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Lahood News

26 Jun 2023

U.S. House Committee Green-Lights Strong Funding - WCI

Š W.Scott McGill / Adobe Stock

The House Committee on Appropriations approved by a vote of 34-24 the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Energy and Water Development (E&W) Appropriations Bill. Included in the bill are Community Project Funding (CPF) requests for Inland Waterways Trust Fund (IWTF) construction projects.Overall proposed funding for Corps’ Civil Works is $9.57 billion, an increase of $910 million above FY23’s appropriated level, and $2.16 billion above the President’s FY24 budget request.FY24 funding for construction projects on the inland waterways is $455.97 million…

17 Aug 2022

US Inland Waterway Infrastructure: Riding a Good News Wave

Š Harold Stiver / Adobe Stock

The inland waterways have enjoyed several positive developments toward modernization of the system, particularly over the last two years.Annual appropriations that fund the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works mission have been steadily on the rise for the last nine fiscal years, specifically the Construction and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) accounts have been funded at historic levels. The passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in 2021 provided a…

07 Dec 2015

Foss Maritime Names Parrott COO

John Parrott (Photo: Foss Maritime)

Foss Maritime announced that John Parrott will join the Foss executive team as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Parrott comes to Foss from sister company, TOTE Maritime Alaska, where he has served as President for sixteen years. In his new role as Foss' COO, Parrott will be responsible for overseeing key operating divisions, developing and delivering on strategic plans, and optimizing day-to-day operations through implementation of best practices throughout the organization. After 10 years sailing aboard a wide range of vessels in trade routes around the world…

29 Jun 2015

Multimodal Freight Bill Introduced in US Senate

U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Edward Markey (D-Mass.) introduced legislation to establish a multimodal freight investment policy to keep America businesses, farmers and shippers competitive the 21st century global economy. The National Multimodal Freight Policy and Investment Act (S.1680) creates a comprehensive, strategic plan for multimodal freight investment and reduces freight bottlenecks and congestion by investing in the nation’s network of highways, railroads, ports and intermodal facilities. It would also reduce the impact of freight movement on communities and help ensure the vitality of important “last-mile” freight connections. The bill is based, in part, upon the recommendations of the nonpartisan U.S.

22 Nov 2013

National Freight Advisory Approves Harbor Maintenance Tax

The National Freight Advisory Committee yesterday unanimously approved a recommendation to pass legislation that will ensure that the Harbor Maintenance Tax is utilized for its intended purpose - to keep the nation's harbors and channels dredged and maintained at their maximum authorized depth for the safe shipping of commerce. The resolution was championed by Paul C. LaMarre III, Executive Director of the Port of Monroe, Michigan. The Harbor Maintenance Tax is a user fee collected by the U.S. Government to ensure the adequate maintenance and operations of the national waterway infrastructure. In recent years, more fees have been collected than expended and the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund contains a surplus of $8.2 billion.

20 Sep 2013

Ray LaHood Accepts 2013 WTS Navigator Award

L to R: WTS President & CEO Marcia Ferranto, Transportation YOU student Sabrina Gantt, Ray LaHood, Deputy Transportation Secretary for the NYS Governor's Office Karen Rae, WTS Chair, Dana Hook, P.E.

Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood accepted the 2013 WTS Navigator Award—the first ever awarded by WTS International--at the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel in Washington, DC, Tuesday night. The Navigator Award was created by WTS, the association for building the future of transportation through the global advancement of women, to recognize the achievements of an individual or organization for extraordinary efforts to attract, retain, and advance women in the transportation industry. “WTS was honored to have Mr.

28 Jun 2013

Secretary LaHood Designates New Marine Highway in Texas

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has designated a new marine highway in Chambers County, Texas. The “M-146 Marine Highway Connector,” which is sponsored by the Chambers County Texas Improvement District No. 1 and the Chambers Liberty Counties Navigation District, spans the 25-mile waterway between the Cedar Bayou and the Houston Ship Channel, connecting to the Port of Houston on the M-10 Marine Highway Corridor. A container-on-barge service currently operating on the M-146 has already reduced regional roadway traffic by approximately 2,000 containers per month. A marine highway is a designated route for transporting cargo on water, reducing pollution and congestion on roads.

