WJ Talk: Infrastructure, Hurricane Preparedness And Waterway Reliability: A Q&A With Paul Dittman, Head Of GICA  

Waterways Journal: Can you tell us a bit more about GICA (the Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association) for those who might not know what it is?

Paul Dittman: The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) remains one of the nation’s most important freight corridors, but maintaining its reliability will require continued investment in infrastructure, hurricane preparedness and coordination among industry and government agencies.
The 121-year-old trade association represents maritime interests along the GIWW from St. Marks, Fla., to Brownsville, Texas. The waterway stretches more than 1,200 miles and serves as one of the busiest commercial waterways in the United States, supporting the movement of petrochemicals and other high-value cargoes while connecting directly with the Mississippi River system. 

WJ: What items and topics are on the agenda at GICA’s upcoming annual meeting in New Orleans (August 5-7 at the Westin Hotel)?

PD: The annual meeting will bring together representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ports, industry and regulatory agencies to discuss issues ranging from environmental stewardship and workforce development to navigation safety and channel maintenance.
The event also provides GICA members direct access to Coast Guard leadership, Corps officials and port captains responsible for maritime safety and navigation along the Gulf Coast. One of GICA’s primary roles is serving as a central point of coordination among government agencies and private industry.
I had nearly three decades of Coast Guard experience before joining GICA in 2021, and that experience helps GICA members maintain situational awareness across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and communicates operational concerns among industry, the Corps of Engineers, the Coast Guard and state agencies. 

WJ: How have traffic patterns on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway changed since you took the helm in 2021? 

PD:  Traffic patterns have evolved in recent years. Project cargo movements (i.e., movements of heavy pieces of equipment) have increased as ports expand in locations including Lake Charles, La., the Harlingen area of Texas and Plaquemines Parish, La. Because of the specialized cargoes moving through the system, even short disruptions can create immediate supply chain impacts. 

WJ: What about progress on the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock (IHNCL) in New Orleans? Isn’t that a chokepoint?

PD: Yes, one of GICA’s continuing priorities remains replacement of the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock in New Orleans. The lock is critical because it provides the only direct connection between the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and the Mississippi River for vessels transiting through the New Orleans area. GICA continues working with the New Orleans District of the Corps of Engineers, the Mississippi Valley Division and industry partners to advance the replacement project. 

WJ: How has dredging been along the GIWW?
PD: While dredging remains a constant requirement throughout the waterway, I have not seen recent funding shortages affecting maintenance dredging, particularly in Texas. 

WJ: What are GICA’s highest priorities?
PD: Hurricane preparedness remains one of the association’s highest priorities. GICA works closely with the Coast Guard and Corps of Engineers through a Joint Hurricane Protocol originally developed after Hurricane Katrina (in 2005). It’s a living document that is updated annually to incorporate lessons learned from each storm and has been used during major events, including Hurricane Ida and Hurricane Francine. The protocol coordinates waterway closures, post-storm assessments and reopening procedures, while providing industry with a common operational framework. 

WJ: How much behind-the-scenes work goes into a document like that? I don’t think the general public is aware of how much work by hundreds and thousands of people goes into these efforts to keep waterways cargo moving smoothly.  

PD: I couldn’t agree with you more, David!

WJ: What about aging infrastructure?
PD:  It’s one of the greatest long-term challenges facing the waterway. Facilities such as the Bayou Sorrel Lock, older movable bridges and the Brazos River Floodgates were built decades ago for traffic volumes and vessel sizes that differ significantly from today’s demands.
There has also been continued waterfront development in areas such as Alabama and Florida, where expanding marinas and recreational boating activity could eventually create navigation conflicts with commercial traffic. It’s almost “death by a thousand cuts” as rec boat traffic increases in areas where commercial vessels also travel.

WJ: Looking ahead five, 10 or 20 years, where do you see the GIWW going?
PD: I expect the GIWW to become even more important as highway and rail congestion increases nationwide. Continued investment in locks, bridges and navigation infrastructure will be essential to maintaining the system’s reliability and supporting future economic growth. 

WJ: Thank you for your service at GICA, and also with the Coast Guard, sir!