Keeping the Inland Waterways Open: Balancing Maintenance and Operational Requirements
Inland waterways, sometimes called ‘nature’s superhighways’ provide a strategic advantage related to security, economics, and trade for any nation whose geography, topography, and climate enable this natural infrastructure. Economic benefits are realized in small rural areas through large urban communities that utilize the system for efficient transportation and improved markets. However, deliberate operational, resource, and policy efforts, along with broad stakeholder integration, are required to maintain and operate such a system.
The U.S. Maritime Bunker Market: Opportunities Abound
The global shipping industry is no stranger to challenge or change. With responsibility for delivering 90% of global trade, it has had to continually demonstrate an ability to adapt. Now, with the implementation of increasingly stringent environmental regulations, which will increase operating costs and alter the dynamic of fuel procurement, the industry will once again need to evolve. In successfully responding to the introduction of the North American Emission Control Area (ECA) in 2012, shipping has jumped a significant hurdle, but this is just the beginning. The bunker market in the U.S.
PPG Delivers Pipe Coatings in South Africa
Coatings specialist says it draws on local production network and highly experienced team to deliver high specification products for local utility project. PPG Protective and Marine Coatings announced completion of a major project for Africa Pipe Industries, supplying internal and external coatings on a 46km, 2.1m diameter pipeline installed for South African utility Rand Water. PPG supplied SIGMALINE 523 as an internal lining and SIGMALINE 855 as an external coating on the pipe installed at Sasolburg in the Free State region. Together, the coatings deliver high performance protection of both surfaces against corrosion and contamination of the pipeline content.
Insights: James Hannon USACE Chief, Operations and Regulatory Division
Jim Hannon is Chief, Operations and Regulatory Division for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). He also provides leadership and oversight for activities within the USACE Lakes and Rivers and North Atlantic Regional Integration Teams. Hannon is a member of the Society of American Military Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers and was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in July 2010. After earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Mississippi State University in 1980, he began his career with the U.S.