19 Jun 2013

U.S. Shipbuilding Supports $36B in GDP

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) said that the nation’s shipyards support $36B in gross domestic product, as part of a report on the U.S. shipbuilding and repair industry issued today. Acting Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen shared the findings of the report, The Economic Importance of the U.S. Shipbuilding and Repairing Industry, at the FuturePorts Annual Conference in Long Beach, California. “Shipyards create quality jobs and support economic growth far beyond our nation’s ports and waterways,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

17 Jun 2013

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Hosts 2013 Graduation

Photo: USMMA

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) graduated 201 new maritime leaders as part of its Class of 2013 commencement ceremony. The keynote speaker, General William M. Fraser III, Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), gave the commencement address before a crowd of more than 2,000 including special guest U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, graduates, family members and representatives from the federal government, armed forces and maritime industry. “The U.S.

30 May 2013

LaHood Appoints Seven to USMMA Advisory Board

Ray Lahood, U.S. Transportation Secretary (Photo: U.S. Department of Transportation)

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the appointment of seven members to the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) Advisory Board. The USMMA Advisory Board serves as an independent body whose purpose is to examine the course of instruction and management at the Academy and advise the USMMA Superintendent and Maritime Administrator to ensure the best possible educational atmosphere for all midshipmen. “The Department is committed to providing every midshipman at Kings Point the highest-quality education possible,” said Secretary LaHood.

21 May 2013

Transportation Secretary Honors SUNY Maritime President

Rear Admiral Wendi Carpenter, USMS, President, SUNY Maritime College (Photo: SUNY Maritime)

On Wednesday, May 22 at 10:00 a.m., U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will present the Merchant Marine Medal for Outstanding Achievement to Rear Admiral Wendi Carpenter, USMS, President, SUNY Maritime College for her support of relief efforts following Hurricane Sandy. The medal presentation and will take place as part of the 80th annual observance of National Maritime Day, a day honoring the men and women of the U.S. maritime industry for their vital contributions to the nation. www.dot.gov

02 May 2013

New Orleans Intermodal TIGER Site Visited

Photo courtesy of Port of New Orleans

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Deputy Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen visited the Port of New Orleans to tour the site. The site of planned infrastructure improvements was made possible through a US$16.7 million DOT TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant which was awarded in 2011. The 16-acre intermodal construction project will modernize and expand the port’s rail terminal, greatly enhancing cargo efficiencies. According to U.S.

24 Apr 2013

2012 Pacesetter Winners Announced

The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) announced that eight Great Lakes Seaway System ports are receiving the prestigious Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award for registering increases in international cargo tonnage shipped through their ports during the 2012 navigation season compared to the previous year. “The continued increases in the amount of cargo moving through U.S ports is another strong indicator of our growing economy,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. “In his first State of the Union address, President Obama called on us to double our exports by 2015, and our nation’s ports will play a large role in meeting that goal.

26 Mar 2013

Port of Long Beach Begins Rail Expansion Project

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administrator David Matsuda attended a ground breaking ceremony today for the Green Port Gateway,  a major port-to-rail infrastructure expansion project that will help reduce congestion and improve the environment near the Port of Long Beach by shifting more cargo from trucks to trains. The project was funded in part by a $17 million TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant. “Ports are critical for our country’s economic growth and success,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. When completed, the $83.5 million infrastructure investment project will…

04 Mar 2013

Maritime Administrator Matsuda Tours Port of Brownsville

U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administrator David Matsuda

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administrator David Matsuda toured the site of a planned marine cargo dock at the Port of Brownsville that will help transform this vital port into a hub for international trade. The proposed infrastructure improvements are being made possible, in part, through a $12 million TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) discretionary grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Administrator Matsuda was joined on his tour by Congressman Filemon Vela, Port Director Eduardo A. Campirano and state officials.

14 Feb 2013

U.S. DOT Chief LaHood Establishes Freight Advisory Committee

U.S. Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood

DOT Announces Proposal to Establish ‘National Freight Network’. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced the establishment of a National Freight Advisory Committee to provide recommendations aimed at improving the national freight transportation system. A strong freight transportation system is critical to the nation’s economy and essential for helping meet President Obama’s goal of doubling U.S. exports by 2015. “Our freight system is the lifeblood of the American economy,” said Secretary LaHood.

