business & Business is Booming

Mitch Roberts, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other industry leaders attend the "Missouri River Corps, US Coast Guard and Navigators Meeting" at the National Weather Service Training Center in Kansas City, MO. Image CREDIT: IRPT

On February 12th and 13th, the Missouri River Stakeholders converged on Kansas City, Missouri to discuss current challenges and opportunities for growth. The main message echoed repeatedly, is the Missouri River is open for business, and business is booming.Over the course of the two-day event, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard worked with the river’s commercial navigators to address areas of concerns as well as plan for the future growth of transportation on one of the nation’s most vital freight corridors.Record attendance was seen at the Annual U.S. Army Corps/U.S.

13 Feb 2019

Offshore Wind: Good Supply, Growing Demand

© iweta0077/AdobeStock

In its 2019 “Annual Energy Outlook” the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that electric generation from renewables (wind, solar, hydro) will go from 500 billion KWh in 2018 to 1500 billion KWh in 2050, just 30 years from now.“The AEO highlights the increasing role of renewable energy in the US generation mix,” said EIA Administrator Linda Capuano. “Solar and wind generation are driving much of the growth. In fact, our reference case projects that renewables will grow to become a larger share of U.S.

25 Jun 2018

BNSF: Nearly Half of Iowa Crude Spill Contained

Workers have contained nearly half of the crude oil spilled near Rock River in northwest Iowa over the weekend following a freight train derailment on Friday, BNSF Railway Co said. About 100,000 gallons had been hemmed off using booms out of the estimated 230,000 gallons spilled, BNSF said in a statement on Saturday. The spill has raised concerns about drinking water downstream. The company did not respond to questions on Sunday about the progress of the cleanup. No one was hurt in the derailment, in which 32 cars came off the rails, 14 of which leaked at least some of their contents, BNSF said. The derailment happened south of Doon, a city of a few hundred people.

25 Apr 2018

EPA Announces Funding to Reduce Diesel Emissions

Preference given to fleets in areas facing air quality challenges. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of grant funding to modernize the nation’s diesel fleet by retrofitting or replacing vehicles with cleaner, more efficient diesel engines. EPA anticipates awarding approximately $40 million in Diesel Emission Reduction Program (DERA) grant funding to eligible applicants, subject to the availability of funds. “These grants will incentivize improvements to aging diesel fleets and improve air quality throughout the country,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “Steps to reduce emissions from older diesel trucks are some of the most cost-effective measures we can take to improve the air Americans breathe,” said Rep. Ken Calvert (CA-42).

01 Feb 2018

US Navy to Commission Littoral Combat Ship Omaha

The United States Navy will commission its newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS), the future USS Omaha (LCS 12), during a 10 a.m. PST ceremony Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Broadway pier in San Diego. The future USS Omaha, designated LCS 12, is the 11th littoral combat ship to enter the fleet and the sixth of the Independence-variant design. It is the fourth warship named for the Nebraska city. The first ship was a propeller-driven sloop-of-war. The second ship was a light cruiser and the third Omaha was an attack submarine. Former U.S. Senator from Nebraska, 35th Governor of Nebraska and Medal of Honor recipient, the Honorable Bob Kerrey will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Mrs.

18 Oct 2017

Charting the Next 100 Years of Naval Station Norfolk

What does the future hold for Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval station? Building on the accomplishments of the last 100 years, leading experts will consider the possibilities and navigate toward a secure and sustainable future at the upcoming symposium, Naval Station Norfolk: Charting Our Next 100 Years, Friday October 20th at the Main, hotel and conference center. The Future Fleet Design session will be conducted by VADM Richard P. Breckenridge from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.. The session will discuss the USFF Fleet Design Plan that will drive the implementation of Fleet Design by 2023. The presentation on Fleet Design will define how the fleet…

14 Jun 2017

US Navy: Bigger is Better, but at What Cost?

U.S. Navy forces and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force routinely train together to improve interoperability and readiness to provide stability and security for the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Z.A. Landers)

The U.S. Navy has a balanced fleet, but it wants to grow bigger and better. Will the budget allow both? Maritime Reporter's March 2017 cover story on the U.S. Navy was all about the numbers. There exists several plans to grow the fleet beyond the current number of 308 ships, the Mitre recommendation of 414 ships, the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment 340-ship proposal, and the Navy’s decision to grow the fleet to 355 ships, and the Trump administration’s 350. With so many numbers being bandied about, there are even more suggestions on how to get there.

