Weekly News Summary For May 28 - June 3, 2007:
A major new study released last week demonstrates the value of using the inland waterways to transport vital cargoes. Focusing on waterways in Alabama, the study highlights the state’s waterway system as a readily available solution to quickly accommodate expected higher volumes of freight movement.
The Alabama Freight Mobility Study (AFMS) is a two-phase project to help provide shippers with a safe, affordable, reliable and efficient transportation alternative to road and rail. Phase 1, which was released May 23, was funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation. Phase 2 is expected to be finished by July 2008.
The study is being performed by Hanson Professional Services Inc., and was released by the Coalition of Alabama Waterway Associations Inc. (CAWA).
“Alabama’s waterways are an integral part of our transportation infrastructure,” said Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.,) who helped push funding for the study. “I was proud to support this study, which underscores our rivers’ potential to expand economic growth throughout our state. Not only will businesses save energy costs by transporting their products on our interior waterways, but such commerce will help to remove congestion from our highways. I am pleased to see this study used to encourage new opportunities in Alabama.”…
The Corps of Engineers has done an excellent job of allocating available funds for navigation projects on the Ouachita River, said Paul Revis, executive director of the Ouachita River Valley Association (ORVA) at its annual convention.
“But the simple truth is that more funding is needed to prevent major failures,” Revis said.
Formed in 1983 and originally called the Ouachita River Improvement Association, the navigation group promotes the development of projects that have proven to be economically sound, socially justified and enhance the general welfare in the Arkansas and Louisiana basin.
The 2007 convention and annual meeting of the Ouachita River Valley Association in West Monroe, La., “was one of our best” said John Stringer, ORVA vice president, who oversaw the arrangements.
It was a packed two-day event with activities that included discussions of navigation issues at the tow pilot level to Corps budget policies. Lock, channel and bridge maintenance issues, budget formulation, economic development, and fisheries improvement were all topics of discussion.
The over-arching theme was the coming together of many interests to improve the quality of life in the valley at the federal, state, and local levels.
Economic opportunity provided by the nation’s waterways was highlighted by Don Pierson, assistant director of the Louisiana Department of Economic Development; Jay Moon, chief executive officer of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association; and Bryan Brendle of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)…
The Corps of Engineers presented three options for closing the controversial Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet canal in eastern New Orleans to an audience in St. Bernard Parish, an area hit hard by storm-surge flooding during Hurricane Katrina almost two years ago.
The Corps’ lead recommendation is to construct an earthen dam across the waterway in the vicinity of Bayou La Loutre. This would permanently close the waterway, which is the prevailing wish of most area residents.
Greg Miller, the Corps’ project manager for coastal restoration, said a report on options should be available for Congressional review by the fall, after this year’s hurricane season.
The project team still must compile an environmental impact report, design a structure to close the waterway and award a contract to a construction company. The process, which has been fast-tracked by the Corps, should take about 170 days to construct the dam once Congress approves funding….
Maryland Marine Inc., the Houston-based subsidiary of Higman Marine, continues adding new vessels to its fleet, the latest being the Gretchen T, christened in Houston April 26. Built by Hope Services Inc. in Dulac, La., the Gretchen T is the 37th boat in the combined Higman/Maryland fleet and the 22nd Maryland boat built by Hope since 1996.
The Gretchen T. was preceded by the Bolivar Point, also built by Hope and delivered about three months prior. Higman has three more under contract with Hope, with an option for more, plus two similar-sized boats underway at Intracoastal Iron Works Inc. that will be delivered this summer and fall.
Most of the new builds are replacement vessels for towboats of lesser horsepower, made obsolete by the increased size of today’s barges.
“With the change from 20,000- and 25,000-barrel single-skins to larger-capacity double-skins, we are having to replace our 800 and 1,000 hp. boats with 1,600 and 1,800 hp. boats,” explained George Thomas, president.
The mv. Gretchen T, like the Bolivar Point, was built on the same design as last year’s Freeport and its sister vessels built by Hope. Measuring 72 by 30 feet with a draft of 10 feet, it is powered by a pair of Cummins KTA38-MO diesel engines that were furnished by Cummins Mid-South Inc. The engines are rated 900 hp. each….
The Harris Riverfront Park at Huntington, W.Va., was again the site for the second annual National Maritime Days Celebration sponsored by the Huntington District Waterways Association; the Huntington Propeller Club, the Rahall Transportation Institute; the Inland Waterways Academy at Marshall Community & Technical College; the Huntington Engineer District and the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Huntington. The event was staged May 18–20, and began with an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. the first day.
Col. Dana Robertson (U.S. Army, Ret.), director of the National Maritime Enhancement Institute of the Rahall Transportation Institute, served as the master of ceremonies and made the opening remarks, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Comments were then made by this correspondent as president of the Huntington District Waterways Association; Col. Dana Hurst, commander of the Huntington Engineer District; and Cmdr. Kevin Kiefer, commanding officer of MSU Huntington. Robertson then introduced West Virginia State Sen. Robert H. Plymale, director of the Rahall Transportation Institute, who presented Maritime Achievement Awards to four individuals on behalf of U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-W.Va.). The awards were presented to Capts. Omer Coleman, David Reed, Bruce Darst and John Whitely.
Following the opening ceremony, the industry exhibit was opened to the public. The Corps’ service barge from Winfield Locks and Dam on the Kanawha River served as the centerpiece and exhibit platform. Several Corps exhibits were displayed, including a working model of the Winfield locks, and detailed descriptions of the Marmet Locks replacement project and the authorized Greenup Lock extension project. The Huntington District dive team had a very interesting display featuring current and antique diving equipment. The Rahall Transportation Institute had a booth manned with individuals passing out information about intermodal transportation in the area, and the Huntington District Waterways Association, Inland Waterways Academy and the Kanawha River Power Squadron had displays. Marathon Petroleum had a large display detailing that company’s marine division….
The Waterways Journal encourages letters to the editor.
Have something on your mind?
Send letters to: jshoulberg@waterwaysjournal.net.
(Please indicate whether or not your letter is intended for publication.)
