Port Commerce Department News

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced the appointment of 29 new members to the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Committee (MTSNAC). Established in 2010, MTSNAC is comprised of leaders from commercial transportation firms, ship construction, repair and recycling, trade associations, state and local public entities, labor organizations, academics, and environmental groups that advise the Secretary and the Maritime Administration on policies to ensure that the U.S. Marine Transportation System is capable of responding to projected trade increases. The Committee advises the Secretary on solutions to impediments hindering effective use of short sea transportation and other matters as the Secretary determines.

Stevens Institute of Technology congratulates Thomas H. Wakeman III, research professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Ocean Engineering who will hold the position of 2015 President-Elect for two prestigious American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) organizations: the Coast, Oceans, Ports and Rivers Institute (COPRI) and the Academy of Coastal, Ocean, Port and Navigation Engineers (ACOPNE), which awards engineering certification in these specialty areas of civil engineering. In 2016, he will be the President of the two organizations and represent COPRI and ACOPNE at national and international events. A Life Member of ASCE, Dr. Wakeman has extensive experience in navigation engineering, port development, maritime security, and freight transportation planning.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today announced the appointment of 29 members to the new Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (MTSNAC), established to advise the Department on matters relating to marine transportation. “Shifting some of our freight from the highways to open inland waterways is a fuel-efficient, cost-effective way to move goods and reduce roadway congestion,” said Secretary LaHood. The Department will task the MTSNAC with developing recommendations on establishing new marine highway services and port infrastructure development, among other issues. “The experience brought to bear by this diverse panel is impressive,” said Maritime Administrator David Matsuda. “These maritime experts have a lot to contribute.

Andrew Saporito, a 22-year Port Authority veteran, has been named manager of the New Jersey Marine Terminals. In his new position, Saporito, who lives in Brick, N.J., will manage the operations, maintenance, construction and tenant service activities for the 2,300-acre New Jersey Marine Terminal. The terminal includes Port Newark, the Elizabeth-Port Authority Marine Terminal, and the Auto Marine Terminal. He manages a staff of 85 employees, who perform operations, maintenance, technical, support and administration functions. Port Commerce Director Richard M. Larrabee said, “Andy is a consummate professional who has spent more than 15 years of his career in key management positions at the port. Saporito began his Port Authority career in 1981.

Thomas H. Wakeman III, who currently oversees The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s $2 billion port dredging program, has been appointed by the U.S. Department of Defense to assist Iraq in rebuilding its national port system. Wakeman, a White Plains, N.Y., resident, will serve as the Principal Maritime Advisor to the Iraq Ministry of Transportation for up to 18 months beginning on March 1. While in Iraq, Mr. Wakeman will be on a leave of absence from his Port Authority job as General Manager of Waterways Development in the Port Commerce Department. He will report to Ambassador Darrell Trent, the Coalition Provisional Authority’s senior advisor to the Iraqi Ministry of Transportation. Ambassador Trent reports to Ambassador L.

Captain Marine Services, Inc. of Dana Beach, Fla. has been servicing the yachting and sport diving industries for the last nine years for all of their need above and below the waterline as well as, providing immediate procurement consolidation and delivery of marine parts, supplies, and diving equipment. President Capt. Thomas J. Dunzelman recently announced the opening of a new shipping, receiving and agents office in Turtle Cove Marina, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI. With many years of experience in the Turks & Caicos Islands, they can advise your clients as well as your crew on what to do and see while visiting Providenciales. Captain Marine Services provides an office where a captain can talk to another captain/engineer about their equipment needs.

On Wednesday, April 6, 2005, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) held the third in a series of briefings from representatives of the shipping industry and maritime community. The briefings are intended to foster a greater awareness and understanding of the current issues and concerns affecting the various interests involved with the United States waterborne foreign commerce. The April 6th briefing was presented by the following representatives from the American Association of Port Authorities (“AAPA”): Gary LaGrange, President, Port of New Orleans and Chairman of the AAPA Board, representing the AAPA Gulf Caucus region; Richard Larrabee…

The ports surrounding New York City, which handle most of the cargo arriving on the East Coast of the United States, must have deeper channels to stay viable and competitive, port commerce officials warn. The New York/New Jersey port complex, by far the biggest on the Atlantic seaboard, expects the amount of cargo it handles to double over the next 10 years, but only if shipping lanes can be made deep enough to handle the next generation of massive container vessels. That means digging up more of the seabed and finding a way to dispose of resulting muck, some of which is highly contaminated, in the face of tough environmental laws. "Looking at it conservatively, we will double our cargo within 10 years.

U.S. public ports testified Wednesday, November 03, 1999, at a hearing before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment about the continued need for federal government investment in maintaining harbors around the country to ensure that the U.S. maintains a modern, efficient and safe marine transportation system. According to the U.S. Maritime Administration, in 1998 alone, ports invested nearly $1.5 billion in updating and improving their facilities; an additional $9.1 billion of non-federal investment is expected before 2002. The federal government has historically funded 100 percent of navigation channel improvements as well as maintenance…

U.S. public port officials testified Wednesday, Nov. 3, at a hearing before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment about the continued need for federal government investment in maintaining harbors around the country to ensure that the U.S. maintains a modern, efficient and safe marine transportation system. According to the U.S. Maritime Administration, in 1998 alone, ports invested nearly $1.5 billion in updating and improving their facilities; an additional $9.1 billion of non-federal investment is expected before 2002. The federal government has historically funded 100 percent of navigation channel improvements as well as maintenance…

U.S. public ports testified at a hearing before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment about the continued need for federal government investment in maintaining harbors around the country to ensure the U.S. has the most efficient, safe and environmentally responsible marine transportation system in the world. According to the U.S. Maritime Administration, in 1998 alone, ports invested nearly $1.5 billion in updating and improving their facilities; an additional $9.1 billion of non-federal investment is expected before 2002. The federal government has historically funded 100 percent of navigation channel improvements as well as maintenance…

Arie Van Tol, a veteran Port Authority employee who currently manages the New York Marine Terminals, has been honored for more than 30 years of distinguished service to the bistate agency and the maritime community, Port Commerce Director Richard M. Larrabee announced today. Larrabee presented Van Tol, a Montville, N.J., resident, with the Lillian C. Borrone Award, given to individuals who render unusually effective service to the port community. The award is named for Lillian C. Borrone, a longtime director of the Port Authority’s Port Commerce Department who retired in 2001. “Arie is the consummate maritime industry professional who cares deeply about the Port Authority’s maritime terminal facilities and its tenants,” Mr. Larrabee said.