MarAd names Pugh marine highway post

MarAd names Pugh marine highway post The U.S. Maritime Administration has named James D. Pugh to head its Office of Marine Highways and Passenger Services.
   Pugh will focus on expanding the use of America’s coastal, intracoastal and inland waterways to reduce landside congestion and energy consumption wile increasing opportunities for U.S. mariners, shipbuilding and the overall economy.
   He will also oversee the office of Passenger Vessel Services, which was established to support the passenger and cruise industry and its multibillion-dollar contribution to the economy as well as the congestion relief that passenger ferries offer nationwide.
   Prior to this assignment, Pugh was deputy division chief in the U.S. Coast Guard’s domestic ports division.
   He has also been executive director of both the Port of Houston and Indiana Port Commission as well as senior director of the Port of San Diego.