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Coastal Infrastructure News

25 Mar 2024

US Dredging: Plenty of Issues, New WRDA on the Way

(Photo: Janet Meredith / U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

2024 marks another year for development of a biennial WRDA bill—Water Resources Development Act, critical legislation for the Nation’s waterways, ports and harbors. WRDA encompasses a range of issues, from environmental regs to energy use to agriculture and, of course, a focus on projects critical for economic growth.Because these are dynamic and timely issues, Congress and the maritime sector like to keep WRDA on a two-year reauthorization timeline. Indeed, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, December and January, held three WRDA information hearings.

15 Sep 2022

Maritime Risk Symposium 2022: The Importance of Inland Systems to the MTS

Russia's invasion of Ukraine emphasizes the importance of efficient maritime traffic to national security and the world economy. Pictured is an aerial cityscape of Kiev and river Dnipro at sunset, with a tugboat and barge heading down river Dnieper. Copyright Kirill Gorlov/AdobeStock

The 2022 Maritime Risk Symposium (MRS) is scheduled to be held Nov. 15-17, 2022, hosted by Argonne National Laboratory at the Argonne campus in Lemont, Illinois. MRS is an annual international event focused on risks involving the global maritime transportation system (MTS). For the MRS, the U.S. Coast Guard partners with the sponsor, the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, and the hosting agency. MRS began in 2011 and has grown in size, scope and interest. The MRS event will be followed by the U.S.

23 Jun 2022

MMA Offshore to Buy Rigs-to-Reefs Specialist Subcon for $8.4M

Credit: MMA Offshore

Australian offshore support vessel owner MMA Offshore has agreed to buy Perth-based Subcon, a company that provides innovative stabilization, coastal erosion, and engineered reef solutions to the oil and gas, offshore wind, coastal infrastructure, and tourism sectors.The total consideration for the transaction is $8.4 million comprising $4.2m cash and $4.2m in MMA ordinary shares."The acquisition is aligned with MMA’s purpose and strategy bringing a range of new environmental marine solutions within MMA’s capability…

19 May 2022

Ann Phillips Sworn In As MARAD Administrator

Ann Phillips (Photo: MARAD)

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that Rear Admiral (Rear Adm.) Ann Phillips, USN, Ret., has been confirmed and sworn in as the 20th Administrator of the Maritime Administration (MARAD). Nominated by President Biden on October 21, 2021, Rear Adm. Phillips was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on May 10, 2022. She is the first woman to lead MARAD as administrator.“From her distinguished naval service to her leadership on coastal infrastructure, Rear Admiral Ann Phillips has championed America’s maritime sector throughout her career,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

01 Mar 2022

OpEd: Time To Shine for US Offshore Wind

© Fokke / Adobe Stock

It is clear only a few weeks into 2022 that this year can be a watershed moment for American offshore wind. The Department of the Interior has positioned 2022 to be a record year in terms of offshore wind lease offerings and project greenlights.At the end of 2021, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the regulatory agency responsible for offshore wind lease sales, released the document, Offshore Wind Leasing Path Forward 2021–2025. The document maps out potential new wind lease sales.

15 Oct 2021

Biden Appoints Ann Phillips as MARAD Administrator

Ann Phillips (File photo: Josh Bennett / U.S. Navy)

President Joe Biden intends to nominate Ann Phillips to serve as Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) at the Department of Transportation (DOT), the White House announced Thursday. The position has been vacant since Mark Buzby resigned from the role in the wake of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in January.If confirmed, Phillips, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral and currently the first Special Assistant to the Governor of Virginia for Coastal Adaptation and Protection…

16 Aug 2019

Industry Bodies Join Force for Ocean Economy

The World Ocean Council (WOC) and the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure (PIANC) have signed an MOU on long-term cooperation.The partnership agreement provides a commitment and framework for the two bodies to collaborate on ocean sustainable economic development through information exchange, communications, events, joint working groups, etc. on topics of shared interest.More specifically, PIANC and WOC will begin by working together to develop tools and methods for port and coastal infrastructure adaptation that can be scaled up to address port resiliency needs, especially regarding extreme weather events affecting…

05 Feb 2019

UK Holds Maritime Seminar

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) yesterday (5th February) launched a five-day capacity building seminar to help UK Overseas Territories support safe maritime trade.The seminar, delivered as part of the Government’s Overseas Territories Seabed Mapping Programme, will focus on international regulations, with sessions on maritime safety information training, best practice governance and maritime law. This guidance, given by experts at both the UKHO and MCA, will help each of the 10 participating territories to comply with international obligations and share their own maritime safety information with ships operating in their waters.For these ships, this information, including up-to-date bathymetry (seabed mapping data), navigational warnings and observations, is essential to safe navigation.