12 Aug 2016

Navionics+Regions Available in New Areas

Navionics, the leader in content and location-based services for the recreational boating and outdoor markets, announced today the release of Navionics+ Regions in five coverage areas throughout the U.S. and Canada. At the affordable price of $149 per region, Navionics+ Regions is a tremendous value that includes Nautical Chart, SonarChart 1foot HD bathymetry map and Community Edits, as well as easy access to daily updates for one year.With both Nautical Chart and SonarChart  preloaded, Navionics+ Regions ownershave all the best cartography available right out of the box. To keep their Navionics+ charts current, customers can up date their cartography anywhere within the coverage area.

15 Jul 2016

SOLAS VGM: Concerns, Impacts and the Road to Compliance

(File photo: Chamendra Wimalasena)

Shipping industry veteran Dan Gardner is director of Mobileweight, which helps to streamline processes and create efficiencies for the container shipping industry. The firm’s first-of-its-kind mobile application and online portal Mobileweight aims to offer a reliable, fast and easy way to comply with SOLAS and electronically file the VGM with ocean carriers. Gardner weighs in on the latest SOLAS VGM requirements which entered force on July 1, and discusses their potential impact across the container shipping sector.

18 Dec 2015

Navy to Christen Littoral Combat Ship Omaha

The Navy will christen its newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship, USS Omaha (LCS 12), during a 10 a.m. CST ceremony Saturday, Dec. 19 in Mobile, Alabama. Omaha, designated LCS 12, honors the city of Omaha, Nebraska. The Honorable Ray Mabus, secretary of the Navy, will serve as principal speaker. Susie Buffett, an Omaha philanthropist and daughter of Warren Buffett, chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., will serve as the ship’s sponsor. "More than 4,000 American craftsmen have made this ship possible, craftsmen from Mobile and all around the country, making components of the ship and its systems,” said Mabus. “That partnership between our uniformed men and women, our Navy civilians, industry, and the American people, is one of the great strengths of our system.

06 May 2015

Cabela's Names Navico Vendor of the Year

Navico, the world’s largest manufacturer of marine electronics and parent company to the Lowrance, Simrad, B&G and GoFree brands — has been named Cabela’s® 2014 Vendor of the Year for the General Outdoors Division. For the second year in a row, Navico was selected from more than 4,000 vendors in this category – including marine and fishing product manufacturers – for a variety of specific measures including directly influencing sales, customer-service goals and other contributing factors. For the first time in the history of this prestigious award, Cabela’s has selected a partner in consecutive years and recognized Navico for its collaboration, communication and dedication to the organization.

23 Feb 2015

US Beef, Pork Stocks Rise as Port Dispute Ends

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures will likely edge upward on Monday on short-covering and last weekend's West Coast labor dispute agreement, traders said. Cargo loading and unloading resumed full operations on Saturday after shipping companies and union dock workers reached a tentative deal late on Friday. It could take several weeks to clear the backlog, which includes meat, an analyst said. Still, investors should view the news as bullish, which may help neutralize two mildly bearish U.S. Department of Agriculture reports last Friday, he said. Friday's USDA cold storage report showed weak demand on the U.S. West and East Coasts boosted pork and beef stocks to their highest levels in years. A separate government report showed the number of cattle placed in U.S.

11 Jan 2015

Battle Over Keystone XL Pipeline

Nebraska's Supreme Court ruled against a challenge to the Keystone XL oil pipeline's route through the state on Friday, clearing the way for the Republican-controlled U.S. Congress to try to force President Barack Obama to approve the project. The 1,179-mile (1,900-km) pipeline would send up to 830,000 barrels per day of oil sands crude from Hardisty, Alberta, across the U.S. border to Steele City, Nebraska, where it would connect with the project's already-built Gulf Coast leg. July 2008 - TransCanada Corp announces plans to expand its existing 590,000 bpd Keystone oil pipeline system to the Gulf Coast. September 2008 - TransCanada Corp files an application with the U.S. State Department for a presidential permit allowing construction of the project.

06 Oct 2014

U.S. Corn Harvest Competes With Oil Transport

The giant corn harvest about to hit full stride in America's Midwest looks set to overwhelm storage and pile up outdoors, grain industry sources said, raising quality issues and making it hard to keep supplies moving. This year's record corn crop of 14.4 billion bushels alone would fill up 60 percent of the country's grain storage of 24 billion bushels. In total, with a record soybean crop too and hefty harvests of other grains including spring wheat, there will be about 20 billion bushels of new crops looking for storage. That would be on top of the 3.5 billion bushels reported in storage as of Sept. 1 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).