Transportation Norman Y Mineta News

On Thursday, October 18, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta will deliver opening remarks at the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council meeting in Baltimore. The Secretary will brief council members on marine transportation system capacity and port security issues. The council meeting is open for public observation. The council is comprised of leaders from over 30 commercial transportation firms, trade associations, state and local public entities, recreational boating interests, academics and environmental groups. Its purpose is to advise the Secretary of Transportation on issues involving the Marine Transportation System – a system of waterways…

The U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) recently awarded a contract for the disposal of obsolete ships in the James River Reserve Fleet. Post-Service Remediation Partners (PRP) of New York will be awarded a payment of $14.8 million to remove a total of 15 ships from the James River Reserve Fleet. This is the largest removal of obsolete ships in a single year from the National Defense Reserve Fleet since 1993. "As stewards of the environment, the responsible disposal of obsolete ships is a high priority for the Department of Transportation," said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta. The PRP award was the result of a negotiated Program Research and Development Announcement (PRDA) proposal that offered the removal of fifteen ships.

Portland’s marine commercial shipbuilding industry is getting a boost thanks in part to construction of the “Pride Portland” and the “Pride Rio de Janeiro,” two huge oil rigs built by crews working for Cianbro and funded with a $342 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD). Maritime Administrator Captain William G. Schubert recently visited the “Amethyst Project” at the terminal where the two 12,000 ton oil rigs that symbolize the city’s revitalization efforts were constructed.

Portland’s marine commercial shipbuilding industry is getting a boost thanks in part to construction of the “Pride Portland” and the “Pride Rio de Janeiro,” two huge oil rigs built by crews working for Cianbro and funded with a $342 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD). Maritime Administrator Captain William G. Schubert today visited the “Amethyst Project” at the terminal where the two 12,000 ton oil rigs that symbolize the city’s revitalization efforts were constructed. Captain Schubert called the working waterfront an asset that will provide jobs and keep America moving. “This project alone has employed close to 1…

It soon will be easier to import natural gas from fuel tankers, without disruption to shoreline communities and the environment, thanks in part to a new deepwater liquid natural gas (LNG) port approved today by the U.S. Maritime Administration. The LNG port, to be built by El Paso Energy Bridge Gulf of Mexico LLC about 116 miles south of New Orleans in the Gulf of Mexico, is a terminal to process and transfer natural gas received from LNG transport ships to a pipeline system, which will carry the natural gas ashore for distribution to U.S. markets. "This new facility will improve efficiency by eliminating the need for a carrier to come all the way into a shore side port and save money in the process," said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta.

It soon will be easier to import natural gas from fuel tankers, without disruption to shoreline communities and the environment, thanks in part to a new deepwater liquid natural gas (LNG) port approved today by the U.S. Maritime Administration. The LNG port, to be built by El Paso Energy Bridge Gulf of Mexico LLC about 116 miles south of New Orleans in the Gulf of Mexico, is a terminal to process and transfer natural gas received from LNG transport ships to a pipeline system, which will carry the natural gas ashore for distribution to U.S. markets. “This new facility will improve efficiency by eliminating the need for a carrier to come all the way into a shore side port and save money in the process,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta.

As part of the celebration of National Maritime Day, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta today honored the men and women of the U.S. merchant marine who risk their lives on wartime seas. This year’s ceremony at Navy Memorial Auditorium paid special tribute to the action of mariners during World War II. Following the presentation of the colors and a moment of silence, Secretary Mineta spoke of WWII merchant mariners who sacrificed their lives in service to the nation. "They traveled unarmed, often into dangerous waters, to support our Armed Forces overseas. Merchant mariners crewed the Liberty ships, the Victory ships, and thousands of other ships that carried troops and many tons of materiel for the Allied cause in World War II. Nearly 215,000 people served in the U.S.

Three ships will leave the James River Reserve Fleet this summer, thanks to domestic ship dismantling contracts announced today by U.S. Maritime Administrator Captain William G. Schubert. Marine Metals of Brownsville, TX, has been awarded three contracts valued at $3.1 million to dismantle the American Banker, the Mormacmoon, and the Santa Cruz. All three ships are considered high-priority vessels for dismantling and recycling. "This Administration is working very hard to get these ships out of the James River and on their way to qualified ship breaking yards," said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta. "We are all very anxious to reduce the number of ships in the fleet," he added.

