MarEx Mailbag
This week’s mailbag contains three letters. All entries address articles from last week’s e-newsletter.
In last week’s MarEx e-newsletter, our lead editorial took a look back at the expansion plans (and ongoing construction) for the Panama Canal. In a piece that we named, “Thursday Morning Quarterback: Rethinking the Panama Canal Expansion,” we talked about the changes in the global economy and the possible changes in (logistics) options for shippers that might be coming down the pike. The editorial had as much click-through traffic as any piece we’ve put on line in the past two months. And, as always, our readers chimed in and had some interesting things to say. Read last week’s lead piece by clicking HERE. Or, just read on below to see what this week’s letter had to say.
Joe:
And when the current ice cycle continues and starts to move south again? Lay off the Kool-aid. Your whole premise is based on junk science and not worthy of publication in a professional magazine.
Name Withheld Upon Request
MarEx Editor’s Remarks: The reader is active in the maritime business and felt it best if his name was not in print, at least in this case. And, I always ask permission. Nevertheless, I would have put this letter up on line much quicker, but I’m just getting back from Kool-aid Rehab, which spanned a full seven days. The first two days are heck, but after that, it’s a snap. On a more serious note, I never pretend to understand the science of what is happening in the Arctic or the whole global warming thing, for that matter. But, as a well-placed senior Coast Guard official (who has had recent experience up there) told me, “All I know is that there is now deep water – and lots of it – where there used to be very thick ice.” That can’t be denied. Is it going to freeze up again? Who knows? In the meantime, I just paid the highest heating bill I’ve ever seen after the coldest January I can ever remember in my ten years in the Carolinas. Go figure. Here’s another letter:
Joe:
Very good article on the Panama Canal expansion.
My only observation is that "Al Gore and his friends" don't really enter into the equation. They are just the messengers.
It's the overwhelming body of professional climatologists that count in my book. Up to now, Global Climate Change has been seen only through scientific research and the opposing political arguments most often engendered by the fossil fuel industry
First we heard that there was no Global Climate Warming; that it was all a hoax. Then, as the evidence mounted, we were told that there was indeed Global Climate Warning, but that it certainly was not caused by man. Now we are informed that "clean" coal, pumping CO2 underground, scattering dust in the air, etc., will save the day.
None of these arguments matters. It's what's really happening up north that counts, and that's obvious to anyone who takes a look. It's maritime economics that will eventually tilt the board.
I read recently that there are 30 Post Panamax ships on order. I wonder if any of the specs call for ice resistant hulls?
Bill Lyons
MarEx Editor’s Remarks: I liked this letter. I especially liked the part about “none of those arguments mattering.” I personally think that regular Arctic passages will be coming; and sooner, rather than later. The only thing that might stop it from happening is any conflict with regard to territorial waters and the rightful concerns over pollution in areas which are today otherwise pristine and untouched. And, that’s coming, too. It’s why the United States has a new Arctic position and policy paper. We can agree to disagree on all or parts of that. It is what it is.
The final letter addresses another piece in last week’s e-newsletter, specifically, the award given to Senator Grassley by the Waterways Council. As a point of clarification, the piece was a press release issued by WCI and we thought it would be of interest to MarEx readers. While click-through traffic on the release wasn’t necessarily heavy, the piece struck a nerve with at least one reader. Read on to find out why:
Joe,
While your article on Senator Grassley was informative and I have no objection to it – it still strikes a nerve. I’m probably not telling you anything you don’t know, but when I was sailing master on US ships delivering grain overseas, Senator Grassley was our strongest opponent. He has a long history of attacking the Jones Act in support of the farm industry. This is an interesting example of the difference between the inland towing industry, ports and offshore shipping where inland interests give him honors and the mere mention of his name raises the hairs on the back of US flag offshore shipping.
Best Regards,
Name Withheld Upon Request
MarEx Editor’s Remarks: The writer is an active U.S. marine professional and as such, did not want to jeopardize his/her current employment situation. Still, he/she is entitled to an opinion and I am glad to present a different, if not opposing view.