Overall Transportation System News

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) says it praises the leadership of the U.S. Senate’s Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee for releasing the six-year MAP-21 Reauthorization Act (S. 2322) that puts a high priority on freight movement investments. “We commend Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA and Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee), Senator David Vitter (R-LA and Ranking Member of the Committee), Senator Tom Carper (D-DE and Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee) and Senator John Barrasso (R-WY and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee) for introducing the MAP-21 Reauthorization Act…

When Joseph H. Pyne joined Dixie Carriers in 1978, little did he know the maritime juggernaut he would help to create. When he took over as president in 1984, the company owned about 20 boats and 50 barges, with a value of about $35m. Today, after nearly 30 years, 50 acquisitions, it has a market cap well in excess of $4B, and its fleet hovers around 350 boats and 950 barges, commanding approximately 35% of the U.S. market. Joseph H. Pyne, 65, recently spent some time with Maritime…

Port Projects Awarded $62 Million in TIGER III Infrastructure Grants; Critical importance of connective infrastructure to America’s seaports recognized. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that 46 transportation projects in 33 states and Puerto Rico will receive a total of $511 million from the third round of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s popular TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grants program. The Department of Transportation received 848 project applications requesting a total of $14.29 billion.

The Mississippi River and other inland rivers of the United States are home to several thousand towboats. They are vital carriers of goods and materials, and an important element within the country's overall transportation system. Current and future environmental restrictions on emissions are creating the need for a new “greener” design for these vessels. Wärtsilä and Ship Architects, Inc., USA, are cooperating to develop a new environmentally sound towboat concept. Ship Architects, Inc. is a company that specializes in providing shipyards and owners with technical solutions in conceptual and detailed vessel design, project management, and other associated services.

During the annual Marine Club Dinner, Peter Cresswell, president and CEO of Algoma Central Corp., told 1,200 shipping and marine industry executives the future of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Waterway is in peril. "Deregulation in both the rail and trucking industries, and U.S. subsidies favoring the Mississippi marine route, have threatened the economic viability of this transportation wonder," Cresswell said. Excessive user fees, over-regulation and duplication were also cited by Cresswell as significant causes of the waterway's competitive frailty. According to Cresswell, regulators need to instead foster a competitive transportation environment where "rail competes with water and water can compete with rail.

During the annual Marine Club Dinner, Peter Cresswell, president and CEO of Algoma Central Corp., told 1,200 shipping and marine industry executives the future of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Waterway is in peril. "Deregulation in both the rail and trucking industries, and U.S. subsidies favoring the Mississippi marine route, have threatened the economic viability of this transportation wonder," Cresswell said. Excessive user fees, over-regulation and duplication were also cited by Cresswell as significant causes of the waterway's competitive frailty. According to Cresswell, regulators need to instead foster a competitive transportation environment where "rail competes with water and water can compete with rail.