23 Feb 2018

Enhancing Historic Lake Michigan Docking Facilities

(Photo: Foth)

A federal FASTLANE grant has been approved for S.S. Badger Ports & Harbor project impacting Manitowoc, Wis. and Ludington, Mich. A primer on how things get done. This is a story about two communities on the shores of Lake Michigan and the unique car ferry that connects them. The SS Badger provides a nautical “highway” across one of our nation’s major waterways, carrying passengers, oversized loads and trucks of nearly every kind. Essentially, the ferry provides a vital lifeline of commerce, tourism and economic growth between the cities of Manitowoc, Wis. and Ludington, Mich.

30 Dec 2017

Azerbaijan, Russia Introduces New Cruise

The Chairman of Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ACSC) Rauf Veliyev and Konstantin Anisimov, the General Director of Moscow River Shipping Company (MRSC) signed in Baku a memorandum of cooperation in cruise shipping in the Caspian region with the use of the new cruise passenger vessel "Peter the Great". The agreement was signed during the visit of the Russian delegation headed by Konstantin Anisimov to Baku. The agreement provides for joint activities on study and development of optimal routes for cruise passenger vessels, such as ports of the Black Sea - inland waterways of the Russian Federation - Astrakhan - ports of the Caspian Sea; Moscow-Baku; Astrakhan - Makhachkala - Baku; Baku-Anzali- Nowshahr -Turkmenbashi-Aktau-Astrakhan and others.

03 Nov 2017

Financial Support for Coastal Berths in India

The Ministry of Shipping in India has taken up projects worth Rs 2,302 crore (USD 356million) for financial assistance under the Coastal Berth Scheme of the flagship Sagarmala Programme. The Ministry, after due appraisal in consultation with NITI Aayog and Department of Expenditure, has extended the period of the scheme for three years, upto 31st March, 2020 and expanded its scope to cover capital dredging at Major Ports and preparation of DPR for coastal berth project, in Oct 2017. The projects under Coastal Berth Scheme of the flagship Sagarmala Programme are distributed over eight states with the highest number of projects in Maharashtra (12 projects)…

12 Oct 2017

Orest Sychenikov, First Head of Novorossiysk Shipping Company, Passed Away

It is with great sadness that the Sovcomflot management and team must announce a monumental loss to the Russian shipping community. On 9 October 2017, Orest Sychenikov, first Head of Novorossiysk Shipping Company, passed away at the age of 95. On 9 October 2017, we lost a highly educated man, a talented leader who made a massive contribution to the strengthening and development of Russian maritime navigation. Orest Sychenikov was born on 28 June 1922. In 1941, he was called up to the Red Army to fight in the Second World War, during which was seriously wounded in 1943. Following demobilization in September 1945, Orest was accepted into the Department of Marine Engineering at the Odessa Institute of Marine Fleet Engineers.

07 Aug 2017

From GloBallast to GloFouling Partnerships

Global Environment Facility (GEF) approves new project concept to address major aquatic invasive species vector. A new global project to help protect marine ecosystems from the negative effects of invasive aquatic species has been given the go-ahead for preparation. The GloFouling Partnerships project – a collaboration between the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) – will address the transfer of aquatic species through biofouling, in other words, the build-up of aquatic organisms on a ship’s underwater hull and structures. The project will focus on the implementation of the IMO Guidelines for the control and management of ships’ biofouling…

24 Nov 2016

India Identifies 12 Major Ports Under Sagarmala for Future Cargo Handling

Port Master Plans for 12 major ports have been prepared keeping in view the requirements for cargo handling till 2035. A total of 142 Port Modernization and 30 Port Connectivity projects have been identified in the Master Plans. The objectives of these projects are to promote port led development and to provide infrastructure to transport goods to and from ports quickly, efficiently and cost effectively and efficient evacuation to and from hinterland. These identified projects will be taken up over the next 20 years (till 2035) for implementation in phases. 3. Creation of dedicated coastal infrastructure i.e. 8. Central Scheme for providing assistance to Major ports and Oil Handling non-major ports under State Maritime Boards/State Govt.

22 Oct 2015

The Sustainable Ocean Summit set for Singapore

(© Silke Stuckenbrock/Silke Photo 2008/Marine Photobank.)

“Sustainable development” has gone from buzz word to business imperative in the two decades since the initial Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Companies are increasingly evaluated on how well they address sustainability as a critical measure of their commitment to the triple bottom line – people, planet and profit. Stakeholders expect companies to develop sustainability and corporate responsibility programs and reporting as part of efforts to take up civil society concerns and maintain the social license to operate.