Fueled in part by a spate of luxurious newbuildings such as the Queen Mary 2, the cruise industry, according to government statistics, is growing by leaps and bounds. Reflecting a rise in the popularity of passengers departing from ports closer to their homes, cruise lines carried 2.3 million passengers on North American cruises in the first quarter of 2004, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) reported today. The figures reflect a 13.6 percent increase compared to the same period in 2003. The majority of cruises are still destined for the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

Reflecting a rise in the popularity of passengers departing from ports closer to their homes, cruise lines carried 2.3 million passengers on North American cruises in the first quarter of 2004, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) reported today. The figures reflect a 13.6 percent increase compared to the same period in 2003. The majority of cruises are still destined for the Caribbean and the Bahamas. However, there has been important growth in new and emerging "drive market" ports -- departure ports closer to home. For example, last year, during the first quarter, four ports -- New York, Jacksonville, Houston, and Norfolk – offered no departures. Now, these cities are currently among the top 15 departure ports in the nation.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta welcomed Captain William G. Schubert to the U.S. Department of Transportation as the Senate unanimously A former maritime industry consultant and Maritime Administration official, Captain Schubert brings 27 years of professional maritime experience to his new post. “During these extraordinary times it is important to have someone like Bill Schubert on our team at the Department of Transportation,” said Secretary Mineta. Captain Schubert underscored the important role the Maritime Administration and the U.S.-flag merchant marine will play in the nation’s war against terrorism. “Now more than ever…

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta and Maritime Administrator Bill Schubert today announced that Industrial Maritime Carriers will transfer a Challenger Class heavy-lift vessel from the Bahamian flag to the U.S. flag. The 8,000 DWT vessel has two 200 metric ton electro-hydraulic cranes, a service speed of 16 knots and is ideally suited for project and heavy lift cargo. The M/V INDUSTRIAL CHALLENGER is the latest ship to benefit from an agreement between the U.S. Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration (MARAD) that significantly reduces the time required to reflag certain vessels into the U.S. registry. "The addition of heavy-lift capacity to the U.S.-flag fleet will be a valuable asset to the U.

The Maritime Administration, in collaboration with the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, is sponsoring a two-day Workshop on Maritime Energy and Clean Emissions on Jan. 29-30 in Washington, DC. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta will deliver the keynote address on Jan. 29. The first day of the workshop will look at how ports and other transportation modes deal with energy and environmental issues and will examine the impact of state, federal and international policies. The second day will focus on various technologies and methods being explored to improve energy efficiency and reduce air pollution. In addition, several international speakers will discuss policies affecting maritime energy and emissions in their countries.

President Bush today nominated Vice Admiral Thomas H. Collins, 55, to be the 22nd Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta, the Coast Guard’s Service Secretary, praised the President’s nomination, saying, “Admiral Collins reflects the best leadership traits of the dedicated men and women of the United States Coast Guard. He is the right person to lead the modern Coast Guard through today’s challenges to tomorrow’s promise of a safer, more secure American coastline and maritime transportation system. “Tom Collins brings a combination of scholarly intelligence, practical experience at sea, and Washington policy expertise to the critical job of commandant at a time when the Coast Guard is facing a host of new missions,” Secretary Mineta said.

The U.S. Coast Guard today awarded a contract of up to $10 million to SAFE Boats International of Port Orchard, Wash., for ports and waterways response boats. Funding for the boats, which will help the service perform Homeland Security missions, was provided in the Emergency Supplemental Act, 2002. The initial order is for 18 boats with an option of procuring additional craft and essential spare parts over the next 18 months. "The Coast Guard is currently operating the largest port security program since World War II alongside other federal, state and local agencies," said Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta. in key economic and militarily strategic ports.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta named Rear Admiral Richard E. Bennis, USCG, (ret.) as the Associate Under Secretary of Transportation for Maritime and Land Security at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Admiral Bennis, who led Coast Guard response in New York to the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, will direct TSA exercise of security responsibilities for the nation’s seaports and land transportation assets. In his last Coast Guard assignment as captain of the Port of New York, Bennis directed the successful evacuation by water of approximately 500,000 people from lower Manhattan. “Rear Admiral Bennis’ leadership during an unimaginable situation was remarkable,” said Secretary Mineta. Under Secretary of Transportation for Security John W.

Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta today accepted the resignation of John W. Magaw, the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security. Magaw, who has headed the Transportation Security Administration since January 28, will be replaced by James M. Loy. Upon his retirement as Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, Loy was recently named Deputy Under Secretary and Chief Operating Officer of the TSA. “John Magaw is a dedicated public servant with a lifetime of achievements in the law enforcement field, and we all owe him a debt for his role in the start-up phase of TSA,” Secretary Mineta said. “I also appreciate the difficulty of the task. Creating a nationwide system customized to 429 very busy commercial airports is a huge challenge.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta will announce $92.3 million in grants to 77 seaports to enhance the security of the maritime transportation system. The Secretary will be joined in making the announcement today by Congressman Bill Young (FL), U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thomas H. Collins, U.S. Maritime Administrator William Schubert, Rear Admiral Richard E. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Joseph J. Seymour, Executive Director, and Charles A. Authority of New York and New Jersey. The announcement will take place at 2:00, p.m., at Battery Park in New York. Congress provided funding for the grant program to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Transportation Security Administration, which is responsible for security in all modes of transportation.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta, marking a significant milestone in the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) ongoing port security efforts, today announced the award of $92.3 million in grants to 51 ports located throughout the nation to enhance the security of ports and other facilities. "Protecting seaports and port facilities against the threat of terrorism is imperative," said Secretary Mineta. At a press conference near New York City's Staten Island Ferry, the Secretary was joined by New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Vice Chairman Charles Gargano, as well as a host of federal representatives including Rep. Bill Young (FL), U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thomas Collins and U.S.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta today announced the appointment of retired Coast Guard Commandant James M. Loy to the newly created post of Deputy Under Secretary for Transportation Security and Chief Operating Officer of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In his new position, Admiral Loy will report directly to Under Secretary for Transportation Security John Magaw, the head of the TSA. The secretary's announcement was included in remarks he gave at today's change of command ceremony, when Admiral Loy was succeeded by Admiral Thomas Collins as Coast Guard commandant. "Jim Loy is a world-class executive and an experienced transportation professional. TSA's already strong team will benefit from this phenomenal addition.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta is scheduled to visit with the Coast Guard and maritime industry representatives Thursday, May 16, at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Base. The morning agenda will include a brief tour aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Cheyenne, a 75-foot inland river tender from St. Louis, to learn more about the role of the Coast Guard on the Western Rivers. Secretary Mineta will also meet with local maritime industry stakeholders at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Base where the Secretary will address the intermodal transportation system in the Midwest.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has selected TRW Inc. to assess the vulnerability of the nation's most critical commercial and military seaports, under a 5-year contract worth up to $31 million. "Securing our nation's ports and maritime transportation system is a vital component of our overarching transportation security mission," said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta in announcing TRW's selection. Under contract to the Coast Guard, TRW will develop model port security guidelines, conduct assessments of at least 55 U.S. ports, and develop a port vulnerability self-assessment methodology to help local port stakeholders evaluate and improve security conditions.

The U.S. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Inc. military seaports. port security enhancements. Secretary Mineta. Commission on Crime and Security in U. ports. Transportation for Maritime and Land Security, Rear Admiral Richard E. Bennis. Groundwork for the PVA program began in 1999 when the U.S. strengths and weaknesses of U.S. ports. The U.S. analysis of ports and critical infrastructure. in our ports," said Admiral James M. Loy, Commandant of the U.S. Guard. by Congress at $93.3 million for FY 2002. enhancing facility and operational security. and Operational Security. assessments, U.S. intelligence and investigative teams. Transportation and the U.S. operations, and to improve maritime security enforcement.