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means more workboats, it will also mean traffi c congestion for existing users. That said; local stakeholders are working hard to minimize that reality.

The Calcasieu channel’s LNG im- ports were a record in 2007, and then declined as the nation’s natural gas pro- duction rose, Palmer said. Once a big

LNG importer, the channel will soon be a major exporter. He explained the current piloting system. “Incoming

LNG tankers are guided by one pilot now, or two pilots for the biggest tank- ers. Our association has three boats.

One pulls alongside a tanker 30 miles out in the Gulf and guides it up the

Calcasieu channel to Lake Charles.”

If seas are choppy, a pilot might board a tanker by helicopter. “The crude tankers that we board offshore accept private helicopters,” Palmer said. “But LNG ships will not. We need additional, appropriate pilot boats for this LNG export expansion.”

To that end, Palmer added, Gladding-

Hearn Shipbuilding in Massachusetts – which just delivered a state-of-the- art multi-missioned pilot boat for the

Charleston, SC pilots – is also work- ing on a design for a new pilot vessel.

Meanwhile, “a big current and fu- ture challenge is whether Congress can provide the U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers with enough funding to keep the Calcasieu shipping channel dredged to a 40-foot depth for tank- ers,” Palmer said. The channel is 400 feet wide. But, Lake Charles will have to get in line with other deep draft ports, some clamoring for dredging funds in order to accommodate the new post-Panamax containerships.

It’s all but certain that there won’t be enough to go around.

Sabine Pass Exports Should

Start Late Next Year

The Sabine Pass LNG terminal, operated by Houston-based Cheniere MN 79www.marinelink.com

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