Irpt News

Cyber attack attempts are becoming more common at U.S. ports and terminals, according to findings published this week by law firm Jones Walker LLP.The firm publicly released the findings of its 2022 Ports and Terminals Cybersecurity Survey, examining cybersecurity preparedness in U.S.-based ports and terminals. The report outlining the results of the survey is authored by four of the firm’s attorneys and the findings was presented by two of them, Jim Kearns and Andy Lee, during the Inland Rivers…

The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act was enacted in December 2015. The FAST Act required the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to develop a National Freight Strategic Plan to address multimodal freight transportation. In the Federal Register of December 27, 2019, DOT requested information from the public, including industry trade groups, to aid development of the National Freight Strategic Plan.This article summarizes certain of the comments that were submitted by Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals, Inc. (IRPT) in response to DOT’s request.

Dennis Wilmsmeyer was appointed Executive Director at America’s Central Port on July 1, 2010, prior to which he served 11 years with the Port District, six as General Manager.With over 30 years of experience, Dennis brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table in the areas of transportation, planning, and economic development. His responsibilities include developing the Port’s 1,200-acre industrial park and business campus, redeveloping a former military logistics center…

When enough to meet the need is not enough to get the help.From my office window in downtown St. Louis, I can see a dramatic illustration of the inefficiency in how our country moves freight. My office faces east, and I look down on a stretch of Interstate 70, that major east-west highway that runs from Baltimore to Interstate 15 in Utah. It is not unusual to see the traffic on this highway heavily congested, even at a standstill at times. This congested traffic usually includes many tractor-trailer trucks.

On February 12th and 13th, the Missouri River Stakeholders converged on Kansas City, Missouri to discuss current challenges and opportunities for growth. The main message echoed repeatedly, is the Missouri River is open for business, and business is booming.Over the course of the two-day event, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard worked with the river’s commercial navigators to address areas of concerns as well as plan for the future growth of transportation on one of the nation’s most vital freight corridors.Record attendance was seen at the Annual U.S. Army Corps/U.S.

Inland Rivers, Ports & Terminals (IRPT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Panama Canal Authority (ACP). This historic event marks the first ever global connection for IRPT. This Memorandum of Understanding is important to all of our inland river ports, terminals, and river-borne transportation services and will recognize the importance of promoting waterway shipping. IRPT promotes foreign and domestic commerce using international trade routes, such as the Panama Canal. America’s inland ports are major sources of export and import generation for the economy and serve as feeder ports to coastal ports around the nation. Our Members contribute to the nations GDP and secure the nation’s global competitiveness.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced $4.85 million in grants to six Marine Highway projects along the waterways of 17 states and the District of Columbia. The goal of the Maritime Administration’s Marine Highway Program is to expand the use of U.S. navigable waterways to relieve landside congestion, reduce air emissions and generate other public benefits by increasing the efficiency of the surface transportation system. “These grants will help us take advantage of the economic and environmental benefits of one of America’s most crucial transportation assets – our coastal and inland waterways,” Foxx said. The grants will help expand existing marine highway operations across New York Harbor…

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Missouri River Basin Water Management Division is maintaining above normal releases at the four lower dams on the Missouri River. The excess water will allow the Corps to extend the navigation season and provide higher winter releases. Navigation service to the mouth of the Missouri River will now be extended until December 10. Conditions in the basin affected by tributary inflow could extend the season for days after that. Increases in shipping along the Missouri River are being seen north toward Sioux City for the first time in 11 years. The Siouxland Chamber of Commerce suggested that increased shipping on the Missouri River and all the way to the gulf, complements the air, rail and road infrastructure Sioux City prides itself on.

The Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals (IRPT) Trade Association announced today that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Lewis & Clark Community College - National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) and the Mississippi River Transportation, Distribution and Logistics (MRTDL) Consortium. “IRPT promotes the education of the river industry professionals. We continue to see the need for skilled workers in occupations in river transportation,” said Hugh McConnell, president of IRPT.

The Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals (IRPT) Trade Association announced today that it is in full support of the U.S. Mayors’ initiative of moving ocean-going containers by barge on the U.S. Inland River System.With the realization that river barge movement of goods is the most cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly form of transportation in the United States, IRPT strongly endorses the initiative to bring intermodal containers to the inland river system. “IRPT promotes the use of our nation’s waterways,our country’s most valuable natural resource,for barge movement of freight and commodities. While truck and rail movement of goods and intermodal containers are necessary…

Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals (IRPT) has anounced  the newly formed working group “MO River Basin – Navigation Revitalization Committee”, designed to increase freight traffic and business on the Missouri River. IRPT has encouraged and received cooperation with associated marine, economic development and trade organizations to promote the healthy growth and operation of ports, terminals and intermodal centers along the Missouri River to boost foreign and domestic commerce, development and job creation throughout the river system. The first meeting was held this past week in Kansas City.

The National Waterways Conference will hold its annual meeting in New Orleans at the Hilton Riverside Hotel on September 4-6 where some 350 business, civic and waterways leaders are expected to attend. Donald T. (Boysie) Bollinger, chairman and chief executive officer of Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., and Richard R. Calhoun, vice president of Cargill, Inc., and chairman of the National Grain and Feed Assn., will be the main speakers at the event. According to conference chairman, J. Ron Brinson of the Port of New Orleans, Bollinger of Lockport La., will address the opening luncheon. Bollinger Shipyards, one of the nation's largest builders of boats and barges, operates 20 shipyards from Mississippi to Texas. Calhoun, of Minneapolis, will speak at the closing luncheon.

Sen. Blanche Lambert Lincoln (D-Ark.) and Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist will be the featured speakers at the National Waterways Conference's annual meeting, which will be held at the Sheraton Music City Hotel, in Nashville, Sept. 15-17. More than 350 business, civic and waterways leaders are expected to attend the convention, said Conference Chairman Dennis L. Kirwin, executive vice-president of Midland Marine Corp. Three other waterways organizations have scheduled sessions during the annual meeting. The Arkansas Waterways Commission, Inland Rivers Ports & Terminals (IRPT) and the U.S. Section of the International Navigation Assn. (PIANC) will hold breakfast meetings.