12 Feb 2013

Great Lakes Shipping Shows Signs of Recovery

Overall U.S. maritime cargo volumes in the Great Lakes region are recovering from extreme lows experienced in 2009 finds a MARAD study. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) report 'Status of the U.S.-Flag Great Lakes Water Transportation Industry', finds that the U.S. Great Lakes maritime industry is generally healthy, providing efficient, safe and environmentally friendly transportation services. It continues to be competitive with railways and trucks and, supported by responsible regulation and infrastructure maintenance, will remain an essential part of the regional and national economies. “This study shows that the recovery happening in communities all across the country is also happening right here in the Great Lakes…

11 Feb 2013

US MMA Pier Construction Begins

First Mallory Pier Pile: Photo credit US MMA

Construction work has begun on the United States Merchant Marine Academy's new Mallory Pier. Construction crews from Russell Marine have had a barge on-site in Hague Basin since early January focused on the first phase of the project, which required preparing the old pier to help support the new construction. Last week the first pre-cast concrete piles arrived by barge, and after much anticipation, the first test pile of the new pier was driven into the Long Island Sound seabed. Seven more test piles will be driven in the seabed this week and measurements of their holding capacity taken.

29 Jan 2013

DOT Chief LaHood to Step Down

U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood

U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces That He Will Not Serve for a Second Term. Secretary Ray LaHood has announced to the employees of the U.S. Department of Transportation that after serving for four years in President Obama’s Cabinet, he would not be staying on for the second term. “I have let President Obama know that I will not serve a second term as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. It has been an honor and a privilege to lead the Department, and I am grateful to President Obama for giving me such an extraordinary opportunity.

28 Jan 2013

SLSDC Board sworn in by DOT Secretart LaHood

The U.S. Senate confirmed William J. Mielke and Arthur H. Sulzer as members of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation Advisory Board on January 1. William J. Mielke is Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Ruekert/Mielke, a consulting engineering company located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. He has been a Director of Bank Mutual Corporation since 2000 and its subsidiary, Bank Mutual, since 1988. Mielke is also a Fellow of the American Consulting Engineers Council and has served as a diplomat of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers. From 2006 to 2007, he was a member of the Special Committee on the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact.

05 Nov 2012

'Sandy' Aftermath Sees Jones Act Waivers Agreed

U.S. Maritime Industry not opposing Jones Act waivers to ship petroleum to the Northeast US in fuel crisis. Thee American Maritime Partnership writes to President Obama to confirm that the U.S. Maritime Industry will not oppose waivers that are necessary to facilitate the delivery of petroleum products into the regions affected by Hurricane Sandy. Dear Mr. The domestic maritime industry stands by ready to help in any way as our nation responds to the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. Nothing is more important right now than the safety and security of our fellow Americans. Today our industry is working around the clock responding to this emergency. There is nothing new about that.

16 Oct 2012

LA Port Executive Ruiz Named to Federal Panel

Cynthia Ruiz

Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness to Recommend Ways to Increase U.S. Exports; First Meeting is Friday. Port of Los Angeles Deputy Executive Director for External Affairs Cynthia Ruiz has been named to the Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness by Acting U.S. Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank. The Committee, comprised of 40 senior-level representatives of multiple industries and supply chain experts, will advise the Secretary, the U.S. Department of Transportation and other U.S. agencies on issues that affect the international competitiveness of U.S. businesses.

15 Oct 2012

Obsolete US Ship Recycling Target Surpassed

U.S. Transportation Secretary visits Suisun Bay in Northern California to celebrate surpassing administration's goal for recycling. Ray LaHood, US Transportation Secretary visited Shuisun Bay for the occasion. In 2010, the Department’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) committed to removing 28 ships from the fleet by September 30, 2012. To date, MARAD has removed 36 ships, with three more vessels scheduled for removal by the end of the year. “Three years ago, the Department of Transportation promised to get rid of the ships that posed a threat to the environment, and I am proud to announce today that we are delivering on that promise,” said Secretary LaHood.