Transportation Programs News

A ferry servicing California’s Angel Island State Park will be converted to operate as the state’s first zero-emission, electric propulsion short-route passenger vessel beginning in 2024.Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced it is partnering with the Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry Company (Angel Island Ferry) to support the electrification of The Angel Island vessel.PG&E's Electric Vehicle (EV) Fleet Program helps medium- and heavy-duty fleet customers easily and cost-effectively install charging infrastructure via comprehensive construction support and financial incentives.

As tourism increases so will the demand for trained, licensed employees and sea pilots navigating the Inside Passage and a new University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) scholarship endowment was inspired to do just that.The Captain Michael A. Clinkscales Maritime Scholarship has been established to support UAS students enrolled in marine transportation courses. Fellow sea pilots led the cause to raise more than $38,000 in honor of “Clink,” a man who was known to inspire and encourage others in the maritime trades.

The Inland Waterways View.At the start of any new year, we are often asked what our challenges will be or what we are going to do differently in the year ahead. However, in 2019, just like each year since Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) was founded in 2003, we intend to stay the course to advocate for full and efficient funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue its Civil Works mission to construct and maintain navigation projects on the inland waterways.The Corps’…

Adm. Zukunft: “If you take the mariners away, what is the world going to look like 10 years from now? The House subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation held a hearing Monday on “President’s Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request For Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Programs” during which Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Paul Zukunft and U.S. Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen stressed the critical need for the Jones Act to protect our economic and national security.

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) said today it is encouraged by the potential of significant gains for landside freight transportation programs in President Obama’s fiscal 2017 budget, bit is disappointed, however, in the proposed funding levels for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers coastal navigation programs, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grants, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Port Security Grant program.

“Transportation funding is a long-term problem that needs a long-term solution. Today’s vote is a necessary step to keep federal transportation programs in operation, but quick fixes are not the answer. “The supply chain is the lifeblood of any retailer. Congress needs to make good use of these next few months to come up with a long-term, sustainable funding measure that provides needed stability to the programs. Any long-term bill should recognize the importance of transportation to the U.S.

New Toolkit Will Assist U.S. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) today released the first module of the Port Planning and Investment Toolkit, a manual designed to aid U.S. port authorities with planning and funding for crucial port infrastructure improvements. Titled Funding Strategy Guide, this module provides guidelines, analytic tools, and resources to help port authorities develop comprehensive business plans and the financial structures needed to implement them. The release of this product supports the Build America Investment Initiative, which aims to expand public-private collaboration on infrastructure development and financing in the United States.

Acting Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen met today with Port of Hueneme officials and Port customers for an industry stakeholder meeting and tour of the Port of Hueneme and Navy Base Ventura County. BMW, Global Auto Processing Services, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, Chiquita, Del Monte, Yara, the ILWU and Port Stevedores participated in a strategic round table discussion focusing on partnership opportunities, marine highway trade and Port priorities moving forward. “America’s Ports truly are our economic gateway,” said Acting Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen.

RoadOne IntermodaLogistics has announced that the company is celebrating its first anniversary. RoadOne was launched one year ago to deliver integrated, single source transportation and logistics solutions to meet today’s economic and market challenges. Within this year, RoadOne has expanded its national intermodal network with a new agent-based model under the U.S. IntermodaLogistics name and strengthened its partnership with E*Fill America to deliver extensive warehousing and fulfillment services throughout the U.S. and Canada.

A student team fielded by the University of North Texas (UNT) won the Intermodal Association of North America’s (IANA) third annual Intermodal Challenge, earning national recognition for their university through IANA’s growing young professionals development program. The first place award was presented to UNT’s Curtis Pogue, Sarah McLaughlin and Chris Turner at the Intermodal Expo in Houston, Texas. Undergraduate business schools from the Universities of North Texas, Maryland and North Florida (IANA Scholarship Award recipients) as well as Auburn University competed…

America’s Ports, Freight System Recognized in MAP-21 Surface Transportation Bill Reauthorization. With congressional passage today of MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century), the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) says elements in the two-year, $105 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill elevate the priority of freight movement in a way that constitutes major progress in recognizing the value of America’s seaports and freight network to the economy, jobs creation and business development.

U.S. Rep. John Mica To Accept AAPA ‘Port Person Of Year’ Award At March 20 Event Luncheon. AAPA Centennial ‘Spring Conference’ Speakers Will Focus On Raising Priorities For Freight Infrastructure. U.S. Congressman John Mica (R-FL) will be honored on March 20 as the American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) “Port Person of the Year” during the association’s 100th anniversary Spring Conference event, March 19-20, at The Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel. Celebrating its first century as the Western Hemisphere’s leading trade association representing port authorities…

The Global Maritime and Transportation School (GMATS) located at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY, provides world-class, professional mariner education and training in accordance with the provisions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) and other national and international standards, laws, and regulations relating to the training and certification of seafarers. Its Security…