Latest News and Hot Topics

• On May 6, 2009, the Marine Highway Cooperative's Request for Proposals for a Metropolitan Planning Organization Maritime Information Needs Study is due. Interested entities should go to the Resource Links for the Marine Highways Cooperative.

• As of Apr. 10, 2009, the Port of Miami, a component of South Florida’s Miami-Dade County, has established a partnership with the Maritime Administration to incorporate America’s Marine Highway into the Port’s Long Term Strategic Plan, which is currently being updated. Like many ports, Miami faces challenges in accommodating the increased volumes of passengers and freight projected to move through the port in coming years as highways and rail lines become increasingly congested with traffic. Shifting some of this congestion to the underutilized inland and coastal water routes is an increasingly appealing option. Bill Johnson, Director of the Port of Miami, said, “We need to explore all options as we look for ways to provide reliable and resilient links between the port and ultimate inland destinations. Incorporating the Marine Highway Program into our strategy helps us accomplish this - but it can also help mitigate congestion on our roads, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve energy. It’s a win-win proposition.” A planned tunnel that will connect the port on Dodge Island with a major road artery is another essential part of the strategy, Johnson said. As part of this initiative, the Port of Miami and the Maritime Administration will co-host a roundtable discussion with port stakeholders and transportation planners in May 2009.
• On Apr. 9. 2009, Sean Kilcarr, Editor of "American Trucker" and Senior editor of FleetOwner, noted, "Is this (marine highways) a good thing for the trucking industry? In my estimation, you bet it is."
• On Apr., 3, 2009, the Denver-based Broe Group. announced it will launch Eco Transport, its first short sea shipping venture, between the port of Oakland and Stockton, CA according to the Journal of Commerce.
• On Apr. 2, 2009, the Maritime Executive reported that Secretary LaHood said short sea shipping holds promise.
• On Apr. 2, 2009, the Journal of Commerce reported, "Union official seeks short sea unity".
• Representatives from the Office of Marine Highways & Passenger Services in the U.S. Maritime Administration and the Marine Highways Cooperative attended the North America’s Marine Highways Conference: "Short Sea Shipping's Next Steps” in Jacksonville, FL on Apr. 1 and 2, 2009.  You can see the interview about marine highways with James Caponiti, Acting Deputy Maritime Administrator, from the conference (on the Journal of Commerce homepage) or  download presentations.

• On March 31, 2009, the Portland Press Herald reported, "Officials in southwest Nova Scotia want to establish a new year-round ferry service between Yarmouth and New England that would accommodate commercial trucks."
• The Journal of Commerce (JOC) reported on Mar. 30, 2009, that "Some investment and shipper needs may add up to a short-sea strategy for the St. Lawrence"
• According to the JOC on Mar. 28, 2009,"Columbia Coastal Resumes Portland-NY Service"
• According to the JOC on Mar. 13, 2009, "Spending Bill Launches Seaway Plan"
• According to the JOC on Mar. 10, 2009, "Halifax, Seaway Talk Short Sea"

• On Feb. 27, 2009, PilotOnline.com reported that, "New barge line to Richmond grows rapidly".
• On Feb. 22, 2009, the Associated Press released an article carried by several media sources including nationally by BusinessWeek and WTOP in Washington, DC, entitled, "Truck traffic revives interest in marine shipping".  Further, care of BusinessWeek on the 22nd, the Associated Press also published, "Marine highways ease truck traffic across US".
• As of Feb. 14, 2009, America shows its preference for the Marine Highway Program, denoted by the 64 Express' continuing, successful service on the James River, from Norfolk to Richmond.  The M/V Ellie J., depicted here, burns ultra low sulfur diesel fuel at a fraction what trucks would consume, reduces harmful emissions by more than 70 tons a day, and reduces highway maintenance by almost 40 million car trips annually in shifting up to 120,000 trucks off Interstate-64 by its fifth year.
• On Feb. 12, 2009, American Shipper published "4 airlines lead charge for climate deal", prompting the question whether the marine industry will go the same way.
• On Feb. 4, 2009, the Marine Highways Cooperative launched its new website including information on existing services, the benefits of being a member, how to join, and upcoming conferences it will be attending with its new booth.

