America's waterways, poised to deliver the goods

For too long, America has overlooked the economic and environmental benefits of moving freight over our waterways and through our domestic seaports.

Well, this DOT is changing all that with our new initiative to build a marine highway system.

Hybrid tug Carolyn Dorothy, "the Ford Escape of tugboats," works the Port of Long Beach, CA, quietly, cleanly, and powerfully.

While our roadways get more and more congested, we are sitting on vast unused transportation capacity that is ready for action. Investing in effective new ways to move goods will help us achieve outcomes whose benefits extend beyond just mobility--like stimulating growth, advancing sustainability, and reducing congestion on our roadways.

Using our waterways more effectively is one way to reach those outcomes.

Under the “America’s Marine Highway” program, the Department’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) will help identify rivers and coastal routes that could be used to carry cargo efficiently, bypassing congested roads around busy ports, reducing greenhouse gases, and creating jobs for mariners and shipbuilders.

Click on the map for an interactive tour of MARAD-designated corridors and projects

Here's how it works. Regional transportation officials can apply to have specific corridors or individual projects designated as marine highways if they meet DOT criteria. Once designated, these projects will receive preferential treatment for future federal assistance from the department or MARAD.

This new program began with a 2007 law requiring DOT to establish a short sea transportation program and designate short sea transportation projects to mitigate surface congestion. And I'm pleased that President Obama has pressed us to pursue this course in earnest.

We began earlier this year with $58 million in marine highways grants through our TIGER Recovery Act program. Later this summer, we'll add $7 million in MARAD grants. And Congress has authorized another $600 million this fiscal year to continue our TIGER program, so that will allow more good marine highways projects to compete for funding.

From Rhode Island to the Mississippi River to California, America's waterways are poised to deliver the goods. And DOT is ready to work with states, regions, ports, and shippers to help make that happen.

Comments

[lemsi]

Good for USA, nice info

[Jeff Schultz]

Waterways are a tremendous transportation asset. However, why does the Federal Government provide such a significant operating subsidy for Lock and dam operations? Shouldn't barge operators pay for all their operating costs like railroads do?

[Michael E. Bailey]

The Merchant Marine is part of an integrated transportation system that includes the railroads and the ports as the interchange points. For years, we have let the Merchant Marine coastal fleet die while roads got more and more congested with more and more diesel engined trucks. So this change will be great for the environment and great for moving more freight sooner. It will be good for merchant seamen, shipyard workers, and long shoremen. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[Ron Popham, Asst. VP, Port of San Diego]

Please note that the Port of San Diego has a direct water bi-weekly service with three ports in Hawaii with Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines (PHTL). The service on the PCTC "Jean Anne" is a RO-RO service carrying autos, over high and wide cargo, and military cargo. I hope that you can incorporate this information into your America's Marine Highway Map.

[Chuck Dillerud]

Ethanol and biodiesel (whether produced from food grains or other sources) will likely continue make up a portion of the US strategy to become more energy independent. Most ethanol and biodiesel is today produced in the US Upper Midwest. Recognition and support of the Mississippi River and its navigable tributaries as "Marine Highways" is critical to attaining that energy independence at a reasonable cost. Neither the pipelines not the railroads can do it all.

[bowsprite]

thank you very much for your work!
one idea here for NYHarbor: http://bowsprite.wordpress.com/2010/04/18/short-sea-shipping-in-nyharbor/

is there anything we can do?

[Surchi]

America has overlooked the economic and environmental benefits of moving freight over our waterways and through our domestic seaports.Thanks for sharing information.
International vehicle Shipping

[Floryn]

Congress has authorized another $600 million this fiscal year to continue our TIGER program ?????
600million $ :O

[Dominic Senti]

The “America’s Marine Highway” program, the Department’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) will help identify rivers and coastal routes that could be used to carry cargo efficiently.

You would think that as musch attention might be given the those of us in the fishing industry!

[Dominic Senti]

Perhaps the government can spen some time helping those of us in the fishing industry. This way the American waterways, can as they say, "deliver the goods".

["Cheap boating equipment fan"]

There really is something comforting and calming about being on the water. I wouldn't mind "de-congesting" our roadways more. Dominic I'm there with you 100%.

[wordpress themes]

reducing the congestion on roads will not just get you "there" fast but will also help saving fuel... earth is already running out of gas so lets save it guys... also, waterways are cheaper means of trasportation than airways although slower but definitely a better alternative....