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26 Jan 2022
NJ Seeks New Wind Institute for Offshore Wind Research
No, thatâs not the clarinet and saxophone sections in the band. New Jerseyâs Economic Development Authority (EDA) released an RFP (request for proposals) on January 7 seeking a âqualified entity to conduct a feasibility study for a world-class, flagship offshore wind research and development (R&D) testing facility as part of the Authorityâs strategy to accelerate innovation for the offshore wind industry.ââŠ
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26 Jan 2022
FMC Takes Action on Container Charges
On January 6, the Federal Maritime Commission announced an âOrder of Investigation and Hearingâ against Wan Hai Lines, Ltd, a vessel-operated common carrier (VOCC). The order charges that Wan Hai failed to âestablish, observe, and enforce just and reasonable regulations and practices relating to its assessment of charges on containers when return locations with corresponding appointments were unavailable.âFor FMC, a core issue is that some companies may be taking advantage of U.S.
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26 Jan 2022
Work Starts on WRDA 2022
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, held a hearing January 12, starting development of a 2022 Water Resources and Development Act. One Subcommittee goal is a new and updated WRDA every two years. Michael L. Connor, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) and Lieutenant General Scott A. Spellmon, Chief of Engineers and Commanding General, U.S.
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26 Jan 2022
Federal Dollars Available for the Brandon Road Interbasin Project
The Brandon Road project is on the Des Plaines River, in Joliet, about 50 miles downstream from Chicago. That location offers a last chance to keep Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) out of the Great Lakes. The Army Corps explains that a ânew structural control point would include the Technology Alternative Acoustic Fish Deterrent with Electric Barrier, which includes, a bubble curtain, an engineered channelâŠ
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26 Jan 2022
New USACE Dredge in the Works
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a contract opportunity on January 25 starting the process to acquire a new Medium Class Hopper Dredge (MCHD) to replace the current dredge McFarland. The new MCHD will be part of the USACE minimum fleet and operate for the Philadelphia District. The January 25 notice is a draft solicitation published to seek industry comments which will inform the Corpsâ development of a subsequent âformal solicitation,â likely to be released on or about April 1.
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19 Jan 2022
Dredging Companies Keeping a Close Eye on New Infrastructure Dollars
For dredging company executives, the recently passed $550 billion federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) sits like the proverbial Horn-oâ-Plenty, ready to disgorge billions of federal dollars for maritime, port, harbor, coastal, inland waterways and flood projects, many of which will require dredging. This is a really big deal because this new money will go toward existing projects, work thatâs been on the books, so to speak, but, until now, couldnât be funded.
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18 Jan 2022
Paper to Electrons: CBP Makes a Big Move
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB) announced December 28 that it was moving to an all-electronic filing method for Form I-418 âPassenger List â Crew List.â I-418 is required from the âmaster or agent of every commercial vessel arriving in the United Statesâ (emphasis added). Now thatâs a change at scale. The Form I-418 process also has a Coast Guard component, tracking everyone entering and leaving U.S.
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08 Nov 2021
Inland Waterways: A Crucible of Issues
As 2022 appears on the not-so-distant horizon, we asked inland waterways executives to reflect on the major issues impacting their industry. Just how those issues evolve â and whether they present as challenges or opportunities â is, of course, unknown. Answers to some future questions will be relatively straightforward, confidently based on industry knowledge and experience. Other outcomes remain hazierâŠ
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21 Oct 2021
Maritime Academies Work Toward Inclusion
Last May, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (CGA) announced that 240 new officers made up its 140th graduating class.The Academyâs announcement referenced additional, important highlights. Women made up 34% of the Class of 2021, and 34% of the graduates were from underrepresented minority groups. Even more focused was the statement that 22 African Americans âwalked the stage,â the largest number in Academy historyâŠ
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13 Sep 2021
HVAC: Three Challenges to Challenge Engineers
âOn the 27th of July, 1850, I sailed from Baltimore in the ship Nonantum, of Boston, (Bates, master,) bound to San Francisco. In the ship's hold was stowed 1,050 tons of coal. The second morning after the commencement of the storm, smoke had been discovered between decks. The alarming truth instantly flashed upon our minds. The gas that originated from the coal had generated fire. They next proceeded to close the hatchesâŠ
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23 Aug 2021
Electronic Navigational Charts: An Update and Some Issues
In November 2019, the Office of Coast Survey (OCS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), announced the start of a five-year program to âsunsetâ all raster and paper nautical charts.NOAA has produced electronic navigational charts (ENCs) since 1993. In the 2019 notice, NOAA writes that âENC sales increased 425% since 2008, while sales of paper charts are now half of 2008 levels.âFor NOAA and marinersâŠ
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16 Jun 2021
Multimission Vessels: Interest Across All Sectors
The development and construction of multimission vessels (MMVs) remains active across the maritime market.The ability to perform multiple tasks when those different duties are needed is central to an MMVâs value. Multimission capabilities mean that an expensive asset doesnât sit idle when it isnât being used for a singular purpose, such as firefighting. This is particularly important for public sector officials who have to weigh costs and benefits across a wide range of demandsâŠ
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17 May 2021
Remotely Operated Locks: Progress, But Still Under Study
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is evaluating remote operation of locks within the U.S. inland waterways system. Timetables are hazy, but the Corps plans to include remote operations capabilities during rehabilitations or new construction, in the work planned, for example, in the Upper Ohio Navigation Project, part of the USACEâs Pittsburgh District.In fact, the first install project is being readied at Lock & Dam 4 on the Monongahela River.
