This week, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced an additional $14.8 million in funding for America's Marine Highway Program (AMHP), bringing funding to a total of $39.8 million. In March, MARAD had announced almost $25 million in grant funding for the AMHP via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL, also called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, or IIJA). This $14.8 million in additional funding comes from the FY 2022 Appropriations Act. The application deadline is extended to June 17, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. PT. In order to qualify for a grant, a project must have previous designation as a Marine Highway Project by the Secretary of Transportation. Descriptions of current projects are here.
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Congress authorized an annual $750 million for Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) spending, but in FY 2022, Congress appropriated only $234 million. This amount is separate from the $450 million the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) will provide to PIDP each year through 2026. This year, Congressional Ports Caucus Co-Chairs, Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) and Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX) authored a "Dear Colleague" letter to House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Chair David Price (D-NC) and Ranking Member Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL) requesting PIDP receive a $750 million appropriation in FY 2023. AAPA encouraged corporate members to share the letter with local representatives and sent a final reminder ahead of this week's April 27 deadline. As a decision is underway, AAPA is continuing to surveil movement on this funding authorization.
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Chris Bhatt, chief commercial officer of transportation and logistics at Aon, is scheduled to host a session on global risk in the supply chain at AAPA’s upcoming Shifting Trade Seminar. Often working with maritime and transport organizations from around the globe, Bhatt ensures industry leaders understand the risks inherently associated with their business operations. He has spent more than 30 years in the industry and possesses a wealth of leadership experience. The AAPA Shifting Trade Seminar will be held in Tampa, Fla., on June 15-16. This event will be focused on the worldwide trade lanes, global trade predictions and important economic trends affecting the maritime industry. The seminar will also feature global carriers, supply chain partners, beneficial cargo owners and port representatives on key themes such as global decarbonization, big picture economic forecasts, and alternative fuels and energies. Access the draft agenda, hotel information and register for Shifting Trade here.
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In the past two years, the United States has learned the issues facing seaports are some of the same issues with which the entire country is grappling. As key players in the supply chain, representatives of the maritime industry are now regularly getting a “seat at the table” with federal policymakers.
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In collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Foreign Trade Zone Board, the Port of Vancouver USA has activated Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) #296. One of the port’s wind energy customers will be the first to utilize the newly activated FTZ, which is an important economic development tool that the port can utilize to help local companies and surrounding communities grow. FTZs offer a temporary duty-free zone to customers who are importing or manufacturing products from globally sourced materials.
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The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) announced the new Northwest Connect project, an effort by NWSA and the Port of Alaska, has been added to America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP) by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration. Northwest Connect’s designation provides new opportunities for federal funding for ports and port customers in Alaska, Washington and Hawaii.
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The Virginia Port Authority’s CEO and Executive Director Stephen A. Edwards delivered his 2022 State of the Port address to an audience of more than 450 during a luncheon event last week. In his remarks, Edwards shared, “Our port is strong and through a new round of investments we are positioning this world-class gateway for the future so we can continue to drive cargo growth, economic investment and job creation throughout Virginia for the next generation.”
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Port of Oakland’s new, temporary container yard is getting federal help in the form of financial relief for its customers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing agricultural and other exporters assistance in covering expenses for using the pop-up yard, which opened last month as part of the Administration’s larger program to relieve port congestion.
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The Port of Stockton is celebrating a record-breaking year and other successes in 2021. The port handled 294 vessel calls and 4.9 million metric tons of cargo, which is an increase of more than 187% since 2010. The port supports more than 10,000 jobs in the San Joaquin County area and generates $77.7 million annually in state and local taxes.
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Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Camden, NJ; South Jersey Port Corporation Vice President of Real Estate, Tampa, FL; Tampa Port Authority Chief Operating Officer, Longview, WA; Port of Longview Port Manager, Sabine Pass TX ; Sabine Pass Port Authority Director of Navigation Policy and Legislation, Washington, DC; American Association of Port Authorities Human Resources and Equity Specialist (Part-time 75%), Seattle, WA; University of Washington
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