The Federal Government’s 2020 Inland Impact
It is often difficult to push through the federal government morass to focus on the issues that actually matter to the inland operator. While 2020 inevitably will be a contentious year in American politics, it is critical to stay focused on the items that will have direct impact on the U.S. maritime industry. From a potential new Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) bill to potential Jones Act challenges, 2020 will be an important year for inland operators to stay politically engaged.Work on WRDAJanuary marked the beginning of Congress’ work in earnest toward introducing a new WRDA bill.
Number of Ships Waiting to Load Soy in Brazil Jumps 60%
The number of ships waiting to berth at Brazilian ports to load soybeans and its byproducts is currently almost 60 percent larger than in the same period last year, according to data from shipping agency Williams compiled by Reuters.At the same time, the amount of ships that are berthed and currently loading is 42 percent smaller than seen at this time last year.Associations representing soy processors and grain exporters said the situation is caused by slower transportation of grains from producing regions to the ports…
Russia's Aston to Build 4 New Ships
The JSC Aston, one of Russia's largest producers of foodstuffs and ingredients, and is a leading exporter of agricultural goods and vegetable oils, has signed the contracts with two Chinese shipyards for a construction of 4 ships. Addressing the unnamed Chinese shipbuilders Vadim Vikulov has mentioned the following: "The long way begins always with a first step. I am proud that we have done it. A press release stated that out of the series of 10 modern ships Aston planned, these four will be with a dead weight of 8000 ton — that is the maximal limit to enter the Don ports. The company operates ports terminals on the river Don. Earlier, past week, the Company has taken in operation the fourth see vessel with a dead weight of 45000 ton (Handymax).
Ohio River Towboat Captain Navigates a Changing America
In the 29 years that towboat captain Joe Gray has worked flotillas of barges up and down the Ohio River, he has witnessed the decline at the heart of industrial America in what is known as the country's Rust Belt. Gray, 46, spends up to eight months a year doing 28-day stints on the barges carrying coal, corn and gravel between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Cairo, Illinois. Some 600 million tons of goods still flow each year along 25,000 miles of U.S. waterways. But he has seen a growing number of coal-fired power plants being dismantled, from Indiana to West Virginia, and says barges loaded with coal have dwindled in the face of cheaper natural gas and tougher environmental regulations.
USDA Takes Action To Ease Grain Transportation
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said USDA is taking additional steps to further reduce stress on the grain transportation system caused by Hurricane Katrina. The actions include assisting with the movement of barges of damaged corn from New Orleans; providing incentives for alternative grain storage; encouraging alternative shipping patterns to relieve pressure; and allowing producers to store USDA-owned corn on the farm with the option to purchase. "These actions, in conjunction with the tremendous work being performed by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, will help the transportation system return to normal as quickly as possible," said Johanns.