• The U.S. Maritime Administration continues to work with Transport Canada and the Secretary of Communications and Transportation of Mexico for the Marine Highway in North America.  This effort is known as the Trilateral Working Group.
• According to several news sources including the Oswego County Business Magazine (Jan. 27, 2009), Congressman McHugh (NY-23), "...introduced legislation that would provide the tax incentives necessary to increase coastal and inland freight transportation, including through the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Port of Oswego."
• According to Port World (Jan. 23, 2009), short sea shipping is being considered as a way to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) in New Jersey.
• According to Gulf Shipper (Jan. 19), Seabridge started its new marine highway service from Brownsville, TX to Port Manatee, FL.
• In January 2009, Congressional Representatives McHugh (NY-23) and Cummings (MD-7) respectively introduced H.R. 528 (Jan. 14) and H.R. 638 (Jan. 22) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt users of America's Marine Highways from the Harbor Maintenance Tax.
• On Jan. 4, 2009, the AFL-CIO Maritime Trades Department reports, "Oberstar Seeks Funding for Short Sea Shipping, Title XI"
• In its January 2009 newsletter, the American Council of Engineering Companies (Tennessee Chapter) touts the importance of inland waterways. 
• The James River Barge Service started weekly container-on-barge service on Dec. 1, 2008, between the Ports of Richmond and Hampton Roads, increasing its demand 10-fold within the first three weeks of service.
• The Seattle Intelligencer also recently reported (Dec. 1, 2008) that the Marine Highways "...would ride the wave of economic benefits".

• The Navy League of the United States endorses America's Marine Highways in its publication, "Preserving Sea Power: A National Imperative (Maritime Policy 2008-9)".
• The Richmond Times Dispatch reports (Dec. 22, 2008) that "Weighty trucks go light on road-repair costs", according to a study by the Virginia Department of Transportation (Virginia Transportation Research Council at the University of Virginia).
• The Journal of Commerce reports that, "The chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee wants to give short sea shipping a $30-million jolt as part of the comprehensive economic stimulus package that Congress will consider when it convenes in January." (Oberstar proposes $30 million for short sea; Dec. 19, 2008) 
• The December 2008 edition of MarineLog, citing "The Best of 2008", reports that marine highways are one step closer, thanks to the efforts of the Department of Transportation and the Maritime Administration.  The edition also contains the U.S. Maritime Administration's discussion about "MarAd's New Marine Highway Program".
• The International Business Times recently reported (Dec. 3, 2008) that "Green Marine Highway Initiative Can Jump Start U.S. Economy".
• The James River Barge Service started weekly container-on-barge service on Dec. 1, 2008, between the Ports of Richmond and Hampton Roads, increasing its demand 10-fold within the first three weeks of service.
• The Seattle Intelligencer also recently reported (Dec. 1, 2008) that the Marine Highways "...would ride the wave of economic benefits".

• The Marine Highways Cooperative attended the 2008 IANA/NITL Expo (Nov. 16-19, 2008) in Ft. Lauderdale, educating and promoting marine highways to industry representatives.
• MarineLink reported (Nov. 13, 2008) that SeaBridge Freight has started its container-on-barge service between the Port of Brownsville, TX and Port Manatee, FL.
• The NY Times reported (Nov. 2, 2008) how local business are reinvigorating use of the Erie Canal.

• On Oct. 9, 2008, DOT announced a new service on the James River from the Port of Norfolk to the Port of Richmond will shift more than 4,000 trucks-worth of cargo off nearby Interstate-64 and onto the waterway.  
• Local ABS affiliate, WVEC, in Norfolk VA, reported (Oct. 9, 2008) that the U.S. DOT "...is establishing a network of marine highways to help move cargo across the country and cut down on roadway congestion."

• The Professional Mariner noted (Dec. 21, 2007) that President Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 "...to promote short sea shipping."
• The Christian Science Monitor reported (Dec. 13, 2007) that coastal shipping has the potential to strengthen the resilience of America's transportation system.
• Former Maritime Administrator Sean Connaughton noted on Nov. 26, 2007, "...that graduates of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and of the various state maritime institutions are in great demand."  This is based in part on the Maritime Administration's efforts for America's Marine Highways Program.  Read more...
• USA Today reported (Oct. 11, 2007) that "Waterways could be key to freeing up freeways".

For more information, please visit the America's Marine Highway Program homepage.