We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • Parcel Forum 2022
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • Parcel Forum 2022
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
Home » ports decry lack of federal funding
newsworthy

ports decry lack of federal funding

March 1, 2005
DC Velocity Staff
No Comments

In what's beginning to seem as predictable as the tides, the nation's ports are in an uproar about the funding allotted to them in the upcoming year's federal budget. No sooner had President Bush unveiled the 2006 federal budget proposal last month than the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) issued a strongly worded statement expressing its concerns over funding shortfalls. Specifically, AAPA leaders charged that funding for waterway and seaport security fell far below what U.S. public ports need for implementing new, federally mandated seaport security programs. They also claimed the proposed budget would significantly underfund needed deep-draft dredging projects.

If that's starting to sound familiar, it's because the group issued similar warnings about funding shortfalls in 2002, 2003 and 2004. But this time around, it appears that the ports have new cause for concern. The Bush plan calls for eliminating the Department of Homeland Security's Port Security Grant Program and merging it into a new program that combines the security needs of seaports with those of trains, trucks, buses and other public transit systems. It also cuts funding allocated to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Civil Works program, which includes deep-draft dredging projects.

Kurt Nagle, president and CEO of the AAPA, made no secret of his disappointment with the proposed budget. "Protecting America's marine facilities from acts of terrorism must be a top administration priority and a shared responsibility between the ports, government and private industry," he said. Ports are required to comply with federal security initiatives, he noted, but as public service entities, they don't have the option of cutting programs or eliminating services to pay for them. If federal funding falls short, ports will be forced to spend scarce resources on security instead of capital improvements, compromising their ability to keep up with growing cargo volumes.

Nagle added that the U.S. economy, the nation's safety and its national defense depend largely on how well seaports are protected and by ensuring deep-draft shipping access. "Unfortunately, the proposed federal budget the administration released [last month] literally removes port security as a separate line item and leaves gaping holes in funding for the dredging needs of U.S. ports."

It appears that the AAPA and the administration remain far apart when it comes to their notions of appropriate funding. For fiscal year 2006, AAPA urges appropriations of $735 million for deep-draft navigation operations and maintenance, at least $500 million for deep-draft construction and $10 million for new project studies. That compares with the administration's request of $607 million for harbor and channel operations and maintenance, $260 million for continuing construction and $7 million for studies.

Transportation Maritime & Ocean Regulation/Government
  • Related Articles

    Cargo ports cheer harbor funding in year-end federal spending bills

    Bill introduced to extend federal transport funding until the end of 2015

    Mica to propose three-month extension of federal transport funding

  • Related Events

    Manifest: The Future of Logistics

Recent Articles by DC Velocity Staff

Artificial intelligence creates real encyclopedia

Freight sector missed the boat on strong U.S. economy in Q3 and Q4, FTR says

Sloppy thieves botch trailer heist

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Fred Smith is not worried about Amazon

  • Outlook 2023: What’s in store for logistics/supply chain?

  • Ports, maritime operators see tide turning as ocean freight tsunami subsides

  • In Person: Steve Beverly of Penske

  • InPerson interview: Rob McKeel of Fortna

Now Playing on DCV-TV

89cfed30 8aac 4284 960d c8c8c1886e16

Have you checked your read rate lately?

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
No reads. Unaccounted for boxes. Boxes sent to the wrong place. A logistics nightmare! But this nightmare doesn’t have to come true. SICK’s linear line scan camera is what dreams are made of for your logistics operations. And if you’re worried about motion and vibration from conveyor belts...well, there’s no reason...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • The five best applications for robotic lift trucks in warehouse environments

  • Fulfillment Facility Improved Efficiencies by 4x

  • 3PLs: Complete Orders Faster with Flexible Automation

  • Reusable Packaging for the New Wave of Supply Chain Automation

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing