Page 35: of Marine News Magazine (June 2012)

Rochford said our major interest is channel-depth projects now, and we're lining up federal and state funds.? In April, the U.S. House Subcommittee on Energy and Water approved $29.45 million, which was most of the $31 million requested by President Obama, to deepen the Delaware Rivers main shipping chan- nel to 45 feet. In February, $16.9 mil- lion was included in the Army Corps'fiscal 2012 budget for expanding theDelaware's channel from 40 feet to 45 feet.That funding is needed for initia-tives in the works, including the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority's Southport complex; a new port at Paulsboro, NJ; and the proposed expansion of the Port of Wilmington, Del. Meanwhile, the Delaware River port complex is big business, contributing $6 billion tothe regional economy and providing 75,000 jobs. Rochford said federal funding sends a message to the globalcommunity that Delaware River ports are competitive and able to do business in a post-Panamax ship world.? Post-Panamax ships, which include the biggest container ships, have been too large for the Panama Canal. But the canal will accommo- date those vessels when its widening and deepening is complete in 2014.INDUSTRY WANTS THERAMP ACTPASSEDIn late May, Nekvasil said we, along with so many others, are push- ing legislation that will require the HMTF to spend what it takes in eachyear. House and Senate conferees on the Transportation Reauthorization bill are being encouraged to include RAMP Act provisions and to require that funds in the HMTF be used fordredging and port projects and are not raided for other uses.? The RAMP Act was introduced by U.S. Congressman Charles Boustany of Louisiana in January 2011. RAMP is short for Realizing America's Maritime Promise. The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, authorized by the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, levies an ad valorem tax on channel users to pay for operations and main-tenance on commercial waterways. The 0.125% tax on the declared value of imported commercial cargo and on passenger vessel tickets is collected by the U.S. Customs Service for the Army Corps. Rochford noted that of www.marinelink.com MN35New Orleans(504) 780-8100 ? Fax (504) 780-8200 Norfolk(757) 545-0100 ? Fax (757) 545-8004 Houston(281) 452-5887 ? Fax (281) 452-9682 www.mcdonoughmarine.comwww.mcdonoughmarine.comLARGEST RENTAL FLEET OF SPUD, DECK AND MATERIAL BARGESBARGES 60 TO 400 LENGTHBARGES 60 TO 400 LENGTH? 16 Fleeting locations inland rivers, Gulf, East and West Coast ? Inland and Ocean towing services LARGEST RENTAL FLEET OF SPUD, DECK AND MATERIAL BARGES