Transystems News

TranSystems, an engineering and consulting firm that provides integrated solutions for transportation infrastructure challenges to facilitate the movement of goods and people, announced the addition of Frederick (Rick) Ferrin to our Jacksonville, Fla., office. Ferrin brings 22 years of marine experience as both an engineer and port director. In his new role as Vice President, he will focus his efforts on developing business and serving the firm’s clients in the Southeast and Gulf Coast regions. Ferrin comes to TranSystems from the Jacksonville Port Authority where he served as CEO directing all facets of daily port administration, operations, planning, engineering, maintenance, finance, security, marketing and business development.

Short-sea shipping, also referred to as the “Marine Highway” and, in some cases, “coastal shipping,” is the subject of more studies than we can list. Whatever the label, the concept refers to an initiative to get freight off our roadways, which are at capacity, and onto our waterways, which have to yet to be tapped to their potential. More than likely you’ve heard about the promises of this mode of transport, including reduced highway congestion, reduced consumption of fuel and fewer emissions per unit shipped. So what’s the hold up?

The Port of Humboldt Bay (Port) in Eureka, California announced the final draft Business Plan for terminal development of its Redwood Marine Terminal, which is now available for review on the port’s website. The draft report was written for the Port suggesting the best uses for this nearly 40 acres of industrial maritime state lands acquired by the Port through lease termination negotiations with Simpson Timber Company and Louisiana-Pacific in 2006. In February 2008, the Board…

The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority has received a capacity study identifying options for sustaining the Port's position as an engine for manufacturing jobs, while the City of Cleveland is opening up the lakefront for greater public access and economic development. The study's main finding was that as the Port vacates key docks and storage areas, then those maritime facilities would need replacement given any reasonable future business projection. The Port of Cleveland is a destination port, meaning it produces local jobs because 90 percent of the Port's cargo is produced or consumed within a 75-mile radius. For example, the Cleveland Cliffs iron ore brought here from Minnesota by Oglebay Norton is used for manufacturing steel at ISG.