American Government News

New fiber reinforced polymer lock gates, reportedly the world’s largest, were installed in the new Lock III in the Wilhelmina canal in Tilburg, the Netherlands on January 9. On behalf of Rijkswaterstaat (Dutch Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management), Royal HaskoningDHV has deployed its expertise in the field of fiber reinforced polymers for the design principles, the design review and quality control. Never before have FRP lock gates of these dimensions (6.2 x 12.5 meters) been installed. The mitred gates can control a water level difference of no less than 7.9 meters.

Following a visit aboard Philippine naval ship BRP Gregorio Del Pilar on Tuesday, U.S. President Barack Obama said the American government plans to transfer two ships to the Philippine Navy, bolstering what Obama called an “ironclad commitment” to the defense of treaty ally the Philippines. Obama said the two vessels – a Hamilton-Class Coast Guard Cutter and research ship – are part of the U.S. effort to increase maritime security assistance to its allies in the Asia-Pacific region, where tensions with China have heated up over recent years.

The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, recognized the Port of Houston Partners in Maritime Education as part of the 2015 Bright Ideas program. This year's cohort includes 124 programs from all levels of government--school districts; county, city, state, and federal agencies; as well as public-private partnerships--that are at the forefront in innovative government action. Since 2009, the Port of Houston Authority has been tackling the growing need for skilled maritime workers by organizing maritime academies at four area school districts at the high school level to introduce youth to maritime transportation systems and career pathways as mariners, and in shipbuilding and repair, and port operations.

Rebels pressed ahead with a referendum on self-rule in east Ukraine on Sunday and fighting flared anew in a conflict that has raised fears of civil war and pitched Russia and the West into their worst crisis since the Cold War. Clashes broke out around a television tower on the outskirts of the rebel stronghold of Slaviansk shortly before voters made their way to polling stations through streets blocked by barricades of felled trees, tyres and rusty machinery. "I wanted to come as early as I could," said Zhenya Denyesh, a 20-year-old student voting at a three-storey concrete university building. In nearby Mariupol, scene of fierce fighting last week, officials said there were only eight polling centres for half a million people.

CMA CGM (America) LLC has named Timothy Ring Director, Inbound Trade and Government Cargo. In his new role, Tim will be responsible for the growth and development of inbound cargo volumes for the company’s transatlantic, Oceania, and Indian Subcontinent services. He will also continue to oversee all U.S. government shipments. Tim joined the Washington, D.C. office of CMA CGM in November 2005. Since then, he has developed and managed the company’s PL-480 / Title II program for the carriage of food aid worldwide.

Tensions surrounding the turnover of the Panama Canal from U.S. to Panamanian authority are running high. Last week, Hong Kong-based billionaire Li Ka-Shing said he had no intention of taking control of the Panama Canal, as suggested by some U.S. lawmakers. Li was responding for the first time personally to charges by U.S. Senate Majority leader Trent Lott (R-Miss) that his company, Hutchison Whampoa Ltd., could put a strangle-hold on the strategic waterway. "I have no intention to control the Panama Canal," Li said. The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee is expected soon to discuss the right of a Hutchison subsidiary to run two container ports at the Atlantic and Pacific entrances of the canal.