Page 33: of Marine News Magazine (January 2022)

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Dredging

McGuire said that “indications are that the funding clamshells, scows, cutters – are coming into service, the stream will continue at a record pace for several years. This result of capital reinvestment programs that started ? ve to additional funding commitment gives us the con? dence to seven years ago among many companies, not just one or invest in equipment for future projects and expanded work.” two. Timely and consistent Congressional funding is also

Callan will add two new vessels in 2022: the 422-foot attracting new players, ensuring that a Jones Act compliant long Admiral Nimitz, a trailer suction hopper dredge, the ? eet can meet demand. Third, recent federal policy chang- largest in the U.S., according to Callan and a new cutter es pertaining to streamlining and permitting will facilitate suction dredge named the General Marshall. and complement the momentum from more money and

William Hanson is Senior VP, Government Relations/ new equipment. Taken together, these three factors por-

Market Development, with Great Lakes Dredge and Dock tend big impacts on America’s ports and waterways.

Company LLC, based in Houston. GLDD provides a With dredging, many parts have to align before any broad range of dredging services, from ports and harbors work in the water actually starts. One California dredging work to restoration projects, nationally and internationally. exec commented that “we are sometimes at the dumb end

Hanson commented that “the IIJA is a long overdue in- of the stick, starting work after a whole lot of preparatory vestment in U.S. infrastructure that provides signi? cant steps have already been completed.” It’s not unusual that funding for a broad range of infrastructure projects many of preparatory work – getting a land-side disposal permit, for which involve dredging.” He called expanded funding “good example, or waiting for a bene? cial use partner to secure news.” He added that “the next challenge will be working funding – can take longer than the actual dredging.

with the Corps to identify their project list and get the proj- Now, looking ahead, more funding means that to the ects in the marketplace and completed. We at GLDD are extent that budgets caused delays, that will start to change, among the many U.S. companies who have added signi? - for the better. Project timetables should quicken. Work cant dredge capacity in recent years and have more dredges among stakeholders will progress more predictably as already under construction. So, this work is much needed.” schedules shift from wobbly to dependable.

For industry observers the notion of timing deserves Bene? cial use (BU) is an example of a component likely closer focus. The sense is that three important and bene? - to bene? t from expanded funding. With dredging, BU is a cial forces are in con? uence. Consider: ? rst, the expanded holy grail kind of concept – the notion that dredged mate- funding. Second, the money is becoming available just rial can have a higher value than just waste. (BU is impor- when new dredging vessels – trailing suction hoppers, tant to Congress, too. WRDA 2020 requires 35 BU dem- www.marinelink.com MN 33|