Page 32: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 2017)

U.S. Navy Quarterly

Read this page in Pdf, Flash or Html5 edition of June 2017 Maritime Reporter Magazine

world yearbook 2017

U.S.A. DREDGING

DIGGING DEEP FOR A “WIIN”

BY BARRY PARKER n the waning days of 2016, the out- President at Great Lakes Dredge and ital Dredging” segment bene? ted from management will help make projects look brightened dramatically for Dock, the largest dredging contractor in work done at Savannah, where it partici- more sustainable.” In Charleston, for ex- the big U.S. dredging contractors. the States,) explained to MLPro, “WIIN pated in the ? rst portion of deepening a ample, where GLDD has a long history

IJust before Congress dispersed for allows projects to become eligible for 40 mile channel that reaches inland to of work, the WIIN authorization sets the the Holidays, then-President Obama funding. We look to WRDA bills to set the Garden City container terminal. Its stage for dredging to 52 feet. signed a pivotal piece of legislation – the the stage for future projects, but to the work on the Delaware River – a multi- WIIN also provides more certainty of

Water Infrastructure Improvements for appropriations budget for immediate phase project where the waterway will funding maintenance of existing chan- the Nation (WIIN) Act, S612. Key as- work.” Sounding an optimistic note, be deepened from 40 feet to 45 feet – nels. Washington, D.C.-based K&L pects of the bill: Hanson added: “Fortunately, Congress was also cited as a positive for GLDD’s Gates explained to clients that the new • Authorized needed investment in has done a terri? c job of improving business. For that work, GLDD used its law ensures that the amount of harbor

America’s ports, channels, locks, dams, funding for Corps of Engineers in recent cutter suction dredges Illinois and Flor- tax revenues dedicated to the Harbor and other infrastructure that supports the years and so we hope to see a continua- ida for deepening, and its Apache for Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) will maritime and waterways transportation tion of that trend in 2017.” late-stage blasting work. GLDD stayed be at least 3 percent higher than the pre- system and provides ? ood protection. Hanson said “We would prefer to see busy, also working at Cheniere’s Corpus vious year’s allotment, and 100 percent • Authorized U.S. Army Corps of Congress pass a budget though rather Christi LNG export project and in Loui- of the tax is dedicated to the HMTF in

Engineers (USACE) Chief’s Reports than short term CR’s, since working siana, conducting restoration work at 2025.” Echoing that optimism, Hanson received since previous legislation on short term extensions hampers the Southwest Pass. from GLDD noted hopefully, “HMTF (WRRDA 2014); Chief’s Reports are Corps’ ability to manage its dredging WIIN promises even more business, as language will assure that funding for the ? nal recommendations to Congress program.” ports will now see their plans for harbor maintenance dredging will continue to by the Corps’ Chief of Engineers for wa- Separately, John Witte, Jr., an execu- deepening realized. In an early Decem- increase toward full utilization and an ter resources infrastructure investment. tive at U.S. dredger Donjon, said, “With ber conference call, just prior to ? nal agreement that the Federal government (These infrastructure improvements the need to continually maintain access approval of WIIN in Congress, Ameri- will pay for maintaining authorized have been proposed at the local level, to our Port’s and water accessible facili- can Association of Port Authorities channels to 50’ helps more ports ratio- in cooperation and consultation with the ties as well as deepening to keep up with (AAPA) President and CEO Kurt Na- nalize expanding their channels.”

Corps, and have national economic and the larger and more cost effective ship- gle, explained that the allowable harbor environmental bene? ts). ping, we are optimistic that with the sup- dredging depth would be increased to 50 Beyond Washington • Accelerated and broadens reforms port of the Federal Government in the feet (from the present 45 feet) on har- Mother Nature also creates demand for infrastructure project permit process- form of funding, 2017 will provide for bor deepening projects, which become for beach renourishment, where a beach ing, and the opportunities the Dredging Industry eligible for a 75% federal contribution. that’s seen erosion or damage from • Cut red tape by requiring timely ap- needs to stay engaged with an oppor- GLDD’s Hanson added, “WIIN autho- a hurricane is replenished with sand provals for non-federal modi? cations to tunity for success.” About WIIN, Witte rizes projects within certain parameters, pumped from an area near the coastline.

Corps of Engineers projects. added, “Obviously this will only provide ? nal engineering and environmental ap- Weeks Marine, another major U.S. con-

The harbor deepening authorized by industry players with an opportunity, the provals are still necessary before they get tractor, recently completed a ? ve month

WIIN includes marquee projects at Port rest would be up to the individual Dredg- funded. We generally pay most attention replenishment project along seven miles

Everglades (with a Federal contribu- ing Contracts to earn the Success thru to projects obviously involving dredg- of beachfront at Hilton Head Island, SC, tion of $229.8 million) and Charleston, Bidding and performance.” ing, including port expansion and coastal not far from the landfall of Hurricane

SC (with $231.2 million Federal cost). projects. WIIN like most WRDA’s also Matthew in October 2016. The shoreline

Hence, for the domestic dredging indus- Domestic Dredging Heats Up includes policy changes that will have was ? lled in with roughly 2.2 million cu- try, and the blue water ports they serve, The regulatory ? lings of GLDD pro- a positive impact on our business. In- bic yards of sand, piped in from a shoal the bill was good news indeed. William vide insight into the ebbs and ? ows of creased emphasis on bene? cial use of four miles offshore by the Weeks-owned

Hanson, Washington, DC-based Vice the domestic business. In 2016, its “Cap- dredged material and regional sediment CR McCaskill (a 17,400 Thp cutter suc- 32 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • JUNE 2017

MR #6 (26-33).indd 32 MR #6 (26-33).indd 32 6/9/2017 9:39:54 AM6/9/2017 9:39:54 AM

Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.