Page 24: of Marine Technology Magazine (May 2017)

Port Insights dressing the myriad needs of our marine transportation system

Scenario 1—Winners Keep Winning beyond mere channel dredging. Harbor berths, for example, The HMTF is primarily used as an appropriations offset for need to be deep enough for the water level at every stage of UKC management to continue funding U.S. Army Corps of the tidal cycle to accommodate the loading of ships. However, Engineers dredging operations. These funds will enable the if ports and their stakeholders continue to look at these issues continuation of building capacity for Neopanamax freight only from a local or regional context, they miss the opportu- traf? c as well as deepening berths alongside in the major nity to address the greater challenge of national port resiliency ports. Continued HMT and cost-share revenue will provide within the HMT funding structure. suf? cient funding under WIIN to complete the projects. For

Three scenarios, all assuming the fully funded Harbor Main- the ports that cannot create the perceived need for these in- tenance Trust Fund (HMTF) is still in use by 2020, highlight vestments, no substantive change will occur, and larger traf? c the need to look at ports as a uni? ed structure for national is going to pass them by. Not only that, but the ability to create economic security. short sea shipping routes from the “winner ports” to the lesser ports will be impacted by both the cost of protectionism of

Image: NOAA

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