Short-sea shipping boosted by Senate, DOT

Short-sea shipping boosted by Senate, DOT

Lautenberg

   The Department of Defense Authorization Bill, S.1390, passed by the Senate last week includes a provision encouraging more freight to be carried by barges and ships operating on domestic routes.
   Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, D-N.J., said the Maritime Administration Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2010, which is an amendment to the authorization bill, “would create a grant program to establish America's Marine Highway as an extension of the surface transportation system.” It includes a grant programs to encourage shipping by sea or inland waterway and improvements to port infrastructure.

LaHood

   Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told members of the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council last week: “The administration is seeking advice on how to better integrate our waterways into our existing intermodal freight transportation system. We should take advantage of inherent environmental and energy benefits of marine transportation wherever possible — while reducing congestion on highways and rail lines.”
   The council has representatives from some 30 commercial transportation firms, trade associations, state and local public entities, labor organizations, academics and environmental groups who advise the Transportation secretary on marine transportation issues.
   “We're looking for advice on how to address the congressional mandates of the Marine Highway Program. We must find ways to take better advantage of our existing waterways. This will help reduce land-based congestion and emissions, decrease our dependence on oil, and offer an alternative to building and maintaining costly new highway and rail systems,” he said.
   'This is precisely the right time to launch this ambitious new agenda for the council and the marine transportation system. As Congress and the administration begin to debate the future of reauthorization for surface transportation, we will want advice on how the maritime industry can help us achieve integrated and environmentally sensitive transportation solutions,” he added. ' Chris Dupin