Page 8: of Marine News Magazine (February 2016)

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BY THE NUMBERS

The U.S. Waterway System – and Dredging

In the fascinating, yet somewhat obscure world of IADC says that seaborne trade accounts for the bulk dredging, there are two “go to” sources for data related to of world trade, hence the expansion and building of new this marine discipline. In the United States, the U.S. Army ports cannot be underestimated. The Panama Canal

Corps of Engineers (USACE) maintain a commendable list Expansion will double the waterway’s capacity. Existing of statistics related to domestic markets. For international locks allow passage of 5,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit numbers, the clear choice for information comes from the (TEU) vessels. After the expansion, vessels will be able

International Association of Dredging companies’ (IADC) to transit the Canal with up to 13,000 TEUs. Separately, annual report, entitled, “Dredging in Figures.” Although Containerships are also getting larger. In 2014, boxships the latter source focuses on the global dredging and mari- with over 19,000 TEU capacities were added to global time construction industry in the previous calendar year ? eets. All of this requires dredging, which in 2014 pro- (both USACE and IADC ? gure typically lag at least one duced a global total turnover of dredging contractors, pri- year), the perspective of what goes on across the pond can vate and state- or port-owned companies in open markets be useful here at home, as well. Interestingly, while IADC of €6.415 billion, an increase of 0.7% compared to 2013 is a treasure trove of data, it also espouses four sacred te- turnover. IADC notes that the share of markets closed to nets of the dredging; namely Corporate Social Responsibility, international players is substantial, with China leading

Sustainability, Emissions Control and Safety. These efforts followed by the US. Only a few Chinese projects are open extend to such things as dredging company attention to for international tenders. The US market remains closed in-house safety programs, employee education, the use to foreign competition by the Jones Act.

of biodegradable lubricants, reducing carbon emissions Closer to home, the U.S. inland system of waterways and recycling policies for controlled and monitored ship depends on the USACE to not only dredge, but also to dismantling – just to name a few. IADC also asks: What maintain a vast labyrinth of locks, chambers and dams.

Drives Dredging? In fact, there are six drivers that account Waterways are operated by the Corps as multi-purpose, for the vast majority of global dredging: multi-objective projects. They not only serve commercial navigation, but in many cases also provide hydropower, world tradecoastal protectionwater-related tourism ? ood protection, municipal water supply, agricultural ir- population growing demands the environment rigation, recreation, and regional development.

growth for energy

Annual Domestic Waterborne Traf? c

Distribution at a glance … (source: USACE)

Domestic Traf? cCoastalGreat LakesInlandTotal

Short tons (millions) 172.087.9 599.4 937.1

Ton-miles (billions) 172.549.5 281.3 504.6

Average Haul (miles) 1,002.9 563.3469.3538.4

February 2016

MN 8

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