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Waterside Infrastructure News

11 Jan 2018

AAPA Pushes for $66 bln for Port Upgrades

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has identified $66 billion in potential federal waterside and landside investments over the next decade that will help assure the benefits from an anticipated $155 billion in port-related capital infrastructure investments. AAPA Chairman-Elect William Friedman provided examples of waterside infrastructure needs, and offered recommendations for water resources legislation to enhance the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers navigation program during a senate committee. Friedman presented his case before the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) in a hearing titled ‘America’s Water Infrastructure Needs and Challenges’.

09 Feb 2016

Obama’s Budget ‘Grossly Imbalanced’ For US Ports -AAPA

Kurt Nagle (Photo: AAPA)

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) said today it is encouraged by the potential of significant gains for landside freight transportation programs in President Obama’s fiscal 2017 budget, bit is disappointed, however, in the proposed funding levels for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers coastal navigation programs, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grants, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Port Security Grant program.

12 Jun 2015

Mainstay Marine Looks Ahead Following Rebrand

Stewart Graves, Managing Director of Mainstay Marine Solutions outside the company's build hall on Pembroke Dock (Photo: Mainstay Marine Solutions)

South Wales maritime engineering company Mustang Marine has rebranded as Mainstay Marine Solutions. The Pembroke Dock based workboat, marine energy device and waterside infrastructure specialist has adopted a new name and corporate image following its first year under new ownership. The company, which was bought out of administration in May 2014 by a group of nine investors, said it has thrived under its new ownership and is on course to double its workforce compared to 12 months ago, increasing from 27 employees in June 2014 to 60 today.

10 Mar 2015

Sonardyne's IDS Teseted in Naval Exercises

Photo courtesy of Sonardyne

Diver detection sonar technology developed by Sonardyne International Ltd, UK, has played a part in a international exercise organized to train naval forces in mine countermeasures, maritime security operations and harbor protection operations. The International Mine Counter-Measures Exercise (IMCMEX) runs off the coast of Bahrain every 18 months to test the abilities of the navies of the world to keep sea lanes open and safe. A total of 6,500 personnel and 38 warships from 44 navies took part in the event, the third and largest so far.

03 Feb 2015

Funding Only Bright Spot in President’s Budget - AAPA

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), the recognized and authoritative voice of the seaport industry, yesterday noted some positive aspects but mostly disappointment over the funding levels and programmatic changes in federal port-related programs that were proposed today in President Obama’s fiscal 2016 budget. “International trade now accounts for fully 30 percent of the U.S. economy,” said Kurt Nagle, AAPA’s president and CEO. The President’s budget includes a $478 billion, six-year surface transportation reauthorization proposal, to be paid for with transition revenue from business tax reform. The proposal would pay for repairs to existing roads and bridges…

24 Oct 2013

AAPA Commends House for WRRDA Bill

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)  lauded leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, leaders of its Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee and Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) for their efforts in advancing H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). The House passed the legislation by a vote of 417 to 3. “AAPA commends T & I Committee Chairman (Bill) Shuster (R-PA), Ranking Member (Nick) Rahall (D-WV)…

20 Sep 2012

AAPA Chief Weighs in on WRDA

Jerry Bridges, AAPA Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority.

AAPA Chairman Testifies Before Senate Committee on Water Resources Development Act; Testimony emphasizes importance of investment in waterside infrastructure. Jerry Bridges, the American Association of Port Authorities’ Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority, testifying today on behalf of AAPA before the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, stressed the need to authorize new navigation projects to keep the Nation competitive in the world economy and promote jobs and economic activity in the U.S.

27 Oct 2011

Congressional Panel Hears Infrastructure Concerns Of Ports

AAPA Chairman of the Board Jerry Bridges

House Water Resources & Environment Subcommittee agrees investments needed. At a hearing today of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, AAPA Chairman of the Board Jerry Bridges, who also serves as executive director of the Virginia Port Authority, testified on the economic importance of seaports. Subtitled “Is the United States Prepared for 21st Century Trade Realities?”, the hearing focused exclusively on the economic contributions of U.S.

26 Sep 2007

U.S. Ports Applaud Passage of Water Resources Bill

Representatives of public seaports in the United States today are lauding Congress for passing HR 1495, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007, citing it as long overdue legislation that addresses a seven-year backlog of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers programs, including navigation projects, policies and procedures that are necessary to keep pace with today's burgeoning trade. The Act helps to address demand for critical water resources projects and the costs to implement them. Numerous projects and provisions in the WRDA 2007 bill will help address port waterside infrastructure needs. Included are projects for navigation channel deepening, dredged material disposal and storage facilities, and policy provisions to improve the Corps of Engineers project implementation process.

17 May 2007

Ports Applaud Action on Water Resources Bill

Representatives of public seaports in the United States applauded efforts in Congress to enact long overdue water resources legislation after action in the Senate yesterday and the House last month on separate bills. The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007 addresses a seven-year backlog of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers programs, including navigation projects, policies and procedures necessary to keep pace with today’s burgeoning trade. The Senate passed its version of the WRDA (H.R. 1495 Amended) by a vote of 91-4. The U.S. House of Representatives approved its version of the bill on April 19 (H.R. 1495) by a vote of 394-25. Next, a House-Senate conference committee will review both versions and negotiate the final bill before sending it to the President.

08 Mar 2007

Coast Guard to Participate in Small Vessel Security Summit

The U.S. Coast Guard announced today it will participate in the first-ever Department of Homeland Security-sponsored small vessel security summit to be held in June to discuss ideas for improving security for vessels not covered by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff is expected to deliver the keynote address. Details on the location, dates and time of the summit will be announced once finalized. “We want to hear ideas from the people who regularly use our ports and waterways to determine how we can better structure new safety and security regimes that will have a minimal impact on those who rely on our waterways for their livelihood as well as recreation,” said Adm. Thad Allen, commandant of the Coast Guard.

21 Jul 2006

AAPA Hails Senate Passage of Water Resources Development Act

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) welcomed the U.S. Senate’s approval last evening of the long-pending Water Resources Development Act (S. 728), which addresses a six-year backlog of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers programs, including navigation projects, policies and procedures necessary to keep pace with today’s burgeoning trade. The bill also includes a number of important provisions for the Corps, such as an amendment proposed by Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) to strike decommissioning language for the Corps dredge McFarland and lift restrictions on two other Corps dredges (the Yaquina and Essayons). “AAPA and our member ports are very pleased that this critical piece of legislation is finally headed to conference, thanks in large measure to Sen.