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10 May 2021
Dredging: Important Developments Will Impact Business
For dredging company officials, the first quarter of 2021 was a pretty good start to a new year. In a tough business, challenges and pitfalls are always expected. But from a bigger picture perspectiveâmarkets, regulations and policiesâcompany officials couldnât be faulted if a bit of optimism infused their worldview.There are a number of reasons for this. Many are well known and donât need to be detailed here. Just quickly, though, WRDA 2020 would be at the top of the list.
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26 Apr 2021
Expert Advice: New Ballast Water Guide
If you and your crew are facing questions about ballast water management (BWM) and related regulatory deadlines, it would be worth your while to download a new (January 2021) âBallast Water Management Systems User Guide,â an extensive, in-depth look at evaluating, selecting and installing a BWM system. The guide was published by MARAD and Glosten for the Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP).
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15 Mar 2021
Five New Ships Poised to Transform US Maritime Training
For professional maritime training, the 2020 holiday season was bright indeed. In a world clutching for optimism, officials from the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) made a series of announcements that will strengthen, expand and intensify Americaâs maritime academic programsâreally the maritime industryâfor at least the next decade, likely much longer. Consider this string of news:On December 15âŠ
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12 Mar 2021
Maritime Groups Pleased with WRDA 2020
It was an odd legislative journey, but ultimately one with a happy ending. Thatâs one way to sum up the rather tortuous process that led to the passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA). For the first time WRDA (usually reauthorized every two years) was not enacted as its own legislative bill. This time it was rolled into the massive government 2021 omnibus budget bill, the ââConsolidated Appropriations ActâŠ
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17 Feb 2021
'Fireboats are Basically an Insurance Policy'
âFireboats are basically an insurance policy.â -Meeting minutes, Southeast Texas Waterways Advisory Council (SETWAC).Developments in Americaâs coastal ports are causing officials to closely review maritime safety operations and equipment. Fireboats draw a lot of attention. The reference here is to big fireboats â 40-50 feet, crewed by specially trained firefighters, outfitted with the equipment required to confront and take on a range of waterway emergencies.
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07 Jan 2021
Digital Twins: Rivers, Oceans, Harbors Recreated
In 2001, George Burkley, a maritime educator, wrote a look-ahead article for Maritime Reporter and Engineering News, presenting the benefits and real-world payoffs from using simulators in maritime education. In the late 1990s, new tech and software advances were creating scenario programs that moved a student closer and closer to the realities demanded by, well, reality. âThe future is here, and we are ready to simulate itâŠ
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24 Dec 2020
Great Lakes Group: Venerable & Versatile
ââŠWe have built our reputation job by job, boat by boat, and tow by tow, and we intend to continue to do so.âThe Great Lakes Towing Company (GLT) and the Great Lakes Shipyard are core businesses within The Great Lakes Group of Companies, based in Cleveland, on the Old River, a shipping channel that runs west from where the Cuyahoga River meets Lake Erie. Company towing operations extend from Buffalo, N.Y. in the east to Duluth, Minn. in the west.
Friday, January 28, 2022
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