MarEx Mailbag: Reader Response to Last Weeks MarEx Editorial
MarEx readers weigh in on last week’s piece, entitled “Shortsea Shipping Concept Gathers Steam: New Grants and Initiatives Revive Much-Needed Transport Mode.”
In last week’s edition of the MarEx e-newsletter, our lead editorial centered on the expected inauguration of a Norfolk-Richmond short sea barge/container service. Expected to start in November; details still being fine-tuned. Long a dream of many players in the mid-Atlantic shipping corridor, it finally looks like shortsea shipping will come to the ports of Norfolk and Richmond, VA. The prospect of reviving an idea that has been floating around for many years breathes new life into the concept that Shortsea Shipping has value in many ways. And, not a moment too soon. You can read last week’s editorial by clicking HERE. You can also see what some of our readers thought about the article below:
Mr. Keefe,
Great news, great reporting. This kind of attention on past due trade opportunities, projected cost savings, contamination reductions, not to mention the article's highlights on alleviating congestion, are a breath of fresh air.
Your coverage on these developments is appreciated,
Bernard List
ESCO Marine, Inc.
MarEx Editor’s Remarks: Thanks for weighing in. Shortsea Shipping is an issue that I follow closely and a concept that, under the right circumstances, will catch on and flourish – to the benefit of everyone. Read on for another opinion:
Joe,
Hardly a new idea.
What you're calling short sea shipping is a revival of the coasting trade that died out as rail and highway infrastructure appeared to compete with it.
The government didn't help the situation any with some of the flagging rules.
Further, the maritime coasting trade has not died out in, for instance, southeast Alaska (and British Columbia). Many places there are either not reachable or not reached by either road or rail but are entirely reachable by barge and ferry.
Economics. I'm not a cost accountant, but it's well known that in ton-miles, maritime is more cost effective than rail or highway. Providing, of course, you can reach Point A and Point B. Pushing toward intermodal makes what started out as an either-or argument a cooperative one. So I'm guessing that there's some economy here.
Government. The logic that drove Department of Transportation formation in 1967 was that management of rail, road, air ... and maritime were scattered over several parts of the federal government. Getting them all under one department would allow the government to level the
proverbial playing field.
Personal observation. Unfortunately, I've seen precious little discussion or execution of this aspect of governance – after DoT was formed.
Rex Buddenberg
MarEx Editor’s Remarks: No, this isn’t a new concept. But, as the writer indicates, far too little attention to the value of Shortsea Shipping has been in the past twenty years. If the shortsea portion of the HMT can be eliminated, however, this will change. A good letter – thanks for writing.