Page 18: of Marine News Magazine (June 2012)

INSIGHTSe M is an iedien o e deve oen o arine ia s. is ad va or  a is ased on  e va e o e  aro and is aid  e sier no oer ode o ransor aion as  o a s  a  a. Its had a definite impact. Ocean-borne containers will be handled three times and this obviously will drive up costs, especially if the same labor rates and practices are used each transfer. We need for this issue to be addressed in cooperation with labor in order for marine highways to be competitive. The larger Panama Canal vessels are coming. Virginias deepwater ports will be ready for them. Do you envision Norfolk and Hampton Roads to be a keytransshipment point for domestic containers to small-er feeder? niche ports ? like Boston, for example?Thats a possibility, particularly if the other ports on the Atlantic coasts are unable to handle the larger ships. However, we still have to overcome the higher costs asso- ciated with marine highways, such as the harbor mainte-nance fee.What advice would you give other transportation pro- fessionals contemplating shortsea initiatives? Whatcan be accomplished on the state level that might beharder from a federal perspective? At a state level, you have the opportunity to see the direct impact of marine highways in modal shifts, eco- nomic development and environmental benefits. In Virginia, our 64 Express service has taken thousands of trucks off one of our most congested interstates. If the marine highway operation is completely within a states border, the benefits are tangible and measurable. The challenge is developing successful interstate marine high- way operations. Cooperation and collaboration between states, neighboring and not, as well as metropolitan plan- ning organizations is essential. This is role for the federal government, which can see beyond jurisdictional borders. Are there any sources of federal funding available to those wanting to get started?Theres the possibility of federal highway, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) and Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) funds, as well as Maritime Administration grants. We are using some of these in Virginia for the 64 Express. 18MNJune 2012