USTDA Sector Brief - Transportation

Recognizing that trade is an essential catalyst for development, the establishment of modern, efficient and secure transportation infrastructure is essential for economic growth. Many USTDA activities in the transportation sector support the development of closer commercial relations under U.S. trade agreements and the adoption of international security standards. In carrying out its mission, USTDA funds various forms of technical assistance, early investment analysis, training, reverse trade missions and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment.

In fiscal year 2008, USTDA funded 45 transportation-related activities. Below is an illustrative list of USTDA-supported projects in this sector:

East Asia

U.S.-China Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP) – A public-private partnership linking USTDA, the Federal Aviation Administration, China's Civil Aviation Administration, and U.S. aviation companies, the ACP is a multi-faceted program to promote technical, policy and commercial cooperation between the U.S. and Chinese aviation sectors. The ACP has promoted a high-level dialogue between the U.S. and Chinese governments in aviation policy and is increasing awareness of U.S. technology, product standards, and services to assist China in the development of aviation.

Shanghai Model Port Customs IT – USTDA provided $186,800 to the Shanghai Customs Authority for training related to the information technology upgrades at the Port of Shanghai. The training assisted the authority in enhancing the overall efficiency of the port, with an emphasis on the growing market for express shipping services into China.

U.S.-China Aviation Summit – USTDA is sponsoring a two-day conference in Beijing in April 2009 to focus on air traffic management and safety, air traffic control capacity and efficiency, general aviation, air navigation and communications systems, air cargo infrastructure and airport development. The event will include up to 250 attendees, including senior government officials from the United States and China, as well as U.S. aviation industry representatives.

Railway Intermodal Container Transport Development – USTDA provided a $679,550 grant to review China's approach to the intermodal container business, recommend options to improve the service, and develop a plan to increase intermodal rail transport business.

Europe and Eurasia

Latvia Integrated Master Port Security Plan – USTDA is providing $390,740 to the Ministry of Transport for technical assistance in developing an integrated master port security plan for the ports of Riga, Ventspils, and Liepaja. The assistance will re-engineer the security processes at each port to provide a layered comprehensive security system. Sullivan Cove Consultants of Baltimore, MD, is providing the assistance.

Regional Euro 2012 Infrastructure – USTDA sponsored an reverse trade mission to the United States for Polish and Ukraniann aviation officials to the U.S. to familiarize them with modern airport technologies and design and management practices in advance of the 2012 European Football Championships. The Louis Berger Group of Morristown, NJ, organized the visit.

Russia Krasnoyarsk Airport Hub – USTDA is providing $513,800 Krasnoyarsk Airlines for technical assistance on the modernization and expansion of Krasnoyarsk Airport into a multimodal transportation hub. The assistance will prioritize the project’s various components and develop the project to international standards. Simat, Helliesen and Eichner, Inc. of Cambridge, MA, is providing the assistance.

Ukraine Bila Tserkva Cargo Hub Airport – USTDA is providing $238,843 to the Bila Tserkva City Council to partially fund a study on the proposed rehabilitation of the Bila Tserkva airport and construction of cargo facilities to transform the airport into an air cargo hub. The proposed rehabilitation project includes a runway extension; air traffic control upgrades; the construction of an air cargo terminal, fire station and industrial park; and the installation of airport security systems. Solid Team, LLC of Claremont, CA, is conducting the study.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Brazil Belo Horizonte Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) – USTDA provided $294,000 to assist the Belo Horizonte Traffic and Transportation Company (BHTRANS) in the development of an ITS action plan that includes specific standards to apply to future ITS applications.

Chile Balmaceda Airport Modernization Master Plan – USTDA provided a $351,200 grant to the National Airports Directorate in Chile. The study will support the development of a Master Plan that will guide the modernization and growth of the Balmaceda Airport in order to accommodate existing and future transportation demand in the region.

Mexico SCT Multimodal National Plan – USTDA provided a $1,323,900 grant to assist Mexico's Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes in the development and deployment of a comprehensive national plan for modernizing Mexico's multimodal trade transportation infrastructure. The project supports the infrastructure development objectives of the Security and Prosperity Partnership. Wilbur Smith Associates of Atlanta, GA, is conducting the study.

Panama Port and Maritime Sector Monitoring and Control Center – USTDA provided a $331,341 grant to assist the Panama Maritime Authority (Autoridad Maritima de Panama, AMP) in developing a Maritime Sector Monitoring and Control Center that will help monitor and control Panama's maritime sector, including the administration of the Panamanian-registered fleet, national and international fishing fleets, ports, safety, security, and environmental management.

