Capital Infrastructure News

Florida’s seaports are one of the state’s greatest economic assets, positively affecting every region and every resident. Our seaports have a $117.6 billion economic impact across Florida and account for more than 900,000 direct and indirect jobs, while linking our communities to vital national and international markets.During the COVID-19 crisis, ports across the country have sustained mounting losses. Ports that specialize in moving hard-hit cargoes like steel and automobiles, or depend on tourism and cruise ships are also particularly vulnerable.

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) appointed Preston Khomo, previously Richards Bay Port Manager, as Executive Manager: Ship Repair, to manage and administer the organization’s ship repair resources nationally.Thamsanqa (Thami) Sithole has been appointed as the new Port Manager for Richards Bay. Both appointments are effective July 1.Khomo joined TNPA in 2004 as Head of Infrastructure Development: Port Operations and Consulting at Portcon (the then international arm of Transnet)…

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has identified $66 billion in potential federal waterside and landside investments over the next decade that will help assure the benefits from an anticipated $155 billion in port-related capital infrastructure investments. AAPA Chairman-Elect William Friedman provided examples of waterside infrastructure needs, and offered recommendations for water resources legislation to enhance the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers navigation program during a senate committee. Friedman presented his case before the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) in a hearing titled ‘America’s Water Infrastructure Needs and Challenges’.

Lerwick Port Authority has detailed a series of objectives to meet its aim of running an efficient, cost-effective harbour, including continuing expansion of the infrastructure. The goals are featured in an interim Update produced ahead of publication of a new style annual report in Spring. Commenting on activity, Chairman Brian Anderson notes: “Lerwick reached peak level in 2013 and 2014, largely driven by oil & gas projects, both onshore and offshore. The Update also notes that the changing requirements of port users and the Shetland community have required the Authority to be flexible in its approach to managing and operating the harbour. Peak activity saw some capital infrastructure projects accelerated.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has furnished the Port Authority its draft permit for the Bayport Channel Improvement project, Executive Director Roger Guenther reported to the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority today. The draft permit for Barbours Cut channel dredging will follow soon, he said. The projects at the Port Authority’s two container terminals, which will deepen the channels from 40 feet to 45 feet to match the depth of the Houston Ship Channel, are expected to begin shortly. Reporting on a recent Audit Committee meeting, Port Commission Chairman Janiece Longoria said the financial statement audit of the Port Authority for the fiscal year ended December 31…

Trelleborg Marine Systems has been awarded three contracts to supply fender systems to all three liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects on Queensland’s Curtis Island, Australia. Having already been awarded the contracts to supply docking and mooring equipment and monitoring software earlier in the year, Trelleborg has now been chosen to supply the Queensland Curtis LNG, Gladstone LNG and Australia Pacific LNG projects with SCN Super Cone and ANP Arch Fender Systems. Queensland Curtis LNG is the world's first project to turn coal seam gas into LNG, Trellborg said.

Breakbulk's first Africa conference discusses challenges, opportunities in moving breakbuld & heavy-lift cargo in & out of Africa. South Africa's national transport company is planning infrastructure improvements that will move cargo from highways to rail, the chief executive of Transnet recently told 300 attendees at the first Breakbulk Africa Congress held on the African continent. Transnet CEO Brian Molefe said the investment of R300 billion into capital infrastructure projects through 2019 will decrease transportation prices in a country where moving cargo costs more than five times what logistics providers pay in Europe and the U.S.

WESMAR has shipped six of its large commercial bow thrusters for installation on three, 80-meter Ropax (Ro-Ro) vessels that will be working on a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project of historic proportion in Australia. The vessels are part of the Curtis Island LNG project and will be working off Gladstone near Curtis Island. The order is from Ultimate Marine Power, WESMAR’s dealer along the Australian East Coast. According to the Owner/Director of that company, Dave Murray, two each of the six WESMAR 180 KW AC V2-34 (250 HP) Bow Thruster systems will be installed on each Ropax vessel.

Beginning in late November, Washington State Ferries (WSF) and vendor Parsons Transportation Group will offer ferry customers an enhanced, fee-based wireless fidelity or Wi-Fi service. The improved service will include better connectivity on the vessels and the ability to connect while waiting at a terminal. The Edmonds/Kingston and Seattle/Bainbridge routes will have the new Wi-Fi service available in late November, followed by Mukilteo/Clinton and Seattle/Bremerton in December. The rest of the routes will come online in early 2007. “We are thrilled to partner with Parsons to improve our Wi-Fi capabilities,” says Traci Brewer-Rogstad, Director of Marine Operations for Washington State Ferries.

Senate Republicans and Democrats together boosted funding for border and port security in the fiscal 2007 Homeland Security appropriations bill by almost $1b, but were bitterly divided over how to restructure the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Senators agreed to two amendments by Senate Appropriations ranking member Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., that would provide $350m extra for border security and $648m more for port and cargo security. But several senators clashed on the floor over restructuring FEMA. In the end, an amendment by Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, and ranking member Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., to transform FEMA but keep it within the department was approved on an 87-11 vote. The amendment, which had strong backing from Sen.