Integrated Transportation News

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) awarded nearly $39 million in grants to 12 marine highway projects across the Nation under the America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP). The funding will help expand marine highway services on the United States’ navigable waterways to reduce congestion, alleviate supply chain bottlenecks, and move goods more quickly from ships to shelves.“At a time of record demand for goods, it’s more important than ever to…

Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District (PPHTD) said it has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with several potential partners to development a multi-modal container terminal on the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish, La.The signing of the LOI kicks off a six-month due diligence period during which the parties will conduct multiple studies prior to making a final investment decision (FID).The proposed container terminal would encompass up to 1,000 acres and 8,200 feet of Mississippi River frontage just 50 miles from the Gulf of Mexico.

Mary Ann Bucci has spent her entire career in many different aspects of the logistics profession, selling container space on international vessels for SeaLand Service, leasing railcar equipment for GE Railcar Services, and negotiated rail rate for Aristech Chemicals. Having spent the last 19 years advocating for the inland waterways system, specifically for the Port of Pittsburgh District, Bucci weighs in on some of the top issues and key projects underway at one of the nation’s busiest inland ports.Please describe the Port of Pittsburgh Commission’s role in supporting waterway commerce…

The Chamber of Marine Commerce supports the International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board’s decision Friday to continue flow rates from the Moses-Saunders dam at 10,400 cubic meters per second (CMS).Maintaining the 10,400 CMS outflow still results in a significant cost to the economy, with an estimated $2.3 million to $3 million in business revenues lost for every day it’s in place due to delays for all ship transits through the Seaway.The Chamber’s ship operators are following…

China Railway Container Transport (CRCT), a provider of international and domestic railway container transportation services, has signed strategic cooperation agreement with SITC International Holdings at Beijing.According to a press release from SITC, a shipping logistics company headquartered in Hong Kong, both parties expressed the desire of win-win cooperation, and exchanged ideas of promoting railway containers for overseas and intermodal rail-sea transportation business.Han boling, General Manager of CRCT, and  Yang Xianxiang, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of SITC, participated in the agreement signing ceremony, together with the delegates of both firms…

Dennis Wilmsmeyer was appointed Executive Director at America’s Central Port on July 1, 2010, prior to which he served 11 years with the Port District, six as General Manager.With over 30 years of experience, Dennis brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table in the areas of transportation, planning, and economic development. His responsibilities include developing the Port’s 1,200-acre industrial park and business campus, redeveloping a former military logistics center…

A joint venture agreement between Japan’s Mitsui & Co. and Singapore’s BW Group Limited will see Mitsui purchase a 49 percent share in the floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) BW Integrity, while BW will maintain a 51 percent share. The deal is expected to close as soon following payment for the acquisition. BW Integrity is currently in Port Qasim on a 15-year charter to PGP Consortium Limited (PGPC), to provide LNG regasification services at Pakistan’s second LNG import terminal. BW will continue to provide commercial and technical management services.

The chief executive officers of Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line (IRISL) and Kazakhstan’s KTZ Express – a subsidiary of the country’s national railways company- signed an agreement for establishing a joint company. The deal could lead to the creation of a new transport corridor connecting Iran’s southern ports to the upper parts of Central Asia - and even possibly Russia and China. On the sideline of Iran's president visit to Kazakhstan, an agreement for establishing a joint company between Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line (IRISL) and Kazakhstan’s KTZ Express – a subsidiary of the country’s national railways company- was signed by Dr. Mohammad Saeedi, the director and head of the board at IRISL and Dias Iskakov, MANA correspondent reported.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the Citywide Ferry Service is on track to launch in 2017, with the selection of Hornblower, Inc. as its operator. The new service, which will include up to 20 boats and connect 21 New York City eighborhoods for the price of a single subway ride ($2.75) is scheduled to be fully operational by 2018, and is estimated to carry 4.6 million trips per year across six routes. “For the price of a single subway ride, tens-of-thousands of New Yorkers are going to have a new public transit option linking them to jobs…

Stolt-Nielsen Limited is contemplating the issuance of new senior unsecured bonds in the Norwegian bond market with a minimum amount of NOK 700 million ($89 million). Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes. The offering will be made to (i) Norwegian professional investors and eligible counterparties as defined in the Norwegian Securities Trading Regulations Sections 10-2 to 10-4, (ii) to non-"United States persons" in "offshore transactions" within the meaning of Rule 902 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and (iii) "Qualified Institutional Buyers" pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act. The bonds may not be purchased by, or for the benefit of, persons resident in Canada.

Sea Star Line informs that as part of its long term program related to chassis utilization, commencing Monday, June 2, 2014, it will introduce a new chassis program for shipments moving to and from the Southeast United States. From the above date, Sea Star Line will no longer provide chassis, having partnered with Flexi-Van Leasing, Inc. to provide shippers, consignees, or their agents (motor carriers) with chassis directly. “The decision was made to expand the chassis program because it supports our service commitment to the trade, while positioning us for the future.” stated Jim Wagstaff, vice president of operations for Sea Star Line, LLC.