Middle East and North Africa

Egypt Railway Traffic Management System – USTDA is providing $755,310 to the Egyptian Ministry of Transport to assist in developing a Railway Traffic Management System for the Egyptian National Railways (ENR) that will include the creation of an independent railway safety oversight and enforcement authority.

Egypt Air Maintenance & Engineering (M&E) Information and Communcations Technology (ICT) Modernization – USTDA is providing $642,577 to EgyptAir M&E to fund technical assistance in upgrading the company’s ICT infrastructure. The grant supports Egypt M&E’s plans to transform its operations into a modern system that can provide state-of-the-art service to both EgyptAir and other international carrier customers.

Jordan National Freight Information and Transportation Hub (NAFITH) – USTDA is funding a $600,000 NAFITH pilot and study for the Jordanian Ministry of Transport. NAFITH is a country-wide freight information transportation system that supports Jordan’s efforts to promote trade efficiency, security and global competitiveness through market reforms. FreightDesk Technologies, Inc. is performing the study.

Morocco Air Transport System Improvement Plan – A $605,584 grant to the Office National des Aéroports of Morocco is supporting the expansion and modernization of four major Moroccan airports. The project will further efforts to develop Morocco’s tourist sector, which is vital to promoting economic growth. Squire, Sanders and Dempsey is providing the technical assistance.

South and Southeast Asia

Indonesia Weh Island Transshipment Port – USTDA provided $512,950 to Sabang Free Tree Zone and Free Port Authority for investment analysis on a transshipment port facility on Weh Island in Indonesia. This proposed terminal, which would be located on the outskirts of the Strait of Malacca in northern Sumatra’s Aceh Province, would provide shippers, including both oil tankers and container ships, with a strategic location to transfer cargo to smaller, regional vessels serving local markets throughout South and Southeast Asia.

Thailand Smart Corridor to Suvarnabhumi Airport – A $537,000 grant was awarded to the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) to improve transportation access to the new Suvarnabhumi Airport. The project will enhance mobility, safety and efficiency in an environment of growing traffic by utilizing intelligent transportation systems that contribute to the improvement of public transportation. Wilbur Smith Associates was selected to perform the study.

U.S.-India ACP – The ACP—a public-private partnership between USTDA, the FAA and U.S. aviation companies, and Indian civil aviation agencies—identifies and supports India’s civil aviation sector modernization priorities. Under the ACP, USTDA is funding programs in air traffic management training, traffic flow and management, aviation technical standards and pilot training.

Vietnam Aviation Safety – USTDA has provided over $1 million in technical assistance to upgrade Vietnam’s air safety regulatory system to comply with the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment program. The assistance is cost-shared with U.S. industry and the Government of Vietnam.

Sub-Saharan Africa

African Trade Lanes Partnership – USTDA launched a two-year, $4 million initiative in April 2008 to promote the development of sub-Saharan Africa’s trade lanes and transportation networks to facilitate local, regional and global trade. The initiative is designed to promote regional cooperation and connectivity in all modes of transportation, including aviation, maritime, land, and rail. As an initial activity under the initiative, USTDA awarded a $725,050 grant to the Zambian Ministry of Communications and Transport to develop a master plan for Lusaka, Livingstone, Ndola and Mfuwe airports.

UEMOA Agency for Aviation Safety and Security – A $353,000 grant will be used to analyze and make recommendations on the establishment of a regional aviation safety and security regulatory agency. The new agency is part of UEMOA’s overall COSCAP project, which involves numerous entities such as the International Civil Aviation Authority, the FAA, and the World Bank. Robinson Aviation, Inc. was selected to perform the technical assistance.

Ghana Ports of Tema and Takoradi Master Plans – This $698,150 USTDA-sponsored study will provide the Government of Ghana with updated and expanded Master Plans for the Ports of Tema and Takoradi. The port developments will serve multiple purposes, such as streamlining operations, managing increased container traffic, and facilitating the export and import of bulk goods. The contractor is being chosen competitively.

Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Air Traffic Management (ATM) – This regional technical assistance program, segmented into two phases, will develop a regional approach to CNS/ATM for COMESA member countries. USTDA has provided a $294,900 grant for Phase I. This study complements USTDA’s efforts to strengthen aviation safety and efficiency in the region. DORS, Inc. is providing the technical assistance.