Shortsea Shipping: Its Good for What Ails You
For those who want to promote the concept and/or think shortsea shipping just might be the medicine that the domestic American maritime industry needs, then www.Americasmarinehighways.com is worth a look. After that, you might just think that shortsea shipping deserves a second look, too.
A few months ago, I wrote a column extolling the virtues of shortsea shipping or as some like to call it, America’s Marine Highway. In fact, I wrote two such columns in the month of July alone. This is one area of maritime business that fascinates me to no end but nevertheless, after writing the second piece, I got a quick E-mail from a guy I that I think a great deal of, who told me – among other things in no uncertain terms – “I wouldn’t waste a lot of time on this; it is going nowhere fast.” I don’t really know if he is right about that, but I do know that if I am wrong, we’re all in a lot of trouble.
In general terms – and you can click on my previous articles to see the specifics of my arguments – the reinvigoration of shortsea shipping along what is affectionately coined “America’s Marine Highway” makes perfect sense. Removing the trucks from the roads reduces the amount of abuse that those roads take on a daily basis and ultimately will contribute heavily to solving the Highway Trust Fund crisis. Shortsea voyages also reduce traffic on the highways and make for a better lifestyle – not mention an easier and far shorter commute – especially for those who toil along the I-95 corridor. And then, there is the reduction of exhaust emissions along these same highways which in turn will make for cleaner air and dare I say it: a lessening of health-related problems in this country. There – I’ve also solved the healthcare crisis.
Virtually everyone knows that a domestic shortsea shipping program is “going nowhere fast” without the elimination of the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT). Lurking in the background is an effort to eliminate the HMT as it affects the shortsea component of sea legs. The HMT, as it stands now, derives absolutely no revenue from shortsea shipping, simply because no one is stupid enough to be taxed twice on the same cargo when that box or commodity can be shipped overland without the added expense. As we kick off the fourth quarter of 2009, however, there may just be a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel to look forward to.
One such person who shares the passion for shortsea shipping is Wayne McCormick, the owner and Webmaster of a relatively new web site called www.AmericasMarineHighways.com. McCormick’s site is devoted to all things “shortsea shipping” and he has compiled an enviable stockpile of information about the concept, industry opinions, data and a raft of other stuff. Seven months after kicking off the site, he is well-established, frequently updates his material and just recently asked his readers to weigh-in on three questions related to – you guessed it – America’s Marine Highway. The 3 AMH Questions were:
1.) Is there the potential for a Marine Highway Program in the United States?
2.) What are some of the barriers to making MH a reality on a larger scale?
3.) Is MH a part of a National Transportation System?
McCormick’s initial respondents include a diverse group of folks with differing interests in SSS including, proposed startups, existing operators, logistics consultants, maritime consultants, marine engineer/academic, and even Jim Pugh, the Director for Marine Highways and Passenger Services with the Maritime Administration/USDOT, who chimed in with his personal views. This group included Dennis Bryant, Torey Presti, Bernard List, Darshan Murphy, Richard Clepper, Doug Sartain, Hank Hoffman, John Reeve, Kevin Mack, Bruce Lambert and Jim Pugh. You can click on any one of those names to see their opinions and CV/BIO’s. It makes for interesting reading.
McCormick’s web site is a fine start to what I hope will eventually yield joy for American marine operators, vendors and domestic shipyards; all of which could coincidentally use a good shot in the arm right about now. In the meantime, I thought I would ask a question of my own:
• Is there any compelling reason why we should not promote and advocate for the revival and growth of a vibrant shortsea shipping business model? And, if so, why?
Weigh-in this week if you like and I will put appropriate responses in our Mailbag (and I don’t want to complain but I must be slipping because it has been light for a couple of weeks) in next week’s e-newsletter. In the meantime, you've got plenty of “linkable” reading to do. Notwithstanding the dismay of my friend who thinks I am wasting my time, I will continue to follow and write about this utterly fascinating and worthwhile topic. Stay tuned. - MarEx.
Joseph Keefe is the Editor in Chief of THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE. He can be reached with comments on this editorial at [email protected]. Join the Maritime Executive ‘Linked In’ group at by clicking http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/47685