Tim Ryan News

Broward County's Port Everglades is moving forward with a plan to widen and deepen its channels, but there are still several steps to go before construction begins, the Port's Chief Executive Steven Cernak told elected officials and business leaders during an event to celebrate the project's long-awaited approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In addition, Cernak announced that the Corps has committed $1.2 million for the immediate next step, which is the pre-construction engineering and design phase, estimated to cost a total of $5.6 million. "Our Congressional Delegation has taken our message to Capitol Hill with determination and perseverance, so that we can begin the design phase this fall and be ready for construction before receiving Congressional authorization," Cernak said.

Port Everglades received key federal clearance to begin the next phase of deepening and widening its channels. The port now can seek Congressional funding for a project that would generate thousands of jobs and maintain the region's leading position in international trade. The Army Corps of Engineers approved the plan to deepen the port's main channels from 42 to 48 feet, as well as deepen and widen part of the Intracoastal Waterway, to accommodate the larger cargo ships that now navigate the world's trade routes. "After almost two decades of study and research, we are confident that the Corps has developed a plan that keeps Port Everglades competitive globally so that jobs are sustained and created locally," said Broward County Mayor Tim Ryan.

Port of New Orleans President and CEO Gary LaGrange cited numerous Port and industry-wide accomplishments, while challenging local business leaders to think big and act as ambassadors for the maritime community during today’s 27th Annual State of the Port Address hosted by the International Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association of New Orleans at the Marriott Convention Center. LaGrange ticked through a series of best rankings – most notably the No. 1 logistics hub…

President Barack Obama toured the Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal and spoke to a crowd of more than 500 on the importance of growing the nation’s economy through increased exports. He highlighted the 60 percent of the nation’s grain that is exported by ports along the Lower Mississippi River from states, such as his home state of Illinois. “Corn and wheat from my home state come down the River, ending up here and going all around the world,” President Obama said. “This is one of the busiest port complexes in the entire world…

Port Everglades officials are encouraged after the House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) this week by a vote of 417-3, including the Manager’s Amendment which would allow Port Everglades to move forward with its critical harbor deepening and widening project prior to formal congressional approval. Now that both the House and Senate have passed their respective pieces of water resources legislation, they will appoint a conference committee to resolve differences between the two bills.

U.S. Senator David Vitter, the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, joined industry and Louisiana transportation officials here today for the release of a new economic impact report detailing the benefits of deepening the Mississippi River to 50 feet from its current 45-foot draft. The Big River Coalition and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development commissioned the study by noted economist Tim Ryan, PhD., entitled “The…

The Big River Coalition and Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development commissioned economist Dr. Tim Ryan to calculate the economic impacts that deepening the Mississippi River would have on the state and national economy. The results of the study will be released during a press conference at the Port of New Orleans Administration Building, 1350 Port of New Orleans Place, Thursday, Aug. 22 at 3:15 p.m. Expected to be in attendance for the release of “The Economic Impact of Deepening the Mississippi River to 50 Feet” are U.S. Senator David Vitter, Ranking Member U.S. Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works; Captain Mike Lorino, Big River Coalition Chairman; Sean M.

Maersk Line, Limited and Apex Offshore Wind Energy Partner to Bring Offshore Wind Energy to North America. Apex Offshore Wind, LLC and Maersk Line, Limited today announced that they have established a working relationship to support the development, financing and construction of utility-scale offshore wind energy facilities in North America. Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) is a subsidiary of A.P. Moller-Maersk, a global corporation with a long history of successful operation in offshore energy. MLL has decided to partner with a reputable offshore wind energy firm to collaborate on the development of potential wind energy projects. MLL views…

Capt. Clarke Orzalli, Commander, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, was recently selected to receive the Bremerton,(Wash.) Area Chamber of Commerce's highest recognition - the Hyas Tyee award. Orzalli's selection was based on his significant leadership position, outstanding community/civic outreach and being an exemplary role model for others. "I am extremely humbled by this award and to be recognized with community leaders such as Mayor Cary Bozeman, a man of great vision and strong leadership, is a tremendous honor," said Orzalli at the standing-room only awards ceremony. "I am very proud to accept the award that represents the great work members of the PSNS & IMF team do in our community.