Inner Harbor Navigation Canal News

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…

The Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association’s retiring executive director reflects on key progress made and vital work remaining.As my tenure as President, Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association (GICA) ends after 11 years, it is gratifying look at the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) and reflect on its compelling relevance to our nation. Often referred to as the “Silent Giant,” as I wrote in this publication in 2014, the Giant indeed awoke and emerged as a vital waterway which delivers…

Unscheduled lock closures burden the shipper supply chain by more than $1 billion annually, according to estimates from two Tennessee universities. A study, “The Impacts of Unscheduled Lock Outages”, released today by the National Waterways Foundation (NWF) and the Maritime Administration (MARAD), looks at the economic impacts of unscheduled lock outages and highlights economic benefits associated with reliable inland waterways navigation. The Center for Transportation Research…

The start of a new year often brings change, but in the nation’s capital, 2017 means a new President and Administration, and a new Congress. Waterways Council, Inc.’s objective remains the same as it has since our start in 2005: to advocate for a modern, efficient and reliable inland waterways transportation system. For WCI, achieving this means working from our “three-legged advocacy stool” approach to educating these new Washingtonians through direct lobbying, stakeholder support and outreach, and media relations.

The Port of New Orleans has surpassed the half-million mark for twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEU) handled in a 12-month period for the first time, announced Port President and CEO Gary LaGrange during the 29th Annual State of the Port Address hosted today by the International Freight Forwarders and Customs House Brokers Association of New Orleans. “It’s another milestone that comes on the heels of four record years in a row,” LaGrange said. The most recent 12-month container data through September found the port handled 537,285 TEUs, a 13.6 percent increase over the same period one-year ago.

Today the House Appropriations Committee, led by Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY), approved by unanimous voice vote the FY ’16 Energy & Water Development (E&WD) and Related Agencies appropriations bill, significantly increasing funding in Fiscal Year 2016 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works Program. The overall size of the Corps’ Civil Works mission portion of the bill is $5.597 billion and more than restores cuts to the program as recommended by the Administration, adding $864.75 million to the Administration request and increasing the FY 2015 appropriated amount for the Corps by $142.25 million. The bill increases the President’s proposed Construction account funding level by 39.9% to $1.631 billion.

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee, led by Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY), today approved by unanimous voice vote the FY ’16 Energy & Water Development (E&WD) and Related Agencies appropriations bill, increasing funding in Fiscal Year 2016 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works Program. WCI President Michael J. Toohey expressed thanks to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers and Ranking Member Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), and House Energy & Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Mike Simpson (R-ID) and Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur (D-OH).

The recent enactment of the Waterways Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (WRRDA) has brought a sense of optimism to inland waterways mariners, operators and industries across the nation. Our inland waterways are poised for success, and key to that success is the anticipated support provided in that bill. Of course, follow on appropriations and carefully planned implementation is critical to assure continued success of our waterways system. One segment of that system, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) is growing in importance and value to the nation.

The port informs that its meeting no. 3 of fiscal year 2013-2014 is to be held on Thursday, September 26, 2013, 11:00 a.m. in the main auditorium at 1350 Port of New Orleans Place, New Orleans, Louisiana. II. III. IV. VI. A. Consider Award of a Contract to Kostmayer Construction, L.L.C., for Jourdan Road Terminal Substructure Repairs Necessitated by Hurricane Katrina (Ms. B. Consider Award of a Contract to C.E.C., Inc., for Repair of Pipe Discharge Supports at the Jourdan Road Patterson Pump Station on the Inner Harbor - Navigation Canal (Ms. C. Consider Award of a Contract to Boines Construction & Equipment Company, Inc., for Repairs Necessitated by Riverbank Erosion at Berth 1 of the Julia Street Cruise Terminal (Ms.

MarineNews spoke with Jim Stark, Executive Director of the Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association (GICA) about his background in the industry, current projects on the canal, issues facing GICA’s nearly 250 members and his goals for the organization. Can you describe your background and how you came to be Executive Director for GICA? I spent 28 years in the Coast Guard. I’m a commissioned officer and have served all over the country including a considerable amount of time on the Gulf Coast.

The US Coast Guard issued a Marine Safety Bulletin stating that the safety zone in the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) in New Orleans has been lifted.  (11/19/08). (Source: Holland & Knight)

According to the  Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association, the Coast Guard, Corps of Engineers and inland barge industry have collaborated extensively since the 2005 hurricane season to better prepare for and respond to hurricane events along the Gulf Coast. Specifically, the collaboration  produced a detailed, written protocol for storm preparation, communications and response  efforts as they pertain to the marine industry, including rigid procedures for evacuating  vessels in advance of a storm, or securing vessels in-place when evacuation is not feasible. The protocol proved effective during Hurricane Gustav, with the exception of isolated  incidents inside the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC).

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Marine Safety Bulletin stating that the Port of New Orleans has returned to normal conditions in accordance with the Maritime Hurricane Contingency Plan. The Lower Mississippi River is open, but deep draft traffic between the Southwest Pass sea buoy and mile marker 0 is restricted to daylight only. The Inner Harbor Navigation Canal is open, but the channel is restricted in the vicinity of the Florida Avenue Bridge due to salvage operations. The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is closed between MM 20 and MM 65 and between MM 115 and MM 177 (all WHL). The Atchafalaya River is closed from MM 115 north. (HK Law).