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David T Matsuda News

10 Apr 2012

Maine Maritime Academy Commencement Set for May 5

Castine, Maine – The Honorable David T. Matsuda, Maritime Administrator. will address the graduating class at the Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) 69th Commencement on Saturday, May 5, 2012, at 11 a.m., in the Alexander Fieldhouse. As Maritime Administrator, Matsuda is the highest-ranking official of the Maritime Administration of the United States. In this role, he advises and assists the U.S. Secretary of Transportation on commercial maritime matters, the U.S. maritime industry, and strategic sealift. “The Maritime Administration is critical to the furtherance of U.S. maritime trade, work force development, and maritime education,” said MMA President, Dr. William J. Brennan.

16 Feb 2011

MarAd: $77mto for National Defense Reserve Fleet Ships

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced contracts totaling $77 million for three U.S. maritime firms to operate 10 National Defense Reserve Fleet ships through July 27, 2015. “This money will help make sure these important Defense Reserve Fleet ships are manned with skilled mariners and are ready when our Nation calls,” said Secretary LaHood. The contracts were awarded to Ocean Duchess Inc. of Houston, Texas for $16,618,430; Keystone Ocean Shipping of Bala Cynwyd, Pa. for $30,212,588; and Interocean American Shipping Corporation of Moorestown, N.J. for $30,533,710. These companies are responsible for maintaining the ships in good mechanical condition and ensuring crews are available for their operation when needed.

23 Nov 2010

USDOT $4M to Combat Invasive Species in Great Lakes

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced that it is providing $4m to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species found in cargo ships plying the Great Lakes and America’s inland waterways. “This funding demonstrates the Obama Administration’s commitment to protecting the Great Lakes while supporting economic revitalization of the entire region,” said Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. The funding is part of the Administration’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the largest federal investment in the Great Lakes in 20 years. The initiative’s priorities for action—developed by a task force of 16 federal departments —are combating invasive species, cleaning up toxics, protecting wetlands from pollution, and restoring wetland and habitats.

19 Nov 2010

Fifty-Nine Foss Vessels Honored for Environmental Excellence

Captain Michael Bohlman, Director of Marine Services for Horizon Line (CSA's Chairman of the Board). Captain Jonathan Wood, Foss Rear Admiral. Brian Salerno, USCG. Mr. David Matsuda, Maritime Administrator. Photo courtesy Foss Maritime

For 18 years, the Drew Foss, a tugboat operated by the Foss Maritime Company, has been free of environmental mishap. So have the Arthur Foss, the Justine Foss and a dozen other Foss vessels. In fact, 59 vessels owned by the Seattle-based Foss are being recognized by a major maritime organization for their standout environmental safety records. Altogether, the Foss vessels feted by CSA have gone a combined 551 years without an environmental incident. "When we talk with our customers, their first concern is safety and the environment," said Gary Faber, the company's president and COO.

26 Oct 2010

Groundbreaking, Start of “Green” Marine Highway Project

The Obama Administration’s continuing commitment to a more efficient and green U.S. transportation system moved forward as Maritime Administrator David T. Matsuda joined other federal, state and local officials at the Port of Stockton to officially break ground on California’s new Green Trade Corridor on Oct. The $30m Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant will help develop a viable waterborne shipping route between Oakland, Stockton and West Sacramento, which immediately creates a new transportation alternative to conventional freight and cargo movement in Northern California. “The Green Trade Corridor project will demonstrate the environmental benefits of freight transportation on America’s Marine Highways…

25 Oct 2010

Groundbreaking Ceremony for Guam Port-Expansion

U.S. Maritime Administrator David T. Matsuda and Navy Rear Admiral Paul J. Bushong presented a $50m Defense Department check to Guam Acting Governor Michael W. Cruz, MD as federal and U.S. Territory officials joined at the Jose D. Leon Guerrero Commercial Port to officially break ground on the new Port of Guam Modernization Project. “The rebirth of this vital shipping port is long overdue,” said Administrator Matsuda. The seaport is a vital asset to the economy of Guam and to the national security of the United States. The port’s facilities have remained largely unchanged since its creation in the late 1960s. Old facilities and outdated equipment hinder the port’s overall capability and pose serious obstacles to efficient cargo operations.