16 Oct 2015

Bechtel Joins World Ocean Council

The global engineering, project management and construction company, Bechtel has become a member of the World Ocean Council (WOC), the international business alliance for Corporate Ocean Responsibility. Bechtel brings considerable experience and expertise in the design, engineering and construction of sustainable ports and coastal infrastructure. The company has worked on more than 80 ports and coastal projects around the world. Its projects include Khalifa Port (UAE), Jamnagar Refinery and Port Complex (India) and Jubail Industrial City and Port (Saudi Arabia). “Smart planning, innovation and having an integrated approach are key to developing sustainable infrastructure,” said Tam Nguyen, global head of sustainability at Bechtel.

28 Sep 2015

'Blue' Economy Ocean Industries & the Next 50 Years

Chemical tanker leaving  Cape Town.

“Sustainable development” has gone from buzz word to business imperative in the two decades since the initial Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Companies are increasingly evaluated on how well they address sustainability as a critical measure of their commitment to the triple bottom line – people, planet and profit. Stakeholders expect companies to develop sustainability and corporate responsibility programs and reporting as part of efforts to take up civil society concerns and maintain the social license to operate.

25 Mar 2013

Governor Chafee: Rhode Island Leads the Way

(The Rhode Island Subsea Sector is profiled in the March 2013 edition of Marine Technology Reporter. Rhode Island Governor Lincoln D. Chafee offers insights on the wealth of opportunity found in his state). As the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, Rhode Island was at the forefront of innovation, entrepreneurial creativity, and economic transformation, beginning with the Slater Mill in 1793. Just as Rhode Island led our nation through the introduction of new manufacturing processes two hundred years ago…

02 Apr 2013

Sustainable Ocean Summit Final Program Available

Photo: World Ocean Council

The SOS 2013 program will take on the issues that are challenging access to ocean areas and resources by responsible industry operators. Click here to see the program. This global gathering of the diverse ocean business community is not a conference to discuss the issues, enjoy some networking and hope someone else will do something. The SOS is a working meeting to advance industry leadership and collaboration on shared ocean sustainability risks and opportunities through WOC programs. ■ A keynote address by Admiral White, Oceanographer of the U.S.

07 Aug 2013

Offshore Wind Industry To Get Huge UK Investment

Wind Turbines photo in public domain

Government and business publish a long-term strategy that will strengthen the UK’s position in the offshore wind industry. The multi-million pound investment has the potential to unlock £7 billion in the economy by 2020. The UK currently has more offshore wind power than the rest of the world combined. The offshore wind industrial strategy aims to grow UK supply chain manufacturing so that more of the work and jobs can be done here. Investments by the government will include £20 million from the Regional Growth Fund to improve the UK wind industry’s supply chain…

09 Oct 2013

Classification Society BV Arctic Sea-Route Ready

NSR Image courtesy of BV

Bureau Veritas has developed rules and guidance notes for operation in Arctic environments. These include a Cold notation, Polar Class Rules, guidelines for Ice class selection and rules for designing propulsion in ice. Climate change is opening Arctic routes to navigation. The Northern Sea Route (North of Russia) and the North West passage (North of Canada and Alaska) offer considerable savings in sea miles for Europe – Asia trade routes. The route from Rotterdam to Yokohama could be reduced from 11,250 miles to 7,350 miles by using the Northern Sea Route.

14 Jul 2015

Marine Construction: Equipment Drives Efficiency

When the crew at O’Quinn Marine Construction put its new JCB telehandler to use, they were amazed at its ability to maneuver around small areas while easily lifting up to 14,000 lbs. (Photo: JCB North America)

Driving over a bridge, walking on a pier or even docking a boat are activities most people take for granted. Have you ever given any thought to how those structures are constructed over water with the ability to last for generations? For a marine construction company these projects are their lifeblood and it’s their skill and ability to build challenging marine environments around rivers, oceans and even swamps that make complex marine structures possible. One such company in…

13 Oct 2014

Sea Level Rise ‘Worst Case Scenario’

Surge picture from November 9, 2007 (Image courtesy of NOC)

A paper published this week in Environmental Research Letters by NOC scientist Dr. Svetlana Jevrejeva provides new information about the probability of a sea-level rise reaching of 180cm by 2100. In this study Dr. Jevrejeva and colleagues explore the range of possible sea level rise by 2100 and add new data to the estimates currently available. Previously an upper limit, or ‘worst case scenario’, has not been possible to calculate, but this new study now looks beyond the previous data available to provide a more complete picture.