Washington’s citizens could see mobility improvements in highways, ferries and freight rail if the state’s three capital grant applications are selected to receive a portion of the $600 million available nationwide in federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant funds. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) also submitted three applications this week for planning proposals that support economic development, environmental resiliency and integrated transportation choices. Of the $600 million available in TIGER grant funds, $35 million is dedicated to transportation-facilities planning. Improve intersections adjacent to Interstate 82 in Benton County. Replace the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal in Snohomish County.

Effective January 1, 2014, Sea Star Line (SSL) President Peter Keller will become Executive Vice President of Sea Star Line’s parent company, TOTE, Inc. In this new capacity he will assist in the oversight of both TOTE Shipholdings and the TOTE Maritime Division, which includes Sea Star Line and Totem Ocean Trailer Express (Totem Ocean). Keller joined TOTE in February of 2012 as President of Sea Star Line and has been leading the conversion of the company’s fleet to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

Stolt-Nielsen Limited says it will pay an interim dividend of $0.50 per Common Share on December 11, 2013 to shareholders of record as of November 26, 2013. In accordance with normal settlement practice, the shares will trade ex-dividend on and after November 22, 2013 (2 business days prior to the November 26, 2013 record date). Stolt-Nielsen Limited is a leading global provider of integrated transportation solutions for bulk liquid chemicals, edible oils, acids, and other specialty liquids through its three largest business divisions…

Tim Nolan, as Executive Vice President, will report to Peter Keller, President and be domiciled at Sea Star headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida. Tim has a broad background in liner shipping to include management accountabilities in Chile, as well as, the Latin America and Caribbean trades. He has also been involved in business development and International logistics management. Most recently he was senior vice president and general manager for a major International Logistics Operator. Tim is a graduate of St.

A new SeaBus ordered from Damen Shipyards to replace 'MV Burrard Beaver' serving the city of Vancouver & the North Shore communities. MV Burrard Beaver, which was built in 1976 and has reached the end of its useful life, is safe for service but no longer complies with all of Transport Canada’s current certification standards. This replacement ferry is a requirement to meet these standards. “SeaBus service is an important component of the region’s integrated transportation system.

Sea Star Line, LLC announced today that Bill Taylor will assume leadership of Sea Star’s United States sales team as Vice President, US Sales. Eduardo Pagan, who held the position of Vice President, Commercial Services will now hold the position of Vice President and General Manager, Puerto Rico and Caribbean. “We are extremely pleased to have Bill on board as he brings 30 years of sales experience in the ocean transportation industry.” said Peter Keller, Sea Star Line President. Prior to joining Sea Star Line, Taylor held sales and leadership positions with international carriers, CAST, Lykes Lines and CP Ships. Taylor most recently was responsible for managing Tropical Shipping’s Eastern Caribbean service. Mr.

On June 20, Technip, supported by Jumbo Offshore, completed the installation of four subsea structures including two Module Support Frames each weighing approximately 150 tonnes. The foundations were lowered to the Grand Banks sea floor at a depth of approximately 120 meters and will support subsea manifolds and flowlines that are part of a multiple well tie-back. The project was executed at the White Rose oilfield, offshore Newfoundland, on behalf of a major Canadian energy company.

Raymond Barberesi, most recently Director of the Office of Ports and Domestic Shipping at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MarAd), retired effective June 26, 2004 after 28 years of Federal service. As a member of the Federal Government’s Senior Executive Service, Barberesi lead major MarAd and Departmental programs including the Marine Transportation System (MTS) initiative, having served as Executive Director of the MTS National Advisory Council for the past three years (www.mtsnac.org). Recognized as the leader of the MTS program at MarAd, Barberesi was instrumental in influencing the comprehensive maritime industry program proposals being advanced at the Department of Transportation under the now familiar title of SEA-21.

Stolt-Nielsen S.A. ( said that while the waivers of covenant defaults granted by its primary lenders expired today, the Company and its lenders remain in constructive discussions aimed at establishing longer-term waivers. "We continue to work closely with our primary lenders toward longer-term waivers that will give us the necessary time to allow us to develop a sensible financial restructuring plan," said Niels G. Stolt-Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer of SNSA. About Stolt-Nielsen S.A. Stolt-Nielsen S.A. is one of the world's leading providers of transportation services for bulk liquid chemicals, edible oils, acids, and other specialty liquids. The Company, through its parcel tanker, tank container, terminal, rail and barge services, provides integrated transportation for its customers.

Emaar, the Economic City (Emaar.E.C), the Tadawul-listed company developing King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), has revealed the final blueprints of the KAEC Sea Port, designed in coordination with Halcrow, the international consultancy specializing in the provision of planning, design and management services for maritime projects. One of the six key components of the 168 million sq m KAEC, the Sea Port will be the largest in the Red Sea with a capacity to handle 20 million TEU (twenty ft equivalent container units).