22 Sep 2010

LaHood Announces Recipients of $7M in Marine Highways Grants

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced $7m is being awarded to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the Virginia Port Authority and the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority to support the transportation of marine cargo between U.S. ports. The announcement comes just five weeks after unveiling the America's Marine Highway program, a new initiative to move more cargo on U.S. waterways. The money will help expand an existing marine highway operation in the Gulf of Mexico between Texas and Florida and one on the East Coast between Richmond and Hampton Roads in Virginia. The money will also help start an entirely new all-water service on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway between Itawamba, Mississippi and the Port of Mobile, Alabama.

24 Aug 2010

Construction Begins on Honolulu Pier 29 Project

As a result of a $24.5m American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant, work began in earnest on Honolulu Harbor’s Pier 29 Container Yard as federal, state, local and other officials broke ground on the reconstruction project. “The Oahu Pier 29 Container Yard reconstruction project is a terrific example of what the Recovery Act was meant to do – shore up our transportation infrastructure and create jobs and economic opportunities,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The Pier 29 cargo yard suffered failures and was rendered unusable in 2008. The new pier will increase harbor efficiency and safety by improving 12 acres of existing port yard area to support cargo operations that are vital to Hawaii’s water-dependent economy. It is due to reopen in December 2011.

16 Jul 2010

MARAD to Announce Funding for Marine Highways

In testimony to House Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces on July 14, 2010, Maritime Administrator David T. Matsuda indicates that MARAD will issue a Notice of Funding Availability for eligible Marine Highway Project’s in a separate Federal Register notice to be published in July 2010. This notice will implement a new initiative, America's Marine Highway Grants, as authorized under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010. The initial $7m funding for the grants is provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010.   www.americasmarinehighways.com

30 Mar 2010

MARAD Warns of Increased Piracy

The Maritime Administration issued advisories to U.S. ships in the waters off the Horn of Africa and in the Indian Ocean. The warnings advise that pirate activity could increase between now and May, due to the end of the Northeast monsoon season and increased range of recent pirate attacks. “These warnings must be taken seriously, as pirates continue to put our ships and crews at risk, even one year after the Maersk Alabama incident,” said David T. Matsuda, Acting Maritime Administrator. The Maritime Administration advisories provide guidance and information to the U.S. maritime industry on the risk of operating ships in the affected areas.

18 Jan 2010

U.S. Merchant Marine Mobilizes for Haiti Relief

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced that the Department’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) is sending five ships to assist with relief efforts in Haiti. Gopher State, Petersburg, Huakai, Cornhusker State and Cape May are being prepared to sail to the Caribbean Ocean from different parts of the United States. All are owned or controlled by MARAD, and will be crewed by civilian U.S. merchant mariners. “Sending these ships will help those on the front line of this effort save as many lives in Haiti as possible,” said Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. “Once again the U.S. Merchant Marine is answering the call for assistance, as it has done since our Nation began,” said Acting Maritime Administrator David T. Matsuda.

09 Dec 2009

Matsuda Nominated MARAD Administrator

President Barack Obama has announced his intent to nominate David T. Matsuda, Administrator, Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation. David T. Matsuda has been serving as Deputy Administrator and Acting Administrator of the United States Maritime Administration since July 2009. He is a transportation professional with more than a decade of experience in federal transportation policy, programs and oversight. Prior to his current position, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy at the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), where he served as a chief policy advisor and focused on issues including surface transportation reauthorization…

10 Nov 2009

Obama Admin. Approval for Fla. LNG Facility

Acting Maritime Administrator David T. Matsuda approved the construction of a deepwater port for liquefied natural gas (LNG) off the coast of Fla. As part of the approval agreement, officials for Port Dolphin Energy, LLC, agreed to provide employment and training opportunities to American mariners on ships using the port. The Maritime Administration is an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation. “This energy project is a win for Florida consumers, and for U.S. maritime workers,” said Transportation Secretary LaHood. The Port Dolphin facility will be located in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 28 miles southwest of Tampa Bay. Deepwater ports are offshore facilities used to transfer imported oil and natural gas from carrier vessels to shore via sub-sea pipelines.