COLUMBIA COASTAL JOINS MARAD’s VISA PROGRAM

COLUMBIA COASTAL JOINS MARADÆS VISA PROGRAM    The U.S. Maritime Administration has approved an application from Columbia Coastal Transport LLC, a provider of barge services, to enter MarAd’s Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement program.
   Columbia Coastal’s VISA status allows the company to receive top-tier award priority for Defense Department peacetime cargo.
   The VISA program is a partnership between the government and industry providing commercial sealift and intermodal shipping services that can meet mobilization requirements.
   Columbia Coastal’s 14 barges range in capacity from 3,300 to more than 10,000 long tons. Government cargoes could include “USAID, Ex-Im Bank projects, as well as direct military movements,” said Donovan Murray, the company’s general manager for government affairs.
Columbia Coastal has also completed contingency contracts for both the Military Traffic Management Command and Military Sealift Command, covering terms and rates should the company’s barge capacity be used in time of war.