MarAd Study Reports $9.8 Billion Needed To Expand U.S. Ports

A new study by the Maritime Administration e s t i m a t e s that c o n s t r u c t i o n c o s t s to increase deepwater cargo-handling facilities at American ports will exceed $5 billion in this decade.

Growth of the nation's waterborne commerce, the report says, will require construction of nearly 250 new marine terminal berths by 1990.

The report, "National Port Assessment 1980/1990," also projects the need for nearly 500 new or upgraded riverport facilities in 17 mid-America states at an estimated cost of $4.8 billion.

The assessment discusses the 10-year requirements of seaport and riverport terminals by comparing their current cargo-handling capacity with projections for the end of this decade. Terminal Terminal requirements by major coastal regions also are included.

Some 45 percent of the estimated deepwater requirements is expected to consist of container terminal facilities; about 25 percent of dry-bulk cargo berths; about 19 percent of liquid-bulk facilities; and 11 percent of breakbulk handling facilities.

Most of the U.S. riverport industry is located from the Central Gulf Coast north through the Ohio River basin. This regional system comprises nearly 1,200 water terminals providing more than 1,800 barge berthing facilities serving 26 rivers and waterways.

The study also discusses the distribution of existing port facilities by state and size, and identifies typical marine terminal construction and operating costs.

Two national and 13 regional maps are included, showing major ports and waterways.

Copies of the 127-page report are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. The order number is 003-007-0010.

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 43, Sep 1980

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